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Richard Bolitho #17
Success to the Brave
Richard Bolitho, promoted to ViceAdmiral of the Red, sets out as a peace emissary to fulfill a condition of the Treaty of Amiens, to return the island of San Felipe to the dominion of the former British enemy, the French
287 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
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311 people want to read
About the author
Alexander Kent
229 books199 followersA pseudonym used by Douglas Reeman.
Series:
* Richard Bolitho
* Adam Bolitho
Series:
* Richard Bolitho
* Adam Bolitho
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 15, 2013
Vice-Admiral Richard Bolitho! As Allday, Bolitho’s coxswain, says with regard to another recognition in the book, “Finally!” In the series of Napoleonic Era naval adventures featuring Richard Bolitho, Alexander Kent has positioned him as a lesser-known rival to Admiral Nelson. (In fact, having visited HMS Victory on a trip to England, I often picture the scenes in the Admiral’s cabin as being similar to what I saw in Victory.) Yet, Kent allows Bolitho to have something of the charisma and legendary acumen of England’s actual hero. And, Bolitho also holds the loyalty and devotion of his crew and every crew member who has ever served with him.
In Success to the Brave, Bolitho is given a “lose-lose” mission. He isn’t supposed to incite a war, but he is supposed to vouchsafe the hand-off of a strategically important island to fulfill the conditions of an ill-considered treaty. The setting is 1802, shortly after what proved to be a very short-lived peace in real-life. Naturally, he finds himself in a “No Man’s Land” where the new U.S.A., Spain, and the English citizens on the disputed island don’t agree with the conditions. So, there is plenty of action, broadside vs. broadside action. But part of the suspense is trying to figure out who the enemies are. There is treachery and Kent reaches back into the naval bag of tricks even to the point of using a fireship.
Even when all is said and done, there is the question as to whether Bolitho will return in glory or disgrace. As is sometimes said, it is a “close thing.” In fact, one of the chapters bears that name and several of the chapters could have been named with the same title. Success to the Brave seemed shorter than most of the Bolitho novels I remember, but it was full of the kind of vital decision-making that I always liked in these books. Bolitho finds himself in danger with and without the ship.
Plus, there are plenty of emotional scenes which choked me up. Several of them had to do with Adam, Bolitho’s nephew, but there was one with Allday and one with Valentine Keen, Bolitho’s flag captain who served with the vice-admiral as a lieutenant. There is some coming of age in this novel and having those who report to you mature and find themselves rings true whether one is a naval officer in a proud tradition or a manager in a modern corporation. It’s a great feeling when it happens in real life and I enjoyed it vicariously at several points in the novel.
In general, the Bolitho series is my favorite series of fighting sail novels. Others may argue for Aubrey, Bentley, Delancy, Drinkwater, Fox, Hornblower, Kydde, Lamb, Lausard, Lewrie, Pearce, or Ramage, but the Bolitho books have always excited and inspired me (even though the closest I’ve ever come to commanding a King’s Ship was in a naval miniatures campaign). It’s just that Success to the Brave isn’t quite up there with the rest of the series.
In Success to the Brave, Bolitho is given a “lose-lose” mission. He isn’t supposed to incite a war, but he is supposed to vouchsafe the hand-off of a strategically important island to fulfill the conditions of an ill-considered treaty. The setting is 1802, shortly after what proved to be a very short-lived peace in real-life. Naturally, he finds himself in a “No Man’s Land” where the new U.S.A., Spain, and the English citizens on the disputed island don’t agree with the conditions. So, there is plenty of action, broadside vs. broadside action. But part of the suspense is trying to figure out who the enemies are. There is treachery and Kent reaches back into the naval bag of tricks even to the point of using a fireship.
Even when all is said and done, there is the question as to whether Bolitho will return in glory or disgrace. As is sometimes said, it is a “close thing.” In fact, one of the chapters bears that name and several of the chapters could have been named with the same title. Success to the Brave seemed shorter than most of the Bolitho novels I remember, but it was full of the kind of vital decision-making that I always liked in these books. Bolitho finds himself in danger with and without the ship.
