Everybody Has Had A Bad Supervisor...

but this is ridiculous! A sympathetic hero, with no shortage of bad luck, somehow manages to succeed. We appreciate him, and his subordinates love him, but he can't quite seem to convince management- or himself - that he has leadership potential. His self-doubt wears a bit thin, even after he conquers every obstacle. Not great, but a fun read, with an interesting court marshal at the close. (I wish all these books with naval battles had diagrams!) ( )

I really enjoy the gripping action and I appreciate the detailed descriptions of the ship's workings, but, as in the Jackass Frigate, Alaric Bond gets my highest marks for bringing to life the crew and officers of Vigilant. By mastering the tricky technique of shifting Point-of-View, Bond successfully makes readers privy to the thoughts and opinions of a thorough cross-section of the crew. Before Vigilant is at sea, we meet no fewer than twenty-three named characters. (I counted the second time I read the book.) The number climbs above forty by the novel's climax. It is a tribute to Bond's craft that by the time Vigilant joins battle we feel a personal connection to some 10% of the ship's company. I am grateful to Bond for creating this new paradigm for Historic Naval Fiction.

This is book #1 in Alaric Bond's "Fighting Sail Series". As an 'age of sail' story the action, tone and progression of the tale is on par with many other 'Age of Sail' books.
What makes this book different is the use of many characters and shifting point of views. You have the young boy that volunteers for service and is on a great adventure. The older men who were pressed into service and haven't been off the ship or see home in many years. Even some sailor's who belong to a clandestine group that is dedicated to the overthrow of England. A full gambit of officers from the older Midshipman who has almost no chance of making Lt.. To the Peer who has friends in high places, and one who has worked his way up from between decks.
With the many characters and shifting point views tends to make the ship and the sea going life the main characters in this story. This change in points of view is refreshing in a well worn age of sail genre.
After all there is only so many times you can follow Midshipman _________ to his rise to Admiral _______________. Don't get me wrong I've enjoyed every one of these series I've read (Hornblower, Bolitho, Ramage etc.). It's my feel good and safe genre, my comfort food of literature, but they can be a little repetitive. Anyway it's nice to see them handled in a little different and fresh way. ( )

In his new novel His Majesty's Ship Alaric Bond once again grips readers with his detailed knowledge of the Georgian navy. In this prequel to The Jackass Frigate the earlier careers of crew members we have become familiar with are developed. From gundeck to quarterdeck, from powder monkey to Captain, we follow all divisions of the crew of HMS Vigilant, a 64 gun ship-of-the-line, as she is got ready for sea and then escorts a convoy. Ending in a climactic battle, the book, first in the 'Fighting Sail' series, fulfils the authors promise to “give an insight into the world of the seamen and naval officers who fought during the Revolutionary war” and will delight all readers of historic naval fiction. ( )