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The Modern Naval Fiction Library
The Last Raider
A historical novel first published in 1976, opening in December 1917, when Germany opens the final, bitter round of war with a new and deadly weapon in the struggle for the seas. The Vulcan is a commerce raider, and under crack commander Felix von Steiger her mission is to bring chaos to the seaways.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
45 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Reeman
138 books178 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 21, 2025
I took my time with this one, enjoying the atmosphere of a naval ship at sea. This is one of Douglas Reeman's naval war stories, published in 1963. While most of his books deal with the Royal Navy in World War II or the Napoleonic Wars, this one is different. It's about a German commerce raider ( the Vulkan, fictional I believe) in World War I. The Vulkan, under Kapitan von Steiger, sets sail at the end of 1917 to break through the British blockade of Germany. Then, it will try to get into the open seas to sink every cargo ship that it can...
For me, this was standard Reeman, although from a German perspective. There's the honorable captain who has to deal with friction among his officers and crew. The situation is further complicated by the prisoners that the Germans are holding onboard the ship, including a beautiful Englishwoman. The Vulkan has to find and destroy cargo ships while the Royal Navy is in pursuit. The captain valiantly does his duty for the Fatherland, although he realizes that he is on a futile mission. Destroying some cargo ships is not going to do much to defeat the Allies, as America, with its great industrial power, is in the war. But von Steiger will never surrender the ship.
Slow moving in parts ( between the naval actions)--it seemed longer than its 384 pages ( of my paperback edition)--but, hey, it's the summer and I enjoyed this story of men and the sea in World War I.
3.5 stars bumped up to 4 stars.
For me, this was standard Reeman, although from a German perspective. There's the honorable captain who has to deal with friction among his officers and crew. The situation is further complicated by the prisoners that the Germans are holding onboard the ship, including a beautiful Englishwoman. The Vulkan has to find and destroy cargo ships while the Royal Navy is in pursuit. The captain valiantly does his duty for the Fatherland, although he realizes that he is on a futile mission. Destroying some cargo ships is not going to do much to defeat the Allies, as America, with its great industrial power, is in the war. But von Steiger will never surrender the ship.
Slow moving in parts ( between the naval actions)--it seemed longer than its 384 pages ( of my paperback edition)--but, hey, it's the summer and I enjoyed this story of men and the sea in World War I.
3.5 stars bumped up to 4 stars.
April 19, 2015
Douglas Reeman drinking game: when does the author first use the word "oblivion"?--page 43.
A good job of the Imperial German Navy perspective, but has to be among the most listless, disconnected books Reeman ever wrote.
A good job of the Imperial German Navy perspective, but has to be among the most listless, disconnected books Reeman ever wrote.
January 27, 2021
By no means is this one of Reeman’s best works, which is a shame as it had the potential to be a good story with some unusual aspects. Firstly it is a naval war story set in WWI, which in itself is unusual as the majority are either WWII, concerned with the age of sail, or of the modern era. Secondly the story is told from the point of view of a German ship and crew giving the reader the opportunity to see the war from the other side, something that is rare as most novels are focused on the Allied /English point of view. The unique combination of WWI and German point of view certainly raised my expectations that this could be a really good story.
The story has many of the traits I associate with a Reeman story, high tension, accurate portrayals of life at sea – especially when in combat and telling the story in a way that shows that the crew are real people with feelings and fears and simply automatons sent out to do battle. Unfortunately there were as many downside to this book as there were upsides. Firstly the overarching plot was not quite believable. I am used to books telling stories where a single ship, platoon etc. save the day and become heroes, but I struggled to wrap my head around this on. German High Command are aware that the war is going badly, the allies are getting supplies through and as more countries join the war, Germany is fast running out of friends. The majority of her heavy capital ships are stuck in harbours for fear of the allied navies and whilst the U-Boats are having a measure of success more is needed. So what to they do? Do they come up with a plan to get their capital ships back into the fight? No they send out a converted freighter as a ‘commerce raider’. The aim being to sneak up on shipping as an unmasked commercial vessel and then open fire at the last minute with its concealed weaponry. Whilst such undertakings are not new I just can’t see how anyone would think that sending out a single ship on such a mission would make and difference. All they can end up doing is really acting like pirates /privateers of old and how much damage could one ship on its own do.
Secondly unlike most of Reeman’s stories that I’ve read there is no single character that the story is focused and told almost from their point of view. I get the feeling its supposed to be the captain but it doesn’t really work as for large amounts of the story he is absent from the narrative. There are some odd relationships described in the book which seem to take up more time than is necessary. One of the officers seems to have a penchant for the fresh faced young sailors, one of whom rejected his ‘advances’ whilst in training, was set up and spent 6 months in jail and not finds himself on the same ship as the officer is scared, but says nothing. Along the way the Vulkan captures prisoners from the ships they sink. One of this is a woman who seems to cast a spell on both the captain and the second officer who then spend too much time in can almost be described as flirtatious behaviour.
