Tenacious

Thomas Kydd #6

by Julian Stockwin

This book finds Thomas Kydd aboard Tenacious, part of a small squadron commanded by Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson. Its mission is to scour the Mediterranean and locate Napoleon and his army. Kydd's newly fired ambition leads him to volunteer for shore service in the capture of Minorca. Later, he faces the great ships-of-the-line at the Battle of the Nile as the British take on the French in a no-holds-barred struggle for supremacy in southern waters. But there is one more test to come: the Siege of Acre, where Kydd and a handful of British seamen under the command of Sir Sidney Smith face an army of thirteen thousand!

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

336 pages, Hardcover

First published October 10, 2005

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 2005, and its the 6th volume of the wonderful "Thomas Kydd" series.

In this tale, after bering feted by his fellow officers, Thomas Kydd and his crew on HMS Tenacious si summoned to leave Halifax, North America, in all haste and go to the Mediterranean, and join Horatio Nelson's "Band of Brothers", in an effort the locate the French fleet.

This French fleet is reported to set the Mediterranean ablaze, but they are nowhere to be seen, and so the search begins.

The ultimate confrontation with the French will be at the Battle of the Nile, where a decisive victory for the British will mean an enormous setback for the French, and that is followed by a most daring action by Kydd and a handful of seamen, under the Command of Sir Sidney Smith, with the successful Siege of Acre.

What is to follow is a fantastic naval adventure, with plenty of sea battles and naval actions that will thrill the hearts of lovers of this kind of warfare, and all this is brought to us by the author in his own authentic and impressive manner.

Highly recommended, for this is another superb addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Tremendous Tenacious"!

[Robin Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sixth book 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 gone is the innocence to the plot a new origionality pervades the whole story and leaves the reader with a shanty lilt to their speech and a roll to their gait.

This for me is the action book of the series, this is the famous battle of the Nile, first a cat an mouse chase that has the reader almost whispering through the pages building to the crecendo that is the battle itsself and oh so well told, the crash of the cannon, the shattering of the spars, the flying iron and splinters... it really is powerful stuff.
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)

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best Kydd adventure yet! Both on Land and Sea action aplenty but still that personal development of Character! 5 Star!

[Jake Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

more great adventures with Mr Kydd

[Joseph Feldman-Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent read (listen). Kydd goes on multiple adventures, though the last one I find to be personally the least interesting and therefore perhaps tainted my recent thoughts on the book, thus a 4 instead of a 5. Islands in the Med, battle of the Nile, then the siege.

[Cindy Vallar · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the year since the mutiny at the Nore, Thomas Kydd has gone from seaman to lieutenant and is now accepted as an equal among his fellow officers. His ship, the 64-gun Tenacious, is recalled from Halifax to support Admiral the Earl St. Vincent off the coast of Spain. As they sail across the Atlantic, Thomas sets his sights on a new goal of commanding his own ship, but the problem is how to achieve it. His friend Nicholas Renzi wrestles with a different dilemma, whether to continue in the navy or return to the life from which he exiled himself five years earlier.

General Buonaparte has his own plans of action. Barges large enough to land troops are being built in northern French ports and soldiers are massing on the coast. It seems he intends to put to sea, but for where? Whispers of Constantinople, of Egypt, of England are all possibilities, but where exactly is Napoleon once he successfully evades the British blockade?

This sixth entry in the Kydd Sea Adventure series incorporates a sequence of key incidents during the waning years of the French Revolution: the royals’ flight from Naples with the aid of the Royal Navy; the devastating fleet action at Aboukir Bay; a secret mission to capture Minorca; and the siege of Acre. Kydd emulates Nelson in hopes of getting noticed with a daring suggestion that evens the odds during the Minorcan expedition, and leading a contingent of seamen in a desperate bid to prevent Napoleon from reaching Constantinople. Along the way, he discovers what type of leader he wants to be and comes to terms with the consequences of betrayal.

Steadfast, stubborn, and resolute are synonyms of “tenacious,” a word that applies both to a warship and the men who serve on her. Stockwin allows his readers to stand side by side with the characters as they endure this riveting and harrowing account of a world at war.

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

[Randy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stockwin does something in Tenacious that neither O’Brian or Lambdin attempted and that is to take on the Battle of the Nile, certainly one of the most famous sea battles in world history, where Nelson destroyed the French fleet and temporarily stranded Napoleon in Eygpt. Kydd is in the battle and, at it’s conclusion is in a small boat searching for French survivors when the French admiral’s flagship explodes sending debris thousands of feet in the air. Kydd suddenly gets ambitious after attending a reception in Naples for the victors of the Nile. He is quite taken with Admiral Nelson and makes Nelson his model of bravery and leadership. Kydd decides to make something of himself although one could argue that he had done quite well already for a pressed man. However, one expects that in a series of more than twenty books Kydd will make further progress through the ranks. The next book is titled “Command” which gives us a clue. Renzi takes leave back to England to address his angry father’s concerns as to whether or not Renzi intends to come home and learn how to be an Earl and manage a large estate. Later Kydd has two land adventures. One in Minorca where he undertakes a secret mission and again at the Siege of Acre, one Napolean’s few defeats where he leads a group of sailors in defense of the fortress.

[Viva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've just discovered this series and I've been reading them out of order. These really should be read in order since the author has planned them all out and the series is chronological. I've already read the #7 book before writing this so I don't remember much of the story.

I like this series because the writing is easy to read and flows well. The characters are fairly simple and not written as 3D as CS Forester's series but there seems to be more detail in historical and technical aspects. The books are overall longer and cover more and often times there are parts not related directly to the protagonist (which I fast read).

