Richard Bolitho novels

The series is written by Douglas Edward Reeman under the pen name Alexander Kent. (Links in the list go to reviews of the books.)

1. To Glory We Steer (1968) (7th in plot sequence)
2. Form Line of Battle! (1969) (11th)
3. Enemy In Sight! (1970) (12th)
4. Flag Captain (1971) (13th)
5. Sloop Of War (1972) (6th)
6. Command a King's Ship (1973) (8th)
7. Signal - Close Action! (1974) (14th)
8. Richard Bolitho, Midshipman(1975) (1st)
9. Passage To Mutiny (1976) (9th)
10. In Gallant Company (1977) (5th)
11. The Inshore Squadron (1977) (15th)
12. Midshipman Bolitho and the 'Avenger' (1978) (2nd)
13. Stand Into Danger (1980) (4th)
14. A Tradition Of Victory (1981) (16th)
15. Success to the Brave (1983)(17th)
16. Colours Aloft (1986)(18th)
17. Honour This Day (1987)(19th)
18. With All Despatch (1988) (10th)
19. The Only Victor (1990) (20th)
20. Beyond The Reef (1992) (21st)
21. The Darkening Sea (1993) (22nd)
22. For My Country's Freedom(1995) (23rd)
23. Cross Of St. George (1996) (24th)
24. Sword of Honour (1998) (25th)
25. Second to None (1999) (26th)
26. Relentless Pursuit (2001) (27th)
27. Man of War (2003) (28th)
28. Band of Brothers (2006) (3rd)
29. Heart of Oak (2007) (29th)

See also the historical chronological listing on Bolitho page 3.
Also, see more about Alexander Kent, and our Douglas Reeman pages!

The Bolitho-series by Alexander Kent

There is simply, to me, nothing like great naval fiction to sit down with and have a truly wonderful and enjoyable reading time. The sea story is one of the most enduring and enjoyable staples in popular literature. Tales of stout men under sail, with blasting cannon hurling iron across the water at one another, were absolute dynamite when Frederick Marryat held a huge readership wired to their seats in the early 19th century with his stories about Midshipman Easy.

Since then we've had Patrick O'Brian with his marvelous series about Captain Aubrey and his particular friend doctor Maturin. And, perhaps even better, The Horatio Hornblower novels of C.S. Forester that were among the most genuinely satisfying novels of the last forty years. More recently, Dewey Lambdin with his stunning series about Alan Lewrie, Julian Stockwin's Kydd series, Dudley Pope with his fabulous Lord Ramage, Richard Woodman with Nathaniel Drinkwater, and Alexander Kent with the series about Richard Bolitho both follow in the footsteps of these giants of naval fiction. Basically, there are patrolling the same sea lanes, to some extent fighting the same battles, but the stories are there to be told over and over again. They are equally entertaining every time!

Alexander Kent's winning, interesting and attractive hero is Richard Bolitho, who is squarely in the tradition of Captain Hornblower, Alan Lewrie, and Midshipman Easy. All of the heroic elements are here. This is simply great, solid stuff that still packs a wallop and will probably continue to do so when another writer comes along 30 years from now to tell the old stories again to a new generation.

Richard Bolito is man-wise, humane, decisive and courageous. All the briny echoes of fictional marine heroes can be heard again in these rip-rousing tales of naval warfare as the stalwart Bolitho gains the trust of his crew and admiration of his superiors. A wonderful series for readers who, like me, wants adventure and grand tales!

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Richard Bolitho, Midshipman, by Alexander Kent

Bolitho is a hero of the old school. In this, the first book chronologically, Richard Bolitho is a midshipman, and he must deal with pirates, a lieutenant who hates him but stilltakes credit for his ideas, and, as well his first command. Working hard to improve himself and learn, he is sucessful. But the learning is painful and costly to him.

There is some background, both about Richard Bolitho and the Navy here. Bolitho comes from a solid naval family, with proud traditions. And, there is a lot of knowledge about the functioning of the Royal Navy at the time being imparted in this novel. For instance about its structure and the necessity for firm discipline.

