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Rating: 
Summary: Action, Action, Action
Review: An Eye of The Fleet is the 1st book of a 14 book series written by Richard Woodman. The main character of the series is a man by the name of Nathaniel Drinkwater. In this book, Drinkwater is a Midshipman aboard a 36 gun frigate named the Cyclops. The timeline is from Oct. 1779- Aug. 1781. The British are at war with the colonies (U.S.) along with the French. I found this book to be very exciting, which made it hard to put down. Drinkwater is in the action up to his neck! On top of trying to stay alive during several ship battles which include the French and an American privateer, and even fighting the "rebels" on land in South Carolina, he has a fellow crew member that is out to get him. This inter-ship conflict, which carries throughout the book, keep me at the edge of my seat. I found this book more enjoyable then Forester's The Midshipman (Hornblower, 1st in that series), which I enjoyed also. I can not wait to start the next Drinkwater book, A King's Cutter.... I would buy this book again!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant first 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.
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. None of the incidents or fortunate strokes of luck seem contrived, rather they develop naturally as Nat matures from innocence into almost cynical youth. In 'The Eye of the Fleet', the hard life below decks is brought horrifically home in the first few pages - the impotence of the younger gentlemen in the face of overbearing bullying is brought sharply into focus, as is the rough justice of the foremast jacks - stark reality is served up in healthy measure here, with a side salad of intrigue and a dressing of young love. I devoured this book in a day - good job I'd already bought the follow-on, because this is addictive reading.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant first novel.
Review: Brilliant stuff! 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. 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. The hard life below decks is brought horrifically home in the first few pages - the impotence of the younger gentlemen in the face of overbearing bullying is brought sharply into focus, as is the rough justice of the foremast jacks - stark reality is served up in healthy measure here, with a side salad of intrigue and a dressing of young love.
None of the incidents or fortunate strokes of luck seem contrived, rather they develop naturally as Nat matures from innocence into almost cynical youth. Read the following books - they get better with each tale. *****
Rating:
Summary: Clear for action - Much lies ahead
Review: I am a fan of this type of book. C.S. Forrester, Patrick O'Brien and James Nelson are all authors that I have enjoyed immensley and now I have Richard Woodman to add to the list. The authenticity of the description of the life on ships of war is almost too real and certainly takes some of the shine off the supposed glamour of the era. Nathaniel Drinkwater is introduced in this novel and apparently continues to grow through many of the ones that follow. That is good news as his character is interesting and complicated and it will be very interesting to watch his passage as a naval officer and a man. Woodman has a facility for putting you in the midst of the story he is telling; his characters are well drawn and the whole story, while often painful to follow, is nevertheless compelling. This is an author to follow.
Rating: 
Summary: The First Book of the Drinkwater Series
Review: This book introduces Nathaniel Drinkwater, who enters the Royal Navy as a young midshipman in 1779. The story covers the period from 1779-1781, as the Royal Navy fights both the French and the Americans. Unlike other authors, Richard Woodman is diligent in defining the time periods in his books. The book gives a realistic account of a young midshipman, where Drinkwater's greatest enemies are aboard his own ship. It is highly recommended that readers read the books in order as this first book in the series introduces characters who play substantial roles in later books. The story includes action in the English Channel, and a mission on shore in North America. It includes brutal elements of both the American Revolution and life aboard a Royal Navy ship. It is not recommended for children without parental guidance.
Rating:
Summary: The First Book of the Drinkwater Series
Review: This book introduces Nathaniel Drinkwater, who enters the Royal Navy as a young midshipman in 1779. The story covers the period from 1779-1781, as the Royal Navy fights both the French and the Americans. Unlike other authors, Richard Woodman is diligent in defining the time periods in his books. The book gives a realistic account of a young midshipman, where Drinkwater's greatest enemies are aboard his own ship. It is highly recommended that readers read the books in order as this first book in the series introduces characters who play substantial roles in later books. The story includes action in the English Channel, and a mission on shore in North America. It includes brutal elements of both the American Revolution and life aboard a Royal Navy ship. It is not recommended for children without parental guidance.
Rating:
Summary: Great Naval Warfare Series
Review: This is the first book in a wonderful series. The Nathaniel Drinkwater books are comparable in quality to those of Forester and Patrick O'Brian. Woodman's plots are typically tighter and more focused than O'Brian's (the books are shorter), and possibly less literate and a little "dark" as one reviewer described them. Although the books in some cases have less naval warfare action than Forester's and Alexander Kent's books, they do not lack for excitement or interest. Woodman's plots seem to be based on the conflict of a competent man against evil forces, which lends power to the narrative. Here is a list of the Nathaniel Drinkwater novels in chronological order: An Eye of the Fleet, A King's Cutter, A Brig of War, The Bomb Vessel, The Corvette, 1805, Baltic Mission, In Distant Waters, A Private Revenge, Under False Colors, The Flying Squadron, Beneath the Aurora, The Shadow of the Eagle, Ebb Tide. Few books cause me to search out those extra few minutes of reading time so that I can get on with the story, but these books fall into that catagory.
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Summary: Start of a serious naval series
Review: This is the place to start this series, with Nathaniel Drinkwater as one lowly midshipman (where DO these naval authors get their strange names: Hornblower? Easy? Ramage?). I'm enjoying the stories even though I've skipped about depending on what was available. Now they are all being reprinted in a very good trade edition from Sheridan House (just to prove McBooks doesn't have a lock on the genre). This is also one of the few in the series that takes place in American waters, here while that very claim was being first disputed, 1780. Drinkwater is learning his sea-faring trade in a series of episodes where he increases in maturity and responsibility, through a smashing battle, a fight for rank in the mess, and capture and mutiny. The author constructs a very authentic feel in the details of ship-board life and the cruelties of hazing the youngest members, without indulging in long feats of sailsmanship. Woodman doesn't give Drinkwater the enthusiasms (or arcane language) of O'Brian's Capt. Aubrey, nor the self-doubt of Forester's Hornblower. Drinkwater finds a dear chaste love that stands in great contrast to the amorous adventures of Alan Lewrie in the parallel books by Dewey Lambdin. The cover illustration is pretty useless but authentically captures the somber tone of the series. As ever, keep an eye on the wind, and fair sailing!
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