28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Slice of Navy Life -- From 1772, Nov 27 2007
By Richard Schneider - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Complete Midshipman Bolitho (Paperback)
I recently got "The Complete Midshipman Bolitho," my first taste of the Bolitho series, and I am impressed. Having read completely through the Aubrey-Maturin 21-book series writtten by that most iconographic of historical fiction writers, Patrick O'Brian, I was prepared for something of a letdown in this series. Not so! I have been turning pages compulsively since I opened the cover. This book combines the first three chapters in Richard Bolitho's naval career ("Midshipman Bolito'" "Midshipman Bolitho and The Avenger" and "Band of Brothers"), and I'm left wanting more.
It is clear that I will have to chew my way through the entire series in order to satisfy my craving for Richard Bolitho's further adventures.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book!, July 10 2008
By Dr J - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Complete Midshipman Bolitho (Paperback)
This is the omnibus edition of the first three Richard Bolitho novels by Alexander Kent (Midshipman Bolitho, Bolitho and the Avenger, and Band of Brothers). The first two were written decades ago, but Band of Brothers only a couple years ago. I am not sure why kent waited so long to wrap up Bolitho's career as a Midshipman. Well, he finally did and this is the way it should have been from the start. Since each book by itself was rather short, this collection is not too big. We get a clear picture of our hero as he begins his ascent up the rank ladder. There is a lot of action. For anyone who wants battles and plot twists, this is the series for you. Kent doesn't bore the reader with unnecessary descriptions. Everything moves along at a good pace. A great introduction to the naval fiction genre.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Complete Midshipman Bolitho, Aug 21 2009
By Don Hathorn - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Complete Midshipman Bolitho (Paperback)
I am a big fan of Hornblower and was not sure what beginning this series with a new "hero" would be like. Would I enjoy him or would I spend too much time compairng Bolitho with Hornblower. Frankly, I did at first but by the time I got to the third novel or section I was hooked and quite anxious to turn the page see where and what Bolitho was up to and I was not disappointed as he worked himself through his personal relationships and realized his leadership potential and charisma.
The author does well in laying out the scenes so that you can easily see in your mind all that is taking place. He also shows a very good knowledge of all things nautical and picked up the essence of His Britanic Majesty's Navy during the late 1700's.
This is a good read.