This is a great novel, holding a lot of promise for the series. You may want to start with this book and read it chronologically, even thought that is not required - each book in the series stands on its own feet.

Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger, by Alexander Kent

In Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger, Bolitho returns home to his native Cornwall for Christmas. It is now 1773. Along with him, he brings fellow midshipman Martyn Dancer. He soon finds that there is something bad going on - and that his community is being ripped apart by smuggling, ship wrecking and witchcraft.

Bolitho and his friend Dancer, along with members of Bolitho's family, spend time trying to solve the mysteries on land and sea. The story is good, even though this book is not among my personal favorites as most of the action takes place on dry land.

It is possible to buy the first three books of the series together: (amazon US) 2 Vols : Richard Bolitho - Midshipman & Midshipman Bolitho and the 'Avenger', and (amazon UK): Midshipman Bolitho: "Richard Bolitho Midshipman" and "Midshipman Bolitho and the "Avenger"".

Band of Brothers, by Alexander Kent

Band of Brothers, which deals with events taking place in 1774, was written fairly late in the sequence (see above), and was probably written to fill in more background about Richard Bolitho. Here, Bolitho stands on the brink of manhood and takes his examination to begin his true career as a King’s Officer.

The book may also be viewed as an answer to the question of "What happened to Midshipman Martyn Dancer?" This is a question his readers have nagged him for 30 years to solve. And here we are, indeed, told of Dancer's fate.

As a midshipman in Band of Brothers, the young Bolitho again demonstrates his trademarks as a man are not limited to bravery, leadership, and seamanship. Already here he displays the compassion for those who serve under him that so clearly distinuishes him from many of his contemporaries, and which grows to legendary proportions in later novels as his rank and responsibility grow.

A good - not great - book that plays an important part in the series!

Links to Alexander Kent's books at amazon US, amazon UK, and amazon CAN.
For Norwegians: Bokkilden.no har også bøkene!

Stand Into Danger, by Alexander Kent

The year is still 1774. Richard Bolitho has gistinguished himself, and is now a newly appointed third lieutenant joining the 28-gun frigate Destiny at Plymouth. In social terms, the step from the midshipman's berth to the wardroom is a large one. As well, this happens at a time when and at a time most of the fleet is laid up, and Bolitho is considered to be very fortunate.

Bolitho comes close to death in this splendid book and he also sustains the wound that leaves him with the scar on his forehead that he ever afterwards tries to hide by a lock of hair. Also, we learn how he first encounters his faithful coxwain Stockdale.

The response of an intelligent young man to increasing responsibility, and to the aloof but careful guidance of a seasoned commander, is both well conveyed in the story. Also, Bonitho meets a beautiful Portuguese. But in addition, this is a book full of action: A secret mission, a complex landing-operation on an island, conspiracy, treason and piracy. Also, as Destiny sails, Bolitho has to learn in the middle of broadside battles at sea and swords in hand-to-hand actions how to accept and carry out his new responsibilities as a King's officer. A wonderful adventure!

In Gallant Company, by Alexander Kent

This book deals with Bolitho's life as a young lieutenant aboard the Trojan, an eighty-gun ship of the line. In sequence, the events take place immediately before those covered by Sloop of War, which was hailed by the Evening Standard as both 'truly stirring stuff' and 'historically and technically accurate.'

It is now 1777, and the revolution in America has erupted into a full-scale war. The main task of the Navy is to prevent military supplies from reaching Washington's armies and to destroy the fast-growing fleet of French and American privateers.

Bolitho is Fourth Lieutenant in the eighty-gun Trojan lying in New York harbor. Because of the death in action of one of his superiors and the capture of another, he ends as Second Lieutenant and then, to his surprise, as prize master of a captured American brig, and while being a prize master, he manages to grab yet another enemy ship, which is more than enough to give him a promotion!

Alexander Kent does a great job of developing characters in this book, and apart from the action and fighting, it is easy to get engaged in the people in this book as well. In the course of rising in rank Bolitho now begins to build a reputation in the fleet for dash and success through unorthodox, bloody, and killing conflicts. A great read!

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