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Harry Gilmour Novels #1
Gone to Sea in a Bucket
Like all young men of a certain age, Harry Gilmour had his own notion of how a naval battle should be. This wasn’t it.
Norway, 1940: Sub Lieutenant Harry Gilmour’s first encounter with battleship action is not the adventure he had hoped for. Faced with a thankless task and ill equipped to handle it, Gilmour’s inexperience leads to a damning allegation. His future hangs in the balance.
But then Lieutenant Peter Dumaresq steps in to offer him a lifeline—an advanced navigation course that will take him aboard a crack submarine, HMS Pelorus, under the command of a Royal Navy hero. Faced with a possible court martial, Harry chooses life underwater. Once aboard, however, Harry is confronted for the first time by the full horror of submarine warfare. If he can just overcome his fears, it will be the making of him.
Because survival itself is the challenge now. For Harry and the rest of the crew, the next depth charge could be the one that sinks them.
Norway, 1940: Sub Lieutenant Harry Gilmour’s first encounter with battleship action is not the adventure he had hoped for. Faced with a thankless task and ill equipped to handle it, Gilmour’s inexperience leads to a damning allegation. His future hangs in the balance.
But then Lieutenant Peter Dumaresq steps in to offer him a lifeline—an advanced navigation course that will take him aboard a crack submarine, HMS Pelorus, under the command of a Royal Navy hero. Faced with a possible court martial, Harry chooses life underwater. Once aboard, however, Harry is confronted for the first time by the full horror of submarine warfare. If he can just overcome his fears, it will be the making of him.
Because survival itself is the challenge now. For Harry and the rest of the crew, the next depth charge could be the one that sinks them.
229 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2015
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703 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
February 11, 2022
Great World War 2 novel set at a very good pace about life at sea with the Royal Navy. It is about a young man, Harry Gilmour, who becomes an officer in the RNVR at the age of 18 at the commencement of hostilities and follows him from an idealistic boy on his journey to become a man. He also takes you into the thick of it and keeps one on the edge of your reading seat following Gilmour while he navigates his way between all the rules and regulations of the Navy from his early days on battleships where he is looked down upon by the old guard to where he suffers under a drunkard captain in the submarine service. It is also a coming of age novel for young Gilmour where he learns his lessons the hard way. Great book and will read the following book soon.
January 9, 2018
I got this book on a whim manly because of the title, the cover and the price, not knowing anything about it. I was so happy I did. I finished this in a day and really enjoyed the experience and insight this book gave me into british Naval submarine life and warfare. The story was engaging and realistic also understandable to a novice like me, making sure that the reader knew what the naval terms meant and how it applied without dulling the story but at time adding depth to both characters and plot. Looking forward to the next one!! Clear 5 Star read!!
June 15, 2018
"GONE TO SEA IN A BUCKET" brings home to the reader the lives of the sailors of the Royal Navy who served in the submarine service during the early years of the Second World War. The author writes knowingly of his subject with a richly layered prose that will make the reader want to know more about the adventures and perils faced by submariners on the high seas. I absolutely SAVORED reading this novel and look forward to reading the 2 additional novels in the series.
December 1, 2015
This is a fabulous sea yarn written by a talented writer. It is set in the second world war and boasts superb characters. Black has done extensive and meticulous research into the period. He captures how a young man entering the submarine service at the time might feel when war breaks out. The traditions, culture, and atmosphere of living on a submarine are beautifully detailed. It covers romance and family relationships. It has a suspense driven narrative. It is tremendously informative and a must read. I would like to thank Amazon Publishing for a copy of the book via the goodreads giveaways,
May 24, 2018
Description: Norway, 1940: Sub Lieutenant Harry Gilmour’s first encounter with battleship action is not the adventure he had hoped for. Faced with a thankless task and ill equipped to handle it, Gilmour’s inexperience leads to a damning allegation. His future hangs in the balance.But then Lieutenant Peter Dumaresq steps in to offer him a lifeline—an advanced navigation course that will take him aboard a crack submarine, HMS Pelorus, under the command of a Royal Navy hero. Faced with a possible court martial, Harry chooses life underwater. Once aboard, however, Harry is confronted for the first time by the full horror of submarine warfare. If he can just overcome his fears, it will be the making of him.
Because survival itself is the challenge now. For Harry and the rest of the crew, the next depth charge could be the one that sinks them.
Almost 4*, and Harry is very likeable in an honourable apprentice way. Luckily, I have the other two in the series to listen to at some point.
March 21, 2019
The story didn’t initially grab me, Harry seemed a bit ‘whiney’ and prospect of putting up with rest of HMS Redoubtable crew looked like a nightmare.
It turned out this initial action was fairly meaningless as far as the main story was concerned and things brightened up fairly quickly. Overall this was a decent book.
There were some aspects of the author’s style that I didn’t really like. He is good at descriptive writing, but sometimes there was just too much detail that it got in the way of the flow of the story. Also he occasionally ends an event with many lose ends and then starts the next chapter having moved on in time and place. Then in the next chapter he goes back to the original event.
It turned out this initial action was fairly meaningless as far as the main story was concerned and things brightened up fairly quickly. Overall this was a decent book.
There were some aspects of the author’s style that I didn’t really like. He is good at descriptive writing, but sometimes there was just too much detail that it got in the way of the flow of the story. Also he occasionally ends an event with many lose ends and then starts the next chapter having moved on in time and place. Then in the next chapter he goes back to the original event.
January 23, 2021
Epic story of WW2 submariners
This reads like a biography; the attention to detail is terrific. Good boys own adventure stuff but with a steely core. Great cast of characters. Really enjoyed it.
This reads like a biography; the attention to detail is terrific. Good boys own adventure stuff but with a steely core. Great cast of characters. Really enjoyed it.
October 7, 2015
Cracking good read! Book ends in 1941 so hopefully more of the same to come!
May 25, 2016
Gives a history of British submarine warfare in early days of WWII
July 28, 2017
Good submarine story
Great sub story very near the truth of submarine life, as I served in subs. It was a very good story.
Great sub story very near the truth of submarine life, as I served in subs. It was a very good story.
April 6, 2019
Tremendous action activity
This one is one of the better ones I have read involving submarines in World War Two. Especially the British navy.
This one is one of the better ones I have read involving submarines in World War Two. Especially the British navy.
October 8, 2021
This book was a lot better than I thought it would be.
A great war adventure.
A great war adventure.
August 16, 2020
There was a good long while there, in the nineteen-eighties, when anybody and everybody who was writing what were then called "techno-thrillers" would have breathless publicists out there telling the world that their oeuvre was "the next Tom Clancy." Inevitably, it was not. But... and you have to think about this a little... it's all right. Your techno-thriller isn't as good as Tom Clancy's, and that is fine and my novels aren't as good as Mark Helprin's, and that is fine, too. Not everyone has the same gifts or the same talent, and that is fine as well. All you can do is the best you can. If your work gets compared to someone who is better than you, even if the comparison is inapt, that's not the worst place in the world to be, now is it.
I say this because if you read GONE TO SEA IN A BUCKET, you may see that someone has compare his series to Patrick O'Brian's stately Aubrey/Maturin series. And this is... absolutely not fair. David Black is not Patrick O'Brian, neither am I, and neither are you. And this is fine. You wouldn't want to be Patrick O'Brian if you could. And you wouldn't want to try to mimic Patrick O'Brian because that would be a really bad idea. C.S. Lewis (who you would also be well-advised not to mimic) was once asked if he could write a sequel to THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS, with an angel giving heavenly advice, and he said, in so many words, absolutely not because every word would have to be redolent of the heavenly perfume, and as such, wouldn't be readable. It's the same with O'Brian; if anyone else tried to write that way he'd end up sounding, as my mother would say, like a dying calf in a hailstorm.
So, look. If you're coming to GONE TO SEA IN A BUCKET looking for Patrick O'Brian, you are out of luck. And that is fine, because the comparison is not only unfair but lazy. The only thing that the authors have in common is an interest in, and respect for, the institution of the Royal Navy, and it ends there. GONE TO SEA IN A BUCKET is about WWII submarines, which Jack Aubrey (to say nothing of the early twentieth-century Royal Navy) would have considered to be monstrous infernal engines crewed by pirates. Its hero, Harry Gilmour, is a raw reservist (who wouldn't, though, have been entirely out of place in the wardroom of HMS SURPRISE). Although Black shares O'Brian's love of naval argot and cuisine, he has both feet firmly in the twentieth century; there is no Regency-era language or mannerisms to be found.
