- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Arrow; New edition edition (Feb 27 1994)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 009942410X
- ISBN-13: 978-0099424109
- Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 2 x 17.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 159 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #602,770 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Review
" 'One of our foremost writers of naval fiction' Sunday Times"
Book Description
This story is set during 1899 in China. The Mandarins are becoming troublesome again and there are rumours that attacks will soon begin on British trade missions and legations. Captain David Blackwood of the Royal Marines received a VC in the bloody battle for Benin, Africa, but is now being packed off to this apparent backwater. But there are plenty of troubles in store for Blackwood in the shape of an errant nephew and a beautiful German Countess who insists that he personally escort her up the river on a small steamer into the heart of the country. China is a sleeping tiger that will soon awake when the Boxer Rebellion erupts into bloody war in 1900. True to their motto, the Royal Marines are the first to land, and the last to leave. This is the second novel in the Blackwood saga, spanning 150 years in the history of a great seafaring family and the tradition in which they served.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.6 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reeman has no equal, July 29 2010
By Max de Bruyn "Book Addict" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The First to Land (Paperback)
Douglas Reeman is a master of his genre. No he does not provide the historical oratory of Cromwell and does not let you hear the shrill of the bosun pipe or the smack of unfurling sail like an O'Brien but he tells a very human tale in exciting circumstances. His characters are as you would find them in a real military context.If you have ever been in or exposed to a military life, his books will resonate. They are of the right size to truly be a "pocket book". You will find his novels in many back pockets or otherwise disposed by those who are "on watch" or "on leave". Each installment comes to a satisfactory conclusion and takes you along for a quick military venture. In other words, entertainment.
In "First to Land" he continues from "Badge of Glory" with the story of the Royal Marines of Great Britain, through the annals of the Family Blackwood, steeped in the grand fashion of British Military Traditions. This time Captain David Blackwood learns of the death of Brother Neil in South Africa and we get snippets of discontent for the manner in which the British are maintaining their Crimean tactics in a new Guerilla War with South African Farmers of Dutch descent. The main plot however finds Captain Blackwood and a small company of RMLI in China on a mission to escort a German Countess to the International holdings of Shanghai but become embroiled in the opening salvos of the "Boxer Rebellion". Other commenters are correct in saying that there is precious little political background here but then that is not the style of Reeman Novels. He writes as a soldier would write. A soldier does not spend a lot of time pondering the politics of the world. Their world is limited to their immediate group and their ultimate survival in whatever it is they are engaged in. Not healthy questioning orders, no matter what rank you hold. You do your duty
That's a Reeman novel. Heavy on duty and honour and a good dose of people you could easily like or remind you of someone very clearly defined on the pages.
If you read one and don't like it, don't buy another one because they all fit the mold. I for one, always have a Reeman novel ready to be read for when I need a break from heavy Tomes and dreary politics. When I just want to stretch out, be lazy and enjoy a good simple, straight forward but exciting yarn, then a Douglas Reeman Novel fits the bill, every time. Try one and let me know. Would love to hear from you.
3.0 out of 5 stars
great book But..................., Oct 4 2010
By MJG "MJG" - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The First to Land (Hardcover)
Whether it is as Alexander Kent or Douglas Reeman the books are sure to please but I have to admit in this one the usually well done "love interest" was way over the top. It appeared so often at at such length It became an unwelcome distraction rather then a part of the main story.
4.0 out of 5 stars
First to land, Sep 4 2010
By Joey A. Docil - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
Enjoyed reading the book. Reminded me of one my favorite movies "55 Days in Peking" With Charlston Heston.
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