What book are you reading now?
- Thread starter moghrabi
- Start date
The Kydd Series
Kydd, first published in 2001, is a historical novel by Julian Stockwin. This first instalment in Julian Stockwin's series of novels set during the Age of Fighting Sail tells the story of young Kydd, who is pressed into service on a British ship in 1793. The book is unusual in that the hero is an ordinary pressed man, not an officer as is most common in nautical fiction. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kydd_(novel)
By Julian Stockwin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Stockwin
The books,
Kydd
Artemis
Seaflower
Mutiny
Quarterdeck
Tenacious
Command
The Admiral sDaughter
Th Privateers Revenge
Invasion
Conquest
Betrayal
Carribee
Pasha
Tyger
Inferno
Persephone
The Baltic Prize
The Iberian Flame
A Sea of Gold
To the Eastern Seas
And for release in Tune 2020 , Balkan Glory.
I read them all over the years, but started to forget the earlier books.
Starting about 2 months ago, I am re-reading them all in correct order, presently at book 14, Pasha.
I enjoy reading these historical novels with iPad on standby, as one can look up actual harbours, places, streets etc. in 3D satellite view.
Also, look up the meanings of absurd Royalty, sea phrases, boat bits, hook, line ,and sinker.
Kydd, first published in 2001, is a historical novel by Julian Stockwin. This first instalment in Julian Stockwin's series of novels set during the Age of Fighting Sail tells the story of young Kydd, who is pressed into service on a British ship in 1793. The book is unusual in that the hero is an ordinary pressed man, not an officer as is most common in nautical fiction. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kydd_(novel)
By Julian Stockwin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Stockwin
The books,
Kydd
Artemis
Seaflower
Mutiny
Quarterdeck
Tenacious
Command
The Admiral sDaughter
Th Privateers Revenge
Invasion
Conquest
Betrayal
Carribee
Pasha
Tyger
Inferno
Persephone
The Baltic Prize
The Iberian Flame
A Sea of Gold
To the Eastern Seas
And for release in Tune 2020 , Balkan Glory.
I read them all over the years, but started to forget the earlier books.
Starting about 2 months ago, I am re-reading them all in correct order, presently at book 14, Pasha.
I enjoy reading these historical novels with iPad on standby, as one can look up actual harbours, places, streets etc. in 3D satellite view.
Also, look up the meanings of absurd Royalty, sea phrases, boat bits, hook, line ,and sinker.
Oh come on Nut Zone Doug!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tell us the TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We ALL KNOW what you are REALLY READING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE KNOw you put FAKE new covers onto Chairman Mao`s ....................................
Little Red book of Soviet Quotations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
to hide your Soviet Socialist beliefs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NZ; that's a huge list of books by one author. I'm not very knowledgeable about naval battles in the age of sail, but we just bought a good reproduction on canvas of Turner's "Fighting Temeraraire." Got a bit interested in Nelson's tactics at Trafalgar because of it.
I've long been a fan of John Le Carré. Recently decided to get the ones of the Smiley series I'd missed. I got the 2 first ones but am disappointed - the author hadn't really got into his stride I think. They are A Murder of Quality and Call for the dead.
Right now I'm reading Artificial Unintelligence by Meredith Broussard, who's into 'algorithmic accountability' - reverse engineering some of the algorithms that make 'decisions' affecting all of our lives; questioning their use and consequences.
Just by the way, I'm thinking 'artificial unintelligence' could describe many of our forum posts, although I'm sure some of it is the real thing.
Hi VIBC,
Im plodding through Stockwin's list and just finishing "Persephone".
You may. enjoy Tenacious
https://www.fantasticfiction.com/s/julian-stockwin/tenacious.htm
as it deals with Nelson at Trafalgar.
I try to track down "Artificial Uniintelligence" but my local library didn't have it so I have put a request in and we should have it within the month.
Thanks for the heads up!
NZ; thanks for the reference to 'Tenacious.' I'll read it in due course, but maybe chronologically, as part of the series.
I just checked and the library system seems to have ALL the Kydd books. I've put 'Kydd' on hold and will likely get it soon. MW - my wife - will prob. get to read it first. She's been an Alexander Kent fan but I avoided him so far. I have trouble visualizing all those royals, fore-top-gallants etcetera. I did build a wee sailing dinghy but it only had one sail so there wasn't a lot of terminology to master
. And no crew to yell commands at.I think Tenacious really was one of the Trafalgar ships - or is that just a "false memory"? As an ex-Scot (is there such a thing?) I've noticed that 7 of the 23 ships in the "English" fleet had Scottish captains and quite likely crew. "England expects" was a bit presumptious (but we're used to it, haha.)
Have you read Two Years Before the Mast - If not you may want to check it out. It's about time for me to revisit that one. Also White Slaves of Maquinna; John R Jewitt's account of being captured and enslaved by the native chief hereabouts, in 1803.
Walter; I haven't read any Lee Child "Reacher" books but they're obviously very popular, judging by the number available at the library. Thanks for the reference but I don't know when I'll get round to them; "So much to read, so little time!"