What Black and O'Brian share is a love of naval action, and here GONE TO SEA IN A BUCKET delivers in spades. Gilmour turns out, after a slow start, to be a competent and enterprising officer, and Black puts him in the midst of trouble frequently.
No. It's not O'Brian. But you wouldn't want it to be, and it's good stuff.
I say this because if you read GONE TO SEA IN A BUCKET, you may see that someone has compare his series to Patrick O'Brian's stately Aubrey/Maturin series. And this is... absolutely not fair. David Black is not Patrick O'Brian, neither am I, and neither are you. And this is fine. You wouldn't want to be Patrick O'Brian if you could. And you wouldn't want to try to mimic Patrick O'Brian because that would be a really bad idea. C.S. Lewis (who you would also be well-advised not to mimic) was once asked if he could write a sequel to THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS, with an angel giving heavenly advice, and he said, in so many words, absolutely not because every word would have to be redolent of the heavenly perfume, and as such, wouldn't be readable. It's the same with O'Brian; if anyone else tried to write that way he'd end up sounding, as my mother would say, like a dying calf in a hailstorm.
So, look. If you're coming to GONE TO SEA IN A BUCKET looking for Patrick O'Brian, you are out of luck. And that is fine, because the comparison is not only unfair but lazy. The only thing that the authors have in common is an interest in, and respect for, the institution of the Royal Navy, and it ends there. GONE TO SEA IN A BUCKET is about WWII submarines, which Jack Aubrey (to say nothing of the early twentieth-century Royal Navy) would have considered to be monstrous infernal engines crewed by pirates. Its hero, Harry Gilmour, is a raw reservist (who wouldn't, though, have been entirely out of place in the wardroom of HMS SURPRISE). Although Black shares O'Brian's love of naval argot and cuisine, he has both feet firmly in the twentieth century; there is no Regency-era language or mannerisms to be found.
What Black and O'Brian share is a love of naval action, and here GONE TO SEA IN A BUCKET delivers in spades. Gilmour turns out, after a slow start, to be a competent and enterprising officer, and Black puts him in the midst of trouble frequently.
No. It's not O'Brian. But you wouldn't want it to be, and it's good stuff.
July 24, 2017
First rate book about submarines
I really enjoyed this book even though some of the technical stuff went over my head. I hadn't realised just how perilous a sub mariners life was and to be quite honest I couldn't imagine anything worse than being stuck in a submarine in war time or peace time come to that. The story line was believable and well written. It is interesting to read about the differences between serving on an RN ship and a submarine and explained why they wore clothing less formal.
The book appears to be a very realistic account of submarine life and I feel huge respect for those who fought battles in them and helped to keep our small island free from occupation.
I really enjoyed this book even though some of the technical stuff went over my head. I hadn't realised just how perilous a sub mariners life was and to be quite honest I couldn't imagine anything worse than being stuck in a submarine in war time or peace time come to that. The story line was believable and well written. It is interesting to read about the differences between serving on an RN ship and a submarine and explained why they wore clothing less formal.
The book appears to be a very realistic account of submarine life and I feel huge respect for those who fought battles in them and helped to keep our small island free from occupation.
April 21, 2019
Excellent read by David Black of pre-war and war sub maritime history revolving around the central character of the charismatic figure Harry Gilmour and his first time experiences of this field , as someone who just had a general knowledge and very general at that. Of the seafaring of this period, David engages the reader with explicit detail of terminology and analogies to really draw you in making this an engaging warm and tantalising but real read. I would recommend the first in the series of his novels & I can’t wait for the other two novels and getting down to read them and even off the back of it to in time explore the museum around sub Maritime history even further as it’s almost on my doorstep so to speak.
January 17, 2021
And then ... click!
I was happily sitting in the sunshine, fully engrossed in the action, and then, came the end. No warning. Instead of the gradual, and often disappointing, let- down in the final chapter, the final chapter was all about the fight and then - Click!. An interesting and effective way to leave you wanting more.
Generally cleverly written and very immersive and believable. Explanations of nautical terms are weaved into the storyline very effectively. “Sangfroid” and a few other similar terms are overused but some interesting new ones were introduced which always piques my interest.
Overall, a winning combination in my view - an Ian Rebus of the sea. I’m looking forward to diving into more.
I was happily sitting in the sunshine, fully engrossed in the action, and then, came the end. No warning. Instead of the gradual, and often disappointing, let- down in the final chapter, the final chapter was all about the fight and then - Click!. An interesting and effective way to leave you wanting more.
Generally cleverly written and very immersive and believable. Explanations of nautical terms are weaved into the storyline very effectively. “Sangfroid” and a few other similar terms are overused but some interesting new ones were introduced which always piques my interest.
Overall, a winning combination in my view - an Ian Rebus of the sea. I’m looking forward to diving into more.
April 6, 2019
I really enjoyed the writing style. The author would hit a very high point in the story and when you turn the page to the next chapter it would have been over. At first I looked to see if I skipped pages but then you get the story from what he remember and where he was now. The fist time it was a little annoying but I found that this writing style moved the pace of the book along a little faster and made it more 'first person' powerful memory rather than in the moment.
I do not know why I could not put this book down. it was certainly not as edgy as other books but yet I was always turning the page to see what happened next.
I do not know why I could not put this book down. it was certainly not as edgy as other books but yet I was always turning the page to see what happened next.
April 16, 2019
I enjoyed this book quite a bit, even though it is somewhat derivative of "The Caine Mutiny." Both books feature young reserve naval officers who run afoul of regular Navy captains for whom the stress of wartime operations is too much.
The similarity continues in the highly literary style of David Black, who explores protagonist Harry Gilmour's mind and shows how he grows from an inexperienced but eager youth to a blooded veteran. Yes, this is more than just an action-oriented sea story that will provide you with plenty to think about along with the torpedoes and depth charges.
I look forward to reading the next three books in the series.
The similarity continues in the highly literary style of David Black, who explores protagonist Harry Gilmour's mind and shows how he grows from an inexperienced but eager youth to a blooded veteran. Yes, this is more than just an action-oriented sea story that will provide you with plenty to think about along with the torpedoes and depth charges.
I look forward to reading the next three books in the series.
May 6, 2020
A great story of a young man becoming an adult with character and integrity during WWII. Young Harry Gilmore becomes 4th in command in submarines with little knowledge but a quick learner. To fully enjoy the book, be prepared to learn British Submarine terms and seamanship. A tale of submarine life in the North Atlantic during WWII.
August 7, 2017
A thoroughly enjoyable war story.
The name of the book intrigued me. A bucket? Why it's called that becomes clear as you read it. The story itself is a thoroughly enjoyable war story. The central character is a lovable chap and his crew members are a motley crew but a jolly good bunch to read about. It made a change to read a war story from a submariners point of view, being crammed like sardines into a metal tube. All in all a super read and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to Harry in the next book.
The name of the book intrigued me. A bucket? Why it's called that becomes clear as you read it. The story itself is a thoroughly enjoyable war story. The central character is a lovable chap and his crew members are a motley crew but a jolly good bunch to read about. It made a change to read a war story from a submariners point of view, being crammed like sardines into a metal tube. All in all a super read and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to Harry in the next book.
March 3, 2019
Riveting. A great fictional naval story about a British sub-lieutenant in the opening days of WW II. The story follows him from his first assignment aboard a surface ship after joining the Royal Navy in 1939 to his assignment as a submariner. The language is often hard to follow, but that adds to the realism of the clannish world that these men inhabit. Lots of action while bringing the characters into sharper focus. Great stand-alone story, but it is a part of a series. I am really looking forward to book number 2. Recommended.
May 11, 2021
A dear friend recommended this book to me because he knows I am a big fan of Forester's Horatio Hornblower novels and thought I might like Harry Gilmour. Well, he was dead right. I am now hooked on Harry Gilmour's submarine adventures and intend to read the next books in the series. I suppose the only reason I did not assign this book 5 stars is that I found Black's narrative style, at times, somewhat elliptical and the Royal Navy jargon is a tad overdone. Otherwise, it's a fantastic naval adventure story that I highly recommend to readers who enjoy this genre.
July 22, 2022
When your Dad (who isnt usually the bookworm of the family) devours a series in about 3 and a half months, you know its a series worth checking out.
This isnt the usual type of war book I read, I usually read books like The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah or Spitfire Girls by Soraya M Lane, so it was really interesting to see the war from a different perspective. There are character's that you immediately love and characters you immediately dislike, as well as the odd character that changes your opinion of them part way into the book.
Definitely a book I'd recommend.
This isnt the usual type of war book I read, I usually read books like The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah or Spitfire Girls by Soraya M Lane, so it was really interesting to see the war from a different perspective. There are character's that you immediately love and characters you immediately dislike, as well as the odd character that changes your opinion of them part way into the book.
Definitely a book I'd recommend.
August 17, 2017
Exciting Submarine Tale
An exciting story of submarine warfare at the begi of WWII. The likable young hero is in the mold of other British naval stories from the Napoleonic wars. The beginning of an epic war series, told with a knowledgeable and sympathetic eye. I heartily recommend it! You will need to use your imagination a bit to figure out the British slang. But the effort is worth it.
An exciting story of submarine warfare at the begi of WWII. The likable young hero is in the mold of other British naval stories from the Napoleonic wars. The beginning of an epic war series, told with a knowledgeable and sympathetic eye. I heartily recommend it! You will need to use your imagination a bit to figure out the British slang. But the effort is worth it.
March 18, 2018
Enjoyable until the end!
World War Two history viewed from a submarine 's view. A totally different view of war from the depths of the ocean. I live books about submarines. For many people, I am sure that the book went into too much detail about submarines. T found the character development a plus. A well written story until the end which did not exist. The good was a 5 until the end.
World War Two history viewed from a submarine 's view. A totally different view of war from the depths of the ocean. I live books about submarines. For many people, I am sure that the book went into too much detail about submarines. T found the character development a plus. A well written story until the end which did not exist. The good was a 5 until the end.
July 4, 2019
Gripping yarn
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, not my normal choice of reading but I have it a go and really glad I did. I found the story interesting and the submarine live described both fascinating and at times terrifying. Can't wait to read the next in the series and continue with Harry's adventures. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the Second World War naval theatre or otherwise.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, not my normal choice of reading but I have it a go and really glad I did. I found the story interesting and the submarine live described both fascinating and at times terrifying. Can't wait to read the next in the series and continue with Harry's adventures. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the Second World War naval theatre or otherwise.
July 31, 2019
I really enjoy WWII set stories so when I saw one about submarines during the war available as a free Prime ebook with Audible narration, I decided to give it a try. When I was a teenager we had a submarine computer game. You could set it to a WWII-era battle. This story reminded me of that game. It was much more of a military story than I was expecting. If you enjoy military battles, then this would be your kind of book. Unfortunately, that isn't my cup of tea.
November 27, 2020
A good read and a great series
The book does for the WWII British Submarine Service—the British called it The Trade—what The Cruel Sea did for their surface navy. It captures their story and their war the way it really was: brutal, nasty, and smelly. Even better, the series of Harry Gilmour stories capture the story arc of his growth as a man and a warrior while shedding light on some of the less well known battles of the war. Good-oh! Well done!
The book does for the WWII British Submarine Service—the British called it The Trade—what The Cruel Sea did for their surface navy. It captures their story and their war the way it really was: brutal, nasty, and smelly. Even better, the series of Harry Gilmour stories capture the story arc of his growth as a man and a warrior while shedding light on some of the less well known battles of the war. Good-oh! Well done!
January 20, 2021
Good story very realistic
Having served on one of her Majesty’s boats, a more modern vintage, the author does a great job of describing submarine warfare. The lessons learned in WW2 and the culture on board those boats have shaped the modern service.
WW2 also confirmed that naval warfare is now split into Submarines and targets!
Interestingly the snobbery between decks described is still prevalent today, but this is a reflection on society not the service.
Having served on one of her Majesty’s boats, a more modern vintage, the author does a great job of describing submarine warfare. The lessons learned in WW2 and the culture on board those boats have shaped the modern service.
WW2 also confirmed that naval warfare is now split into Submarines and targets!
Interestingly the snobbery between decks described is still prevalent today, but this is a reflection on society not the service.
May 3, 2022
A war story for people who don't typically read war stories with plenty of twists & interaction between characters.
After perhaps a slow start the author develops the characters & loosely parallel story lines well & I really enjoyed it ; so glad its part of a series - I 've just read book 2 : "The skipper's Dog's called Stalin " & I look forward to reading book 3 : " Turn Left for Gibraltar " .
After perhaps a slow start the author develops the characters & loosely parallel story lines well & I really enjoyed it ; so glad its part of a series - I 've just read book 2 : "The skipper's Dog's called Stalin " & I look forward to reading book 3 : " Turn Left for Gibraltar " .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews