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Fighting Sail #3
True Colours
The Royal Navy is immobilised by mutiny, and the only thing that's standing in the way of an invasion is a commander who is communicating with a fleet that isn't there. While Great Britain's major home fleets are immobilised by a vicious mutiny, Adam Duncan, commander of the North Sea Squadron, has to maintain a constant watch over the Dutch coast, where a powerful invasion force is ready to take advantage of Britannia's weakest moment. With ship-to-ship duels and fleet engagements, shipwrecks, storms and groundings, True Colours maintains a relentless pace that culminates in one of the most devastating sea battles of the French Revolutionary War-the Battle of Camperdown. Alaric Bond has stepped into the first rank of writers of historic naval fiction. The Third Book in the Fighting Sail Series
380 pages, Paperback
First published April 29, 2010
104 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Alaric Bond
24 books39 followersAlaric Bond has written for television, radio and the stage but now focuses on historical nautical fiction with twenty published novels, fifteen of which are in his acclaimed ‘Fighting Sail’ series.
Set in ‘Nelson’s Navy’ of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, these have no central hero but feature characters from all ranks and stations; an innovative approach that gives an exciting and realistic impression of life aboard a warship of the period.
Hellfire Corner is the first in an intended new series and marks a change in emphasis, although future ‘Fighting Sail’ instalments are planned.
Set in ‘Nelson’s Navy’ of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, these have no central hero but feature characters from all ranks and stations; an innovative approach that gives an exciting and realistic impression of life aboard a warship of the period.
Hellfire Corner is the first in an intended new series and marks a change in emphasis, although future ‘Fighting Sail’ instalments are planned.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 19, 2010
Alaric Bond’s new novel, True Colours, the third in his Fighting Sail series, is a fascinating and exciting look at a most perilous moment in British history. The novel begins in 1797. Britain is at war with the French and her Dutch allies. A French invasion force, supported by the formidable Dutch Navy is massing across the channel when the unthinkable occurs. The British fleet at Spithead mutinies. Not long after, the fleet at the Nore follows their example. The frigate Pandora returns from convoy duty after an attempted mutiny onboard, and only narrowly escapes being drawn into the Nore mutiny, as well.
The Pandora is dispatched to the North Sea fleet under the command of Admiral Duncan. It is, however, a fleet in name only. The great mutiny has stripped him of most of ships and so Duncan must pretend that his handful of ships is but the vanguard of a much larger fleet just over the horizon. If he can make the charade work, he may be able to buy enough time to gather together a fleet capable of defeating the Dutch and preventing an invasion.
There appears to be two divergent views of the Georgian navy. Most writers of nautical fiction portray the officers and the crew as Nelson did before Trafalgar, as a “band of brothers.” Other writers suggest that the Royal Navy traditions are as Churchill suggested, “Rum, sodomy and the lash.” (A fair case might be made for rum, anyway.)
What is intriguing about True Colours is that Bond demonstrates that the two views may be not necessarily be contradictory. The Royal Navy sailors were the best sailors and shipboard fighters in the world. They were also ill treated and taken advantage of by the Admiralty and the British Parliament. The demands of the mutineers were not unreasonable and a mutiny should never have been necessary. At the same time, a mutiny in time of war is supremely badly timed and the mutineers at the Nore did go too far. Overall Bond give us a nicely balance portrayal of the participants on both sides of the conflict.
Bond’s portray of Admiral Adam Duncan is also fascinating. An under-appreciated character in naval history, Duncan’s tactic of breaking the Dutch line, in the battle which would later be known as Camperdown at the climax of the book, precedes Nelson’s much lauded tactics at Trafalgar, by eight years.
In addition to portraying intriguing history, the writing in True Colours is simply wonderful. As with the other two books of the series, Bond does not focus on the young captain or a single character but shifts gracefully through the points of view of the officers and men (and in one case, a woman,) from the gun deck, to the cockpit, to the wardroom. In the hands of a writer of lesser skill, these shifts of perspective might feel mechanical or confusing, but in True Colours and his previous books, Bond manages to make these shifts feel completely natural and almost organic. His ensemble of characters individually and collectively convey the setting and action so much more effectively than if limited to the viewpoint of one or two characters.
With True Colours, Alaric Bond unquestionably ranks with the best writers of nautical fiction. Highly recommended.
The Pandora is dispatched to the North Sea fleet under the command of Admiral Duncan. It is, however, a fleet in name only. The great mutiny has stripped him of most of ships and so Duncan must pretend that his handful of ships is but the vanguard of a much larger fleet just over the horizon. If he can make the charade work, he may be able to buy enough time to gather together a fleet capable of defeating the Dutch and preventing an invasion.
There appears to be two divergent views of the Georgian navy. Most writers of nautical fiction portray the officers and the crew as Nelson did before Trafalgar, as a “band of brothers.” Other writers suggest that the Royal Navy traditions are as Churchill suggested, “Rum, sodomy and the lash.” (A fair case might be made for rum, anyway.)
What is intriguing about True Colours is that Bond demonstrates that the two views may be not necessarily be contradictory. The Royal Navy sailors were the best sailors and shipboard fighters in the world. They were also ill treated and taken advantage of by the Admiralty and the British Parliament. The demands of the mutineers were not unreasonable and a mutiny should never have been necessary. At the same time, a mutiny in time of war is supremely badly timed and the mutineers at the Nore did go too far. Overall Bond give us a nicely balance portrayal of the participants on both sides of the conflict.
Bond’s portray of Admiral Adam Duncan is also fascinating. An under-appreciated character in naval history, Duncan’s tactic of breaking the Dutch line, in the battle which would later be known as Camperdown at the climax of the book, precedes Nelson’s much lauded tactics at Trafalgar, by eight years.
In addition to portraying intriguing history, the writing in True Colours is simply wonderful. As with the other two books of the series, Bond does not focus on the young captain or a single character but shifts gracefully through the points of view of the officers and men (and in one case, a woman,) from the gun deck, to the cockpit, to the wardroom. In the hands of a writer of lesser skill, these shifts of perspective might feel mechanical or confusing, but in True Colours and his previous books, Bond manages to make these shifts feel completely natural and almost organic. His ensemble of characters individually and collectively convey the setting and action so much more effectively than if limited to the viewpoint of one or two characters.
With True Colours, Alaric Bond unquestionably ranks with the best writers of nautical fiction. Highly recommended.
June 17, 2010
In his new novel, True Colours, Alaric Bond continues the story of the frigate Pandora and the members of her crew. We are also introduced to some new characters in a story that skilfully takes us through the traumatic events of the two great mutiny's at Spithead and the Nore, as well as Duncan's struggle to blockade the Dutch with little support.
Culminating in the tactical manoeuvring of the Admirals, through cameo roles, and the bloody Battle of Camperdown, this novel was hard to put down as we were taken from one event to the next. The lives of Bond's characters, from all levels of Pandora's crew, continue to develop throughout, some in unexpected directions.
I thoroughly recommend this book and can't wait to pick up the next in the 'Fighting Sail' series>
Culminating in the tactical manoeuvring of the Admirals, through cameo roles, and the bloody Battle of Camperdown, this novel was hard to put down as we were taken from one event to the next. The lives of Bond's characters, from all levels of Pandora's crew, continue to develop throughout, some in unexpected directions.
I thoroughly recommend this book and can't wait to pick up the next in the 'Fighting Sail' series>
September 14, 2021
What a year!
What a momentous year 1797 was! The Jackass Frigate ended with the Battle of Cape St Vincent, this installment moves on to the great naval mutinies, and ends with the Battle of Camperdown. I like the way Katherine Black and Juliana have been added to the cast of characters, King is becoming a major character, and Captain Banks’ character is maturing. I especially liked being introduced to Admiral Adam Duncan of the North Sea Fleet. He is a great historical figure who was unknown to me. After I finished the book I discovered a very helpful glossary at the end. Darn! I also enjoy the Author’s Note at the end of these books.
The cast of characters is enormous. A list would be helpful. A map would also be nice. There is a considerable amount of historical detail which added to the story. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next book in the series.
What a momentous year 1797 was! The Jackass Frigate ended with the Battle of Cape St Vincent, this installment moves on to the great naval mutinies, and ends with the Battle of Camperdown. I like the way Katherine Black and Juliana have been added to the cast of characters, King is becoming a major character, and Captain Banks’ character is maturing. I especially liked being introduced to Admiral Adam Duncan of the North Sea Fleet. He is a great historical figure who was unknown to me. After I finished the book I discovered a very helpful glossary at the end. Darn! I also enjoy the Author’s Note at the end of these books.
The cast of characters is enormous. A list would be helpful. A map would also be nice. There is a considerable amount of historical detail which added to the story. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next book in the series.
January 5, 2023
A fine story about a naval battle that is not as well known as other nations British naval victories
The details of prisoner exchange were very enlightening. I enjoyed learning about th Dutch navy. They seemed to be infected by the same Teutonic attitudes as their German cousins. I look forward to more of the Fighting Sail series from Mr. Bond.
The details of prisoner exchange were very enlightening. I enjoyed learning about th Dutch navy. They seemed to be infected by the same Teutonic attitudes as their German cousins. I look forward to more of the Fighting Sail series from Mr. Bond.
October 10, 2018
loved it!
clearly well researched and a gripping tale. interesting characters without being too perfect and therefore unrelatable. already downloading the next in the series.
clearly well researched and a gripping tale. interesting characters without being too perfect and therefore unrelatable. already downloading the next in the series.
September 19, 2023
While this is "yet another" on the already-crowded shelf of Napoleonic-era naval novels, it is a worthwhile read. HM Frigate Pandora is on her way home to Portsmouth from a cruise where she recaptured a brig. She arrives to find that the anchored Channel Fleet in Spithead has had a mass mutiny with thousands of sailors refusing duty. Author Bond sticks very close to the actual history in this book, so readers get to learn about the mutiny, its causes, and the skillful way both mutineers and Royal Navy brass handle the situation. This mutiny could have resulted in chaos, paralyzing the RN at the same time as the revolutionary French (exporting their own brand of chaos) were preparing to invade the island.
While a novel could have been written about just this incident, the book continues on as the small frigate (I think she's rated as a 28, certainly a "jackass frigate" that was already obsolete as the story opens in 1797) sails shorthanded to avoid becoming involved in the mutiny. She sails north to meet the Sheerness-based fleet under Admiral Duncan, a historic character who is just one of the actual people who figure in the story. Pandora's captain is ordered to blockade the Dutch coast, where a powerful fleet is anchored near the Texel island. The French (Republican French, this is before Napoleon took over) have invaded the Netherlands and thereby captured this fleet. The maneuvering and tactics that led to the Battle of Camperdown are covered blow by blow in this account in an almost C S Forester style that keeps the reader on the edge of his seat.
A little like the Carlisle/Holbrook books about the Seven Years' War, this series can be read as history even though it's fictionalized. I've expressed doubts about that as a dangerous means of learning history because it will often distort the reader's view of what actually happened, but this book is very close to the facts and you won't go far wrong imagining the events in the book happened exactly as Mr. Bond tells them. Unlike Forester, Mr. Bond gives us fully realized characters on the lower deck as well as in the gunroom. A particularly good choice is the assistant surgeon, who is studying for his warrant even during the chaos of the mutinies.
I've read several other books of this "Fighting Sail" series and this one is among the best. You don't need to read them in order.
I minor nit is the ship's name. She's a fictional ship, but there was an earlier frigate by that name that was wrecked in the South Seas while on her way back from Tahiti with some of the captured Bounty mutineers. The author might have improved the story by using a different name for the frigate in this book.
While a novel could have been written about just this incident, the book continues on as the small frigate (I think she's rated as a 28, certainly a "jackass frigate" that was already obsolete as the story opens in 1797) sails shorthanded to avoid becoming involved in the mutiny. She sails north to meet the Sheerness-based fleet under Admiral Duncan, a historic character who is just one of the actual people who figure in the story. Pandora's captain is ordered to blockade the Dutch coast, where a powerful fleet is anchored near the Texel island. The French (Republican French, this is before Napoleon took over) have invaded the Netherlands and thereby captured this fleet. The maneuvering and tactics that led to the Battle of Camperdown are covered blow by blow in this account in an almost C S Forester style that keeps the reader on the edge of his seat.
A little like the Carlisle/Holbrook books about the Seven Years' War, this series can be read as history even though it's fictionalized. I've expressed doubts about that as a dangerous means of learning history because it will often distort the reader's view of what actually happened, but this book is very close to the facts and you won't go far wrong imagining the events in the book happened exactly as Mr. Bond tells them. Unlike Forester, Mr. Bond gives us fully realized characters on the lower deck as well as in the gunroom. A particularly good choice is the assistant surgeon, who is studying for his warrant even during the chaos of the mutinies.
I've read several other books of this "Fighting Sail" series and this one is among the best. You don't need to read them in order.
I minor nit is the ship's name. She's a fictional ship, but there was an earlier frigate by that name that was wrecked in the South Seas while on her way back from Tahiti with some of the captured Bounty mutineers. The author might have improved the story by using a different name for the frigate in this book.
June 17, 2016
It was an interesting book and a good story, and well worth the read. I felt that it passed the first of two major plot arcs - the mutinies at Spithead and the Nore - without focusing much on the impact within the ship or without, and somehow immediately all was forgiven and forgotten. Having a relentlessly happy ship with unfailingly competent leaders romanticizes it to an extent that makes for good adventure reading but in the end I think I prefer Richard Woodman's more nuanced portrayal of sailors as a mix of the good, the bad and everything in between. The battle of Camperdown, the second major plot arc, was well done. The "ensemble cast" approach was a refreshing change from other books, but I started to forget who the characters were (and particularly the appearance of other characters from previous books, i.e. the random Lieutenant).
January 3, 2016
Another fun romp through the Wars of the French Revolution, this time dealing with the sailor mutinies at Spithead and the Nore in 1797, and the Battle of Camperdown. This book follows directly from the previous (Jackass Frigate). The book continues the series format of telling the story from multiple perspectives, including both sailors and officers. All the characters are well drawn and the situation is realistic -- which means that the reader should not expect a small frigate to have a great impact to the situation. The author appears to care about telling the history accurately with his fictional characters than having his fictional characters perform fantastic feats.
July 25, 2013
This wonderful series continues as it started, combining exciting storytelling, authentic history and characters to care about. The novel covers the Nore mutiny, the build-up to the Battle of Camperdown and the battle itself (and in so doing, provides a fascinating alternative to the portrayal in Richard Woodman's A King's Cutter).
July 20, 2016
Great and well written series
This author did a good job of keeping me interested in the story. The characters were well background and the battle descriptions were exciting and well thought out.
This author did a good job of keeping me interested in the story. The characters were well background and the battle descriptions were exciting and well thought out.
August 28, 2015
Hmm, I think I like this book the best of the series so far. More variety in the type of action from some of the other nautical series. Perhaps not as realistic, but it makes it very interesting.
December 27, 2016
Love this series!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews