The Complete Midshipman Bolitho Paperback – November 1, 2006

WARNING: SPOILER TEXT BELOWI have read these books since the mid 1980s. They are some of the best sea books you can find.For those that have never read anything of the British navy during this period it is a good "from the ground up" introduction of the process of their officers coming into the service and advancing through it's ranks.Bolitho is a very "human" type of commander, something I am wondering how much really was true of this period when two mutinies split the ranks of the navy and threatened its very existence. I somehow doubt that any British officer of this period was ever really THIS compassionate towards his men, the story I think being more for those of OUR generation who look for this kind of thing to emerge within a system that frankly would not see a more compassionate commander emerge until the 1860s and later. Most of the commanders were interested in their plunder and station in life. They gave little thought to the average life of the seaman, being more interested in the law and order of the ship life.That said the stories are mainly from a humane nature and about bungling by officers in both high and low ranks. Of missed opportunities, of shadowy figures influencing Bolitho's life. What the series will NOT give you is unrealistic Hollywood character types which was a relief. While there is some corny dialogue in the books I found for the most part these novels are a great picture into the everyday life of the British seaman and officer alike. The call to change sails in the middle of the night, climbing up into the rigging during a pitching sea. It is all there.The personality of the books evolves from Bolitho the midshipman into Bolitho the junior officer, captain and later commodore and so on up into high command. The flavor of the books changes as well. There never is really much "joy" in the life of these men other than their grim humor. Bolitho's own life is filled with love interests but also sadness in the family. And there is a phantom figure that later manifests himself in the later novels.The final novels to me were not as good as those in the early to mid series. For me it got to be the same kind of story for each novel. I believe that if I were to read through them again I would stop somewhere mid-series ... I think that Kent should have developed something else into the books - some sort of international intrigue with Bolitho having a minor but informative role.The final books have a kind of fatalism about them as well which I can understand about the lot of a sea officer but which colors the later novels a bit much. I find it hard to believe that the author could not have introduced something into the books to make them have a bit less dark color. For instance: Bolitho seems to withdraw from public life due to his past decisions. I would that the author had introduced a stem of the family or good friend that would have hosted him away from his home more often. A home away from home so to speak. I think that it would have given the later novels some warmth rather than leave Bolitho such a tragic figure and .... well I will not say anything more about the ending of the books. All of them have elements of style that I believe formed a gallant yet tragic figure.Kent is at the top of his genre even if there were times in his novels that I could not understand what he was eluding to ... (there are scenes where you must read into the wording quite a bit - it will help if you keep a short journal of the characters and incidents so as to follow these in later novels of the series - figures from the past reappear or past incidents are called to mind quite a bit).

Alexander Kent sketches Richard Bolitho's last months as a Midshipman with three dynamic stories. Young Richard wonders about his fitness to be a sea officer while he encounters pirates, visits his home with a new friend, and struggles with murderous smugglers. He gains the respect of both seamen and his superiors. Bolitho makes a firm friend, but has to deal with a domineering older brother and uncover a duplicitous traitor.I have read this exciting book at least six times. I am a little troubled that Kent sometimes lets his characters learn things from vague words heard during recovery from illness or injury. It is not always clear how much the hero knows.I found at least one typo in my Kindle edition.2023 March 3

As an avid history buff and naval officer, love the series. The 3rd part of this volume got a bit thin and preachy, as it it had been rushed, but otherwise terrific…

For me, the Bolitho Series ranks up with Dewey Lambdin, O'Brian, Forester, and Stockwin in the Age Sail genre. I really enjoy Kent's style of writing and the characters he brings to the page. Having only the time to read the first six novels in my younger days, I'm very match enjoying returning and restarting the series.

I thought the first half of this book was good. Nice intro of the characters, setting, etc. The reader gets to know just enough about Midshipman Bolitho to make you want more. It's the second half of the book that gets away from the author, I thought. A less than stellar brother adventure with an unsatisfying ending, to start. And then the last adventure, I could barely tell you what they were doing. The writing dissolves to a choppiness that is hard to follow and the book hits the shoals. Still good, still worth heading into book two, but Bolitho is not yet at the level of either of his aforementioned literary contemporaries. Not yet...

The attention to detail as Alexander Kent writes about these amazing times aboard tall ships and their encounters at sea in the late 1700’s is so enjoyable to sit back and read. This is the first book that starts the nautical life aboard ship of young Midshipman Bolitho. Told with detail and great knowledge of these many types of tall sailing ships. I highly recommend this series of books by Alexander Kent.

Good way to spend an evening

I love the Bolitho series by Alexander Kent. This is a small anthology of the first three episodes at the beginning of Bolitho as Midshipman in His Majest'y Royal Navy during the Napoleonic wars. A lovely introduction to a wonderful series.

ok

A quick, easy read and the tales move along nicely. Not many shades of grey in the characters, but as an introduction to the naval world of sails, cannon and wooden ships these yarns do the job.

Great Read