The Floating Madhouse

by Fullerton Alexander

It is the summer of 1904 and Tsar Nicholas II is sending his Baltic fleet – a ragtag bunch of old crooks, untrained, potentially mutinous crews and hopelessly inefficient officers – halfway around the world to reinforce his few remaining ships in the Far East. Here the Japanese fleet under Admiral Togo has been scoring success after success against the Russians. Michael Henderson , a lieutenant caught in a forbidden tryst with the young Princess Natasha Volodnyakova on the eve of her engagement party to another man, is offered the dubious honour of sailing as an observer to Tsushima, where one of the most devastating sea battles in history will be waged. Unable to refuse, Henderson will need all his wits, and a good measure of luck, if he wants to survive… Floating Madhouse is a masterpiece of historic and military detail, ideal for fans of Douglas Reeman and Philip McCutchan.

Genres: Historical Fiction

376 pages, Hardcover

First published November 2, 2000

Reviews

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a typical example of an author moving out of his 'comfort area' into something more 'exotic' and reducing the exotic to the mundane. If you want to read about the journey of Russia's Baltic Fleet to the other side world during the Russo-Japanese war read 'The Voyage of Forgotten Men' by Frank Thiess and I refer you to: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re... and https://neglectedbooks.com/?p=116 to learn about the book.

If you are going to read something ignore 'Floating Madhouse' and read 'The Voyage of Forgotten Men'.

[Richard Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as fast-paced as Fullerton’s other series, but full of information about a seldom written about event. This is the story of the Russian fleet that sailed halfway around the world to confront the enemy during the Russo-Japanese War.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars... A little different from his other books and more about the characters lives than action. An enjoyable read about a subject not to often written about.