Plus, there are plenty of emotional scenes which choked me up. Several of them had to do with Adam, Bolitho’s nephew, but there was one with Allday and one with Valentine Keen, Bolitho’s flag captain who served with the vice-admiral as a lieutenant. There is some coming of age in this novel and having those who report to you mature and find themselves rings true whether one is a naval officer in a proud tradition or a manager in a modern corporation. It’s a great feeling when it happens in real life and I enjoyed it vicariously at several points in the novel.
In general, the Bolitho series is my favorite series of fighting sail novels. Others may argue for Aubrey, Bentley, Delancy, Drinkwater, Fox, Hornblower, Kydde, Lamb, Lausard, Lewrie, Pearce, or Ramage, but the Bolitho books have always excited and inspired me (even though the closest I’ve ever come to commanding a King’s Ship was in a naval miniatures campaign). It’s just that Success to the Brave isn’t quite up there with the rest of the series.
August 29, 2013
Sometimes foreknowledge is a bad thing. I know some of the events coming down the pike at Dick Bolitho, and at times I was worried this was going to be a book full of cruelty to the protagonist. Thankfully, while there were hard times, so of what I know and feared is still off in the future.
We don't have much longer with Admiral Sir Richard Bolitho, as the series will soon transition over following his nephew's career instead. For now though, it was good to catch up with an old friend. While it hurt at times to see him hobbling along, and to see the pain he feels, it was good to know he is still around and charging at the enemy.
We don't have much longer with Admiral Sir Richard Bolitho, as the series will soon transition over following his nephew's career instead. For now though, it was good to catch up with an old friend. While it hurt at times to see him hobbling along, and to see the pain he feels, it was good to know he is still around and charging at the enemy.
December 8, 2017
"Success to the Brave" Alexander Kent
A swashbuckling adventure of the British navy late 1700 early 1800 like CS Forresters Horatio Hornblower series or Patric O Brian's Capt Abury. good read gave it 4 Stars
A swashbuckling adventure of the British navy late 1700 early 1800 like CS Forresters Horatio Hornblower series or Patric O Brian's Capt Abury. good read gave it 4 Stars
February 27, 2023
Love this book... just when you thought they were headed for home...
An interesting look at the peace between France and England with Spain and America on the sidelines.... sort of...
A well-spun tale or yarn...
An interesting look at the peace between France and England with Spain and America on the sidelines.... sort of...
A well-spun tale or yarn...
October 17, 2021
Spoilers ahead:
Summary:
It's the Peace of Amiens and Bolitho has been promoted to Vice-Admiral and given the old 64 Achates and the frigate Sparrowhawk to go to the island of San Felipe in the Caribbean. Once there he is supposed to facilitate the turnover of the island to the French as dictated by the peace terms. He is given this mission because the government knows that the governor of the island is not going to give it up easily.
He is shadowed by a strange frigate which open fires on him without warning when he tries to investigate it. Once at the island, the governor refuses to give up the island and Bolitho has to take it by force. Meanwhile the unknown frigate meets the Sparrowhawk on a separate mission and attacks and sinks it without warning.
After a fireship attack on the Achates, Bolitho decides to go look for the unknown frigate with his former first Lt. Tyrell who is now captain of a small trader. They find and sink the frigate which turns out to be Spanish. Apparently the Spanish had plans to attack and take over San Felipe but that plan is now kiboshed with the sinking of the ship and now that their plan has been revealed.
San Felipe is garrisoned with British reinforcements and Bolitho sails home. On the way, they rescue a shipwrecked French crew in a boat. On one of the dead men, an officer, they find dispatches that announce the start of French hostilities. They meet 2 French frigates and a 74 near France, none of which seem to realize that war has begun. Bolitho realizes that since war has been declared he can attack them. He first neutralizes the bigger frigate with his bow chasers then he closes with the 74 and slugs it out. The 74 is more powerful and about to win when the British climb through the 74's stern windows and blows up the French mainmast. The Achates then board the French ship and the marines rout the French with a last minute disciplined musket firing and bayonet charge.
I'm reading this series in chronological order. The writing was clear and easy to understand and follow. Lots of action in this book. If you like naval historical action, this is a good series to follow.
