The Inshore Squadron

by Alexander Kent

Book Overview

Copenhagen, 1800. After seven years of cruel war against France, Britain's longstanding ally, Denmark, poses a threat. The scene of battle shifts to the Baltic where the British navy encounters the hardship of blockade duty.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0935526684
• ISBN13: 9780935526684
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: McBooks Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

The continuing adventures of Richard Bolitho

Bolitho is promoted to Rear Admiral and given command of a squadron assigned to the Baltic, where the Tsar of Russia is trying to create an alliance with the scandinavians, and simultaneously make an alliance with Napoleon. Bolitho meets a relative of his late wife, who bears a close resembland to her, and loses his heart to her.This is another great Kent novel, set in 1800 from the viewpoint of the British Navy. This is the 13th book out of 26 in the Bolitho series, and they are all exciting depictions of life aboard ships of His Brittanic Majesty's fleet. Like the rest of them, one gets the feeling that the period is accurately depicted, with sufficient detail and character development to make you feel that you are a witness to history.I must admit that I am a fan of Alexander Kent (a pseudonym) and his naval fiction. He seems very knowledgeable about square riggers, their armament, and the problems inherent in naval warfare with only the wind to provide propulsion. Do I recommend these books? Absolutely!Joseph (Joe) Pierre, USN (Ret)author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenanceand other books

Superb treatment of a Napoleonic Sideshow

Alexander Kent has chosen an interesting theme for the Inshore Squadron, the British expedition against Denmark. It is a fine choice of topics and allows for a great deal of character developement.Richard Bolitho, now a flag officer himself, is thrust into the frontlines of nautical diplomacy. He is discovering that it takes more skill running the gauntlet of politics than it ever took in a broadside to broadside action. Now he is given the overall mission and learns that if he succeeds, no one will know and if he fails, he will be relieved of duty without a moments hesitation by the Admiralty.In the midst of this hazardous assignment, he meets a woman that he is drawn to. Belinda is the cousin of one of Bolitho's former officers, who was also his brother-in-law and whos sister, Bolitho married only to loose her later in a coach accident. They meet coincidently when her coach is in an accident and Bolitho's coach is first on the scene. Deja vu?The relationship builds but not smoothly. Belinda knows of Bolitho's first wife in fact vaguely resembles her. She knows this and doesn't want to be seen as a replacement for his first wife. It is this undercurrent that follows their relationship and you wonder, if in fact, she is right.Adam Bolitho is now a lieutenant and we start to see that he is more his father's son then his uncle's nephew. Dueling rears it's ugly head again for Bolitho. His brother fled to America after killing an officer in a duel and it seems like Adam is riding down the same road.Thomas Herrick is back again as flag captain. He has matured as a captain and also has a grounding influence on Bolitho. He grows in his role of falg captain and is no longer looking over his shoulder for Bolitho's approval or sanction.All these charecters are thrust into the campaign to neutralize Denmark and the threat it would be to communications between the UK and Russia. The combat between the Royal Navy and Royal Danish Navy is brutal and no-holds barred. One would think it would be no contest but the Danes don't fold after a token resistance, they are in the fight to the bitter end. The Danish Navy is shattered but it is not without cost to the Royal Navy. Thanks to Bolitho the operation is a success, but if he had failed, it might have gone the other way, with incaluable damage to Britain's ability to combat Napoleon.All together, this is a well written book with interesting and absorbing plot twists and charecter developement. One of the scenes that stays with me now, is Bolitho riding through Copenhagen, during his diplomatic mission, and wondering what it would be like to explore this very interesting city in peacetime. Maybe Bolitho is getting tired of the non-stop sea war has faced since he was a teenager, 30 years before. Hmm.I highly recommend this book as a valued addition to any Kent library and it is a fine reference to details of the little known and regarded 1st Battle of Copenhagen.

One of Bolitho's best

It almost gets repetitive, but this one rates with Kent/Reeman's best in a superb series. Good story, thrilling action, great scenes and exchanges between Bolitho and Herrick, Allday, & Adam. The usual excellent descriptive writing, this time of conditions in the Baltic during winter, was of great help when reading it in a crowded bus in San Francisco when the temperature was an unbelievable 103.

Another Bolitho adventure, well told

This novel fits right into the entire series. Bolitho is an excellent character, as are the many others in this series, Allday, Herrick, Pascoe and many others. Terrific action, plenty of battles at sea, intrique, all the dangers of working the sea in the "wooden walls of England". This novel takes Bolitho and company into harm's way against not only the French, but the Russians and Danes as well. Huzzah! Another Kent classic. Enjoy.

Read it at least 6 times.....always superb

The INSHORE SQUADRON finds Bolitho in command of a small squadron of ships tasked to enter the Baltic at a critical time and try to keep the Danes from joining with Russia against England. Bolitho must pit his ships against the Russians, the Danes, the politics of the era and of course, the hated French. For the first time we see Rear Admiral Bolitho on his own with his trusted Allday, Adam Pascoe, Herrick and other s from the past. Even the great Nelson, noted several times in this book, relies on Bolitho's prowess and strategy to win the day. A great adventure. Don't miss it.