London and the Georgian Navy (PB) – Historic Naval Fiction

Philip MacDougall has a new book London and the Georgian Navy which is now available for pre-order in paperback. It will be released in the US on 11 June 2013 and in the UK on 1 July 2013.

Georgian London was the hub of the world’s largest industrial-military complex, underpinning and securing a global trading empire that was entirely dependent on the Royal Navy for its existence. Philip MacDougall explores the bureaucratic web that operated within the wider city area before giving attention to London’s association with the practical aspects of supplying and manning the operational fleet and shipbuilding, repair and maintenance. His detailed geographical exploration of these areas includes a discussion of key personalities, buildings and work. The book examines significant locations as well as the importance of Londoners in the manning of ships and how the city memorialised the navy and its personnel during times of victory. A gazetteer and walking guide complete this fascinating study.

via London and the Georgian Navy (PB) – Historic Naval Fiction.

Review: Ripples in the Sand by Helen Hollick – Historic Naval Fiction

Book 4 in the Sea Witch series, Ripples in the Sand continues to reveal the lives of the pirate Jesamiah Acorne and his wife, the witch Tiola.

In a departure from previous books, and unlike most pirate books, the action moves to home waters, based around the area of Appledore and Instow in North Devon. The majority of historical novels tend to feature the south coast so this in itself made the book a pleasure to read as it gave an insight into a different area.

Jesamiah is intending to sell a cargo of tobacco from his Virginia estate, and some illicit brandy and indigo, but when Tiola discovers some long lost relatives, one of whom has been arrested for smuggling, things start to get complicated. They soon find themselves involved with the local ruling families, including Sir Ailie Doone of the notorious Doone family of Exmoor, and a plot which will lead a Jacobite rebellion. Some family surprises are also in store for Jesamiah.

via Review: Ripples in the Sand by Helen Hollick – Historic Naval Fiction.

Britannia’s Dragon (HC) – Historic Naval Fiction

J. D. Davies has a new book Britannia’s Dragon: A Naval History of Wales which is now available for pre-order in hardcover. It will be released worldwide on 1 July 2013.

Wales has a long coastline, and nowhere is more than about forty miles from the sea or a navigable river. From the earliest times, Welshmen have used the sea and the sea has shaped the history of the country. Seapower was arguably one of the most decisive factors in ending the nation’s independence. The Welsh contribution to piracy has long been recognised, and “Britannia’s Dragon” will present much new and sometimes surprising evidence, such as the fact that relative to the populations of the retrospective countries, proportionately more Welshmen fought at Trafalgar than Scots, Irishmen or even Englishmen. The book will also examine the invaluable contribution made by Welsh industry – especially coal and copper – to naval history, and will also consider such themes as shipbuilding and shipwrecks.

via Britannia’s Dragon (HC) – Historic Naval Fiction.

Blackbeard’s Last Fight (PB) – Historic Naval Fiction

Angus Konstam has a new book which is now available for pre-order worldwide in paperback, Blackbeard’s Last Fight: Pirate Hunting in North Carolina 1718. It is due to be released on 18 June 2013.

In April 1713 the War of the Spanish Succession came to an end. During the conflict hundreds of privateers – licenced pirates – preyed on enemy shipping throughout the Caribbean. These privateers now found themselves out of a job, and many turned to piracy. One of them was Edward Teach – more popularly known as “Blackbeard.”

He joined the pirates in New Providence (now Nassau) in the Bahamas, and by early 1717 he had become a pirate captain. From then on he caused havoc off the North American seaboard, in the West Indies and off Honduras, before appearing off Charleston, South Carolina in May 1718. He blockaded this major port for a week, an act that made Blackbeard the most notorious pirate of his day.

Read More Blackbeard’s Last Fight (PB) – Historic Naval Fiction.

Bloody Rain (K) – Historic Naval Fiction

Author Rick Spilman has a new short story which is now available worldwide for Kindle, Bloody Rain: Murder, Madness & the Monsoon.

Bloody Rain is a short story set on a sailing ship in the 1880s.

The Queen Charlotte was anchored fore and aft off the Calcutta wharves in the Hoogly River, waiting for cargo. She was a fine, three masted iron bark; trim, low and fast on a reach – in all respects, the perfection of the shipbuilder’s art. If she had a single great flaw, it was on her quarterdeck in the man that the owners had chosen as captain.

Captain John McPherson maintains absolute control over his ship and those who sail upon her. The only one that he cannot control is himself, slipping into murder and madness in the face of the relentless monsoon.

Read More Bloody Rain (K) – Historic Naval Fiction.

Navy, Nation and Nelson (HC) – Historic Naval Fiction

A new book Navy, Nation and Nelson: The Rise of British Sea Power 1688-1815 edited by Quintin Colville, with a Foreword by N. A. M. Rodger and contributions from James Davey, is now available for pre-order in hardcover. It will be released worldwide on 15 June 2013.

Navy, Nation and Nelson explores the Royal Navy’s relationship with Britain from the Glorious Revolution to the Napoleonic Wars, encompassing three central themes: the realities of naval life in this period, the navy’s connection to society, culture and national identity, and the story of Nelson’s life and career.

via Navy, Nation and Nelson (HC) – Historic Naval Fiction.

Review: Hostile Shores by Dewey Lambdin – Historic Naval Fiction

The start of this latest adventure for Captain Sir Alan Lewrie sees the frigate Reliant and his squadron of small vessels putting to sea from Nassau to face an unknown enemy, possibly the powerful French squadron they have heard about. After this dramatic start Lewrie has to haul down his broad pendant and sail back to England with a ship badly in need of a refit.

Reliant is nearing the end of her commission and when Lewrie visits the Admiralty he is soon intriguing to get his ship back to sea rather than face unemployment. As a result he finds himself on a voyage to join the squadron of Sir Home Popham.

Under this colourful officer he takes part in the action to seize Cape Town from the Dutch and is then part of the ill fated adventure where Popham heads off to Buenos Aires.

The first two chapters of this book really grab your attention and thereafter it is hard to put down. As usual the narrative explores the martial side of lewrie’s character but also portrays the private man, someone who takes his pets to sea with him and is somewhat of a rogue in his pursuit of Lydia Stangbourne. There is a lot in the depiction of Lewrie that makes him stand out from the work of other authors of similar series and coupled with his depictions of life at sea makes Lamdin’s work something I want to read more of.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it.

via Review: Hostile Shores by Dewey Lambdin – Historic Naval Fiction.

British Frigate Vs French Frigate: 1793 to 1814 (PB) – Historic Naval Fiction

Author Mark Lardas has a new book British Frigate Vs French Frigate: 1793 to 1814 which is now available for pre-order in paperback. It will be released worldwide on 21 May 2013.

In the “Age of Fighting Sail” (1650-1820), ambitious officers of the navies of many nations sought command of a frigate. Speedy, nimble and formidably armed, frigates often operated independently, unlike the larger ships of the line. Legendary sailors such as Edward Pellew and Charles-Alexandre Leon Durand, Comte de Linoise, found that commanding such a ship offered numerous opportunities for wealth. In this book, four representative frigate duels are examined: first, a battle fought between two closely matched ships (HMS Nymphe (36) vs La Cleoptre (32); second, a victory won by an inferior British frigate over a superior French frigate (HMS Pallas (32) vs Minerve (40); third, a victory – the only one – by an inferior French frigate over a superior British frigate (HMS Ambuscade (32) vs Baonnaise (24), and fourth, victory of a superior British frigate over an inferior French frigate (HMS Indefatigable (44) of Hornblower fame vs La Virginie (40). Featuring specially commissioned artwork and offering expert analysis, this study provides a vivid account of the bloody combats fought by the most romantic warship of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic era – the frigate.

via British Frigate Vs French Frigate: 1793 to 1814 (PB) – Historic Naval Fiction.

The Merchant Navy (PB) – Historic Naval Fiction

Author Richard Woodman’s latest book The Merchant Navy is now available for pre-order in paperback. It will be released in the UK on 10 April 2013 and in the US on 23 April 2013.

At one time British ships carried half of the world’s trade, transporting all manner of goods from and to all four corners of the world. Two World Wars nearly destroyed that mighty system, yet through them both determined, brave and tenacious convoys battled through to save Britain from starvation. This book relates this entire colourful history, but also looks in detail at the day-to-day existences of the seamen involved and at their experiences as part of Britain’s merchant navy.

via The Merchant Navy (PB) – Historic Naval Fiction.

An Interview with David Healey – Historic Naval Fiction

Historic Naval Fiction is pleased to have obtained an Interview with David Healey whose new novel in the The Sea Lord Chronicles series, First Voyage, was recently released.

What can you tell us about First Voyage, without spoiling the plot for readers?

I imagined this book as a sea adventure story for boys, and so the focus is on Alexander Hope, a young teenager who finds himself on a Royal Navy frigate. He quickly makes friends—and enemies—as he tries to find his place and make himself useful in this unique world that is life aboard a frigate. This is something of an alternate reality in that in this world there is an aerial corps of gryphon flyers and some remnants of magic. Now imagine that Alexander discovers he has inherited some of this magical ability from his ancestor who defeated the Spanish Armada two centuries before. Suddenly Alexander isn’t so ordinary anymore, and a great number of people will want to use him for their own devices.

Read More An Interview with David Healey – Historic Naval Fiction.