All in all an OK book which held out much promise but failed to deliver.
The story has many of the traits I associate with a Reeman story, high tension, accurate portrayals of life at sea – especially when in combat and telling the story in a way that shows that the crew are real people with feelings and fears and simply automatons sent out to do battle. Unfortunately there were as many downside to this book as there were upsides. Firstly the overarching plot was not quite believable. I am used to books telling stories where a single ship, platoon etc. save the day and become heroes, but I struggled to wrap my head around this on. German High Command are aware that the war is going badly, the allies are getting supplies through and as more countries join the war, Germany is fast running out of friends. The majority of her heavy capital ships are stuck in harbours for fear of the allied navies and whilst the U-Boats are having a measure of success more is needed. So what to they do? Do they come up with a plan to get their capital ships back into the fight? No they send out a converted freighter as a ‘commerce raider’. The aim being to sneak up on shipping as an unmasked commercial vessel and then open fire at the last minute with its concealed weaponry. Whilst such undertakings are not new I just can’t see how anyone would think that sending out a single ship on such a mission would make and difference. All they can end up doing is really acting like pirates /privateers of old and how much damage could one ship on its own do.
Secondly unlike most of Reeman’s stories that I’ve read there is no single character that the story is focused and told almost from their point of view. I get the feeling its supposed to be the captain but it doesn’t really work as for large amounts of the story he is absent from the narrative. There are some odd relationships described in the book which seem to take up more time than is necessary. One of the officers seems to have a penchant for the fresh faced young sailors, one of whom rejected his ‘advances’ whilst in training, was set up and spent 6 months in jail and not finds himself on the same ship as the officer is scared, but says nothing. Along the way the Vulkan captures prisoners from the ships they sink. One of this is a woman who seems to cast a spell on both the captain and the second officer who then spend too much time in can almost be described as flirtatious behaviour.
All in all an OK book which held out much promise but failed to deliver.
January 22, 2014
In December 1917 the German ship Vulcan leaves Kiel harbour. By all appearances she is a harmless merchant vessel but she is armed with hidden guns and torpedoes which are intended to attack allied merchant shipping thus causing chaos to their supply lines in the hope that it will release the grip of the ring of ships that keeps the German Navy in port.
In many ways this is a typical Reeman book, we have a courageous Captain who is damaged by both personal events outside the War and battles with authority who is given a hopeless task in an inadequate ship who meets a woman, falls in love and succeeds against all the odds. However, given the fact that the book is written about a German ship gives it a little more oomph IMHO.
Firstly most people believe that there were only two Naval battles during WWI,Falklands and Jutland, and that submarine warfare was a WWII phenomenon when in fact they were first used in this conflict. Also people do not realize that there were many other instances of both sides trying to cut the others supply lines. Also the fact that this book is based so late within the conflict we get an idea of how the German armed forces, Navy in particular, and its people were still struggling on despite knowing that defeat was almost inevitable,even whilst those in authority continued to delude themselves despite the fact the country had lost virtually all its allies .
As usual Reeman paints a vivid picture of life at sea on a warship and the hardships and privations ships' crews faced and the action is largely unrelenting. I felt that the ending was inevitable but good all the same which all in all raises this book above many of Reeman's other books.
In many ways this is a typical Reeman book, we have a courageous Captain who is damaged by both personal events outside the War and battles with authority who is given a hopeless task in an inadequate ship who meets a woman, falls in love and succeeds against all the odds. However, given the fact that the book is written about a German ship gives it a little more oomph IMHO.
Firstly most people believe that there were only two Naval battles during WWI,Falklands and Jutland, and that submarine warfare was a WWII phenomenon when in fact they were first used in this conflict. Also people do not realize that there were many other instances of both sides trying to cut the others supply lines. Also the fact that this book is based so late within the conflict we get an idea of how the German armed forces, Navy in particular, and its people were still struggling on despite knowing that defeat was almost inevitable,even whilst those in authority continued to delude themselves despite the fact the country had lost virtually all its allies .
As usual Reeman paints a vivid picture of life at sea on a warship and the hardships and privations ships' crews faced and the action is largely unrelenting. I felt that the ending was inevitable but good all the same which all in all raises this book above many of Reeman's other books.
April 29, 2017
Classic old war novel, first published in 1963, "The Last Raider" tells the story of a German war ship and her crew in 1917. It's becoming more clear that Germany is losing the war and the German navy has been decimated and is most blockaded. But the high command sends out one final war ship to attack allied shipping. "Vulkan" and her crew sneak past the blockaded port and commence raiding in the North Atlantic. They are forced to confront their notions of war--why they are fighting and what tactics in war are justified. Somewhere along the way, they pick up a number of survivors of torpedoed allied ships, including a strong-minded British woman.
