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Inferno: 17 (Thomas Kydd Series) Audio CD – CD, 1 Sept. 2017
- Print length10 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherW F Howes Ltd
- Publication date1 Sept. 2017
- Dimensions14.1 x 2.9 x 16.7 cm
- ISBN-101510074678
- ISBN-13978-1510074675
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Product details
- Publisher : W F Howes Ltd; Unabridged edition (1 Sept. 2017)
- Language : English
- Audio CD : 10 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1510074678
- ISBN-13 : 978-1510074675
- Dimensions : 14.1 x 2.9 x 16.7 cm
- Customer reviews:
About the author
A great fan of real ale, Julian also dotes on his two Siamese cats, Ming and Mae. They sometimes interfere with his writing but as all cat lovers attest, they can do no wrong...
He was born in Basingstoke but as his father was a headmaster the family moved around quite a bit, including a few years in Sheerness. No one else in his family was in the Navy but Julian was captivated by the thought of adventure on the high seas! Although he gained a place at a grammar school Julian's concentration suffered. With the thought of knocking some sense into his son Julian's father sent him at the age of fourteen to Indefatigable, a tough sea-training school. There, navigation and ropework won out over Latin and maths.
He joined the Royal Navy at fifteen before transferring to the Royal Australian Navy, where he served in the Far East, Antarctic waters and the South Seas. In Vietnam he saw active service in a carrier task force. He trained as a traditional shipwright and he believes should he find himself aboard an Age of Sail man-o-war he would probably feel quite at home.
After leaving the Navy (rated Petty Officer), Julian practised as an educational psychologist. He lived for some time in Hong Kong, where he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Reserve. He was awarded the MBE and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Not willing to sever links with Neptune's realm Julian decided to try his hand at writing - about the sea, of course, and the Great Age of Fighting Sail. His unique perspective of having served both on the lower deck and on the quarterdeck as an officer gave him a special insight into life at sea.
So the Kydd series, the story of one man's journey from pressed man to admiral in the age of fighting sail, came to fruition. Twenty seven books have been published. As well, he has written 'Stockwin's Maritime Miscellany', a little non-fiction tome and two historical standalones, 'The Silk Tree' and 'The Powder of Death.'
Customer reviews
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Customers find the book enjoyable and well-written. They describe the story as brilliant, extraordinary, and fresh. Readers appreciate the author's attention to detail and clarity in writing.
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Customers enjoy the book. They find it an exciting tale and say they enjoy the Kydd series.
"...His books are always awesome, and Inferno is no exception. If you like nautical fiction, read this series." Read more
"Interesting to read of the neglected second battle of Copenhagen, but misses a lot of the Kydd style, Seemed like an experiment in case Kydd's..." Read more
"...However this is not the usual Kydd good read. Nothing wrong with the writing it is just not about Kydd...." Read more
"This was not a bad book, but there was not much of Kydd and a lot of historical background...." Read more
Customers enjoy the story quality. They find the tale brilliant, extraordinary, and solid. The series has been satisfying their need for naval fiction for years. Readers are hooked on Thomas Kydd's adventures and praise the author as a natural storyteller.
"The latest in Julian Stockwin's engrossing naval fiction series was fresh and in many ways quite different to previous novels...." Read more
"I am totally hooked on the adventures of Thomas Kydd and his rise from pressed foremast sailor to post captain and Knight of the realm...." Read more
"This series has been sustaining my need for fighting sail stories for years now-every since Alexander Kent reduced his output perhaps...." Read more
"A good story" Read more
Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They find it engaging with clear historical accuracy and attention to detail. Readers describe the author as one of the best in this genre.
"...As always in Stockwin's novels historical accuracy is combined with startling clarity so that momentous moments in history are seen through the eyes..." Read more
"As always brilliant story well written and may Kydd continue his adventures" Read more
"Julian Stockwin is one of the best current authors in this genre. His books are always awesome, and Inferno is no exception...." Read more
"...any future Kydd novels as he is a character I love and Stockwin's writing is wonderful, but I do long to the style and action of earlier works." Read more
Customers find the pacing of the book slow and laborious. They mention there is not much Kydd content and too much historical content.
"...Their involvement seems both slightly forced and rather unnecessary...." Read more
"This is the most disappointing book of the whole series so far! Quite boring and laborious and there were so many chapters which were only a few..." Read more
"This was not a bad book, but there was not much of Kydd and a lot of historical background...." Read more
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Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 October 2016The latest in Julian Stockwin's engrossing naval fiction series was fresh and in many ways quite different to previous novels.
The story ranges from the despair Sir Thomas Kydd feels during his enforced period ashore following perhaps one of his most challenging periods in the Royal Navy, to a fascinating diversion for Kydd in the Hebrides where he is beguiled into searching for sunken treasure with "infernal machines" in the company of his old shipmate Tobias Stirk.
The story then shifts back to Scandinavia where Kydd had such a testing time in Tyger and where Bonaparte continues to threaten Britain's trade with the Baltic.
Nicholas Renzi now Lord Farndon and married to Kydd's sister Cecilia is once again involved with dangerous diplomacy concerning the neutral country of Denmark so important because of its magnificent fleet and its strategic position between France and Russia.
We are frustratingly treated to rather short glimpses of favourites such as Bowden while Stockwin recounts the interplay between the great fleet assembled for an expedition to Copenhagen and the Army with General Wellesley at their head by the correspondence between Kydd's Masters Mate David Maynard on Tyger and his brother Francis an Ensign in the "new" Light Infantry.
As always in Stockwin's novels historical accuracy is combined with startling clarity so that momentous moments in history are seen through the eyes of those close to events. In addition Stockwin always manages to include a likeable female character or two and Frow Rosen who bravely assists Nicholas and Cecilia and Marie-Therese d'Angouleme a spirited member of the French royal family are fine examples of this natural storytellers art. Their cameo roles are matched by descriptions of personal bravery and intransigence amongst the Danish forces.
To describe more would be to risk spoiling the story and I finish this review by saying that I can't wait for Sir Thomas Kydd to return to sea in the next part of this extraordinary naval chronicle.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 September 2017As always brilliant story well written and may Kydd continue his adventures
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 April 2022I am totally hooked on the adventures of Thomas Kydd and his rise from pressed foremast sailor to post captain and Knight of the realm. Boom 1 to book 20 Julian has taken us through details of making and running navy ships around the Napoleon era, major sea battles including Matapan, Nile, Trafalgar and many others from the Black Sea to the Carabean. South Africa to the Baltic. Apart from Nelson, in the next book Inferno, Julian takes us to the siege of Copenhagen and introduces Lord Wellesley ( Duke of Wellington) I've read all 20 books and look forward to reading the next and the next
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 June 2023I've enjoyed all of the books in this series
but could not get on with this one. It seemed to jump about too much and I didn't really see why it was doing so. When the end finally came I was a bit relieved to be honest. Still 16/1 in favour of all the ones I've enjoyed is pretty good going. 😀
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 March 2021This series has been sustaining my need for fighting sail stories for years now-every since Alexander Kent reduced his output perhaps. I began with The Happy Return as a child and never looked back. My first Bolitho novel was a gift in 1970 and so many have followed. The secret would seem to be in creating a main character who is just that bit different to others in the genre, and this tarpaulin officer does just that.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 February 2021Not a lot i can say ,!! Ihave read up to number 20, 21 and 23 are in my bookshelf No 22 has been organised for my birthday next month. Do you get the feeling i like Julian Stockwins books. Thanks TK
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 November 2016Julian Stockwin is one of the best current authors in this genre. His books are always awesome, and Inferno is no exception. If you like nautical fiction, read this series.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 October 2016I have been an avid fan of Kydd from the very start. I was particularly disappointed and bored with all the political chit chat that took up most of the book! Not setting foot on a Man o War till well past 100 pages and the first shots and most shots fired in anger was by the Army! I also didn't need an in depth history of Denmark. What I hoped for and paid for was fictions, exciting adventure on the high seas in a British fighting Ship with the taste of salt on my lips and smell of gunpowder in my nose! But ended up with political debate and Maneuvering! Please lets get back to sea Mr Stockwith, don't want to abandon the series etc this point.
Top reviews from other countries
- SteveReviewed in the United States on 19 July 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Like most authors, Stockwin gets even better with time.
The Kidd series gets better and better. I just read the two most recent Kidd novels and may have the titles mixed up. One is chock full of historical perspective to an extent not normally found in these type novels. But it was so well written that I was not in the least bored by the true historical context and the dimes that faced all of the involved countries and their sea and land forces. The other was a more personal novel about Kidd himself which was a bit out of the ordinary Kidd "formula" but which I also thought was excellent. So I give both of the last two Kidd novels 5 stars. I think that is in large part to the fact that Stockwin is going off formula to write even more interesting Kidd stories. I can't want for the next one.
- Gregory DermodyReviewed in Canada on 14 October 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great sea yarn
Another great sea yarn. A story with twists and turns in the plot. Character development over the series remains strong and engaging.
- W. G. RodgersReviewed in France on 8 January 2017
2.0 out of 5 stars You maybe disappointed
Not one of Stockwin's better novels. Somewhat disjointed and amateurish in the plot for an author who has written some excellent naval fiction.
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Ronny RogersReviewed in Germany on 2 November 2016
3.0 out of 5 stars Ich
Leider sehr wenig über kydd! Wurde überwiegend über der Armee und die Landung in und um Copenhagen berichtet.Historisch meistens Ok! Aber wenig mit Kydd zu tun
- Doug MacKayReviewed in Canada on 20 January 2017
4.0 out of 5 stars A great next adventure for Kydd
I'm a huge fan of Julian's Kydd series and really liked this book. After Tyger (the prior book which ended in such a thrill) it's a little bland. Understandably it's difficult to maintain a high level of action/excitement without becoming trite. Much of the novel focuses on other events rather than Kydd himself. Its great to see familiar characters and learn of new ones who did incredible things in European history.