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Commander Cochrane Smith #8
Deed of Glory
The greatest raid in British military history is about to begin...March 1942: British commandos are preparing themselves for an audacious raid on the docks of Saint Nazaire – one of the boldest, most crucial naval operations of the Second World War.
Masterminded by Lieutenant Jack Ward and his highly trained team, it is a mission of daring, skill and extraordinary heroism. Time is desperately short, and the outcome uncertain. Let the battle commence.
A gripping and brilliantly researched account of true-life adventure, Deed of Glory ranks with such World War Two classics as The Cruel Sea and A Bridge Too Far.
Masterminded by Lieutenant Jack Ward and his highly trained team, it is a mission of daring, skill and extraordinary heroism. Time is desperately short, and the outcome uncertain. Let the battle commence.
A gripping and brilliantly researched account of true-life adventure, Deed of Glory ranks with such World War Two classics as The Cruel Sea and A Bridge Too Far.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 1985
103 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Alan Evans
20 books15 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Alan Evans was born in 1930 in Sunderland. He is an enthralling writer of First and Second World War adventure thrillers, mainly based on naval battles. Carefully researched, and with his own experience of active service, he skilfully evokes the tension and terror of war. Many of the figures and events are based on real-life models. His best-known character is Commander David Cochrane Smith, a maverick First World War sea captain. The protagonist of six of Evans' novels, he has to battle against the highly sceptical Admiralty as well as seemingly impossible odds in order to triumph. Evans' style is pacey and gripping, and in addition to his popular books for adults, he counts three adventure novels for children amongst his credits.
Alan Evans was born in 1930 in Sunderland. He is an enthralling writer of First and Second World War adventure thrillers, mainly based on naval battles. Carefully researched, and with his own experience of active service, he skilfully evokes the tension and terror of war. Many of the figures and events are based on real-life models. His best-known character is Commander David Cochrane Smith, a maverick First World War sea captain. The protagonist of six of Evans' novels, he has to battle against the highly sceptical Admiralty as well as seemingly impossible odds in order to triumph. Evans' style is pacey and gripping, and in addition to his popular books for adults, he counts three adventure novels for children amongst his credits.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 25, 2020
Another great novel by Alan Evans
If you like this genre and you like the writing of Max Hennessy or Alan Evans I think you’ll love this one. It’s another page-turner. More of the action is on land than his usual naval thrillers and I thought that might be less compelling, but I was wrong. Now I’m fired up to start another.
If you like this genre and you like the writing of Max Hennessy or Alan Evans I think you’ll love this one. It’s another page-turner. More of the action is on land than his usual naval thrillers and I thought that might be less compelling, but I was wrong. Now I’m fired up to start another.
March 15, 2024
Neat Tale That Corresponds With History
This historical novel meets the known facts for the World War II raid. Some of the names are fictional but they follow the commandos actions. This makes the story believable and entertaining. Those who know or want to know what happened during this raid will enjoy this book.
This historical novel meets the known facts for the World War II raid. Some of the names are fictional but they follow the commandos actions. This makes the story believable and entertaining. Those who know or want to know what happened during this raid will enjoy this book.
April 7, 2020
Deed indeed!
4 stars for bad proofreading. Deed of Glory is a great story well told which, as well as relating the story of the successful attack at St Nazaire, also mentioned more operations in WWII, including some insight into the work of the S.O.E.
4 stars for bad proofreading. Deed of Glory is a great story well told which, as well as relating the story of the successful attack at St Nazaire, also mentioned more operations in WWII, including some insight into the work of the S.O.E.
June 15, 2020
A very good yarn
All the ingredients for a good yarn. Good plt based on history, bit of humour, some empathy, googies and baddies, the bad baddies got their come-upence, the baddies with a bit of moral code survived, heroes and heroines all had a happy ending
All the ingredients for a good yarn. Good plt based on history, bit of humour, some empathy, googies and baddies, the bad baddies got their come-upence, the baddies with a bit of moral code survived, heroes and heroines all had a happy ending
July 27, 2020
Not a bad story
An entertaining plot line and plenty of action conveyed in a somewhat stilted style. Characters are not finely drawn and none inspire identification or empathy. Nonetheless, a good tale for a quick read.
