The end of summer seems a good time to pull out some old favorite titles and enjoy a last indulgence in pleasure reading before the busy-ness of Fall picks up. On a windy day, what could be better than a novel of nautical adventure? While I enjoy Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey and Maturin series about which Charlotte has written so well, I think that my favorite 19th century sailing novels are those of Alexander Kent.
Kent’s series chronicles the rise of Richard Bolitho through the ranks of the British navy beginning during the American Revolution and continuing through the Napoleonic Wars. Like O’Brian, Kent has a deep understanding of the art of sailing and of late 18th and early 19th century naval customs and traditions, and his books are richly descriptive without being dry. Kent also gives an interesting picture of all the behind-the-scenes trades that are essential to a successful voyage: ropemaking, supplying ship’s stores, and so on.
These are character-driven stories, and Bolitho is always at the center. Over the course of his career (and the series) Bolitho often finds himself challenged by orders that conflict with his sense of honor. This conflict between following one’s duty or one’s moral code is a central theme here. The secondary characters, from newly minted sailors to the lords of the Admiralty, are all equally well-drawn. Kent’s ear for dialog shines through.
The pace here is a bit faster than that of the Aubrey and Maturin books, and Kent offers readers a thrilling blend of naval detail and action. The series should be read more or less in order to get the full story, so start with Midshipman Bolitho, the first in the series.
Check the WRL catalog for Midshipman Bolitho
Read the series in ebook format, starting with a 3-in-1 collection The Complete Midshipman Bolitho
Blogging for a Good Book 
Thank you! This series was not on my radar! I am a fan of the Horatio Hornblower novels by C.S. Forester and have enjoyed the first 4 of the series.
I have the whole collection for the Aubrey/Maturin series, read all Hornblower novels, I am trying to collect the Bolitho series.
I have always been fascinated by the age of sail, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. Those were the most complex machines of that era.
I’s so happy you’ve discovered me this series! I read all the Aubrey/Maturin books and loved them, I’m sure I’ll like theese too.
Happy to help. Here are some other seafaring stories you might like–Before the Mast
Barry