The Glory Boys

by Douglas Reeman

As we've come to expect from multi-million copy bestselling author Douglas Reeman, The Glory Boys expertly weaves close and detailed knowledge of the actual events of WWII into a simply brilliant and stirring action adventure, guaranteed to have you hooked from page one. Readers of Clive Cussler, Bernard Cornwell and Wilbur Smith will not be disappointed!'One of our foremost writers of naval fiction' -- Sunday Times'Mr Reeman writes with great knowledge about the sea and those who sail on it' -- The Times'A real adventure' -- ***** Reader review'Great storyline - really grips you to the end' -- ***** Reader review'Typically superbly written' -- ***** Reader review'This author never lets you down' -- ***** Reader review'Great reading -- edge of your seat stuff' -- ***** Reader review********************************************************************************They're called The Glory Boys, by those who regard their exploits with envy or contempt.January 1943: Glory Boy Bob Kearton - already a veteran and survivor of the close action in the English Channel and North Sea - is ordered to the Mediterranean and beleaguered Malta , a mere sixty miles from occupied Sicily .Unexpectedly promoted to lieutenant-commander , he is given charge of a newly formed and, as yet, incomplete flotilla of motor torpedo boats.Although the tide of defeat is thought to be turning, with the enemy no longer advancing along the North African coast, Kearton's is a new war of stealth, subterfuge, and daring, in which the Glory Boys are only too expendable.

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

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

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

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Motor Torpedo Boat action in and around Malta in 1943. Good book, but felt Reeman didn't finish the book. Left both a murder and a romance unfinished at the end of the book. Combat action sections were short.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars... I loved the essence of the story but at times I was confused with timeline but a good read all the same once I worked it out!

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book except for romance.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I nearly only gave this book two stars. I have read most of Reeman's books over the years and have enjoyed them all. This one was okay but at times the action was confusing and I have a sense that this was at least in part written by someone else.

The main character typically is a newly promoted Lieutenant Commander taking command of an MGB from a skipper who has been killed and at first the indications are that the First Lieutenant who was perhaps expecting to be given the command is going to be a problem but that fizzles out before it starts.

The love interest is all a bit strained and peculiar. That never really reaches a proper conclusion either.

The descriptive scene setting is not up to much and the characters rather predictable.

The thing that really made me think someone has lost their grip is when a murder is introduced three quarters of the way through the book. How bizarre! Moreover the victim was not a major character and whodunnit was never resolved. All very unsatisfactory, irrelevant and frankly poor sensationalism. Maybe they thought the plot needed some jazzing up; but a murder? Very odd!

Whilst I managed to plod my way through it and finished, it took a while - not a good sign. Had I never read a Reeman novel previously, I certainly would not seek out another in a hurry.

Mr Reeman needs to retire gracefully and enjoy his twilight years. By my estimate he must be 87 now and should quit and enjoy his success.

[Kerry Hennigan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The First and Second World War naval adventures penned by Douglas Reeman were great favorites of my late father. It was a passion we shared and which I continued after his death in 1993. When reviewing books for my brother’s now defunct magazine I would always pounce on the latest Reeman novel with relish, and, predictably, enjoy it.

“The Glory Boys” had been sitting in my unread stacks for some time before I picked it up and read it. All my favorite ingredients were there – the ships at the focus of the tale were motor torpedo boats, and I am a PT/MTB enthusiast from way back. A strange fascination for a young girl to have picked up at an impressionable age, but there you have it. A JFK/PT 109 fan and tomboy to the core!

“The Glory Boys” is set at a critical time for the war in the Mediterranean and a strategic place – Malta in 1943, when the allied forces and locals are desperate for each convoy promising supplies for the islands. The job of Bob Kearton, a survivor of action in the North Sea, is to command a small flotilla of new 150ft MTBs to attack the enemy lying in wait for the convoys.

There are covert operatives to be rescued too – one of them the husband of the beautiful woman back on shore to whom Kearton inevitably finds himself attracted.

So, all the ingredients are there – action, romance, history-as-it-happens details – but sadly, at least for me, the staccato narrative lets it down. The shifting points of view do not help either. One minute we are deep in the thoughts of Kearton, the next it is a member of his crew.

I found it hard to keep up with the characters and the action, and kept waiting for someone to explain how it all hung together. Those moments are few or (unless I missed them) non-existent.

My disappointment in “The Glory Boys” does not spoil my enjoyment of the majority of Reeman’s impressive output. Every so often even the best writers produce a ‘dud’ in the minds of some readers, and I am quite prepared for others to disagree with my assessment.

It could be said that the abrupt style of narrative is indicative of the secrecy and speed at which things happened during such times of danger and distress. If you weren’t one of the hierarchy who needed to know – then you didn’t. But I still would have liked the narrative to have taken a step back long enough to explain to me what was going on, and how things related to each other.

Someone should also have pointed out to the publishers that the illustration of the MTB on the cover is actually of a US 80ft Elco PT boat (complete with retrofitted radar) rather than a British MTB. OK, so that’s me showing off! But for an enthusiast, such details count, as I’m sure they would to Mr. Reeman himself.

