Sword of Honour

Richard Bolitho #25

by Alexander Kent

Sir Richard Bolitho returns from a wearing campaign in North American waters to take up a command in Malta. As England's long war with Napoleon reaches its end, will Richard Bolitho's longing for peace—both public and personal—be fulfilled?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Nautical, War, Military Fiction, Adventure

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

A pseudonym used by Douglas Reeman.

Series:
* Richard Bolitho
* Adam Bolitho

Reviews

[Charlie Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book the Admiral dies. In the last 5-6 books the author has developed the romance between Catharine and Richard more than the relationships between the Admiral and his " we happy few", those officers that he had developed as Captains in his mold and thought. I was put off by a good seafaring novel turning into a graphic romance novel. The story of Sir Richard Bolitho ends and the story of Adam Bolitho will take up from there.

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

After 25 books following the career of Richard Bolitho, from midshipman to full Admiral, this great fictional naval officer is killed in a battle that wasn't supposed to happen, after he had orders to return to Britain to the woman he loved. It is about his posting to Malta, a country that keeps on coming up on my life. I really got into this character and this book caused sorrow and hurt. There are 5 more books in the series and they will be able the career of Richard's nephew, Adam Bolitho, who is now a naval captain. Adam has been a main character in many of the previous books.

[Megan Baxter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know there are many people who love these books, and others of the genre, dearly. And I mean no offense to them when I say, these are not for me. I don't care enough about life at the sea, and even with the rum and occasional flogging, the books are far too antiseptic to satisfy the historian in me.

Also, military history. I don't really give a rat's ass about military history. Those who do, good on you. But it bores me to death. Give me a rousing social history any time.

Maybe it was the wrong choice to start my foray into this genre with one of the last books in the series. But I'm not sure it made that much of a difference, unless someone can tell me that things have changed dramatically in between books.

So, in this one, the Napoleonic War ends and then doesn't. And ships battle other ships. And women are left behind. (Yes, I'm being overly reductionist here, but the book tends to pencil in details rather than paint them.)

And that is my one real quibble with the book, the others being mostly just that it isn't to my particular taste. The writing was far too opaque sometimes. There were sections I had to go back and read again and again and again to figure them out, and still sometimes I couldn't. Showing me instead of telling me might be good practice, but details are important too. For instance, no matter how many times I read the passage, I have no bloody idea how the main character died. Was he shot? Hit by shrapnel? Had a heart attack? WHAT? TELL ME! .

So, this story of how Admiral Bolitho almost gets out and then they pull him back in! was fine, but not for me.

[Anne-Mammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So after reading the majority of the Bolitho books, I've come to the end. This review refers in general terms to all Richard's career and personal life. Each book is of course a stand alone, but there is a chronological progression in his life to which Kent skilfully refers for those readers who have not read every book.
Generally speaking, the strength of the books lie in the description of life aboard ship, the naval battles and the relationships between the men, the "Happy Few" and the "little crew". Kent is at his weakest dealing with romantic relationships and I would agree with many other reviewers that Richard and Catherine's love can be somewhat nauseating.
Because the Publishers provide us with a time line of Bolitho's life with the names of the relevant book, I knew this was the book which featured his death and as I read it, the impending event became harder and harder to bear, yet when it happened in the last few pages, it was something of an anti climax. Very low key.
There seems to be a general consensus that the last 4 books in the series which focus on Adam Bolitho, Richard's nephew, are less interesting, so I think I won't read them, yet I'd like to know what happens to Catherine. Does she marry Sillitoe, I wonder? What about George Avery? Does he find love?
I did enjoy this series of books though and certainly, if you like naval adventures, Patrick O'Brian or CS Forrester, you'll enjoy these too.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished Sword of Honour, book #23 in The Bolitho series by Alexander Kent. I read the first Bolitho novel when I was in high school after completing the Horatio Hornblower series by CS Forester. Since then I have read both series a number of times, with the exception of the last twelve books in the Bolitho series, which I am reading for the first time. As there are five books remaining in the series, I was quite surprised when Admiral Bolitho was killed by an enemy marksmen during a sea battle in Sword of Honour. Yes, it’s only a book, a fictional story, but it is sad and bittersweet because as I’ve noted, these books and their characters have become old friends.

[Scilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is #23 in a series about the British navy. At the beginning Napoleon has been defeated, but before the end he has gotten off Elba. I read this book because it supposedly took place in Malta. Although Admiral Bolitho is on the flag ship in Malta, he only briefly goes ashore. The book switches back and forth between Richard Bolitho and his lover and his nephew, Adam Bolitho, who attacks Washington in the War of 1812, and then becomes captain of a new ship. The book goes through a few battles and one learns a little about the characters and their retainers.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the final book for Richard as he passes away, quite unexpectedly and not in that great of a battle. Sent to Malta after the 1st peace with Napoleon he gets involved with the various Pirates and Corsairs of Tripoli who are harassing the British. He realizes too late that people are attempting to spring Napoleon from Elba which leads to his demise. I thought this book was kind of flat and like a lot of the more recent books has a lot of personal stuff, especially Catherine in London. With the next 4 books being about Adam we will see how they progress.

[Michael, Jago · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of the Books written by Douglass Reeman (Alexander Kent) and enjoyed every one. If you want a Historical novel you are in the wrong place, likewise they are not always historically correct. However if read as a bit of adventure in the late 18th/early 19th century British Navy ,than these books you will enjoy.

[Jim Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

A so-so book but with a truly surprise ending. Kent is getting less focused on naval affairs and spending more time on romantic involvement. IMO readers of naval fiction are not so much interested in characters love lives and the state of their relationships with wives/girlfriends.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

The series has finally run out of steam, and Richard Bolitho has died in battle...what more did we expect. All good things must come to an end.

[Roy Higgins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry not for me I found it slow and bitty.

[David Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

😥

[Billy Forbes]

End of an era Richard is dead.

[David Magee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexander Kent's books are really good, I only wish that they would stay at 99p as I am a pensioner.

[Boulder Boulderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only one thing really happens in this book, but in fairness it's a big one. But the series gets weaker and weaker to be honest.

[Mati · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am huge fan of Age of sails book and I consume them with vigour and enthusiasm of starving person who was just released from dungeon. I do not read the Bolitho saga in proper order, I am simply taking the books as I get my grasp on them. The number 23 is Bolitho slaughter...yes the main character is gona die and his life is recapitulated in the manner that you want to strangle the brave sir Richard with your own hands and you practically celebrate his death. Mr Kent has a great talent for despatching his characters on the other side in the most gruesome manner or he makes reader to wish the most horrid way of dying for poor unsuspecting character. This book is good summary of previous 23 and it closes whole saga for Richard and open it for Adam Bolitho. Mr Kent simply take new victim in his paws. I will sell this book as soon as possible in order to buy another volume of Bolitho saga.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 23 in a series about the fictional character Richard Bolitho in the British navy. This book takes place during the time Napolean was imprisoned on Elba. The main character is not portrayed as perfect, and is not an action hero.

The ending of the book, as is in the author's style sets up the next book. The author first pages in the next book of the series picks up right after the end of the previous book. The story line is progressive building on all the previous books in the series.

This book was a good read for relaxation. I was not impressed with the last portion of the book, but it was not out of character for the author or the story line.

Even though there are a lot of books in the series (this was number 23) I recommend reading the books in order. They are not long books as compared to many being published today, but they do tell a good story set in naval warfare during the last 170os to the early 1800s.

[Gerold Whittaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 23rd book in the Bolitho series. It is 1814 and Admiral Sir Richard Bolitho returns to England after several months on the North American coast only to be dispatched to Malta soon afterwards.

Just when he gets the word to return home however, a strange sail is seen on the horizon...

The ending of the book sets up the start of a fresh series starring Adam Bolitho as he takes up and clips on Sir Richard's sword in place of his own.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad but somewhat predictable conclusion to the main series. That said the way the author has somewhat shifted the plot onto Adam does make me want to read the extension series. But maybe I need to get some alternative books in having read about 10 in a row!

[Roger Franks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end of an era

I wait to read the next chapters in the saga , not of one Bolitho as we have been following but now of a dynasty, I felt the moment of Bolithos death could have been done better it almost seemed rushed to finish...

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Momentous episode in the series! Wonderfully written historical fiction.

[Rick Byam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still takes me to sea and a different time. Good historical journey.