Douglas Reeman

I recently came across this book and found it a interesting read about the Royal marines and the natural reluctance to accept steam during that era:

http://www.amazon.com/Badge-Glory-Royal-Marines-Saga/dp/1590130138/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t

First of a series of 5, I guess it's the only one that would pertain to this forum. The rest seem to carry on with following generations. I'll probably hunt these down after finishing the M & C series.

As you say, this one is in the transition period so relevant to this forum although as it does involve a steam vessel, focuses on the marines rather than the naval aspect and is a series which as a whole is set later I was undecided whether to add it to the website listings. As Reeman does his AOS writing under the name Alexander Kent and Age of Steam writing as Douglas Reeman in the end I decided to go with the authors own decision and leave it out.

Thread moved to Alexander Kent forum

Fair enough. I thought it was odd there was no mention of it and wasn't sure if you where aware of this book/series.

Part of my reason for not listing this book was that I had a vague idea that I might start a companion site featuring books in the later period where this series could have been listed in full. As I am no longer intending to do this I decided that this book should be listed on the site and have added it here

After reading a large quantity of HNF in the AOS, one invariably "strays" into either an earlier period or a later one. After 10+ years, I began to move forward into the "transitional period" between sail and steam. There I found the Blackwood Family series and through a natural progression followed their exploits into the 20th century. I found it to be "pure Reeman" at it's best.

This was followed by Reeman's 32 HNF novels set in both WWI and WWII. My point is that if you're a fan of Reeman's style, then these book, mostly written earlier in his career, and with his "first hand experience" of MTB operations in WWII can provide a bit of variation to your HNF diet.

For those who are not forum members and therefore can't read the thread This day in History........today (15 October 1924) is Douglas Reeman's 88th birthday

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Reeman

According to his official website, Douglas Reeman is currently working on another novel. Unfortunately, for HNF in the AOS affectionados, it will not be set in that period. The setting will be China in the 1920 and features operations aboard a RN gunboat.

Surely, Douglas has seen "Sand Pebbles".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sand_Pebbles_(film)

80 Winters wrote:The setting will be China in the 1920 and features operations aboard a RN gunboat.

Surely, Douglas has seen "Sand Pebbles".

I thought Sand pebbles was an American gunboat so if nothing else that will be different

You're right, I had forgotten about "the tot".

If my memory serves me, there was a 'brief scene' in Sand Pebbles that showed/included a RN gunboat. I would expect the background of the 'political unrest' of that period in China to be an integral part of Douglas' new offering. I'm hopeful his good health allows us to read it in the not too distant future.

The 1920's was the period of Gunboat Diplomacy in China six US, 7 RN plus others. The Yangtze River patrol was conducted during a period of considerable unrest. As a matter of interest In Hong Kong RN gunboats were in action when the Japanese invaded.WW11.

The phrase 'prolific writer' must define Douglas Reeman, AKA Alexander Kent. In 52 years (1959-2011) he wrote 68+ novels set in salt water that spanned almost 200 years of British naval history. His best works were, in my estimation, equal to the best of other great HNF authors. His knowledge of the sea and those employed upon was first hand and found its way into his stories of any age and sold more than 34 million copies by the time of his passing in 2017.
I place him solidly among 'the classic writers' of 20th century HNF.

This is my 2000th entry to this Historical Naval Fiction Forum and comes upon my 8th anniversary as a member. I have enjoyed every 'watch'.

Mr Reeman / Kent is also one of my favourites (as are your posts, 80 - happy anniversary!)