But never mind the inaccuracy of the cover art; as far as the novel is concerned, I hope for greater overall enjoyment next time. I’m confident Mr. Reeman still has the ability to enthrall me with future naval adventures.

Review by Kerry Hennigan
January 5, 2014

[Des Pemberton · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I assembled my To Read list, I included all the Douglas Reeman / Alexander Kent books, and I'm now questioning my wisdom. And not only my wisdom, but that of Reeman's. The Glory Boys moved along nicely like a worn DVD, with the story suddenly and frequently skipping to a different scene or day / week. The battle scenes seemed curtailed, with Reeman possibly picturing the whole event in his head, but only giving us an abridged and disjointed version. I don't wish to discredit the chap, but did he have a drink problem? The last paragraph ended with all sorts of story-lines dangling ... and then the author found another bottle and thought he had finished the book.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read about thirty of this author’s WWII stories but this one had escaped me until I found a copy in a second hand bookstore.

Many of these books have a ‘gloomy’ start and this was no exception. Coupled with a strange ‘clipped’ style of writing I found it quite hard work to get into this book. Unfortunately this doesn’t really improve, because of the staccato delivery, the story just doesn’t flow and I found it quite a confusing read.

In the end I got to just over half way and decided I’d had enough. I not sure why, but this really didn’t read like a Douglas Reeman novel.

[Andrew Robinson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’d not read a Reeman novel for many years, but having remembered enjoying them previously, and still being hugely interested in WW2 I thought I’d give this a go whilst on holiday. I found it very difficult to read and to follow; I sometimes wondered if pages were missing. Too many threads were left unresolved at the end and I was left feeling disappointed upon reaching the end of the book. I will try another Reeman novel though, as I do recall his other offerings being more satisfying. It seemed as this novel was dashed off in an hurry and bypassed the editing stage.

[Don · Rating 2 out of 5]

I generally like the "Douglas Reeman" books, but this one was poor . The essence of the story was ok -which is why I give it two stars rather than just one -but it was hard to follow and confusing at times.
It didn't read like a typical "Reeman" book and if it didn't have his name on the cover I would think it had been written by someone else ; perhaps ,at least in part, it was ?

[Rick Nummi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Another Redman classic. Unlike Bolitho, you never get to continue the adventure. These are one off vignettes into small boat actions in the Med. during WW2. Good narrative consistent style.

[shawn murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished The Glory Boys by Douglas Reeman. A HF about WW2 in Malta. The British are using Motor Torpedo Boats against the Axis powers. These small boats are considered expendable but LC Kearton takes on all comers.

[Mr D Frost · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't bother

This is the poorest book that I have ever read from this author the story line is poor reading it was like wading through treacle.

[Alan Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The action feels authentic, but the narrative is often difficult to follow, with frequent shifts of scene. And what was with the civilian murder?

[Bill Dunk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felt the book ended with another chapter to go. Left too much in question.

[The Villan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favourite writing style. Couldn’t get into it.

[Jim Standridge · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Reeman, but this book was a little disappointing. A hard to follow story line, confused plot. The love-line was really all over the place and made no sense. I kind of struggled through this one. I've read five or six (at least) of his other WW2 books, all much better than this one. As this was his last book, I have t0 wonder if there wasn't outside help in its completion.

[C.H. Cobb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of Reeman's better outings, but the problem may be mine; it might be a legitimate cultural difference. More on that in a moment.

The story concerns Bob Kearton, a British officer who commands a small flotilla of motor torpedo boats in the Mediterranean during World War 2. Like many of Reeman's excellent characters, Kearton brings a past with him that heavily influences his actions. Kearton and his men are charged with the protection of Malta at a time in which the Germans were pounding it to splinters from the air, and starving it to death by effective blockades on the sea.

From the perspective of its exquisite naval detail, the story is a great read. Reeman knows his boats and sailors, and his tactics and weapons. This part of the tale is consistently excellent.

I gave this book but three stars, however, because Reeman took the British penchant for understatement to such an extreme that much of the time I could not fathom what the dialog was about. I have never before had this problem with a Reeman book, but in this one it was almost enough to make me put the book away without finishing it. Perhaps it was intended only for a British market. In any case I found an uncomfortable amount of the dialog impenetrable.

[Robert Hepple · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readable WWII drama, but confused and muddled at times and not at all as gripping as previous tales by Reeman. The main character is Lieutenant Commander on an MGB, so it’s a subject area Reeman has used before with success. The cover inappropriately features a modern post-war Vosper patrol boat, but that isn’t Reeman’s fault. Disappointed, but it won’t stop me reading other works by the author as they have all been so good up to now.

[7$MartyQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The British had a longer war than America

Britain entered WWII in 1939, two years before the United States. They were having a tough go of it until America had entered the war. Their attitude
towards the enemy seemed almost stoic, but they gave a very good account of themselves. Men such as Kearton are very believable, even if this book is fictional novel. It really is a great read!

[TheIron Paw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good portrayal of WWII naval action by Reeman. A good descriptor of the small boats as well as the siege of Malta.

[Peter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too slow, did not finish.