Summary:
It's the Peace of Amiens and Bolitho has been promoted to Vice-Admiral and given the old 64 Achates and the frigate Sparrowhawk to go to the island of San Felipe in the Caribbean. Once there he is supposed to facilitate the turnover of the island to the French as dictated by the peace terms. He is given this mission because the government knows that the governor of the island is not going to give it up easily.
He is shadowed by a strange frigate which open fires on him without warning when he tries to investigate it. Once at the island, the governor refuses to give up the island and Bolitho has to take it by force. Meanwhile the unknown frigate meets the Sparrowhawk on a separate mission and attacks and sinks it without warning.
After a fireship attack on the Achates, Bolitho decides to go look for the unknown frigate with his former first Lt. Tyrell who is now captain of a small trader. They find and sink the frigate which turns out to be Spanish. Apparently the Spanish had plans to attack and take over San Felipe but that plan is now kiboshed with the sinking of the ship and now that their plan has been revealed.
San Felipe is garrisoned with British reinforcements and Bolitho sails home. On the way, they rescue a shipwrecked French crew in a boat. On one of the dead men, an officer, they find dispatches that announce the start of French hostilities. They meet 2 French frigates and a 74 near France, none of which seem to realize that war has begun. Bolitho realizes that since war has been declared he can attack them. He first neutralizes the bigger frigate with his bow chasers then he closes with the 74 and slugs it out. The 74 is more powerful and about to win when the British climb through the 74's stern windows and blows up the French mainmast. The Achates then board the French ship and the marines rout the French with a last minute disciplined musket firing and bayonet charge.
I'm reading this series in chronological order. The writing was clear and easy to understand and follow. Lots of action in this book. If you like naval historical action, this is a good series to follow.
January 18, 2021
Ok Bolitho book. With peace signed between France and England he is lucky to have a job as many sailors have been dismissed. Sent to the Caribbean to turn over an island to France in the peace treaty he finds it a bit complicated. Other countries have a design on the island and the governor of the island also doesn't want to go. Not the best but an ok read.
August 30, 2022
Always a fast and enjoyable read, with a few battles and diplomatic set pieces. Felt that this one was a bit odd as - and it may have been the transliteration to Kindle - it felts in a few sections like I'd missed something, plot/ character interaction-wise. Like there would just be some row between people that hadn't been mentioned somehow. Anyway, it was still enjoyable so fine.
August 15, 2022
Bolitho goes to the West Indies and the US to turn an island over to the French. He takes with him his nephew as his Flag Lt. Lots of twists and turnsj and anguish over his deceased brother, Great story.
April 15, 2018
Maybe it would be better if I read these in the published order?
August 10, 2018
This book again brought to light the life of those sailors and the political under current of the time
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
May 29, 2021
Another fantastic ‘Bolitho’ read, thoroughly absorbing, and amazingly detailed, but otherwise unimaginable battle scenes!
June 19, 2023
One of the better Bolitho stories, with both action and romance. Does Allday survive?
November 25, 2023
There are several battles in this book. The last one is amazingly detailed and terrifying. The title is true, but Bolitho is still questioning why. I am afraid for him.
September 28, 2025
Six-word Review: Good story, though not as believable.
Longer review later.
Longer review later.
June 29, 2019
Solid Bolitho novel.
November 15, 2008
#15 in the Richard Bolitho 17th-18th century British naval series. This novel covers 1802-1803 during which Bolitho is assigned a diplomatic mission which takes him to Boston and then the Caribbean. It is during a short lived period of peace between the French and British and war resumes by the time the mission ends. Contains more stirring naval action in which Bolitho continues to distinish himself.
January 31, 2016
Interesting comparison between Bolitho as diplomat in the politics of empire compared to fighting officer. Having Adam as his flag-lieutenant is probably a bit far fetched.
There's also a reference about 2/3 way through the book to a named gun captain who I have definitely met before - possibly in the Bolitho series, but as it wasn't picked up in the story more likely in the Stocking books.
There's also a reference about 2/3 way through the book to a named gun captain who I have definitely met before - possibly in the Bolitho series, but as it wasn't picked up in the story more likely in the Stocking books.
January 13, 2010
Full of exppectations!!!!!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews