The Flag Captain

Rating:
Summary: Another great Bolitho story
Review:

This tale begins in April, 1797, in Falmouth Bay, as Napoleon continues his struggle to dominate Europe (and England) by land and sea.

Richard Bolitho returns home after a year-and-a-half of continuous sea duty, and is, again, assigned to a commander (admiral) who is insistant upon having his own way. Unfortunately, it is not a way approved of by Bolitho, and it leads to problems. Bolitho is in constant contact with the admiral because he is flag captain.

As usual, in this series, there is a lot of sea action, as well as excursions against the enemy on land, a great deal of bloodshed, and Bolitho is blessed with the company of many of his oldest friends.

This is pure Alexander Kent. If you liked the other books in the series, I guarantee you will enjoy this one as well.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance

Rating:
Summary: Responsibility beckons
Review: Newly in harbor, Capt. Bolitho is approached by a mutineer for his intercession in the vast British fleet mutinies of 1797. Being the preternaturally fair man he is, Bolitho must become involved, a choice that will dog him through the rest of his time with the crusty admiral whose ship he now captains. (Oddly enough, Kent never mentions the grievances and demands of the mutinous crews and how they were satisfied-and it was not just by hanging the ringleaders as the admiral mentions here.) Kent again challenges Bolitho with a less than stellar superior for a bold incursion back into the Mediterranean (abandoned the year before). With his admiral's head stuck in the strategic clouds of yesteryear, we get to see our Bolitho growing in command to excercise (Lord Nelson's) new more flexible and break-the-line squadron tactics. He also has to contend with a spy, a shifty spymaster, and the usual impossible assignments. A study in proper subordination, Bolitho manages to get his brilliant ideas put into effect by, or despite, his closely attending and rigidly doctrinaire admiral. Uniquely in this book we see explicit discussion of the evolving tactics of sea warfare rather than just the usual literary ploy of conflicting personalities or command styles.

Kent uses flashbacks to re-view later the routine or tedious intervals in the plot while skipping ahead towards the next action. (Conversely, Dudley Pope uses interpolated instructional pieces in his Ramage series to slow the action and build anticipation). Kent also shows here one oddity of Bolitho (as contrasted with Pope's series): Bolitho often misses the really big true actions, like Cape St. Vincent, in favor of minor, peripheral, or perhaps fictitious actions. While there is still much swashbuckling action on view, we are also treated to the cerebrations and considerations of more exalted command levels than before, as we follow Bolitho's rise in rank and breadth of responsibilities.

Rating:
Summary: Load cannon and run them out! Stand by!
Review: Once more, Mr Kent has propelled the reader into the turbulent and dangerous waters of adventure. Richard Bolitho is once again locked in mortal combat with not only the French but ruthless Barbary pirates. Some terrific actions sequences as Bolitho is in a battered Spanish vessel that he just captured. The ship is beset by the pirates and one of the most thrilling sea fights you can read about takes place. Great high adventure. Many characters people this novel, some new and dangerous and many others that prove more friendly. Great old friendships are rekindled, some tragic events and some heroic actions. Plenty of toppling foremasts, upturned 32 pounders, flashing and thundering broadsides and flaming hulks. Nautical fiction at it's finest.
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