Second to None

Adam Bolitho #1

by Alexander Kent

June 1815: On the eve of Waterloo, a sense of finality and cautious hope pervade a nation wearied by decades of war. But peace will present its own challenge to Captain Adam Bolitho who is mourning the death of his uncle Admiral Sir Richard. More than ever, Adam finds himself alone at the dawning of a new age for the Royal Navy.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Military Fiction, Historical, Nautical, War, Maritime

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

A pseudonym used by Douglas Reeman.

Series:
* Richard Bolitho
* Adam Bolitho

Reviews

[John M.]

Any book that has nearly 50 pages of back story is part of a series that has gone on for too long. Also, parallel plots that lead nowhere and have nothing to do with the primary action are a waste of paper and time.

[Ron Wroblewski]

The first of 5 books staring Adam Bolitho, after the death of his uncle Sir Richard. Same type of sea action in and around Malta, as they fight the pirates from North Africa. A new romance may have begun; the same behavior that Sir Richard had. Once again, I love this series and this author.

[Glen]

On the eve of Waterloo, Captain Bolitho finds pirates, and sails the seas. His greatest enemies are fellow officers in the Royal Navy.

Not bad, but seems derivative of Hornblower.

[Tom]

DNF. This is the first of the Adam Who-ever-the-main-character is, but it is apparently a continuation of the Richard Whoever.
Way too much romance, way too much catching up to date on previous characters, way too little of the sea-fairing adventure one may be looking for.
Stick with Hornblower et al.

[Ellen]

Alexander Kent is a writer of naval fiction and his books do not disappoint, I have read a few of them. He is authentic blends his characters in such a clever way and also his stories have pathos. I have enjoyed his books very much.

[Lee]

This is the first of the Adam Bolitho books following the death of his Uncle. War with France has restarted following Napoleon's escape from Elba and he is sent to the Mediterranean. Fighting against Barbary Pirates he is a bit distracted and obsessed with fighting against the men who killed his Uncle. There is quite a bit of England info as they follow the adventures and endings of the remaining members of his Uncle Richard merry crew. Okay read but a lot of rehash from prior books.

[William Howle]

Saw the name Alexander Kent and bought the book at an used book store. Having read earlier Richard Bolitho books and expected this to be one, not realizing that Richard was dead and this was about Adam, his nephew. There too much about women and trysts. I was looking forward to more action at sea. Somewhat disappointed.

[David]

More of the same. A lot of reviewing of past history. Funny how many women are conveniently eliminated by means of horse accidents or carriage accidents. Also funny how many lonely sea captains become sexually involved with married women...other than that, the sea actions actually form only a small part of the book.

[Greg]

Douglas Reeman (aka Alexander Kent) has written many great naval yarns. This is one of the best!

Highly Recommended, but be ready to have your appetite whetted for the other 25 + books in the series! It begins with Midshipman Bolitho...

[Des Pemberton]

20% sea action and 80% maudlin claptrap. Even during the sea action and up to his ears in cannon balls and dying Booties, Bolitho junior still finds the capacity to reminisce about his dead uncle, his dead uncle's woman and the pretty young married woman that he had recently rogered.

[Ian Pruce]

It's been a long time since I last read Alexander Kent's Bolitho stories. I found this a little confusing as a result but the characters I once knew returned like old friends. New ones are already settled in, so to speak, and I shall have to look to see where this goes.

[Peter Middleton]

New series



Much enjoyed and look forward to the next series of the family. It is good to see keeping up with Allday and Unis






Peter

[Jerry]

not as good as the previous books

[Roger Franks]

Questions answered

It seems we are off again with more rollicking adventures with many loose ends from the previous book tied up .with new political twists emerging

[John Nino]

A continuing saga

Adam has taken the mantle from Sir Richard. But the spirit of the Bolitho family remains. Including the search for love. Recommend this book.

[David Hull]

Brilliant, as usual!

[Charlie Shaw]

Too much romance. The people who had been in Sir Richard's past are told off and one knows what had become of them. The knowledge of their completed history brings down the final curtain on Bolitho's "we happy few".

[sarg]

Second to none by Alexander Kent.
This is the first book of Richard Blitho's nephew, Adam Blitho. The Blitho novels are British navy stories in the venue of CS Forrester's Horatio Hornblower or Patric O Brian's Capt Abury.
Lots of swashbuckling sea battles with a little bit of sex on the side. That's just the life of us old sailors.

[Eric]

This book ties up serveral of the loose ends that resulted at the end of the previous book. The author continues to tell a good tale, tying in accurate historical context and social mores of the eara.

[Bill Gordon]

Great.... as usual.

[Pete Body]

Pretty formulaic, but I enjoyed it

[Raymond Gault]

Engaging

Continuous action in the British Navy as Adam continues the Grand tradition of the Bolitho naval family. A great read.

[Tim]

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