strodene’s Historic Naval fiction is pleased to have obtained an Interview with M. Howard Morgan who’s new book First Fleet is now available for Kindle and will be available in paperback later in the year.What can you tell us about First Fleet without spoiling the plot for readers?My telling of the story had to have two main characters, there had to be a simple ‘love story’ woven into the fabric of the tale, but it also had to set a background to further writing. It was a fantastic voyage and social experiment to undertake, even for the time. It so nearly failed, but the result is Australia.The story takes two young people, of very different backgrounds and by different paths, to find each other and perhaps themselves, when reunited in New Holland. The marine detachment in New Holland fought no battles, won no honours, but did distinguish itself in a sense. Discipline did not disintegrate completely, quite a remarkable achievement in the circumstances. First Fleet attempts to tell something of the voyage – really the first mass migration in British history and allow me to develop the main characters for a second, but very different book.
Month: February 2011
Astrodene Review: First Fleet by M. Howard Morgan
The Royal Marines get a ‘walk on’ part in many Age of Sail naval novels but there are not many series where they are the focus. In the first novel of a proposed new series, First Fleet, M. Howard Morgan joins this select group.
The story starts by setting out the family background of Jack Vizzard and a certain young lady then continues in two threads as it follows their fate. Jack joins the service and sails with the first convict transport fleet to Australia. Of neccesity a large proportion of this book is land based but it sets out the characterisations well and will form a firm base for the sequel.
This was an enjoyable book and if you want to know more about the early colonisation of Australia was also informative.
HMS Victory – First-Rate (PB)
HMS Victory – First-Rate by authors Jonathan Eastland & Iain Ballantyne will be available in paperback in the UK on 15 May 2011 and in the US in April.
HMS Victory is probably the best-known historic ship in the world. A symbol of the Royal Navy s achievements during the great age of sail, she is based in Portsmouth and seen by tens of thousands of visitors each year. As is the case for many historic ships, however, there is a surprising shortage of informative and well illustrated guides, for reference during a visit or for research by enthusiasts – ship modellers, naval buffs, historians or students.
Read More HMS Victory – First-Rate (PB).
HMS Warrior – Ironclad (PB)
HMS Warrior – Ironclad by author Wynford Davies will be available in paperback in the UK on 17 March 2011 and in the US in April.
HMS Warrior, launched in 1860, was the first iron-hulled, sea-going armoured ship, and for many years was the most powerful warship in the world. Rescued a century later from her role as a refuelling hulk, she became the object of the most ambitious ship restoration project ever mounted and is now afloat and open to visitors at Portsmouth. As is the case for many historic ships, however, there is a surprising shortage of informative and well illustrated guides, for reference during a visit or for research by enthusiasts ship modellers, naval buffs, technical historians or students.
Read More HMS Warrior – Ironclad (PB).
The Land, The Sea and Space 