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Philip K. Allan

Goodreads Author

Born

in Watford, The United Kingdom

Website

https://www.philipkallan.com/

Twitter

@PhilipKAllan

Genre

Historical Fiction, Ebooks, Fiction

Influences

Patrick O'Brian, Seamus Heaney, C S Forester, Hilary Mantel, Michael O ...more

Member Since

March 2018

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I am from the UK where I live with my wife and daughters. My writing combines my passion for ships and the sea, with intelligent writing and pacey plots.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/philipkallan/
Twitter https://twitter.com/PhilipKAllan
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/philipkalla...
Website www.philipkallan.com

I don't pay for book reviews so what you see here is genuine reader feedback.

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Popular Answered Questions

How would you say your books differ from O'brien's and Forester's?

Philip K. Allan Hi Garry,

Both the authors you mention are the giants of the genre, so I have naturally been heavily influenced by both authors. I would say the main …moreHi Garry,

Both the authors you mention are the giants of the genre, so I have naturally been heavily influenced by both authors. I would say the main difference between my work and theirs is that I have both officer and seamen characters who are fully developed with their own story lines and back histories. In terms of style I am probably closer to POB than CS Forester – like him I use 18th century dialogue for example - but to be honest I like to think my books are unique to me and my style!

Does that answer the question?

All the best

Philip
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Yes, it does. Thank you for answering. As a follow up, would you see your style of narration as immersive in the same way that POB is? I admit to being thrown off a little bit having to wade my own way through the terminology, etc, but found that I loved it.

Philip K. Allan Hi Gary,

I know what you mean! I would say that I have a lighter touch with terminonolgy than POB. I think you need a certain amount, to pull the read…moreHi Gary,

I know what you mean! I would say that I have a lighter touch with terminonolgy than POB. I think you need a certain amount, to pull the reader into a different world, but there is a danger of overdoing it. My rule of thumb is if I use a naval term or concept it should either be obvious from the context what it is, or a convenient lubber should be on hand to have it explained to them. This is, of course, why POB never allowed the highly intelligent Maturin to gain any knowledge of the sea, in spite of all those years he spent afloat!

The check that I have got this right is my wife, Jan. She loves a good story, but has no interest in the sea. Everything I write goes through her. If she doesn't get it/like it, I rewrite that passage. The result seems to work well. I have readers who are real naval enthusiasts, and others who are not. My ratings on Goodreads tell me I am getting the balance about right.

All the best

Philip(less)

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Philip K. Allan’s books

Average rating: 4.44 · 11,639 ratings · 287 reviews · 18 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Captain's Nephew (Alexander Clay #1) 4.28 avg rating — 1,240 ratings — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Sloop of War (Alexander Clay #2) 4.43 avg rating — 1,129 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	On The Lee Shore (Alexander Clay #3) 4.44 avg rating — 1,083 ratings — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Man of No Country (Alexander Clay #4) 4.42 avg rating — 982 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	In Northern Seas (Alexander Clay #7) 4.44 avg rating — 975 ratings — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Upon the Malabar Coast (Alexander Clay #9) 4.49 avg rating — 927 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Distant Ocean (Alexander Clay #5) 4.45 avg rating — 919 ratings — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Turn of the Tide (Alexander Clay #6) 4.43 avg rating — 886 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Larcum Mudge (Alexander Clay #8) 4.52 avg rating — 834 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Sea of Wolves (The Wolves WW2 Series Book 1) 4.48 avg rating — 771 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Philip K. Allan's Blog

Captain Jorge Juan - International Spy in the Age of Sail

In April 1748, the long War of Austrian Succession came to an end, leaving the Spanish Navy in a terrible plight. Spain was dependent for her financial survival on the flow of bullion from her American possessions, but her navy had proven incapable of protecting this vital life-line. Her treasure fleets had been captured by the Royal Navy, her warships defeated and vital bases in South America lik Read more of this blog post »

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Published on September 09, 2024 00:47

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Series by Philip K. Allan

Alexander Clay (11 books)
by

Philip K. Allan (Goodreads Author)

4.43 avg rating — 10,105 ratings

Philip is Currently Reading

Philip Allan is currently reading

I, Claudius (Claudius, #1)

by Robert Graves

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Jun 17, 2022 04:32AM

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Philip’s Recent Updates

Philip Allan added a status update: I have just sent my latest manuscript over to my editor. Lone Wolf will be the third book in my Sea of Wolves WW2 Battle of the Atlantic series. Following the US entry into the war, U-boats begin arriving in American waters. It should be published in March All the best Philip
Feb 20, 2025 01:57AM · 20 likes · like · see status
Philip Allan joined the group LGBTQ Military Book Club
Sep 09, 2024 01:31AM · like
Philip Allan added a status update: Just to let you know, Book 11 in the Alexander Clay series has now been published. Called "Clay and the River of Silver" it takes the action into 1806 and the South Atlantic. Enjoy! Philip
Jul 15, 2024 01:42AM · 9 likes · like · see status

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Quotes by Philip K. Allan (?)

“and ranks of green waves marched in from the open Atlantic to thunder against her bow.”
― Philip K. Allan, The Turn of the Tide

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“Sailors, wenches and drink,’ sniffed Lady Ashton. ‘What do you suppose could possibly go awry?”
― Philip K. Allan, The Turn of the Tide

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“Three loops north and south like that, then three more east and west around the equator, slip out your hand, hold it just so, add three more loops round and about the last ones, pull the ends good and tight, and as the Frogs would have it—Voila!”
― Philip K. Allan, The Captain's Nephew

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