With Blood and Iron

The Modern Naval Fiction Library

by Douglas Reeman

Spine creased, owner's inscription. Shipped from the U.K. All orders received before 3pm sent that weekday.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II, Action, Historical, War

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

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

[John Kilgallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had not read a Douglas Reeman book in ages! I remember in the 70's I devoured every military novel that came out in paperback, especially the ones involving submarines like "With Blood and Iron."

A friend gave me a former library copy and I was immediately drawn into the wolf pack group "Meteor" commanded by Rudolf Steiger, a by the book aggressive submariner. Taking over a U-991 whose Captain had been killed on patrol under dubious circumstances, Steiger represents the dedicated German of the book through loyalty and honor. Surrounded by fascinating characters representing loyal Germans, like himself, Germans that begin questioning the future of the war, Nazis as represented by the Gestapo, and French resistance, Steiger battles to hold onto his ideals throughout the book. Set in 1944, it presents aspects of the Normandy invasion, the plot to kill Hitler, and the ultimate end of the Kriegsmarine's U-boat arm.

I am quite glad to be reacquainted with Reeman's work and will be searching through my library boxes for some of my favorites to reread. Espeically look forward to rereading "The Destroyers" and "His Majesty's U-Boat."

[Malum · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Even as he watched the nearest bank of grey fog closed in towards the sharp bows and changed colour yet again, but not to white. It seemed to flicker with a million fires, as if it was a curtain on to hell itself."

I usually get my naval warfare fix from age of sail era novels, but I thought I would try one of Reeman's WWII novels. I am glad I did, because this is a really great book. It's made even more interesting by the fact that it is from the German's point of view and it doesn't have the standard German plot of either A: mustache-twirling psychopaths or B: a good guy trying to come to terms with the evil powers that he works for. Instead, Reeman gives us soldiers just trying to do their job and win their war.

If I had to find any fault with this novel, it would be that the characters weren't extremely deep or multifaceted. Most of the characters were pretty interchangeable with the others. When depth charges start going off and bombers start raining fire, however, that didn't really matter as I was sucked right into the action.

[Henri Moreaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

'With Blood and Iron' is a World War 2 submarine novel by Douglas Reeman.

It starts strongly, continues strongly and finishes strongly. It's set in 1944 as the tide of the war turns, written from a German perspective it primarily revolves around one Rudolf Steiger a uboat capitan who is assigned to a small uboat base in St Pierre, France.

As the story unfolds you witness determination, struggle and bravery whilst underneath disillusion grows.

Enjoyable WW2 submarine tale.

[Nooilforpacifists · Rating 4 out of 5]

Douglas Reeman drinking game: first use of word "oblivion"--page 196

Surprisingly good, though written from POV of U-boat commander and crew, in France, in 1944. Lots of interesting plot twists; biggest flaw is that no harm comes to any of the lead characters.

[Simon P · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, I am a fan of Douglas Reeman, having read many of his Bolitho nautical adventure series of book. This is the first of his World War II books that I’ve read and it has been a disappointment.

Too many main characters leads to a rather muddled and defused storyline and only the most superficial of character development. With the story being told from the Axis perspective, it was never clear to me whether the author wanted me to root for these men or wish them all dead.

What few female characters there are behave illogically and are little more than caricatures. The overall impression, perhaps unfairly, is that of a book written in a hurry, with half formed plot lines that seem to just peter out and a distinct lack of structure, tension or suspense.

[Nigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unusual to see a WWII story from the German point of view and this made for a refreshing change. Overall however, I didn't feel this was one of Reeman's better stories. The action scenes felt quite stunted from what I've come to expect and I can't say that I warmed to any of the characters.

[Philip Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great tale from the master of naval war stories. It must have been strange for a veteran of the Atlantic convoys to write a book from the perspective of a U boat crew. The main focus here is Rudolph Steiger, the hardline skipper who whips his crew into shape (not quite literally). There are sub-plots involving an impostor sailor, Resistance saboteurs and a big climactic secret plot (we're at July 1944 by this time, so you can join the dots).

I was reminded of "Das Boot" a lot while reading this - it precedes the German classic by many years. OK, the style is sometimes a bit dated and the romantic elements lack the authenticity of the maritime scenes. Reeman's strength lies in realistic World War 2 action told by somebody who 'walked the walk'. Some of the characters were cliched but unlike other reviewers I found the story gripping. The "Big Finish" was poignant and satisfying, for this reader at least.

[Vikas Datta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating.. a gripping tale of the warfare on the cruel and inexorable sea