While not as finely detailed as Mr. Stockwin’s “Kidd” or as trenchant as Mr. Forester’s “Hornblower, “Midshipman Bolitho” by Alexander Kent -a pseudonym for Douglas Reeman- has its own nautical panache and endeared itself to me rather quickly. “Midshipman Bolitho” is considered the first novel in the Bolitho series by Mr. Kent and there is an awkwardness there that comes out at times. Nevertheless, it is full of rip-roaring action and nautical adventure that will keep naval and history buffs entranced and entertained. A real gem was the afterward which included a short piece from Mr. Kent’s Bolitho newsletter detailing the lives, times and realistic hardships his characters are living through. I picked up this first book in the series on a whim and I hope to have many similar whims in the future. ( )

A popular book series set in the Napoleonic era British navy, but I don't like these as well as the Hornblower or O'Brian books. ( )

Actually two short novels about Bolitho as a young Midshipman. In the first story, Bolitho is 16 years old and serving on his second ship. He makes a friend and an enemy and battles pirates and slavers. In the second story he returns home with his friend Dancer for the holidays but finds murder, smugglers and wreckers. We also meet his older brother Hugh who will later in the series disgrace the family. An enjoyable read for naval fiction fans. ( )