An entertaining plot line and plenty of action conveyed in a somewhat stilted style. Characters are not finely drawn and none inspire identification or empathy. Nonetheless, a good tale for a quick read.
November 27, 2021
First rate story
To chronicle a real event within a fictional story must be difficult for any author but Alan Evans carries it out splendidly,The attack on St Nazaire is legendary others have written fictional stories about it, 2 movies The Gift Horse is a fine example,Without a doubt this is an outstanding story and well worth the 5 stars.
To chronicle a real event within a fictional story must be difficult for any author but Alan Evans carries it out splendidly,The attack on St Nazaire is legendary others have written fictional stories about it, 2 movies The Gift Horse is a fine example,Without a doubt this is an outstanding story and well worth the 5 stars.
January 12, 2022
Exceptional
"5 VCs before breakfast", this type of historical fiction is beyond valuable. It weaves a well crafted narrative around the truth and helps lock the history in your brain.
"5 VCs before breakfast", this type of historical fiction is beyond valuable. It weaves a well crafted narrative around the truth and helps lock the history in your brain.
October 31, 2023
Superb all action tale
Thoroughly enjoyed this story, combining fact and fiction seamlessly in a thrilling tale of naval warfare at its best. Recommended to lovers of the genre. 5 stars.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story, combining fact and fiction seamlessly in a thrilling tale of naval warfare at its best. Recommended to lovers of the genre. 5 stars.
May 20, 2020
Very Good
Exciting and fast moving. The author brings the characters to life. An excellent series. I plan on reading more of this author.
Exciting and fast moving. The author brings the characters to life. An excellent series. I plan on reading more of this author.
June 29, 2021
Page turning
Good story kept you engaged and looking forward to the next scene. Always enjoy learning about the exploits of the greatest generation.
Good story kept you engaged and looking forward to the next scene. Always enjoy learning about the exploits of the greatest generation.
June 8, 2022
Hot read
brilliant story well told great characters whom you get to feel you know. Your with them all the way emotional roller coaster but worth the time.
brilliant story well told great characters whom you get to feel you know. Your with them all the way emotional roller coaster but worth the time.
August 8, 2016
Commando Raid in France
I enjoyed this story. There is a lot I liked about this book. First I liked the characters, who are what you except in this type of story, men that are willing to do the job assigned to them. The Germans are a mixed bag, the decent Intelligence officer, the sleazy Gestapo officer, the soldier loyal to his officer and assorted henchmen. The French are brave people resisting the Germans, although you don't get a lot of character development of them they still are memorable. My only dislike was how the story was left open at the end now I know that is just a plot device to get you to read the next story, but I like to have more resolution at the end of a story if the first one was good then I will read more by the author. I just don't like to have to guess what happened after the mission. I would recommend this book to anyone, who likes historical fiction set in World War I I.
I enjoyed this story. There is a lot I liked about this book. First I liked the characters, who are what you except in this type of story, men that are willing to do the job assigned to them. The Germans are a mixed bag, the decent Intelligence officer, the sleazy Gestapo officer, the soldier loyal to his officer and assorted henchmen. The French are brave people resisting the Germans, although you don't get a lot of character development of them they still are memorable. My only dislike was how the story was left open at the end now I know that is just a plot device to get you to read the next story, but I like to have more resolution at the end of a story if the first one was good then I will read more by the author. I just don't like to have to guess what happened after the mission. I would recommend this book to anyone, who likes historical fiction set in World War I I.
June 16, 2020
A great historical fiction based on the real WWII raid on the St. Nazaire docks. Having visited this historic location since first reading the story in 2001, Evans' descriptions of the location gave it a realism that only a good author can.
March 18, 2018
LOTS of narrative but ooohhh what a story! The best historical semi-fiction I've ever read. Gives you a small glimpse into the hell that was WWII.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews