Principality of Sealand: Holding the Fort

by Michael Bates

The book uncovers the truth behind Michael's kidnap by armed terrorists, his family setting up their own island nation, government sieges, top secret government documents and multiple attempts to bring an end to the Sealand dream. The book includes previously unseen photos from his family's personal collection. "The story of Sealand is stranger than fiction, better than Hollywood and more surreal than Dali" - Ben Fogle (Adventurer, author and broadcaster) "When a story features sawn-off shotguns, dawn helicopter raids, pistol whippings, temperamental generators, shady tax accountants, devious gangsters and at least one flying headbutt to the bridge of the nose, 'romantic' probably isn't the word that springs instantly to mind. Especially when at the heart of that story is an outwardly charmless, forbidding structure way out in the cold and dark of the North Sea. Yet the story of the Principality of Sealand is a patently romantic one. It's a classic case of the underdog kicking against authority and winning; a heartwarming narrative of battling the odds that's grounded in good old- fashioned British eccentricity. It's a riproaring yarn, a classic Boy's Own tale related here by the boy himself, Michael of Sealand, with verve, wit and panache. But look beneath the surface, beyond the guns and dastardly plots, and you learn from these pages that Sealand is also a story of family; of loyalty, respect and devotion flowing between generations and filtered through this tiny principality off the Essex coast; channeled through the dreams, hopes and stubborn stand against seemingly impossible odds of the Bates family. The story of Sealand is like an Ealing comedy crossed with a Bond film and scripted by John Le Carré. It's a story that has often been swathed in myth and blighted by rumour, but here, at last, is the definitive tale from the man best qualified to tell it. And he tells it very well indeed." - Charlie Connelly author of Attention All Shipping

Genres: Nonfiction

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2015

About the author

Michael Bates, also known as Michael of Sealand, is the second and current prince of the Principality of Sealand, an internationally unrecognized micronation. Michael gained this title upon the death of his father, the founder of Sealand Patrick "Paddy" Roy Bates, in 2012.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story of Sealand is super interesting. A military fort in international waters (not any more) becomes the home (?) of the Bates family. They create a principality, and so, Sealand is born. During its life, Sealand saw pirate radios, attacks, diplomatic problems and more. It is truly a unique story, worth knowing.

However, the book is written by... well, not a professional writer (with no help from an editor, it seems). It has multiple spelling and grammar mistakes. The writing is generally horrible. Once you get used to the style, you can learn a few interesting things about Sealand. For example, the author, Michael Bates, admits commiting crimes (ie, smuggling cash). I wonder if that can be considered a confession...

[Ives Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF'd at 35%

There's a fine story within this mess of a book, but if you spend more time resisting the urge to grab a red pen and slash away at the pages with corrections and edits instead of actually reading, then the book should just be put down.

I'm surprised I even made it to over a hundred pages, but I guess I went this far because reading this tale of Sealand's history through the eyes of the prince is like listening to your great uncle share his stories after dinner: you love and respect him, so you pipe down and smile. But the writer is not my uncle, so I feel no shame in saying:

Your Highness, please, for the love of god, hire a ghostwriter next time.

[Scott Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting true story. I first heard about Sealand when reading about UK Pirate radio in the 1960's. Sometimes the author, who is the current ruler of Sealand give too much technical info on equipment, but hey, where else are you going to learning intimate details of a very unique story.

[Faye Fullalove · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a crazy, interesting story however this needs some serious editing!

[Matthew Gibb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written collection of Michael's best stories and I found it more up to date than another book about this prinicipality. Michael is the son of the founder,Roy Bates, and the longest story is about his time with Sean Hastings who used Sealand as a base for his file sharing service. The one annoying thing is that this book is not arranged in chapters,so I used the notes function to denote the various headings and there are even a few photos to enhance the reader's grasp of this bizzare platform in the North Sea. Perhaps one day Michael's sons will continue to run Sealand and regal us 9-5ers with stories of adventure upon the platform.

[Francis Marsden · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a shame. A fascinating and at times barely believable series of events of a sort only the British could contrive, spoiled although not entirely ruined by what must be the most poorly written published book I've ever read. The author's heart, and in particular his love for his father, is embedded in the text but he is in desperate need of a proof reader and probably a ghost writer. The narrative is all over the shop and the flow and punctuation are beyond awful. I found myself skim-reading, which I hate doing and feel guilty about. A missed opportunity.

[Carlos Ferreira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating Story

Fascinating story for sure. How amazing it would be to have these stories and experiences to tell?
My only complaint was the style in which it was written , perhaps it’s just my American ignorance, but I felt like some information had to be assumed and some things were not clearly explained. Otherwise an enjoyable and notable reading experience

[Tom & Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner

What a great story, what an inventive and cunning family. To have overcome all the odds and to still be in possession of Sealand is amazing. A great read.

[Andy Legg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great memories

An excellent read, of course it helps when you are in the story. Would reccomend to anyone interested in the amazing story of Sealand.