September 15, 2021
Years ago when I read Douglas Reeman’s novel HMS Saracen I thought I’d discovered a gem so I began to trawl through his many novels. Some were quite good, others rather average. The Last Raider doesn’t even reach into the latter category. It’s dull, repetitive, xenophobic and downright boring. There’s not much more that I can say. But, I’ll continue to read though his tales in the hope that, somewhere, the magic of HMS Saracen is recaptured.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of ‘39, all published by Sacristy Press.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of ‘39, all published by Sacristy Press.
July 11, 2023
This was a very good story about a WWI German converted freighter functioning as an armed raider. It is told from the viewpoint of the German captain and is fascinating. No good guys, no bad guys (except for the submarine crew who machine gun the survivors of a torpedo attack; oh, and a lieutenant who is praying on a young member of the crew.)
Well written, interesting and exciting. It really focuses on the people involved.
Well written, interesting and exciting. It really focuses on the people involved.
April 19, 2008
The story of a German steamer sent out in the last months of World War One to wreak havoc on the British and American blockades. I like the fact that it is told from the German point-of-view...it made them more human.
November 10, 2021
A great read
Thoroughly enjoyed the story, it divided my loyalties until the Last Raider was no more. Strong & weak characters with mixed emotions gave the story lots of twists & turns.
Thoroughly enjoyed the story, it divided my loyalties until the Last Raider was no more. Strong & weak characters with mixed emotions gave the story lots of twists & turns.
June 4, 2024
Another winner by Reeman
Another riveting naval fiction by one of the most prolific writers I have read after reading his books for more years than I care to remember I still haven't found his equal ,I'm reading some of them
for the second time.
Another riveting naval fiction by one of the most prolific writers I have read after reading his books for more years than I care to remember I still haven't found his equal ,I'm reading some of them
for the second time.
April 21, 2014
Really good story ... Many years since I read it ... All Boys Own stuff
April 4, 2016
Very tightly written, detailed and emotive account of the life on board a German Raider in the First World War. Sacrifice and opportunity, murder and rescue make for a thrilling and deep read.
March 6, 2019
Fairly well written, well paced and excellent in its descriptions of the scenes. But I was not convinced by the characters and it left me with a bit if a "so what" feeling.
March 31, 2019
Definitely not his best effort. Over the top dramatics and the final page... really did me in. I far prefer HMS Saracen and others of his ww2 catalogue
April 1, 2025
Six-Word Review: WWI German raider terrorizes the Atlantic.
Longer review later.
Longer review later.
June 18, 2024
If you've read any Douglas Reeman you've read all Douglas Reeman. His books are very much "of a type": authentic naval adventures with recurring stock characters, the dutiful captain, the idealistic lieutenant, the lower decks mix of kids, thugs, and lovable rogues....and the lovely fragrant beautiful lady. The twist here is that our protagonists are the crew of a German WW1 merchant ship converted into the Last Raider of the (cool) title.
I don't mean to sound snarky as I love these books. The author draws on his personal experience to create a convincing picture of the war at sea. In this book we travel from the icy northern seas to the coast of Brazil with an interesting and sympathetic German perspective on events. It's just a bit too long leading to an ending that felt rushed and unresolved. I'll be back reporting for another tour of duty soon though. As you were, carry on.
I don't mean to sound snarky as I love these books. The author draws on his personal experience to create a convincing picture of the war at sea. In this book we travel from the icy northern seas to the coast of Brazil with an interesting and sympathetic German perspective on events. It's just a bit too long leading to an ending that felt rushed and unresolved. I'll be back reporting for another tour of duty soon though. As you were, carry on.
December 8, 2019
Another good book by Douglas
Well written book, much as you would expect from this wonderful author. As usual well researched, the plot on top of the historic aspect works well. The usual predictable ever present female interaction is there... ( like marmite... Love it or hate it ). Either way it's highly recommended..
Roger
Well written book, much as you would expect from this wonderful author. As usual well researched, the plot on top of the historic aspect works well. The usual predictable ever present female interaction is there... ( like marmite... Love it or hate it ). Either way it's highly recommended..
Roger
December 14, 2023
Another outstanding book From From Reeman
I thoroughly enjoyed
This book However I don't know what happened When it was being formatted for kindle But there were many different spellings and dropped letters in the entire book at 1sts it was frustrating but once I got to understand what was happening You could still interpret the sentence
I thoroughly enjoyed
This book However I don't know what happened When it was being formatted for kindle But there were many different spellings and dropped letters in the entire book at 1sts it was frustrating but once I got to understand what was happening You could still interpret the sentence
September 7, 2025
Having been critical of Douglas Reeman's/Alexander Kent's writing recently, I'm delighted to state that I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews