Invasion

Thomas Kydd #10

by Julian Stockwin

In the 10th book of the popular series, rumors fly of Napoleon’s planned invasion of England, and British naval commander Thomas Kydd is sent to liaise with American inventor, Robert Fulton, who has created “infernal machines” that can wreak mass destruction from a distance. Fulton believes that his inventions, namely the submarine and torpedo, will win the day for the power that possesses them, and Kydd must help him develop the devices. Despite his own scruples, believing that standing man-to-man is the only honorable way to fight, Kydd agrees to take part in the crucial testing of these weapons of mass destruction, which just may decide the fate of England.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Nautical, Historical, Adventure, War, British Literature

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Julian Stockwin was sent at the age of fourteen to Indefatigable, a tough sea-training school. He joined the Royal Navy at fifteen. He now lives in Devon with his wife Kathy. Julian has written 24 books to date in the Kydd series of historical adventure fiction, the story of one man's journey from pressed man to admiral in the age of fighting sail, and a non-fiction book, 'Stockwin's Maritime Miscellany.' His latest Kydd series title is THUNDERER. And, he's also published two historical standalone novels, THE SILK TREE, set in the time of Emperor Justinian and THE POWDER OF DEATH, about the quest for the secret of gunpowder.

Series:
* Thomas Kydd

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in 2009, and its the 10th volume of the wonderful "Thomas Kydd" series.

In this tale Napoleon's forces are poised to invade Britain, and Thomas Kydd, after his glorious actions in the Atlantic reinstated as Commander of his ship HMS Teazer, in full action amid the British fleet.

Willing to fight for his country, he's called away and sent back to Dover on a secret mission to guard a mysterious American inventor.

Furious to be called way from the heat of the action and supported by his angry superiors about losing him at the thick of the action, he'll soon realise that his mission is much more important than at first believed.

What is to follow is an astounding naval adventure, in which Thomas Kydd and his crew will play a major part in winning a crucial victory over the French, and all this is brought to us by the author in his own admirable and authentic fashion.

Highly recommended, for this is another tremendous addition to this brilliant series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "An Amazing Invasion"!

[Simon Brading · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only slightly weak link in the series so far. The book is still good, it's just that Kydd is stuck doing something other than what he's best at and it isn't quite as enjoyable. Next book in the series is called Victory, though, so that should MORE than make up for it!

[Jake Cooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good, but a lot of time ashore & not many battles.

[Joseph Feldman-Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite out of the books so far. I like that Renzie had his own thing going on and I enjoy the story but yeah. I have a feeling a lot is setting up for the next book/books to come.

[Philip · Rating 1 out of 5]

Looks great from the cover doesn't it ?

It's not.

If you like your Napoleonic sea warfare written in shivermetimbers gobbledegook then this is the book for you.

If you don't, then don't bother.

I didn't.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Onto book eleven...Victory

[Cindy Vallar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having cleared his name, Thomas Kydd returns to his beloved Teazer albeit with a new first lieutenant who is reliable but neither ambitious nor innovative. Orders return them to the coast of France to search for enemy vessels. These are to be destroyed or taken in any way possible, for Napoleon is preparing to invade England and the Royal Navy is the country’s first line of defense. Upon encountering an enemy escorting a British prize, Kydd attempts a night boarding to retake the ship. The unsuccessful bid results in Nicholas Renzi, Kydd’s longtime friend and ship’s clerk, to suggest an alternative. The risk is high, but Kydd takes the chance. The result makes Admiral Saumarez realize that Kydd and Teazer are needed elsewhere where they can be used to better effect.

Kydd’s new orders assign him to Admiral Keith’s Downs Squadron, situated near the English Channel and close to the action. A brief meeting with his commanding officer makes it clear that on this station, Kydd’s first duty is to destroy the enemy no matter what. First, though, he must learn exactly what he faces and how dire the situation is for his country. This takes him to London where he becomes privy to closely guarded information about Napoleon’s plans and capabilities, as well as English plans to thwart the invasion. The newspapers are also rife with rumors of all sorts of strange inventions that the French emperor will use to achieve his goal of conquering England. Kydd’s secret meetings reveal that anything, even the most preposterous idea, may indeed be possible. Before long, he discovers the reality of this and the dilemma it poses to the way naval wars are fought.

During this time, Kydd returns home to visit his family. The experience makes him realize just how much he has changed since he first departed Guilford as a wigmaker. He decides if he wishes to go any further in his career, he must reenter society. To that end he hires a special tutor to turn him into the gentleman he must be to hobnob with those with power and influence.

Renzi, on the other hand, is summoned to a secret tête-à-tête to which not even Admiral Keith is privy. He is asked to participate in the negotiations for a prisoner exchange, although this is merely a cover for his real purpose. The cartel ship will get him into France and while there, he is tasked with finding an inventive American and persuading him to work for the English, whom he detests, instead of Napoleon. Otherwise, Renzi must kill him.

This tenth installment of the Kydd Sea Adventures provides a rousing fresh perspective about the invasion threat that England faced during the Napoleonic Wars. Stockwin draws the reader in with danger and possibilities and then clearly shows the personal struggle that seamen faced as new ideas threaten duty, morality, and traditional rules of engagement. Woven into this excellent tapestry are elements of everyday naval life, such as the savagery of sea combat and hand-to-hand fighting, searching for an AWOL crew member, and edge-of-your-seat lifesaving gambles. At the same time, readers glimpse life in Paris during the war and what it’s like for an enemy to openly walk the streets there. Equally compelling are the scientific inventions that are introduced, the conflicts they arouse, and how personal experiences can be melded with new ideas to provide alternative ways of achieving goals. Along the way, readers meet such historic people as Robert Fulton, William Pitt, Admiral Keith, and Captain Frances Austen (Jane Austen’s brother). Invasion is a thought-provoking experience filled with exploits to interest fans of historical fiction, nautical fiction, and even steampunk.


(This review originally appeared at Pirates & Privateers: http://www.cindyvallar.com/Stockwin.h...)

[Marten Wennik · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I mentioned in one of my reading updates, a more appropriate title for this episode of the Kydd tales might have been, Threat of Invasion or The Wasted Efforts. For all the pages of this book, Stockwin cheats us of the actual Invasion that is implied in the title. While I find the concept of this story compelling, to a point, for me it falls flat in the end. The majority of this pages of this book are devoted to the development of Fulton's secret visionary weapons of war and too drawn out and almost too laborious to read. I am reminded that Tom Clancy once spent roughly 37 pages explaining the precise milliseconds of a nuclear bomb detonating (wonderful science, but boring reading), which almost made me put down The Sum of All Fears before completion. Regardless, Stockwin's efforts do not really advance the characters of Kidd and Renzi for me, nor does this tale continue to develop their lives, learning, or experience forward much at all. I applaud Stockwin's efforts to use his characters and plot to try and address the horrors of weapon development and the lack of honor in warfare today (guided missiles, predator drones, nuclear devices), but I think that many readers would probably have appreciated a more action-packed story of sea warfare of the times.

Similarly, I was disappointed that Stockwin used a somewhat trite mechanism that marked the end (in my mind) of adventure writer Clive Cussler. When Cussler started writing himself into his own Dirk Pitt tales and adding random meetings with future famous people, his stories were clearly losing steam and needed vain and unbelievable moments to tickle the reader's fancy. Stockwin, in this story, has Kydd meet Jane Austen's Uncle (or was it brother), who is a naval officer admonishing Kydd for his attempts at bringing attention to some slacking troops. As the way out of this uncomfortable moment, Kydd somewhat randomly refers to his "particular friend" Renzi, who is writing his first book. Austen's kin casually mentions that he has a female relative who aspires to write and might someday make a name for herself. As a result, the tense moment is ended. This is just too contrived for my taste.

All in all, this book (Stockwin adds in his acknowledgments that he is proud of this, his tenth book - a milestone in his mind), does not do justice to the series and almost makes me rethink taking up his next book. Yet, I am so invested in Kydd and Renzi, that I will, but with a bit of reservation and concern that Victory may not return to the fine tales of the Kydd Series.

[Viva · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a fan of this series but not really a fan of this book.

Spoilers ahead:
I've been reading his series out of order. Most of the action takes place out of the sea. In the first part Renzi is tasked with finding the American inventor (Fulton) of the submarine, who is in Paris, and finessing him to come over to England. He had been trying to sell his project to the French with the hope of them financing it and then giving him royalties.

The second part is Kydd being taken off action stations and working with him to make a proposal to the Admiralty to manufacture the product for warfare. This fails but Fulton is given the lesser proposal to make and test torpedoes (which are actually just mines).

I find it hard to believe that these torpedoes/mines (gunpowder enclosed in a wooden barrel with a timed ignition) is not already known because they are described in Hornblower and the Atropos as flying fuses inside watertight barrels to blow up underwater wrecks. They aren't really torpedoes as I know them because they are not self-propelled. I also read about Fulton after reading this book and it doesn't seem like that Fulton tried torpedoes (either to propose or test them). And it was all made moot when the French fleet was defeated and the threat of invasion was over.

I also fast read through a lot of stuff that had to do with Renzi because I'm not a big fan of his. In general I think Stockwin's books can cut out a lot of fat and side stories and be quicker to read and more thrilling. This book reminds me a bit of what Hornblower and the Crisis would be like if it were finished.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Thomas Kydd is prepared to defend England from a pending French invasion. Patrolling the coast is one of his duties along with acting as Naval liaison to an American inventor. This man, Robert Fulton, has designed a mysterious war machine known as a submarine and a new weapon called a torpedo. Kydd’s friend Renzi has secreted Fulton out of France so he can work for England. Kydd is assigned to run trials with his ship Teazer in the hopes these designs can stop Napolean’s fleet. Having sworn to uphold the ideals of the military, Kydd has his own reservations about the inventions. These new secretive weapons of mass destruction may change warfare as he knows it. But he must do his duty and be prepared by any means possible to stop the French from an impending invasion. A fast-paced story, this tale gives a glimpse into Robert Fulton the artist, engineer and inventor along with the development of these early concepts. As always, Kydd is ready for action in his role as stalwart hero.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

# 10 in a series, Julian Stockwin said there will probably be 20 books in the series. Currently there are 19 available. This novel took an interesting and frightening turn when Kydd encounters the inventor of the prototype of the torpedo. I can imagine how horrified the English were when they realized the potential for this weapon of mass destruction. Which strikes me as funny, since they didn't seem to upset with blowing each other up with canons and rifles....I look forward to the rest of the series. If it does end on book #20 I hope that it wraps up nicely.

[Terry Steinborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting entry in this outstanding series. This one concerns the efforts of Robert Fulton to develop the submarine and underwater torpedo for naval use during the Napoleonic War. Kydd is assigned to support Fulton in his efforts to develop these ominous weapons for use by the British Navy. The book disappoints somewhat by not containing much in the way of naval battles, but it does present an interesting historical footnote, and presents much of the agonizing over the potential changes in warfare that would occur in the 20th Century.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The inclusion of Robert Fulton adds an extremely interesting addition to this story. I have read several Napoleonic period series of books, but this is the first time that Fulton has made an appearance. It was also news to me that Fulton had been a successful portrait artist before he became known for his mechanical inventions.

The tension is palpable as French forces amass on the southern shore of the Channel. England is in real peril and they know it.

Very good story that makes me look forward to the next. Recommend.

[Helena Westlake · Rating 1 out of 5]

I mean it was ok, but to be honest this is the only one out of the series I have read, and it was for school. It's not really engaging for me, and I have missed a lot of information. I got frustrated at the fact that Fulton worked so hard on his submarine, and it became a failure. All that good work down the drain for nothing. Very disappointed. Also, I couldn't tell what is actually going on in the book, I mean one minute Kydd is on his beloved ship being shot at by cannons and the next he is stabbing someone in the chest...I mean it's missing the flow of things.

[James Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slowdown Time

To me Invasion seemed to be a "slowdown" of action and adventure and a book dealing more with politics, personalities and personal problems. Not that this is not a good book and well worthy of read but the author of this series has me, by now, so ready for cannon fire, billowing canvas, boarding and strategy and I have problems with any perceived change in pace.

[michael d holder · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alas, like TV sitcoms the first season or two was good, then the quality begins to fade. There are still good action scenes, but our beloved author has begun writing for his own fun and not our entertainment. While there is much to learn about the history of the Napoleonic wars, elucidation is not the main point in historical novels.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kydd is back in good standing in the British Navy. Napoleon is threatening to invade Britain and Kydd is tasked with exploring ways to prevent this. He is working with Robert Fulton, the inventor, to work on torpedoes in an effort to damage the French and prevent the invasion. This covers the same events as one of the Alan Lewrie books that I read recently.

[Ron Ehrke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing. The worst book of the series so far. Too contrived with the introduction of Fulton and his would be submarine. Please get back to the swashbuckling adventures and the friendship and interaction between Kydd and Renzi.

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another average Kydd book. Restored to duty and back on the Teazer he is sent back to Admiral Keith to help defend England against the pending invasion. He is seconded to help inventor Robert Fulton develop new weapons to be used against the invasion fleet. Very little action in this one.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Kydd Adventure down ... bring on the Next!!

[Jay · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this genre for seafaring and swashbuckling, not spy and tech.

[Carol Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my least favorite book by Julian Stockwin. I noticed that whenever "Toot" was in the scene, I found my mind wandering and having some difficulty keeping an interest going.

[Shelly Lincoln · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the strongest book in the series, but I'm still in my Napoleonic era phase so enjoying these immensely

[Mr.Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Might be the best book of the series.

[Ben Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always going to be a fan of any naval adventures, and this book didn't disappoint!

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

More concerned with invention of gadgets like torpedoes and submarines. Boring story compared to his previous books in this series.

[Oraklet · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read. It's perhaps not as action filled as the earlier books but it's still intriguing and keeps the reader captivated.

[Michael Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s early in 1805 and Commander Thomas Kydd, now a seasoned commanding officer under fire, has regained his job and his ship in this tenth installment in the series (roughly the halfway point, from what the author says), and is sent to join Admiral Keith’s squadron in the Downs off the southeast corner of Britain. Napoleon is busily preparing his invasion forces and the Downs Squadron -- whose ships are mostly too old or too small -- is doing its best to disrupt French activities. The set-piece engagement in the first part of the book is a very nicely done large-canvas portrait of the Royal Navy coming down on an enormous fleet of invasion barges filled with troops and their guardian warships as they move down the coast to a rendezvous at Boulogne. Kydd takes his sloop into the thick of things and comes out bruised and bloody but still game. While his ship is being hastily repaired, however, he’s seconded (much to his displeasure) to nursemaid an American inventor who has been slipped out of France -- Robert Fulton, later of steamboat fame, but here the inventor of WMDs. Fulton has devised, built, and successfully tested an undersea boat (the first Nautilus) for the French, the implications of which are staggering for the Royal Navy. Nicholas Renzi, ex-nobleman, struggling scholar, and Kydd’s particular friend since their days before the mast, got a taste of spycraft in the previous volume of the series and didn’t like it a bit. But now he has been inveigled into sneaking into Paris and persuading Fulton to leave, which he manages to do. Kydd acts as facilitator to the inventor, who convinces the Admiralty to underwrite the construction of a series of torpedoes -- though they balk at a submarine -- to be delivered by more conventional means against the French invasion fleet holed up in Boulogne. Evidently, all this actually happened, more or less as Stockwin describes it; definitely a “little-known chapter,” as they say. But the author gives no indication of whether the climactic attack itself actually occurred. I’ll have to do some research to satisfy my curiosity, I guess.

As it happens, Stockwin does a much better job when he sticks to naval matters. The earlier part of the book, when Kydd must hazard his little brig-sloop as part of the attempt to prevent Napoleon’s invasion fleet from completing its preparations, is much more convincing and satisfying than when Renzi is wandering around Paris trying to talk Fulton into leaving France. Bonaparte’s secret police were notably efficient and I frankly find it hard to believe Renzi wouldn’t have ended up in a deep cell somewhere. In short, this is one of the less well done efforts in the series. Well, Trafalgar will be coming up very quickly. Will Kydd and his loyal crew have a part in that? He has the medals for Camperdown and the Nile; will he acquire a third one? And perhaps the author won’t have a reason to allow his hero to stray ashore or be diverted next time.

[D.w. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nautical Fiction and especially the era of the Age of Sail, or the Napoleonic wars has long been a genre that has had many writers create long, well thought out series. Patrick O'Brian and and CS Forester are among the most well known. Julian Stockwin has his tenth adventure of Thomas Kydd, once a seaman but has passed through the ranks to become an officer.

That has set up problems before for our hero, for he does not speak like the gentry and despite thinking that he should, he constantly reverted before to his origins. Now, he has decided to not go back and in a more modern fashion hires a tutor to help him learn to speak like the upper class that he thinks his wealth has now entitled him to.

By having the hero come from the lower class, he has missed out on the training of the young gentlemen who all came from good families that aspired to command of a king's ship. Here our hero has the skill to sail well and lead, but he forgets his place too often.

He is Captain Kirk, who is constantly with the red shirts in danger. Not Captain Picard sending his number one into danger. Far too often Kydd abuses his power still so that Stockwin can look through his heroes eyes to see what his happening.

It is a fault in Nautical Fiction that authors want to have their heroes experience so many things that they put them ashore. As we students of history at the tenth book of the series could not be trusted to have some knowledge that there was an invasion fleet and force gathering in France, Kydd is sent to the Admiralty and given a briefing on it.

Wait--the Admiral's flag lieutenant would have read the man in on such information, for Kydd commands a sloop. Not even a frigate. Then while in London, well he is now rich with prize money so the Captain at the Admiralty wants to take him to a party where the king happens to pass by.

The sidekick, another factor since O'Brian had brought Martin to our attention, gets to go on a secret mission to Paris in the midst of the war. It fills out the book and we are introduced to the interlude of what this book is about, the development of modern weapons, torpedos and submarines under Robert Fulton. But we miss out on the sea.

In the year between tales, this seems a let down. Even when Hornblower was sent around the world to the Western coast of the America's it was full of action in the midst of these wars. Here I find it lacking and think this is a bridge between some of the better books in the tale.

[Robin Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 10 (WOW...what a milestone) in a long running series that just seems to get better and better the characters keep growning and flowing with their ever expanding plot lines and movement into the ever larger arena of their times, as they and their careers / fortunes grow so do the scale and power of the troubles they encounter. The whole story and leaves the reader with a shanty lilt to their speech and a roll to their gait.

This is a book where i think we start to see a lead up to climactic book 11, it does have an element of a bridgeing book for me, but it does it with style and invention and in this case the submarine, i learned so much in this book and in the authors notes about the early sub, and it was as usual so well told you didnt know you were being educated while entertained.

All of this coupled with Julians obvious passion for the sea and all things nautical, this is a series that does rank up there with Forrester and O'Brian, every year i look forward to my new instalment of Kydd...but to get there you have to start at the beginning dont spoil it and come in part way.

Well recommended

(Parm)