Damned Un-English

by Andrew Wareham

Lieutenant Gilbert Maltravers is bored. It is 1912 and he has been promoted as fast as any in his Dartmouth class and is placed in a battleship where he can confidently look forward to promotion to post captain and a battleship of his own by the time he is forty. All he needs to do is keep a smart ship, polish the brass and salute every senior officer, while wearing an expensive uniform that testifies he is one of the right sort. His father is an admiral, so very little can go wrong.

He wants more than tedium from his existence, and the new submarine service will provide excitement… but possibly a far shorter life. If he is successful, then submarines will provide earlier promotion and a new challenge every day. Failure in the submarine service will mean the end of his career.

Against the protests of his father and the head-shaking of his friends, Gilbert goes off to join the deplorably new and ungentlemanly assassins of the sea, the enemies of all the old Navy stands for.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Military Fiction

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2024

Reviews

[Mike Hanford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as many of the Author’s other works. Taking up early submarines is great fun, and a wholly new direction for this author. That said, the characters are a bit thin. Also, a more than coincidental resemblance to figures in other of his works. Perhaps, showing a bit formulaic? And, a small rant! The author pillories the leadership of the Navy in every single book on this subject. Lengthy speeches on the stupidity of the Admiralty, Admirals, etc. This, for those who know much of his military fiction is, in a word, tedious. Dare I say, the word, filler? Almost nothing happens but various moaning dialogue for the first 1/3 of the book.

[Charles Bussell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good News - Bad News

The good news: This is another great story told so well by a great story-teller. Mr. Wareham has once again written a wonderful tale of British society and naval adventure, with fascinating historical insights of pre-World War 1 England. His characters are well developed, likable, wealthy, brave and honorable. A very, very good read which I know you will enjoy as much as I did. The bad news: Another new series with book-2 somewhere off in the distant future. Mr. Wareham is a prolific writer, an amazing history teacher, and a genius at writing the most fascinating stories. I anxiously await the next in this series. Write faster!
Charles Bussell

[John Hulet · Rating 5 out of 5]

delightful and well researched

I picked this up as a wild chance and loved it. Wareham has done exceptionally well to give a bleak look into the history of the submarine fleet while weaving and interesting and, at time, humorous look at things. The appropriate level of cynic and warrior blend perfectly.

[Jim Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm normally a big fan of Wareham's RN books, but this one is not up to the mark. Far, far too much dialogue between characters on irrelevant subjects. I began to suspect that the author was using dialogue as filler to add pages to the book. Granted, the Navy in the period 1912-1914 was a peacetime one thus eliminating action scenes from the plot and, as submarines were new and unusual, some background description is needed to acquaint the reader with the environment but this drags it out far too much. Instead of spending pages on UK politics, for example, it would have been better to provide more descriptions of actual life in the boats. There is some of that, but it could have benefited from some more graphic portrayals of the foul atmosphere when submerged, the monotony of the food, the crew's poor berthing, and the culture of the sub force. Instead, Gilbert Maltravers spends an inordinate amount of time discussing life with his father and then father in law to be. I will stick with the series at least through the second book in hopes that it returns to more typical Wareham writing.

[Mike Sobyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Wareham's writing, but this volume has too much dialogue on the coming of war and the inept British admiralty, senior officers, and government. You'd think that the only conversation anyone ever had was limited to these subjects. Hopefully the next volume will widen the areas of discussion or at least cut down the amount. At least, the war has begun, but we may be subjected to constant ridicule on how that is proceeding and those in charge. The life in the early submarine's is well presented. The characters are believable and interesting.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young Royal Navy officer, from a Navy family, and from money, decides the traditional career route of large surface ships and excessive formality is not for him.

He volunteers for the brand new service of submarines, and passes the training courses. Oh, and it is 1913/14.

An interesting story giving a viewpoint of someone on the ground floor for WWI submarine warfare. There is some amount of social life in the wealthy class of the period, but not enough to turn this into Downton Abbey or anything like that.

[Louis N. Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story. Characters well presented and moved along in a smooth progression. Gave a good recount of early Submarine training and tactics on a basic level. The ending was abrupt and a dead in slam. Seemed like a lead in to prep readers for a possible next book but area after last page called for rating book, folllow Author but no mention of a follow up book. Way to leave your readers hanging(but they may not come back if there is a
follow up book)in the breeze.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking forward to the series ahead

Thoroughly enjoyed the setup and start of another great Andrew Wareham series. Have enjoyed the previous series set during the first world war and am looking forward to our protagonists story. This was another great book which I couldn't put down. Thanks to such a dedicated author who never fails to deliver.

[Kristi Southern · Rating 5 out of 5]

New take on an old war

This book was not what I thought when I started. Taking a "new" look at WW 1 from the technologies and mindset of the times. Submarines were not thought to be any trouble but the sailors who handled them knew differently. Seeing how the English people acted and reacted to the war preparation was an interesting read as well. Would like to see a sequel.

[Mark Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure about this book. I can only assume this is Vol #1 of a forthcoming series and that this book serves to introduce the characters and sets the reader up for future Submariner Adventures. The plot is somewhat pedantic and not being familiar with the author this possibly is his writing style (plenty of background and supporting information) I wait for book #2 in the series.

[Alan Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Gives a good insight into attitudes of the privileged classes , how the upper ranks in the armed forces still used old Antiguated methods of warfare, and introduces you to the fledgling Submarine service referee by the Senior Officers of the Navy as 'A Damned Un- English Weapon'. All in All a good read and I would recommend it.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series start on WWI naval action, similar to his "War to end all wars", but focused on the submarine service. If you have read any of his books, you know what to expect. If this is your first, and you like well written, accurate historical fiction, you are in for a treat.

Enjoy

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to a new series

I didn't think I would like this book about WWI but I was wrong. I hope the next book is as good but since I am a fan of Andrew Wareham I know it will be great. I just hope the next one comes out before I forget what has happened in this first one.

[John Sapienza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Submarines in WWI

The British Navy enters the Great War with an emphasis on good polish instead of good gunnery. Submarine torpedoes prove effective. This is well written, and I look forward to the next novel

[Janet Schaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

I am looking forward to the next book in the series. This one was very interesting and I thought the historical context was very pretty accurate as it relates to military thinking.
The characters were relatable and I'm anxious to see where they go from here.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow and ponderous

A solid book but much slower than his other books, action comes in the last few pages and is resolved in a couple of paragraphs. Still well edited and with few errors. If I hadn’t read his other works I would probably not buy the next one but will probably give it a chance based on other series.

[Jim Swinbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under the sea

This book is the start of an interesting series. Submarines are a very different class of sailors indeed. Courageous and dating in the extreme. I recommend anyone, exact or still serving to read this series, also anyone who enjoys a tale of derring-do.

[Luis Figarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great new storyline

As always with Andrew, easy flowing story full of facts and tidbits, with a windows to a past time.

Bravo Zulu, well done indeed.

[Steve Short · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative.

Engaging reading, and one learns a lot about early submarines. Looking forward to Book 2, and the author is a speedy writer.

[Phillip Mclaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

good submarine story of the Great War

Andrew Wareham has done it again this time the Royal Navy and early submarines at the beginning of the Great War.
Highly recommend.

[Dennis Schneider]

Nobody does a,war yarn !one Wareham

Hadn't read one of his in awhile and needed a switch from sci-fi and my own writing. Well written, good characters, looking forward to Book 2

[Jim Purcell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quite good start to a new series.

Wareham’s latest with a sufficiently unique ship, a submarine, in the very early days of undersea attack boats in WW I. Lots to learn and much technical development for this undervalued and misunderstood service will be needed. Indeed, one of the current upgrades under consideration is using steam power with Flo away funnels.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, as udual.

I am a big fan of Andrew Wareham, and he has delivered another good one. I'll be waiting for the next submarine adventure.

[richard hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

good pre 1st war sea story

This is a well developed story with good characters.

Not sure how much was fact or fiction but is very interesting from a historical point of view.

[Mike motts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining

Typical Wareham writing style with entertaining characters and an interesting storyline about the introduction of submarines and the prejudices against them.

[Joseph Halsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific sub sea story

Well written tale of early submarines before WW1 and British Navy seniority. Good analysis of political issues leading to the war.

[Michael Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

I very much enjoyed reading this book very historical made me appreciate the first submarine. Was very interesting and kept my attention so it was a fast read.

[gerald morson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Once again Andrew delivers a great story ,plenty of characters enjoyed it no end looking forward to the next book

[James O. Dinsmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different

The evolution of British submarines in a era before WWI. Very incite ful of the political the British high command attitude before the war broke out at sea.

[Joseph Herlihy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Birth of Submarines

Stilted language followed a familiar story line, but had a lot of interesting facts about the genesis of Submarined , which I enjoyed.