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The Dawlish Chronicles #2
Britannia's Reach: The Dawlish Chronicles November 1879 - April 1880
“Antoine Vanner is the Tom Clancy of historical naval fiction” – Author and Nautical Historian Joan Druett.
Britannia's Reach is the fourth novel in the Dawlish Chronicles series. It continues the story of the ambitious Royal Navy officer Nicholas Dawlish, last seen in Britannia's Wolf. It's November 1879 and on a broad river deep in the heart of South America, a flotilla of paddle steamers thrashes slowly upstream. It is laden with troops, horses and artillery, and intent on conquest and revenge. Ahead lies a commercial empire that was wrested from a British consortium in a bloody revolution. Now the investors are determined to recoup their losses and are funding a vicious war to do so.
Nicholas Dawlish, on leave from the Royal Navy, is playing a leading role in the expedition. But as brutal land and river battles mark its progress upriver, and as both sides inflict and endure ever greater suffering, stalemate threatens.
And Dawlish finds himself forced to make a terrible ethical choice if he is to return to Britain with some shreds of integrity remaining…
Why this series?
“I’ve enjoyed sea adventures since I was introduced to C.S. Forester’s Hornblower books when I was a boy,” says author Antoine Vanner, “and I’ve never tired since of stories of action and adventure. The Napoleonic era has however come to dominate the war and military genre but the century that followed it was one no less exciting, an added attraction being the arrival and adoption of so much new technology from the 1860s onward. My novels have as their backgrounds actual events of the international power-games of the period and Britannia’s Reach is no exception.”
Britannia's Reach is the fourth novel in the Dawlish Chronicles series. It continues the story of the ambitious Royal Navy officer Nicholas Dawlish, last seen in Britannia's Wolf. It's November 1879 and on a broad river deep in the heart of South America, a flotilla of paddle steamers thrashes slowly upstream. It is laden with troops, horses and artillery, and intent on conquest and revenge. Ahead lies a commercial empire that was wrested from a British consortium in a bloody revolution. Now the investors are determined to recoup their losses and are funding a vicious war to do so.
Nicholas Dawlish, on leave from the Royal Navy, is playing a leading role in the expedition. But as brutal land and river battles mark its progress upriver, and as both sides inflict and endure ever greater suffering, stalemate threatens.
And Dawlish finds himself forced to make a terrible ethical choice if he is to return to Britain with some shreds of integrity remaining…
Why this series?
“I’ve enjoyed sea adventures since I was introduced to C.S. Forester’s Hornblower books when I was a boy,” says author Antoine Vanner, “and I’ve never tired since of stories of action and adventure. The Napoleonic era has however come to dominate the war and military genre but the century that followed it was one no less exciting, an added attraction being the arrival and adoption of so much new technology from the 1860s onward. My novels have as their backgrounds actual events of the international power-games of the period and Britannia’s Reach is no exception.”
- GenresHistorical Fiction
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 25, 2014
154 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Antoine Vanner
16 books53 followersAntoine Vanner has survived military coups, a guerrilla war, storms at sea and life in mangrove swamps, tropical forest, offshore oil-platforms and the boardroom. He has lived and worked long-term in eight countries, has travelled widely in all continents except Antarctica and is fluent in three languages. He has a passion for nineteenth-century political and military history and has a deep understanding of what was the cutting-edge technology of the time. His knowledge of human nature and his first-hand experience of the locales – often surprising – of the most important conflicts of the period provide the impetus for his chronicling of the life of the Royal Navy officer Nicholas Dawlish and his wife Florence. The first five novels in the Dawlish Chronicles series are:
"Britannia's Wolf", set in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877/78,
"Britannia's Reach", set in Paraguay in 1879-80
"Britannia's Shark", set in the Americas in 1881.
"Britannia's Spartan" set in Korea in 1882
"Britannia's Amazon", set in England in 1882
“I’m fascinated by the Victorian period,” Vanner says, “for not only was it one of colonial expansion and of Great Power rivalry that often came to the brink of war, but it was also one of unprecedented social, political, technological and scientific change. Britain’s power may have been at an apogee but it was under constant threat and would demand constant adaptation from those who aspired to shape events. Many born in the 1840s would not only play significant roles in the later decades of the century but be key players in the maelstrom that would engulf the world in 1914. The Dawlish Chronicles are set in that world of change, uncertainty and risk and they involve projection of naval power to meet complex social, political and diplomatic challenges.”
Find out more on www.dawlishchronicles.com
Weekly blog: http://dawlishchronicles.blogspot.co.uk/
"Britannia's Wolf", set in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877/78,
"Britannia's Reach", set in Paraguay in 1879-80
"Britannia's Shark", set in the Americas in 1881.
"Britannia's Spartan" set in Korea in 1882
"Britannia's Amazon", set in England in 1882
“I’m fascinated by the Victorian period,” Vanner says, “for not only was it one of colonial expansion and of Great Power rivalry that often came to the brink of war, but it was also one of unprecedented social, political, technological and scientific change. Britain’s power may have been at an apogee but it was under constant threat and would demand constant adaptation from those who aspired to shape events. Many born in the 1840s would not only play significant roles in the later decades of the century but be key players in the maelstrom that would engulf the world in 1914. The Dawlish Chronicles are set in that world of change, uncertainty and risk and they involve projection of naval power to meet complex social, political and diplomatic challenges.”
Find out more on www.dawlishchronicles.com
Weekly blog: http://dawlishchronicles.blogspot.co.uk/
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 18, 2014
Antoine Vanner once again spins an enthralling yarn based around the fascinating and relatively little known ironclad era. Commander Nicholas Dawlish returns, this time in charge of a ragtag collection of gunboats and monitors making for a breakaway state up a remote South American river. Just as in his previous mission, Dawlish has to contend with determined enemies on the water and dubious allies ashore, and the moral high ground has been left back in England. This is no straightforward tale of derring do - Vanner's hard-edged, driven character skirts dangerously close to being out of his depth, and it's not at all clear that Dawlish has picked the right side. Moreover, this is a tale that has lots to say to a modern audience about Western adventurism and the effect of cold material interests on the least privileged. This is both heart-pounding adventure loaded with naval hardware and a nuanced exploration of the nature of power and money.
June 10, 2018
A great story of that period in history. Excellent detail in all the battles. The date of birth and death of the hero removes the mystery of his surviving in any of the books. The map and profiles of the ships needs to be bigger so as the see their details.
February 28, 2019
A fan of this series
I did not think this one as good as the rest that I have read, I prefer more sea action
I did not think this one as good as the rest that I have read, I prefer more sea action
March 5, 2014
Britannia’s Reach, by Antoine Vanner, is the second in a loosely connected series of books about the life and times of a British naval officer in the late 19th century. A while ago I read and reviewed the first in the series. Britannia’s Wolf. The books are independent of each other, and you do not need to have read the first one to understand the second.
Full marks to Antoine for his unusual choice of setting for this book. Dawlish makes a career of handling slightly shady.assignments and there is something of the Mission Impossible in the way he is routinely told that Britain will disavow knowledge of and responsibility for the endeavour if it goes wrong. Here, commercial rather than political interests drive the military goals. In common with many other naval officers of his day, the protagonist Dawlish is courageous, disciplined on a personal level, and very competent at conducting necessary actions on land or sea – or on river, in this case.
The details of naval technology and customs have obviously been very thoroughly researched, and it is clear from other reviewers’ comments that on a military level the book comes over as authentic. Certainly great care has been lavished on descriptions of the military hardware and its use.
However, the book as a whole did not click with me as much as the first one. For one thing there are essentially no female characters explored sympathetically or in depth. This would be fair enough for the shipboard experience, but in Britannia’s Wolf, Antoine successfully found ways to bring female balance into the narrative.
Similarly, the combat action takes over the whole book from early on, and other forms of interaction are largely discarded. The proportion of the book describing battle scenes is extremely high. The few “boardroom” scenes, and the one attempt to parley, scarcely provide balance. The very dubious moral basis for the action as a whole keeps drifting towards the surface, but does not drive the action or the plot: characters may dislike the position they are in, but apparently have no way to step out of it. Dawlish’s adversaries, who on the face of things might well have a greater moral claim on their side, are mostly flat characters who (with one exception) never attain a life of their own.
On a technical level there were a small number of proof reading errors, but none of a serious nature – basically minor slips of present for past tense or the like. Since these slightly increased towards the end of the book I did wonder if things got a bit hurried as a planned release date approached. The production of the kindle version is accurate and makes good use of the various features available – all in all a well turned out book worthy of the naval professionalism it describes.
The content and focus of the book means that for me this is a four-star book – I don’t really enjoy such a purely martial focus. But others who enjoy the vicarious experience of combat in the late nineteenth century will probably rate it more highly, and I feel sure that it will appeal to a lot of readers. Certainly I will be happy to look out for other books in this series as they appear.
Full marks to Antoine for his unusual choice of setting for this book. Dawlish makes a career of handling slightly shady.assignments and there is something of the Mission Impossible in the way he is routinely told that Britain will disavow knowledge of and responsibility for the endeavour if it goes wrong. Here, commercial rather than political interests drive the military goals. In common with many other naval officers of his day, the protagonist Dawlish is courageous, disciplined on a personal level, and very competent at conducting necessary actions on land or sea – or on river, in this case.
The details of naval technology and customs have obviously been very thoroughly researched, and it is clear from other reviewers’ comments that on a military level the book comes over as authentic. Certainly great care has been lavished on descriptions of the military hardware and its use.
However, the book as a whole did not click with me as much as the first one. For one thing there are essentially no female characters explored sympathetically or in depth. This would be fair enough for the shipboard experience, but in Britannia’s Wolf, Antoine successfully found ways to bring female balance into the narrative.
Similarly, the combat action takes over the whole book from early on, and other forms of interaction are largely discarded. The proportion of the book describing battle scenes is extremely high. The few “boardroom” scenes, and the one attempt to parley, scarcely provide balance. The very dubious moral basis for the action as a whole keeps drifting towards the surface, but does not drive the action or the plot: characters may dislike the position they are in, but apparently have no way to step out of it. Dawlish’s adversaries, who on the face of things might well have a greater moral claim on their side, are mostly flat characters who (with one exception) never attain a life of their own.
On a technical level there were a small number of proof reading errors, but none of a serious nature – basically minor slips of present for past tense or the like. Since these slightly increased towards the end of the book I did wonder if things got a bit hurried as a planned release date approached. The production of the kindle version is accurate and makes good use of the various features available – all in all a well turned out book worthy of the naval professionalism it describes.
The content and focus of the book means that for me this is a four-star book – I don’t really enjoy such a purely martial focus. But others who enjoy the vicarious experience of combat in the late nineteenth century will probably rate it more highly, and I feel sure that it will appeal to a lot of readers. Certainly I will be happy to look out for other books in this series as they appear.
September 23, 2019
Britannia's Reach is the second book in the Dawlish Chronicles. We find Nicholas Dawlish in South America involved in a brutal conflict between revolutionaries and British business interests. Dawlish finds himself engaged in fierce fighting on both land and water while struggling with difficult ethical issues.
I loved Dawlish in this book, the character is very human and his ambition and self-doubt run alongside his courage and resourcefulness in this exciting sequel. It’s really refreshing to read a book set in this period and it has driven me to read history books outside of my usual Napoleonic focus. I’m in awe of Mr Vanner’s ability to weave technical detail into the story while never allowing it to slow down the action and I can’t wait to get onto book three. Loved it.
I loved Dawlish in this book, the character is very human and his ambition and self-doubt run alongside his courage and resourcefulness in this exciting sequel. It’s really refreshing to read a book set in this period and it has driven me to read history books outside of my usual Napoleonic focus. I’m in awe of Mr Vanner’s ability to weave technical detail into the story while never allowing it to slow down the action and I can’t wait to get onto book three. Loved it.
August 14, 2014
Another superb offering from Antoine Vanner. Dawlish yet again finds himself operating on the edge - away from the support of the Navy and with full knowledge that he will be disowned should be fail.
Dawlish must work, not for a state but for corporate interests and finds himself responsible to some very shady characters indeed.
The book is not only an excellent adventure story but contains a wealth of technical detail that is Vanner's hallmark. Enough to whet the appetite without derailing the narrative! It is also a fascinating look at how a fundamentally good man deals with moral ambiguity and responsibility.
Dawlish must work, not for a state but for corporate interests and finds himself responsible to some very shady characters indeed.
The book is not only an excellent adventure story but contains a wealth of technical detail that is Vanner's hallmark. Enough to whet the appetite without derailing the narrative! It is also a fascinating look at how a fundamentally good man deals with moral ambiguity and responsibility.
July 7, 2020
Where Rome’s eagles never flew
In this action packed novel about a minor war in what’s now Paraguay, the only country that has a navy but no sea coast, mr. Vanner displays his considerable erudition and insight into human character. He also shows us some of the new technology that was going into navies of the Victorian era (the action takes place around 1880). Those of us readers familiar with this confusing period will recognize the disappearing gun mount, somewhat related to disappearing barbette mounts but fixed in azimuth. The gun is a monster that needs to be muzzle loaded by hydraulics. I believe the history is mostly accurate, because some of it seemed familiar from an article in “Warship International” some years ago.
