The Blooding of the Guns

Nicholas Everard Saga #1

by Alexander Fullerton

A young sailor with the weight of the world on his shoulders, a brother in the line of fire, and the greatest naval battle of all time…Jutland, 1916: In the icy waters of the North Sea, the Royal Navy awaits the challenge of the Kaiser’s High Sea Fleet.

Sub-lieutenant Nick Everard could never have imagined the terror he would face as his destroyer races to launch its torpedoes into the blazing guns of a horizon obscured by dreadnoughts.

But when the steering-gear on HMS Warspite jams, it is up to Nick, along with his brother, Hugh, to save thousands of lives.

Dramatic, action-packed and brimming with suspense, The Blooding of the Guns launches the epic career of Nicholas Everard, and is perfect for fans of C. S. Forrester, Max Hennessy and Alan Evans.

Praise for Alexander Fullerton‘The most meticulously researched war novels that I have ever read’ Len Deighton

‘His action passages are superb and he never puts a period foot wrong’ Observer

‘The research is unimpeachable and the scent of battle quite overwhelming’ Sunday Times

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Nautical, World War I, Historical, Military Fiction

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Alexander Fullerton (1924–2008) was a British author of naval and other fiction. Born in 1924 in Suffolk and brought up in France, he was a cadet during the years 1938-1941 at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth from the age of thirteen. He went to sea serving first in the battleship Queen Elizabeth in the Mediterranean, and spent the rest of the war at sea - mostly under it, in submarines.

Fullerton's first novel SURFACE! sold over 500,000 copies. Then he worked on the 9-volume Nicholas Everard series that made his reputation.

Series:
* Nicholas Everard Saga
* Rosie Ewing

Source: Wikipedia

Reviews

[Olethros · Rating 3 out of 5]

-Novelando una batalla mediante algo de ficción.-

Género. Novela histórica.

Lo que nos cuenta. Nicholas Everard es un joven alférez de navío de la Armada Real Británica a bordo de uno de los destructores británicos que el 30 de mayo se enfrentaron a la Flota de Alta Mar de la Marina del Káiser en la Batalla de Jutlandia, el mayor enfrentamiento naval de la Primera Guerra Mundial. Nicholas será partícipe y testigo de excepción del combate. Primer libro de la serie Marinero de Inglaterra, más conocida como la saga de Nicholas Everard.

¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:

http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...

[Ernest Godfrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complicated

A bit too much chopping and changing between the leading characters for me which made it difficult to follow. That and the incomprehensible plan of the battle of Jutland left me confused more than once. However the little cameo,s of set pieces which is what this book consists off were excel k ent in themselves. Once I had adjusted to which character and which scenario I was reading it was good and in places very good. My problem lies in trying to understand the detail of the whole book. Students of naval warfare and this battle in particular may well have a better understanding than me maybe I should read more of this period it would not be a bad thing

[Don · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this a very hard and heavy read and not really for me . It was ok if you want a book to swamp you with a lot of facts rather than tell a story - and in that respect it was well written -and so I guess it would be unfair to criticise it too much .
It felt to me more like a " non-fiction " rather than the 'fiction' book I was expecting ; and when I read 'fiction' I prefer to be entertained rather than educated .

[Viva · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead.
I'm going to agree with the top reviewer here, too many characters.
One of my pet peeves is too many POVs and this author is very liberal with them. When you change POVs so many times and have so many people, it's hard for the reader to make a connection with the main character so that he cares about them. I wanted to connect with Nick or Hugh but as soon as I got into their story the author would switch to someone else.

I also did not like the overly long romantic side trip. I did not come to a naval fiction book to read about romance. By the time we got to the battle, not enough time had been spent developing the characters because there were too many stories.

And when we got to the battle scene, the author switched POVs back and forth so randomly that it was hard to keep track of the battle. And he didn't do a good job of it either.

I would tell him: pick a character, pick a ship. Spend your reader capital building them up so he gets interested in them. Don't flit back and forth trying to get cute. No one wants that. No one wants to read short stories on different characters thrown together pretending to be one book. And few people want romance in a WWI naval book about Jutland. Everything's just wrong. I dnf'd it at 47%.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frankly, this was confusing -- this brother on that ship, that one on that, another there, all in the same battle of Jutland. Very detailed battle account at water level, but it rests on the assumption that you already know the historical characters, setting, WWI events, and naval vessels.

[PETER F DEKAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Yes, this book is simply brilliant... Brilliant story line; Brilliant character portrayals; Superb writing and editing all the way around. Military novels just don't get any better!

[Steven frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blooding of the Guns

This book is a thoroughly recommended read for those interested in naval history and the Battle of Jutland. A great yarn that keeps the reader on tenterhooks until it's finale.

[Wally Aguilera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro de ficción histórica escrita por Alexander Fullerton, es parte de la serie protagonizada por el Capitán Nick Everard, ambientada durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. La novela ofrece una narrativa rica y detallada sobre las experiencias navales en tiempos de guerra, centrándose en la vida de los marinos y las complejidades de las operaciones militares en el mar.
Aquí seguimos al Capitán Nick Everard, un experimentado oficial de la Royal Navy, y a su tripulación a bordo de un destructor en el Atlántico Norte durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. La historia se centra en las operaciones navales británicas y los desafíos que enfrentan al luchar contra los submarinos alemanes.
La trama es, en gran medida, un relato de acción militar, y Fullerton hace un trabajo admirable al describir las batallas navales con precisión y detalle. La novela se divide en varias subtramas que incluyen misiones de escolta de convoys, enfrentamientos con submarinos enemigos y la lucha constante contra los elementos adversos en el mar. Cada subtrama está cuidadosamente tejida con un ritmo constante y mantener al lector inmerso en la historia.

Como puntos fuertes destaco que Fullerton logra capturar la esencia de la guerra naval de manera convincente. Su experiencia como oficial naval se refleja en la precisión de las descripciones tácticas y la terminología utilizada. La Tensión y Suspenso, especialmente durante las escenas de combate, te mantienen pegado a cada pagina. La historia avanza de manera lógica, con cada evento contribuyendo al desarrollo del conflicto principal.
Sus puntos débiles son la Previsibilidad en ocasiones, la historia sigue caminos predecibles, especialmente para los lectores familiarizados con la ficción histórica militar. Su Ritmo es Variable algunas partes pueden sentirse un poco lentas debido a las descripciones detalladas que, aunque precisas, pueden entorpecer el flujo narrativo.
El desarrollo de "Bautismo de Fuego" es sólido, gracias a la capacidad de Fullerton para equilibrar acción e introspección. La novela se enfoca tanto en los aspectos técnicos de la guerra naval como en las experiencias personales de los personajes, logrando una mezcla efectiva de ambos elementos.

Fullerton se destaca en la creación de una atmósfera auténtica y envolvente. La descripción de los escenarios navales, así como las condiciones de vida a bordo de un buque de guerra, son vívidas y detalladas La novela refleja una investigación profunda sobre las tácticas navales y las condiciones de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, lo que añade una capa de realismo a la historia.
A lo largo del libro se exploran temas como el valor, la camaradería y los dilemas morales que enfrentan los soldados en tiempos de guerra. Estos temas se desarrollan de manera gradual, enriqueciendo la narrativa.

Aunque el nivel de detalle es impresionante, algunas secciones podrían beneficiarse de un ritmo más rápido para mantener la atención del lector.

[BT Philips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely an enjoyable read for a history buff like myself. If military history is not quite your cup of tea, I wouldn't recommend it though. Fullerton uses a bunch of naval terminology and navy-specific terms, so if you have little knowledge of that going in, you will most likely be confused at a lot of points in this book.

For myself, this was a solid book and I had a pleasant time reading it. I have seldom read any World War I historical fiction novels, so this novel was great for a change. In Blooding of the Guns, Fullerton follows the actions of his three main characters throughout the Battle of Jutland, World War I's most significant naval engagement. The main character, Nick Everard, is a Royal Navy sub-lieutenant just recently reassigned to a destroyer that will see action at Jutland. Nick's older brother David, a lieutenant on a cruiser, and his uncle Hugh, captain of a dreadnought, are also followed at length through the course of the novel. I appreciate this novel most for its sustaining of intense actions scenes and for the many moments of high tension. The only prominent dislike I would like to voice is that there was too little closure at the end of this novel. It would have been better for more of the book to have been dedicated to the aftermath of Jutland and its effect on the characters of this book. There was also a little story of its own within the novel that included drama around Nick's stepmother, a young woman named Sarah. It would have been nice to have Sarah's story play more of a significant role. Although the Battle of Jutland was a complicated mess involving massive fleets, I believe Fullerton does his best to merge it into the storyline of the novel. I you are a military history lover, this book is absolutely worth your time.

[Juan Luis · Rating 3 out of 5]

El libro adolece de un uso bastante denso de términos relacionados con el mundo naval que hace bastante difícil una lectura seguida a menos que seas marino y/o estés familiarizado con ese vocabulario. No iría nada mal, acompañar con un glosario al final del mismo o bien alguna que otra nota al margen. Desconozco si otras ediciones la tienen. La que leí yo, no.
El argumento es simple: una batalla naval, envidias, rencores, amores no correspondidos, patrioterismo, niebla... el enemigo está pero no está...
Lo disfruté en algunos pasajes y otros lo sufrí de puro aburrimiento, aun incluso en medio de la acción trepidante que pretende transmitir.
Si a pesar de todo lo expuesto te animas a leerlo, provéete de un buen antiemético.

[George Dickinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good solid read, would recommend to people who are interested in WW1 naval battles from the perspective of the crew.

At times I found it difficult to follow with heavy use of naval terms and the jumping from one character to the next not always being clear until a few lines had been read.

Standout momments being the battle sequences which really encapulates the calm before action and then the chaos of being in the thick of fighting. Making the reader feel a part of the experience and conveying how different people react to such a situation. Done so in a believable realistic way.

Overall a good read but would only suggest if into the subject matter. Due to the heavy use of nautical and naval terms which can make it a bit more difficult to navigate though.

[Davidg · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable start to the series.

Most of the time I didn't have a clue of what was happening - there was no map in my edition - but I got the general idea of the British fleet trying to block the German fleet's escape route back to port. If night hadn't fallen it would have been a greater victory. Back to a time before radar and sonar and no way of checking the movement of ships.

The switching between the three family members meant that you saw the battle from different perspectives and from different ranks. It was confusing at first, as more senior officers would refer to "Everard" and you had to work out which of them they were talking to.

[Charles Nordstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced historical fiction with just a hint of scandal, sex and family intrigue tossed in for good measure. The author evolves his main characters nicely while maintaining the quick pace of the Battle of Jutland. My only significant complaint is that it was difficult to keep track of what ship or what character the author was talking about. I think a clearer delineation between ships or better use of chapters would improve the read. Other than that, I recommend it as a good historical fiction read.

[Simon Slidders · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was interesting to read an account of the Battle of the Jutland and really feel how chaotic naval battles must have been even then, but I think I definitely prefer the sword and sail elements of 19th Century naval conflict to the heavy shelling and reliance on engines of the early 20th Century . Ironically this novel seemed closer in tone to the space operas of Jack Campbell and the manouevres of fleets of starships. However the main characters have been set up quite well, and it looks as if that aspect may develop nicely.

[Matthew White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine novel of the most important (if ultimately inconclusive) naval engagement of World War 1, the Battle of Jutland. The author served in the Royal Navy during WW2, first in the battleship Queen Elizabeth, then mostly in submarines. When gunnery and torpedo officer of HM Submarine Seadog in the Far East, 1944–1945, he was mentioned in dispatches for distinguished service. I rank this novel in the same league as Monsarrat's The Cruel Sea, MacLean's HMS Ulysses, Rascovich's The Bedford Incident and Wouk's The Caine Mutiny.

[7$MartyQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good Read

This story about the British Navy in WW I was the first book I have read by Alexander Fullerton gave quick insight as to what life was like in the British Navy during WW I, and was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The only part with which I am unfamiliar is the way they expressed their courses and course changes. In today's navy, the OOD tells the Feldman something like, Helmsman,steer course 060, and this old way of announcing course changes 'll get me confused.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable book to read. Not confusing to the patient mind. Well researched with strong characters and a great story line. Reading about the Battle of Jutland was interesting and humbling. ...A time when men were men... Looking forward to the next book. My suggestion to readers with limited understanding of naval terminology would be to google it as you progress through the book. A worthwhile read. Beats the hell out of romance and the next serial killer thriller.....

[John Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revised comment

As I begin the fifth in this series it’s time to offer a complete revised review. Each volume is better written than the previous. Book 1 kept me involved due to the topic. There was no coherent plot. Far too many Royal Navy acronyms and initials were used without an explanation. Fullerton’s prose is improving. I am reading the series as rapidly as I can.

[Alex Feldstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and the conduct of the battle is fairly accurate as per my knowledge of it and Wikipedia.

Found a little fault with some distracting issues when changing to the point of view of other characters.

The period Royal Navy talk of the lower ratings took a bit to get to, but after a few pages it was easy enough ,

[Andrea Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a historical book, it's very detailed, which can be slow reading as you read the battle scenes. The family that is inserted into this factual book are the Everards, a long-standing naval family including two brothers and a nephew. 3 ships are included as well the battleship Nile, the cruiser Bantry, and the destroyer Lanyard, which allows the reader to observe the battle from close quarters.

[Jim Calhoun · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ho Hum

So bland, written to formula, just like a half a dozen pumping out naval stories of W.W.I and I in the late 1960' to the early 80, s. Sorry this rating is a good this writer will get.

[L. R. Hintonl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty Good Read

I enjoyed the book in general, but too many major characters and switching from one to the other via a paragraph makes it hard to follow! Action sequences were good and believable!

[T.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jutland

I've read little of the first world war in fiction except a childhood love of Biggles. This was a fun first installment from a Naval point of view with three family members experiences woven together.

[Mike Whitehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absorbing Action

The detail that Fullerton has gone into is such that you can almost hear the guns and smell the cordite, like many other avid readers of naval history with a fictional stories I will be reading this series

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good WW1 naval novel. careful attention needs to be paid to the switching back and forth of the 3 main characters. also a few maps of the real battle of Jutland would really help envision the ship movements. this novel had great battle action.

[Gerald E Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disjointed

An interesting read. Somewhat disjointed in its narrative but containing much historical fact. However, I shall read the second in series which hopefully will improve in its story line.

[Ian Pruce · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's very rare that I don't or rather can't finish a book but I struggled with this one. I guess I was hoping for a more modern Hornblower, Bolitho or Kydd, but alas the strength of characters are not in this book. Factually sound but I couldn't get into the story.

[James Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book about Jutland.

[Tom Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

A very well written story I enjoyed it very much the action was first class A good Royal Navy piece of history Tom Waters

[Uncle Dave Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book about the battle of Jutland.