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Blackwood Family #1
Badge of Glory
It was an age of Empire, an age of contrast, and an age of dramatic change - and one which would determine the destinies of nations as well as of men. Captain Philip Blackwood of the Royal Marines rejoins his ship, HMS Audacious, in the August of 1850, anxious to get back into action. Per Mare - Per Terram is the Marines' motto.
In the torturous heat of Africa, where they are sent to stamp out the remaining strongholds of slavery, and later, in the bitter war of the Crimea, Philip Blackwood and his men learn to obey it without question. The first novel in an enthralling and colourful saga, spanning 150 years in the history of a great seafaring family and the tradition in which they served, Badge of Glory is a stunning new departure for one of Britain's master storytellers.
In the torturous heat of Africa, where they are sent to stamp out the remaining strongholds of slavery, and later, in the bitter war of the Crimea, Philip Blackwood and his men learn to obey it without question. The first novel in an enthralling and colourful saga, spanning 150 years in the history of a great seafaring family and the tradition in which they served, Badge of Glory is a stunning new departure for one of Britain's master storytellers.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1982
96 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Reeman
138 books174 followersAKA 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 12, 2018
4.5 stars... I really enjoyed this book, the story and characters complimented each other and it flowed really well. I am looking forward to the next one in the series!
July 15, 2013
This is a somewhat unusual choice for me. I like Reeman, but I have mostly read his World War II yarns and Richard Bolitho. This novel, the first in the Blackwood Saga is somewhere in-between. The setting is Africa and the Crimea in the era when the Royal Navy has begun to convert from wood and sail to steam and iron. It is an interesting historical drama paying homage to the traditions of the Royal Marines.
Profanity is limited, but it is bloody. There are a few "coarse" areas that distract, but they are not particularly graphic.
Doc will like this, especially the ironclads and the steam powered ships of the line (retractable funnel and screw). Kent may find the history interesting, but be mindful of my comments.
Profanity is limited, but it is bloody. There are a few "coarse" areas that distract, but they are not particularly graphic.
Doc will like this, especially the ironclads and the steam powered ships of the line (retractable funnel and screw). Kent may find the history interesting, but be mindful of my comments.
February 15, 2017
A disappointing read from the author of an excellent British naval Napoleonic War series.
Writing under his own name for The Blackwood Family series, Reeman's first novel explores the life of Royal Marine Captain Philip Blackwood in the mid 19th century.
The historical detail is done with an exact and impeccable hand. The writing, however, is a bit dated, and the story itself slides into saccharine romance.
Writing under his own name for The Blackwood Family series, Reeman's first novel explores the life of Royal Marine Captain Philip Blackwood in the mid 19th century.
The historical detail is done with an exact and impeccable hand. The writing, however, is a bit dated, and the story itself slides into saccharine romance.
November 14, 2022
3.5 stars. This could have been a solid 4 stars, but for the excessive 'romance' of the two brothers Blackwood. Reeman writes the action, danger and battle scenes quite well, but scenes with the women leave much to be desired, especially with Harry.
May 10, 2025
Six-word Review: Action-filled yet good characterizations and interactions.
Longer review later.
Longer review later.
May 5, 2023
Douglas Reeman is one of the best authors of Naval based historical novels, this is the first in the 150 years of the Blackwood family in their careers in the Royal Marines. This story follows Captain Philip Blackwood from 1850 with a voyage to the west coast of Africa in pursuit of slave traders and his falling in love with the beautiful Deverna.
Macho men in boys own paper heroics and their convoluted love lives. All goes at a cracking pace and you can almost smell the gunsmoke and feel the role of the ship.
Great stuff. 4 stars.
Macho men in boys own paper heroics and their convoluted love lives. All goes at a cracking pace and you can almost smell the gunsmoke and feel the role of the ship.
Great stuff. 4 stars.
March 17, 2016
Finished Douglas Reemans "Badge of Glory" gave. It 4 stars well written in C.S.Forrester, style my Favorite author. This is similar to Benard Cornwell's Richard Sharp series's. So far I like Reemans Royal Marine, Phillip Blackwood over Sharp.
Blackwood is an officer in The British Royal Marines at the end of the 19th century. Britains war with Russia in Turkey.
Blackwood is an officer in The British Royal Marines at the end of the 19th century. Britains war with Russia in Turkey.
June 4, 2023
Having read nearly all the Bolitho books and liked them, i thought i would try one of the books The author wrote under his other ame Douglas Reeman. This focuses on the lives of Royal Marines rather than Navy personnel. I found it very interesting and clearly recognised The same "voice", the quiet understated descriptions of feelings, the detailed battle actions. Also present are the devoted servants, and the same favourite turn of phrase.... And that's no mistake!
I also liked the description of a navy moving albeit reluctantly from sail to steam and the advantages and problems encountered.
There is a hint of the changes in nursing brought about by Florence Nightingale in the Crimea war.
In all an entertaining book Which I would recommend to fans of naval adventures in the age of sail and steam
I also liked the description of a navy moving albeit reluctantly from sail to steam and the advantages and problems encountered.
There is a hint of the changes in nursing brought about by Florence Nightingale in the Crimea war.
In all an entertaining book Which I would recommend to fans of naval adventures in the age of sail and steam
June 7, 2021
The first in the Blackwood family series which follows various members of the Blackwood family as they serve in the Royal Marines across a range of campaigns. The first book follows the exploits of Captain Phillip Blackwood in the West African anti-slavery campaign and then later on the Crimean campaign around Balaclava. As is usual with Reeman, Blackwood finds himself the most able officer in the story who is always at odds with his superiors who usually choose the wrong options, which he manages to get them out of the problems they create but receives no credit for it. The characterisation is good and the battle scenes are well described as I've come to expect from a Reeman novel.
Interested to see how the remaining books in the series are linked together across the various generations.
Interested to see how the remaining books in the series are linked together across the various generations.
July 28, 2023
Another enjoyable Douglas Reeman novel that this time begins in 1850 just at the time when the navy is beginning its ,perhaps controversial at that time, transition from sail to steam power .
As per most Douglas Reeman adventure stories it is typically fast paced and not lacking in excitement . Coupled with drama and our hero - Philip Blackwood's- almost inevitable love interest, I found it an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading book 2 in the series .
As per most Douglas Reeman adventure stories it is typically fast paced and not lacking in excitement . Coupled with drama and our hero - Philip Blackwood's- almost inevitable love interest, I found it an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading book 2 in the series .
June 27, 2021
Solid military fiction focusing on the British marines in actions in the mid nineteenth century as the age of sail started to be overtaken by steam. Complete in itself, despite being part of a series. Better than average writing for the genre; acceptable plotting; characters forgiveably 2d.
November 13, 2021
It all comes down to the land
An excellent book with very well developed characters. An interesting plot line. Battle descriptions very realistic. Looking forward to more Blackwood adventures..
An excellent book with very well developed characters. An interesting plot line. Battle descriptions very realistic. Looking forward to more Blackwood adventures..
January 4, 2018
That was a brilliant book.
December 21, 2020
A quick read. Story moves right along, Nice blend of history, romance, and action.
June 28, 2021
When I was younger I can remember my dad reading these books. I can see why, now. Fantastic read. Highly recommend, especially for fans of SHARPE.
November 29, 2022
Great story!
Really a great story of The Marines and what they were.First to go in and last to leave.The Blackwood name to the fore,central to the narrative.
Really a great story of The Marines and what they were.First to go in and last to leave.The Blackwood name to the fore,central to the narrative.
March 3, 2023
Super storytelling
I read many books of this genre some are ok some ate good and a few are good enough to be remembered this is one of those
I read many books of this genre some are ok some ate good and a few are good enough to be remembered this is one of those
June 14, 2023
Well...
I tried because I'm a bit of an anglophile and I'm enamored with Age of Sail, but the writing was simply too pedestrian so I gave up after 50 pages.
I tried because I'm a bit of an anglophile and I'm enamored with Age of Sail, but the writing was simply too pedestrian so I gave up after 50 pages.
September 12, 2023
good writing. over the top on family relationships
Our hero is a little unable to handle sex, and Love. Too timid by half but the error did not allow much leeway.
Our hero is a little unable to handle sex, and Love. Too timid by half but the error did not allow much leeway.
December 4, 2023
It's the sort of book which would have been called a 'spiffing yarn' back in the day. Couldn't put it down.
May 5, 2024
Great story from past wars
Very well researched story of past years of the Royal navy and marines when war was not as it is today where the men were real hero's.
Very well researched story of past years of the Royal navy and marines when war was not as it is today where the men were real hero's.
March 16, 2025
Badge of Glory
I like this book and series a lot I have read it several times and it keeps getting better each time I read it. Douglas Reeman is a outstanding author
I like this book and series a lot I have read it several times and it keeps getting better each time I read it. Douglas Reeman is a outstanding author
October 8, 2025
Fantastic naval adventure set against the Crimean War
October 22, 2019
When I was a teen (many years ago now), I was fascinated by WW II, I devoured pretty much any book I could find that gave me a sense of it. In the process, I read a lot of Reeman's books (as well as C.S. Forester's, and Nicholas Monsarrat's), and at the time, I loved them all.
But that was years ago, and I suppose my tastes were simpler. This isn't a bad book, it examines the Royal Marines during a time of technological transition. The beginning of the book chronicles the end of the Age of Sail, the end of ad hoc distribution of Marines to ships. Blackwood and his men are still armed with smoothbore muskets that are essentially unchanged from the American Revolutionary war period, 50 odd years earlier (this was largely due to the massive stockpiles of existing small arms dating from that period).
But by the end of the book, Steam has become the dominate naval propulsion system, the smoothbores have been replaced by rifled percussion cap weapons (and only a few years more would see the advent of breechloaders). Artillery guns are rifled as well, and explosive shells are now used. Military organization has also become more modern, with Marine units being detached and assigned on a Battalion basis.
The beginning of the book depicts military action not unlike that seen in the Hornblower or Richard Blitho books. The end tells of the Crimean War, a setting very similar to what was seen in the American Civil War, and in World War I. A period when the destructiveness of man and his ability to make war had vastly exceeded his grasp and distribution of medicine.
The history, the military action, and the transitions of technology are fine, and make for interesting reading.
Sadly though, the book has other elements. Some of the social and/or political relationships in the book feel overly forced or perhaps stiff, cliche. Then there's the treatment of women, while it may be in keeping with the period when the books were depicting and even with the period in which Reeman was writing, it rings as an off note in today's world. The female characters in the book feel two dimensional. Secondly, there is the romantic element. This part of the book feels the most forced and unrealistic of all. The book would have been better had it been downplayed to a greater degree.
So, overall, a decent book depicting an interesting period, but the presentation feels a bit dated now.
I don't know if I'll bother to read the rest of the series or not.
But that was years ago, and I suppose my tastes were simpler. This isn't a bad book, it examines the Royal Marines during a time of technological transition. The beginning of the book chronicles the end of the Age of Sail, the end of ad hoc distribution of Marines to ships. Blackwood and his men are still armed with smoothbore muskets that are essentially unchanged from the American Revolutionary war period, 50 odd years earlier (this was largely due to the massive stockpiles of existing small arms dating from that period).
But by the end of the book, Steam has become the dominate naval propulsion system, the smoothbores have been replaced by rifled percussion cap weapons (and only a few years more would see the advent of breechloaders). Artillery guns are rifled as well, and explosive shells are now used. Military organization has also become more modern, with Marine units being detached and assigned on a Battalion basis.