I have been struggling with A Game oh Thrones for a month. Got almost halfway and gave up. Normally I can read a book that size in 2 weeks.
Well I don't give a lot of thought to the existence or absurdity of Royalty. The 'royals' I was referring to are these:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_(sail)
You may have to click where it says 'Did you mean: Royal (sail)?'
I'm not too bad with 'sea phrases and boat bits' but 'Hook, Line and Sinker' just makes me think of Len Deighton, whose writing I don't much like.
Makes me think of some of our forum posters too!
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Reminds me of Sgt.Rock mixed with Dick Tracy but at the turn of the century.
Too much USA macho man, couldn't make it thru one book, but , each to his own.
I get confused with the Royals over my Top gallants but we now have the magic of Wikipedia and the internet, we can leave no word unturned.
I have read all of Len Deighton books, the first that got me hooked was "There Eagle Has Landed" many years ago.
I have searched for Len Deighton Action Cook Book to no avail, I j just wonder whats cookin'.
Im sure Ive read "Two Years Before The Mast", many years ago.NZ; thanks for the reference to 'Tenacious.' I'll read it in due course, but maybe chronologically, as part of the series.
I just checked and the library system seems to have ALL the Kydd books. I've put 'Kydd' on hold and will likely get it soon. MW - my wife - will prob. get to read it first. She's been an Alexander Kent fan but I avoided him so far. I have trouble visualizing all those royals, fore-top-gallants etcetera. I did build a wee sailing dinghy but it only had one sail so there wasn't a lot of terminology to master
I think Tenacious really was one of the Trafalgar ships - or is that just a "false memory"? As an ex-Scot (is there such a thing?) I've noticed that 7 of the 23 ships in the "English" fleet had Scottish captains and quite likely crew. "England expects" was a bit presumptious (but we're used to it, haha.)
Have you read Two Years Before the Mast - If not you may want to check it out. It's about time for me to revisit that one. Also White Slaves of Maquinna; John R Jewitt's account of being captured and enslaved by the native chief hereabouts, in 1803.
Rathr than break my stride over the Kydd books, I looked on youtube last night and found the movie "Two Years Before the Mast, starring Alan Ladd, and William Bendix, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Years_Before_the_Mast_(film)
produced in 1946, same year I was born.
It brought it all back.
Cheating, I admit, but kinda like the modern way of "Classic" Comic books.
Ive never sailed, but owned Zodiac Inflatable boats since 1979, 10 years in the NZ Volunteer Coastguard, with many sea adventures, and still going on.
New York Harbour 100th Anniversary of the statue of Liberty, the Welland Canal, boating in Shediac NB, moorings in Ashbridges Bay, Toronto, swam across Lake Muskoka, chasing the boat when it got washed off a lrock formation and the wind keeping me a foot or two away til we reach the mainland.
Vistoria Harbour chasing seaplanes, etc.
Still dive, snorkel, underwater photography.
Matey. Land Ho!
I think my admiration for the sea began in Grade 8, having to read "Treasure Island", by Robert Louis Stevenson, back in East York, or was it the Walt Disney movie?
Winston Churchill said Treasure Island was the finest use of the English language in print, and he tried to read it once a year, and I try to do the same.
Its a s smart as paint, Mr. Hawkins....
Winston Churchill said Treasure Island was the finest use of the English language in print, and he tried to read it once a year, and I try to do the same.
Its a s smart as paint, Mr. Hawkins....
My goodness, NZ - Alan Ladd. Now that you mention it I believe I did see that movie as a (?) pre-teen. I'm sure I can picture wee Alan (he had elevator shoes) tied to the mast and lashed in glorious Black & White. Did you ever see "Shane?" My pals & I were awestruck by the ugly and ruthless Jack Palance but wee Alan got him in the end. The book Shane is quite a good read too, written in the first person by the young boy in the story.
Your Lake Muskoka episode reminded me of the day a bunch of years ago when my pal & I, in our mid-70s, unintentionally capsized my 12 ft sailing dinghy on Sproat lake. Too surprised and inexperienced to try righting the boat, we swam it, still rigged and knocked down, maybe 100 yards (well - 75?) to shore - very, very slowly but laughing all the way. When we eventually got there we were worn out but still wearing hats & sunglasses. It then seemed like the funnest day I'd had for years - after we'd sailed around in circles chasing the oars.
What freaked the wife out was that I read your post and within minutes found the original 73 year old movie and played it a 65inch smart tv.
Way better than the old 24 inch Admiral tv in 1958.
Back in the early 80s took the Zodiac down to Key West inside the VW Westphalia, and camped at the 6 mile marker, the most southern campground in the USA, 3 years in a row doing the snowbird routine, leave after New Years and back mid March.
Save the bales ! Weird scenes with shrimp boats are coming, their sails are in sight!
Mostly red by Hells Angels...
Fun, WOW!
BEST CDN BOOK !!!
………………….
Travels with My Amp- Greg Godovitz
https://www.amazon.ca/Travels-My-Amp-Greg-Godovitz/dp/1894584066
This is a hilarious book about Greg Godovitz and the history of his band, Goddo.
GREG GODOVITZ bass and vocals, , GINO SCARPELLI on lead guitar, , AND DOUG INGLIS on drums.
How can 3 guys make so much noise?
The book has a backward instead of a forward.
It starts at Birchwood Collegiate deep in the heart of Scarberia, with Godovitz pulling an amp around with his kids “Radio Flyer” wagon.
First band and evolution.
Lots of interesting and stupid facts, like Jim Carrey opening for Goddo as a stand up comedian at Molson Place back in the 70s.
That was Jim Carrels first lhyve gig.
Tales from Massey Hall, the Rockpile, the Gasworks, Young Streets fun street, Larrys Hide Away, El Mocombo, Key to Bala (my niece was a teenage beer slinger there) , etc..
BIG IN TEXAS!
Lots of Rock band “hide your daughters” stuff, weird drug stuff, like when they were playing in Hamilton, Ont. and a fan and his gal went up stairs to party with the lads.
The fan returned in the elevator to the main floor blazed out unconscious, with a lit joint in his his butt crack and the little lady rockin' on with the band.
They were booked to record last Richard Bransons recording studio (Manor Studios) but they trashed it and got the boot.
Its the funniest Canadia book I’ve ever red, thanks Greg.
One of the band members sister gave me her copy as they drove her nuts, but I loaned it out here in NZ and can’t remember who.
Never a borrower or a lender be.
Anyhoo, best CDN book iIMHO.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WicDCoYias&list=OLAK5uy_mZ3ZnYCQrneDFKBStqJVH-NJO4omGbN2Y
………………….
Travels with My Amp- Greg Godovitz
https://www.amazon.ca/Travels-My-Amp-Greg-Godovitz/dp/1894584066
This is a hilarious book about Greg Godovitz and the history of his band, Goddo.
GREG GODOVITZ bass and vocals, , GINO SCARPELLI on lead guitar, , AND DOUG INGLIS on drums.
How can 3 guys make so much noise?
The book has a backward instead of a forward.
It starts at Birchwood Collegiate deep in the heart of Scarberia, with Godovitz pulling an amp around with his kids “Radio Flyer” wagon.
First band and evolution.
Lots of interesting and stupid facts, like Jim Carrey opening for Goddo as a stand up comedian at Molson Place back in the 70s.
That was Jim Carrels first lhyve gig.
Tales from Massey Hall, the Rockpile, the Gasworks, Young Streets fun street, Larrys Hide Away, El Mocombo, Key to Bala (my niece was a teenage beer slinger there) , etc..
BIG IN TEXAS!
Lots of Rock band “hide your daughters” stuff, weird drug stuff, like when they were playing in Hamilton, Ont. and a fan and his gal went up stairs to party with the lads.
The fan returned in the elevator to the main floor blazed out unconscious, with a lit joint in his his butt crack and the little lady rockin' on with the band.
They were booked to record last Richard Bransons recording studio (Manor Studios) but they trashed it and got the boot.
Its the funniest Canadia book I’ve ever red, thanks Greg.
One of the band members sister gave me her copy as they drove her nuts, but I loaned it out here in NZ and can’t remember who.
Never a borrower or a lender be.
Anyhoo, best CDN book iIMHO.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WicDCoYias&list=OLAK5uy_mZ3ZnYCQrneDFKBStqJVH-NJO4omGbN2Y
Been going through my library and re-reading some of my favourites. 'Into the Storm- A Study in Command' by Stephen Ambrose. And 'Seven Roads to Hell' by Donald Burgett. That book is short but man, it takes you right into the Battle of the Bulge. What makes it great is the fact it wasn't written from the memories of a man 20,30,40 years later, it was written from Burgett's own personal after action notes so there's a feeling of immediacy when you're reading it. Some of it is like the script from a Rambo movie, like Jerry Janes ripping a .50 cal off it's ring mount from a burning half-track and firing it from the hip at the Germans was a real "holy shit!" moment.
Some of the soldiers' "logic" was pretty funny too. In the book is famous moment when the 101st are surrounded by the Germans and one soldier says, "Those poor bastards". When asked what he meant since it was they who were surrounded and not the Germans, he replied, "They can only shoot in one direction to kill us. We can shoot in any direction to kill them." :lol:
The book basically revolves around Bugett's own company in the 101st and is without a doubt, the best account of a small unit in battle I have ever read. Very compelling even though we know how the battle turns out.
Some of the soldiers' "logic" was pretty funny too. In the book is famous moment when the 101st are surrounded by the Germans and one soldier says, "Those poor bastards". When asked what he meant since it was they who were surrounded and not the Germans, he replied, "They can only shoot in one direction to kill us. We can shoot in any direction to kill them." :lol:
The book basically revolves around Bugett's own company in the 101st and is without a doubt, the best account of a small unit in battle I have ever read. Very compelling even though we know how the battle turns out.
We're in the same boat on this book.
When I got to typing "Hello, world" in the "Terminal" program in the utilities folder on my Mac, I couldn't see where I wrote it and tried it again but couldn't find where it came out so it p*ssed me off, so I gave up on it.
GRRRR!
Oh, well......
Might be over my intelligence level.
Next!