Balkan Glory: Thomas Kydd 23

This wonderful seafaring story is now the 23rd volume of the fantastic "Thomas Kydd" series, from the author, Julian Stockwin.At the beginning of the book you'll notice several well-drawn maps which are featuring in this masterly sea-tale, followed by a Dramatis Personae, with great real historical and wonderful fictional figures.At the end of the book you'll find a weel-defined Glossary, followed by an Author's Note, where the historical details concerning this great story are wonderfully described and explained by the author.As always the authentic language of the great seas is ever present in this series of books, making them so unique in their own kind of fashion.Storytelling is of a superb quality, all characters, whether they are real historical or fantastic fictional, come vividly to life within this tale of sea, battles, land, intrigue, war, and peace.This tale is set in the year AD 1811, with its main ingredient the sea battle at Lissa in the Adriatic Sea between the British Navy, under Commodore Thomas Kydd and his squadron, against the French Navy, under Commodore Dubourdieu and his squadron.All in all this is a fascinating story about exquisite seamanship by the British Fleet, as well as political intrigue at the Court in Vienna with Renzi and Metternich, and not to forget between England, Austria, France and Russia, while there's also wonderful and brave parts for Renzi's wife and Thomas's sister, Cecilia, as well as for Thomas Kydd's wife, Persephone, to make this tale as a whole a complete and glorious accomplishment.Highly recommended, for this is another superb addition to this amazing seafaring "Thomas Kydd" series, and that's why I like to call this wonderful episode: "A Glorious Balkan Expedition"!

Normally love Kydd books, there has been the odd lemon, but in the main, they are terrific reads. Balkan Glory is, however, not up to standard. The storyline is weak in that a post-captain especially of Kydd's renown would be unlikely to still be in an outdated, under-gunned frigate. I don't want to give too much away, bad the enemies faced by Lady Kydd were predictable from almost the first paragraph. Parts of the book were vintage Kydd but this book felt like it wanted to be three novels at once and honestly, the book was the worse for the attempt.So please give Kydd the ship he deserves, maybe have his shoreside enemies keep him out of a second rate, but instead he is kept as a frigate Captain but in one of the bigger frigates (to keep his independence), and maybe have Renzi in a more involved role with Kydd.

Julian Stockwin delivers a fascinating plot to involve his hero, Sir Thomas Kydd, and his companions, in derring do on land and sea. In this book, Sir Thomas is despatched to the Adriatic with a squadron of frigates in 1811, slipping into the real life person of Commodore Hoste, the victor of the Battle of Lissa. The reason why this battle between two frigate squadrons took place are attributed to the espionage efforts of Kydd's friend, the Earl of Farndon. That leads to the Countess, Kydd's sister, being the messenger bringing to Kydd the information that Bonaparte will make a thrust down the Adriatic, ultimately aimed at British possession of India. However improbable the logistics of moving quarter of a million soldiers thus, if Kydd does not destroy the French squadron, Britain will lose the war. How much historical accuracy there is in this, who cares? It's a ripping yarn, and if it bigs up the significance of the Battle of Lissa unduly, well, it's a novel. Thanks for celebrating this little known battle, and reminding us of Commodore Hoste's remarkable success.

An epic engaging and thoroughly enjoyable read.The author builds effortlessly on his historic and technical knowledge, and on meticulous research. The story is then skilfully woven into the context of the actual events, but in a manner that history and fiction comfortably blend. The characters are complex but because this is woven through reactions and into the action , we are spared the painful reflective analysis and lecturing of so many historical novelists.A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Another excellent outing from Sir Thomas Kydd. As expected well written and sheds light on a little written about campaign.I enjoyed the parallel stories and how they came together but (without spoiling anything ) did feel a little short changed about the last few paragraphs! Looking forward to the next please.This is a great series and if you enjoyed this try HMS Active by John M Danielski

Another second rate story due to the presence of the ridiculous Renzi on yet another unsuccessful secret mission. This is compounded by adding Kydd's idiot sister and wife to the mix, their stories being equally pointless. I suspect that these are added by Stockwin's wife, who he describes as his literary partner.Jump over the irritating interludes and just follow Kydd's naval advenutures.

kydd 23. This is the 23rd Kydd book in my library by Julian and I am 1/2 way through reading this - and his book isup to his usual standard of writing.I have to read very slow as it has to make do until next book is published.A Great writer - up to Alexander Kent standard.Roll on the next book.Brian P Ward

I always collect the hardback titles in this excellent naval history series-long may it continue, about a glorious time of Empire and struggle for the nations freedom,and that of Europe. Perhaps the most fascinating period of naval history-the wooden walls of England.