The Horizon

Blackwood Family #3

by Douglas Reeman

1914-1918: for three generations, members of the Blackwood family have served the Royal Marines with distinction. With the outbreak of World War I, at last comes Jonathan Blackwood's turn to carry the family name into battle. But as the young marines embark for the Dardanelles, and a new kind of warfare, it dawns on them that the days of scarlet coats and an unchanging tradition of honour and glory have gone forever. First in Gallipoli, and two years later at Flanders, comes their horrifying initiation into a wholesale slaughter for which no training could ever have prepared them. Caught up in the savagery of a conflict beyond any officer's control, Blackwood's future rests on the 'horizon' - the dark lip of the trench which was the last fateful sight for so many.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, War, Military Fiction, Historical, World War I

434 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 1994

About the author

AKA Alexander Kent.
Douglas Edward Reeman was a British author who has written many historical fiction books on the Royal Navy, mainly set during either World War II or the Napoleonic Wars.

Reeman joined the Royal Navy in 1940, at the age of 16, and served during World War II and the Korean War. He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant. In addition to being an author, Reeman has also taught the art of navigation for yachting and served as a technical advisor for films. Douglas married author Kimberley Jordan Reeman in 1985.

Reeman's debut novel, A Prayer for the Ship was published in 1958. His pseudonym Alexander Kent was the name of a friend and naval officer who died during the Second World War. Reeman is most famous for his series of Napoleonic naval stories, whose central character is Richard Bolitho, and, later, his nephew, Adam. He also wrote a series of novels about several generations of the Blackwood family who served in the Royal Marines from the 1850s to the 1970s, and a non-fiction account of his World War II experiences, D-Day : A Personal Reminiscence (1984).

Series:
* Blackwood Family

Reviews

[KOMET · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blackwood Saga continues. Captain Jonathan Blackwood, a Royal Marine officer, has his baptism of fire fighting the Turks at Gallipolli. Severely wounded, he is evacuated to Britain, where he recuperates in a specially arranged rest home for wounded servicemen (in peacetime, the building had served as the residence of a wealthy landowner; with the coming of war, he lent it out to the government). Once fully recovered, Captain Blackwood is given a command in Flanders on the Western Front. There he is exposed to the full fury of the war's ugliness. Blackwood is one of those "fighting officers" who prides himself on sharing the hardships of his men.

Reeman has created a character in Captain Blackwood who --- by his dedication to duty, while battling his own mounting fears and doubts --- will endear himself to the reader --- as he did to me.

[Colin Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan Blackwood continues the family tradition in the Royal Marines and after the death of his brother David has inherited the Hawks Hill estate in Hampshire. The action has switched to the First World War and the Dardanelles, another great fiasco of an ill-thought-out plan and inept leadership by the Generals and Politicians. Surviving this he then ends up in the Flanders trenches.

Jonathan is the usual get-up-and-go Blackwood who somehow survives with severe injuries and there is the inevitable local love interest back at home. Will it all be enough to help Hawks Hill survive after the war?

A very terrible time in history that is portrayed with empathy and understanding by Douglas Reeman. The author is a master of this genre. A poignant read at this time of the year as we approach Armistice Day. 4 stars.

[Terry Steinborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first exposure to one of Reeman's books, although I read many of the Bolitho books he wrote under the pen name of Alexander Kent many years ago. This is the third in a short series about the Blackwood family over many years. All were Royal Marines involved in many major conflicts between Britain and the rest of the world. This one follows Jonathan Blackwood's experiences during WWI from Gallipoli to Passchendaele, some of the bloodiest battles in history. I am sure the book is as historically accurate as possible, attempting to portray the horrors of the first "modern" war, fought by leaders (political and military) who were still firmly rooted in the previous century. Blackwood has military leadership and heroism thrust upon him by circumstances, and he proves himself quite capable of functioning admirably under appalling conditions. I will certainly be reading more of this series in the future.

[Brian Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing read

I new the first world war was bad but it would seem to me the politicians who decide these wars and how they are fought or to be hung drawn and quartered for their actions in the way they throw their own me to their deaths by their actions. In low ago wars the leaders were out in front with their men now politicians sit in safety and send men to death without any thought.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs

"Reeman wrote with natural style. In every scene there are vivid portrayals of life and love, death and tragedy, of hope, glory, fear, desperation... the depiction of Reality, with a capital 'R'. Stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things."

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could almost be described as 2 short books in one with the first half telling the story the marines at the battle of Gallipoli and the second western front of WWI in particular the 2nd battle of Ypres. What comes across in these accounts is how slow the leaders were to realise that warfare had changed and it appears they couldn't change to cope well with trench warfare.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Douglas Reeman really is a master story-teller and this book is no-exception . Continuing the story of the Blackwood family into WW1 it is gripping in its intensity and yet still very plausible.
Though not a book to be read as a "stand alone" , as part of the "Blackwood Family" series it's very good and I look forward to reading book 4.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable morning read - well constructed story of Gallipoli and the trenches.

[C.H. Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reeman can be reliably depended upon to tell a great tale, with superb accuracy in his presentation of all things military and historical. The Horizon continues that excellent track record. The book is volume 3 of the Royal Marines Saga, and traces Captain Jonathan Blackwood's experiences through two different theaters of World War 1: the Allied attempt to establish control over the Dardanelles, and the killing fields of France.

Reeman paints the awful, heartbreaking picture of the butchery of the war in compelling, vivid, and gruesome images. He does not romanticize the battlefield.

Reeman's work often involves a study of leadership, and though the themes are frequently repeated from book to book, his characters are so authentic and well-crafted that after some thirty of his novels (including the Richard Bolitho series) I still do not tire of his work. His characters are neither saints nor devils, but men (and women) equally capable of greatness and pettiness, often in the same scene.

My only complaint with his work has to do with his efforts to inject romance into his stories. That aspect reads like a cross between male fantasy and adolescent infatuation. It diminishes his otherwise excellent work.

[Fofito · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for anyone interested in understanding more about the First World war. The last of traditional wars or the first of modern wars? This book helps to answer this question for the interested reader. It also provides an insight on what life was like in that long ago era, both on the battlefield and in England. The first part of the book is about the Dardanelles campaign, a little known defeat of the British Empire at the end of the Ottomans (not for nothing it is not very well known...). Last but not least, the story of a young couple both united and separated by war. A wonderful read.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reliably enjoyable sequel to the Blackwood Royal Marine Saga. Douglas Reeman is a solidly detailed author who repeats truisms to emphasise a point.
I retreat to these books which can be read before the bath starts to cool for an undemanding read and security.

[sarg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave this book 4 stars. Reeman does a good job on historical war fiction about the English Royal Marines. This is during WWI In France. Following Royal Marine Capt Jonathan Blackwood   

[Michael Rhode · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's not a lot of action in this because it mostly takes place in the trenches in Gallipoli and France, but it gives you a good feel for the grinding stupidity of World War I's battles.