The beginning of the book depicts military action not unlike that seen in the Hornblower or Richard Blitho books. The end tells of the Crimean War, a setting very similar to what was seen in the American Civil War, and in World War I. A period when the destructiveness of man and his ability to make war had vastly exceeded his grasp and distribution of medicine.
The history, the military action, and the transitions of technology are fine, and make for interesting reading.
Sadly though, the book has other elements. Some of the social and/or political relationships in the book feel overly forced or perhaps stiff, cliche. Then there's the treatment of women, while it may be in keeping with the period when the books were depicting and even with the period in which Reeman was writing, it rings as an off note in today's world. The female characters in the book feel two dimensional. Secondly, there is the romantic element. This part of the book feels the most forced and unrealistic of all. The book would have been better had it been downplayed to a greater degree.
So, overall, a decent book depicting an interesting period, but the presentation feels a bit dated now.
I don't know if I'll bother to read the rest of the series or not.
September 16, 2012
Travel through Britain's military history with a proud seafaring family, the Blackwoods, and the service tradition in which they make their careers—the Royal Marines. Captain Philip Blackwood of the Royal Marines rejoins his ship, the H.M.S. Audacious, in the summer of 1850. Sent out to Africa to eliminate the last strongholds of slavery, then on to the Crimean War.
From Library JournalReeman, who also wrote under the name of Alexander Kent, here presents a tale of the soldiering part of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines. The characters in Badge of Glory are somewhat standard, with Capt. Philip Blackwood fighting to uphold his family's Marine traditions against the enemy and other officers. This story is unique because of the time period, the early 1850s, and the settings. Blackwood battles slavers in West Africa and then fights the Russians in the Crimea; there are also references to fighting the Maoris in New Zealand. Listeners also learn the effects of the new technologies of rifled musketry and steam power on warfare. David Rintoul is an experienced actor; his narration is clear and moves at a steady tempo. He is versatile, precise, and disciplined, giving each character a distinct and consistent voice. Popular, adventure, and large military collections should consider.AMichael T. Fein, Central Virginia Community Coll., Lynchburg
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"If any author deserved to be ‘piped’ into bookshops with full naval honours it is Douglas Reeman." -- Books Magazine
"Masterly storytelling of battles and war." -- Sunday Times of London
Masterly storytelling of battles and war. -- Sunday Times
Reeman's a master of naval and military fiction . . . making sea and ground fighting . . . seem as authentic as today's television reporting. -- The Historical Novels Review
March 13, 2010
"By sea and by land". This is the Marine's motto in 1850 and this book lived up to this motto. Captain Blackwood of the Royal Marines serves at a time when several technology advancements occur: sailing ships are being replaced with steam ships, muskets replaced with rifles. From slavery to trench-warfare and the use of grenades; the book has all. A great novel about the Royal Marines.
This is the first novel in a series of the Blackwood family and their service in the Royal Marines.
This is the first novel in a series of the Blackwood family and their service in the Royal Marines.
March 28, 2011
Veddy, veddy British. I enjoyed the action sequences - some of the best I've read in a bit, but the petty class issues and "non-proper" behavior got old after awhile. And then there is the romance. I know, don't read a military book for dating advice but I was shocked to find out the book was written in 1982. Rape and "using the natives" happen frequently - and involve the "heroes". Read it for the action - skip the rest. I doubt I will continue the series.
May 22, 2016
I have been meaning to red the Royal Marines saga for some time, finally got to start! As always with Mr Reeman I found the human development stunted despite an unrequited romance and an estranged father and wicked step mother and a difficult younger brother. No lack of action which roves from west Africa to the Crimea and an enjoyable book but a little dry. Hence 4 stars but will be reading the next in the series.
August 23, 2011
The Blackwoods an old military family with a tradition of service in the Royal Marines. Captain Philip Blackwood of the Marines joins his ship as she sets sail for the coast of Africa to engage slaving strongholds and then on to the Crimean War.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews