Sixty Minutes for St. George

Nicholas Everard Saga #2

by Alexander Fullerton

The second of Alexander Fullerton's novels featuring young Sub Lt Nick Everard. It describes mine-laying operations, coastal patrols in foul Channel weather, and savage clashes with enemy destroyers, climaxing with the raid on the German base at Zeebrugge on St George's Day 1918.

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

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

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

[KOMET · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicholas Everard, blooded at the Battle of Jutland and from taking part in numerous offensive patrols in the English Channel, volunteers to take part in an audacious attack against the German U-boat base at Zeebrugge, Belgium, in the spring of 1918.

[Charles Nordstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent read though not quite as fast paced as the previous book in the series until the very end. The description of the historical Zeebrugge raid is very colorful and dramatic. I think the book would be enhanced if there were an epilogue that actually described the battle, its impact, and then placed it in historical context with reference to the novel. Still, all-in-all, it is a good read and I highly recommend it.

[Simon Slidders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fullerton, or Everard, is getting into his stride now. The rhythms of the book and its writing are now stronger and flashbacks well placed, with multiple view points of the final battle, but the writing is as suspenseful during patrol and minelaying exercises as it during full blown battle scenes. I may be forced to read another !

[Anthony King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fullerton's specials.

I have given this novel four stars simply because, although the story has the usual Fullerton storytelling elan, there are far too many hyphenated words, most of which are unnecessary!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am officially hooked on this series. Extremely immersive, action packed and an in depth feel of the WW1 sea warfare between Britain and Germany that you do not read about in general WW1 history books.

[Mike Whitehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naval action at it's best

First World War action chronicled as fiction brings the war at sea into perspective by Alexander Fullerton, This second in the series shows Nicholas Everard at odds with a new captain, autopsy

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for these books/ stories. Balls out, rampaging action with good character humor. Well written. Hard to put down. Won't waste my time with courtroom drama and the next predictable serial killer stories...

[James Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting description of the Dover Patrol and Zeebrugge Raid in 1918. The action sequences depict the chaos of battle very well.

[T.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another interesting read

I have read this and this first book now. I am enjoying the series no end, so on to the third.

[Greg Rampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed and authoritative

A lot of RN destroyer detail, good story line and an interesting look at WW I RN actions which aren’t well known.

[Alistair · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting read with relatable characters. Great attention to detail that doesn’t detract from the story.

[Glenn Colucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. Very enjoyable if you like a lot of nautical terms and such. Highly recommended.

[Gilbert Zoghlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting English Navy yarn.

Fullerton is a superb story teller with a terrific depth of detail of WWII naval warfare and the British who fought it.

[Malcolm · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an historical novel based on the raid on Zeebrugge by the Royal Navy on 23 April 1918. However, the blurb does warn us that the raid is the "climax". There is much to read before we reach this point.
Much of the novel is useful, showing the reader why the raid was set up in the first place. As well as the bloody war fought on land and in the skies, the English Channel was a significant theatre of war. In 1918, u-boats operating out of Brugges were causing much harm to the British war effort.
What we did not need was the subplots involving the main character, Nick Everard. His indiscretions while on leave, his step mother's affair, his rivalry with his older brother are not shown to be connected to the main story.
The account of the raid itself, is well done. It is exciting and has the ring of authenticity. It is just a pity we have so much to wade through first.

[Scilla · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Nick Everard series of naval battles in WWI. Nick moves from being Executive Officer of a destroyer to his own command at age 22. There is lots of action, although sometimes confusing. Nick is a likeable person and seems to be making fast progress in the navy in spite of having troubles with some of his commanders.

[Joseph Youren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit disappointed in the second of this series. Historically, these are top-notch. Characters are interesting and the relationships are fascinating, but not fully developed. This is a good series for those who are interested in WWI naval history and want to see a serious illumination of historical circumstances. Entertaining, but a far shot from Patrick O'Brien.

[ricky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

A second fantastic story featuring Nicholas Everard. A real taste of how combat at sea was like during the great war.