The story is exciting and moves along briskly but has the defects of some of the other Dawlish stories: it’s a little hard to believe the character could come through so many dangerous adventures without being killed. He not only cons a gunboat into battle, a set piece of its kind that’s truly Hornblower like, but he leads a cavalry charge over rough terrain and uses spotting from a balloon to guide indirect fire.
It is a fact that not even Marcus Aurelius presided over a completely peaceful world. It is true that Queen Victoria didn’t either, and some of the little wars that marred her reign were shockingly bloody and brutal. However, as a reader I prefer to remember the Pax Brittanica as almost a golden age that was much more orderly and wonder what Rudyard Kipling would have done with this plot. Might he have sanitized some of the blood and guts? Could he have maintained the tension without satirizing the commercial aspect of the mission? Britain abolished slavery in 1833 and the description of the company’s workers shows them like slaves. Would even an unofficial involvement with the unsavory corporation be tolerated by the Queen’s ministers?
“What is the flag of England? Go forth, for it is there.”
In this action packed novel about a minor war in what’s now Paraguay, the only country that has a navy but no sea coast, mr. Vanner displays his considerable erudition and insight into human character. He also shows us some of the new technology that was going into navies of the Victorian era (the action takes place around 1880). Those of us readers familiar with this confusing period will recognize the disappearing gun mount, somewhat related to disappearing barbette mounts but fixed in azimuth. The gun is a monster that needs to be muzzle loaded by hydraulics. I believe the history is mostly accurate, because some of it seemed familiar from an article in “Warship International” some years ago.
The story is exciting and moves along briskly but has the defects of some of the other Dawlish stories: it’s a little hard to believe the character could come through so many dangerous adventures without being killed. He not only cons a gunboat into battle, a set piece of its kind that’s truly Hornblower like, but he leads a cavalry charge over rough terrain and uses spotting from a balloon to guide indirect fire.
It is a fact that not even Marcus Aurelius presided over a completely peaceful world. It is true that Queen Victoria didn’t either, and some of the little wars that marred her reign were shockingly bloody and brutal. However, as a reader I prefer to remember the Pax Brittanica as almost a golden age that was much more orderly and wonder what Rudyard Kipling would have done with this plot. Might he have sanitized some of the blood and guts? Could he have maintained the tension without satirizing the commercial aspect of the mission? Britain abolished slavery in 1833 and the description of the company’s workers shows them like slaves. Would even an unofficial involvement with the unsavory corporation be tolerated by the Queen’s ministers?
“What is the flag of England? Go forth, for it is there.”
January 7, 2025
Could not put this book down
There was nothing that I disliked about this book. Although fiction, it mirrors a period of economic imperialism that exploited native populations of poor countries that had resources to be exploited. The imperialists taught native leaders without conscience more effective ways to exploit their fellow citizens. One only has to look at modern day Africa to see the results.
There was nothing that I disliked about this book. Although fiction, it mirrors a period of economic imperialism that exploited native populations of poor countries that had resources to be exploited. The imperialists taught native leaders without conscience more effective ways to exploit their fellow citizens. One only has to look at modern day Africa to see the results.
April 9, 2018
Great tale
If you have ever seen The Mission, this story could be the follow up, and just as tense and traumatic. Well told, with action that sems vivid and real. And evil and good found in different places than it should be.
Very well done
If you have ever seen The Mission, this story could be the follow up, and just as tense and traumatic. Well told, with action that sems vivid and real. And evil and good found in different places than it should be.
Very well done
March 22, 2019
Excellent book
Interesting characters, high drama, well written. I’ve read a lot of sea novels, all set an earlier historical period. Interesting to see the influence of new weapons on the qualities of warfare.
Interesting characters, high drama, well written. I’ve read a lot of sea novels, all set an earlier historical period. Interesting to see the influence of new weapons on the qualities of warfare.
October 8, 2022
Transitional technology and a nasty, and largely forgotten, war
The the novel naval technology of the last third of the 19th century, American Civil War left overs and British trade in South American are woven into a readable story.
The the novel naval technology of the last third of the 19th century, American Civil War left overs and British trade in South American are woven into a readable story.
October 6, 2018
Great
Kevin here. Love this series. Always exciting when I find someone who writes so well about events that I was previously unaware.
Kevin here. Love this series. Always exciting when I find someone who writes so well about events that I was previously unaware.
April 18, 2019
Excellent read
Highly recommended book. Well written and very engaging story. The truth in this storyline is real. Thank you for a great read.
Highly recommended book. Well written and very engaging story. The truth in this storyline is real. Thank you for a great read.
December 24, 2014
Excellent second book in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews