For My Country's Freedom

Richard Bolitho #23

by Alexander Kent

War with Britain's former colony looms on the horizon, and Admiral Sir Richard Bolitho must lead a squadron against the powerful new ships of the United States navy. Supported by his loyal crew, Bolitho must use all his ingenuity to defeat one of America's great naval commanders, Nathan Beer.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, War, Nautical, Historical, Adventure, Military Fiction

303 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 1995

About the author

A pseudonym used by Douglas Reeman.

Series:
* Richard Bolitho
* Adam Bolitho

Reviews

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this continuing series of the life of Richard Bolitho. Not only the sea adventures but also the home life and issues. This book happens in 1812 when Britain and America are at war again and Britain is still fighting France. Discusses the more heavily armed American ships. Didn't realize that the British army was transported across the Atlantic to Halifax, a city that I toured last year. 23 books in the series read and 7 left. I am sending these books to the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen Texas for their library as I finish them.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is difficult to know who to pull for here, since the action is during the War of 1812 against the American navy. Not as much sea action in this book, but more interpersonal struggles. Hard to believe that Keen would come on to his admiral’s lady, no matter how distraught he was. Bolitho is almost immortal now...but there is still that hint of self-doubt. Getting a little tired of the sexual interplay between Bolitho and Kate...we get it. Move on.

[Rupert Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled with myself over whether to rate this as a 3 star or 4 star book.
Many years ago I read several of these Bolitho books and enjoyed them enormously. So when I saw this in a charity shop and realised that I had not read it, I snapped it up. But somehow it was not as wonderful as I remembered the Bolitho books being. So I was going to make it a 3 star. On reflection I thought that unfair as I was probably comparing the book to an idealised memory not to the book itself. So it got a 4.
Anyway, the characters in the book are great. The way in which they interact is credible given their character traits. So even when the story takes a surprising turn or events overwhelm, the characters react as you would expect them to. Which is good. The sea scenes are beautifully written and the battles are thrilling. My real moan here is that the story line is rather thin. Not a huge amount actually happens. Never mind, it is an enjoyable romp and a well-written book.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kent's Richard Bolitho's novels have evolved from engrossing adventure into mawkish, syrupy, mushy, romance novels more than adventure novels. I have found it pretty hard to get through the last 3 or 4 books as Kent continues to focus on the love story of Richard Bolitho and his mistress Lady Catherine Somervell. I had every intention of reading this entire series, but I think I will stop with this book and move on to something else.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another pretty good Bolitho book. In this book he is promoted and sent to the other side of the pond to run operations against the young upstart American just prior and during the War of 1812. Not a whole lot of action on this one when compared to others and quite a bit of England story development as well.

[Geoff Woodland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one completed - #23 - still enjoying the books, but the inclusion of the main character's home life can slow the story, particularly as I have read all the earlier books and at times can 'feel' the author's concern of 'filling ' the page count.
Perhaps I would have enjoyed the book more if I had not set out to read all the Bolitho books in order, which means it is my fault.

[Boulder Boulderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Bolitho novel. Again not very good - 23 is apparently too many. There was an opportunity at the start of the book for some politicing and at the end of the book for a roaring stand-up sea-fight. Neither opportunity was taken.

[Jerry Borrowman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too sentimental and maudlin composted to earlier books

This is not up to the quality of Kent's earlier Bolitho novels--too much introspection instead of action. I'll pass on later installments

[Charlie Shaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can tell that the author is coming to he end of his thinking in how many more ways can he portray Bolitho, how many more fights that can not be repetitive.

[Xan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entre los mejores de los seis o siete últimos, pero muy lejos de los primeros de la serie.

[Kurt Allebach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid offering in the Bolitho series.

[David Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[roger edwatd cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

An old friend

This is my second reading of this book, having read it before many years ago.
He is the best seafaring author and a great story teller.

[William Howle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read, it’s about British naval officers and the women they are involved with

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

you get the feeling that we're heading to the end of the series as you read this book, which indeed you are, but I feel it's become a bit too mechanical: lots of recapping of previous events and relating how all the characters fit together for the first part of the book, at some point Bolitho will come home then quickly be recalled and sent packing elsewhere, we'll have the heart-renching separation of Bolitho and Catherine, and then in the final 30 pages we'll have a battle!

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical good Bolitho story but I am finding the romance between Kate and Richard a bit distracting. Kent is not a good writer of romance. He should stick to naval history.He writes relationships between men better than he does between men and women.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. The characters and their situations are real to me, and they age, develop, thrive, suffer or die with each new dramatic installment. On to the next one!

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a while to get into this one, but ultimately enjoyed the book.

[Annie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another rollicking read, plenty of action and sympathy for the characters. It would be best to read the Richard Bolitho books in order but I read what I get and they are still good out of order.

[Dee]

I think you have to read this series in order to fully appreciate it. I found so many gaps that, to be honest,
I found it annoying & didn't finish the book