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Rating: 
Summary: O'Brien without the wig tugging pomposity.A great read.
Review: A very good series for the Nelson's Navy buff. I was unhappy to be finished with O'Brien's books so this was a good series to find. More sophisticated than Kent's Bolitho series but nowhere near as great as O'Brien. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: This is a page-turner for all nautical fiction buffs.
Review: After O'Brien, where do you go? This series of nautical adventures during the Napoleonic era will do just fine, thanks. What it lacks in eloquence and sophistication it more than makes up for in unremitting action, adventure and derring-do. Woodman is especially good on the political backround to the melodrama, without letting it bog the story down. There will never be another O'Brien, let's face it, but these books will divert and amuse until enough time has passed to warrant a re-reading of the O'B canon. The heroes are noble, the villains wonderfully evil,and the plot has just the right amount of improbable coincidences to remind one that this is entertainment and not literature. I devoured it in two days. The first three novels (and do read this series in order of publication) are now available from amazon.uk in one volume. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Gets better with each book
Review: As first novels, these are almost as subtle and enigmatic as P.O'B's later works, but just as gripping as his early stuff; similarly based on historical fact, they are definitely a cut above the rest and should be read in order, to get the best enjoyment.
Excellent descriptions of below-decks and battle actions take you right inside the ship; an acquaintance with nautical terminology helps, but is not vital, to understand the gist of the action or the day-to-day management of the ship - e.g. the handling of sails is particularly well-described, far better than any other book I've read. and succinct descriptions of wind, weather and tide preface each event; the stage is already set - action soon follows. Book 3 'A Brig of War' sees Nat dashing round to the Red Sea to subvert Napoleon's suspected attack on India. A tense sea-chase ensues, brilliantly described, there are some on-board intrigues which keep one guessing, an old enemy returns to haunt Nat, plus the minutiae of running a ship make this immensely enjoyable reading. We see more details of Nat's long-time colleagues, in particular the misanthrope Appleby, whose didactic prolix is an undercurrent of humour which endears him to both Nat and his ailing Captain. I read the first 3 books in a weekend - good job I'd already bought the follow-on, because this is addictive reading.
Rating: 
Summary: The third book in the series
Review: I did not feel that this third book in the Nathaniel Drinkwater series was as good as the second (A King's Cutter), but it is a good Royal Navy adventure with lots of action as Drinkwater's ship is sent to the Red Sea. It provides an interesting story set in one of the far off areas of the war, not usually covered by other authors. As in his other books, Richard Woodman provides a time period with each chapter heading. This book covers the period from February 1798 to January 1800. It is desirable to read the books in chronological order as this book reintroduces characters from both books 1 and 2 in the series. It gives a good account of the struggle for promotion and notes the effects of bedroom politics (an officer whose sister is the mistress of someone with connections can gain promotion through his sister's influence). The story provides an accurate picture of natural hazards when sailing, hazards of warfare, and hazards to health a in tropical climate. Enemies aboard ship continue to be a problem, almost deadly in Drinkwater's case.
Rating:
Summary: Felt like I was on the Ship
Review: This book covers the period from February 1798 to January 1800. We follow 1st Lt Nathaniel Drinkwater as he sells on the War brig hawthorne to the Red Sea. I have not read any other book in the series and found this enjoyable. I actually felt like I was on the ship. This is a true action book. And the author must really know his seamanship and history of the period to develop his world. A fun read.
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