Spoilers below:
This book deals with Kydd after he has been promoted into a lieutenant. He is a junior lieutenant in a 64 SOL and participates in the Battle of the Nile. I don't really remember much else of the story line as it runs together and I've finished #7 and now on #8.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Kydd finds his way on the Quarterdeck, he continually received opportunities to shine. Maybe too many. His ambition is developing and he is beginning to think that he may have what it takes to advance his career beyond his earlier imaginings. The interaction between Kydd and the Americans is an interesting aspect of the story. One weakness, in my opinion, is the "ease" with which they later cruised the Mediterranean as if these distances were not great and as if they were nearly alone in this busy body of water. Cruising the Levant was never as simple as it seems in this story. Oh well... Interesting tale.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment in the Kydd Sea Adventures finds Lieutenant Thomas Kydd in the Mediterranean under the command of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson as they seek to engage the French fleet and avoid an invasion of England. The scenery jumps around a bit as Kydd experiences some land action and ends up at the Battle of the Nile and the Siege of Acre. It’s fun following Kydd’s adventures and his rise in rank, but I’d like it even better if the stories were more cohesive. Such as, one main goal per book instead of a series of adventures that seem to hop around. Nonetheless, I care about the main character and will continue to follow his career as these stories provide both escape and education.

[Earl Rose]

This is a wonderful series with engaging characters...the two main mates are great friends and as opposites attract so well, here, the talk is quite engaging and lively. All of this is played out on the background of the Napoleon era with war and death just around the corner. Conveniently, a ship can only hold so many people so Stockwin presses this advantage with a crew behind the "stars"who help carry the weight. Kidd is from the common people and his pal Renzi (an assumed name on his part) has rejected his legacy that would lead him to become an Earl. And so on. Some moments are so strong that I had to put the book aside and re-read upon returning.

[James Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grabbed this book at the last minute before a 7 hour daytime flight out of Australia, and I'm glad I did. Unfortunately I'd not read the previous 5 installments, although, especially with the historical context, it wasn't too hard to figure out what was going on and dive right in. I've read all of the Aubrey Maturin series and sailing novels, the Napoleonic era, etc. never seems to get old, and even with some aspects learning as I go or figuring out a bit late (having not read the previous 5) overall impressive book and better than expected, will look forward to continuing the series with book 7.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most of the other Kydd adventures this is several short stories in one. The first finds Kydd and Tenacious after meeting Lord Nelson involved in the Battle of the NIle. Afterwards they spend time in the Kingdom of Naples. Kydd then undertakes 2 dangerous missions on land acting as a signalman/spy during the invasion of Minorca and then helping defend the city of Acre from Napoleon's army. Side story for Renzi where he goes home to England and has a confrontation with his father and family.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The adventures of Thomas Kydd continue. Kydd, now the fifth Lieutenant on HMS Tenacious, is part of Lord Nelson's battle group in the Mediterranean, hoping to trap and defeat the French under Napoleon. It covers the conquest of Minorca, the sea battle at Alexandria, and the siege of Acre. Kydd is determined to make a name for himself. Meanwhile, Renzi must deal with problems at home in England.

[Pastor Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the series

The reason I like this series, is that like Kent's Bolitho, all the characters develop over the years And all of them are simply human, dealing with what the fates bring them. These are simply heroes, they are men who rise for the moment to be heroes, then return to mortality and doubt.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tenacious, Quaterdeck and Admiral's Daughter where Christmas gifts from a friend. I was frustrated because the County library didn't have 2 of the books. I'm totally enthralled with the series. My friend was going to finish the series for me until they realized there are 26 books, lol. They stuck to the next 3.

[Keith Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read.

Not as sentimental as Hornblower or as complex as Patrick O’Brian but a good thrilling realistic read. On a par with Bernard Cornwall for realism and action. Though I always like the killing of a good villain at the end of a novel. Something only Cornwell delivers every time. Highly recommended.

[Jay Stansbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

How the soldiers and sailors of Nelson era suffered and yet prevailed is beyond me. This book especially, the whole series generally, painted a vivid picture of the horrors of war and the cruelty of the time such that I was completely immersed and awed. The research that Stockwin puts into his work is clearly evident and brings all the colours of the story to absolute believability.

[Kory Klimoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are great. They are well put together and written in a way that keeps the reader hooked and entertained. The level off detail in not only the facts but the story makes them a great read. I am limiting my reading of the series.
The audible reader is top notch and merits listening to.

[donald coslett& christine coslett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

I chose five because less would have been unfair to the author.Odd but true. He obviously nows a lot more about sailing ships than I so but more than that I feel I could have learned from him and pulled my weight. If only I wasn't seventy nine and disa

[Michael Combs · Rating 4 out of 5]

History that will stay with me

History is often taught as people, dates, and places, but the addition of personalities and ways of life brings a richness of understanding that classrooms didn’t. This was Chapter six; on to seven!

[Neil Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of much the same, shame how Kydd has become an officer so quickly. I think a few more books below decks would've fitted better into his timeline.

[Simon Slidders · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting in that it used the Battle of the Nile as the naval focus instead of Trafalgar, and the siege of Accra also interesting

[Allyn Voorhees · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars

[Greg Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exceptional writing Julian. Keep it up!

[MR R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. Description of the battle of the Nile was excellent.
The book helped continue developing Kydds character and ambition.

[Colleen O'grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories of Kydd by Stockwin are full of adventure and detail of life at sea during the late 1700s early 1800s. it was certainly a tough life. Stockwin weaves the tale around the historical events of that time, such as Napoleon and his army being stranded in Egypt and finding a way out of their dilemma, while the good ship Tenacious is ready to be part of the big naval battles with the French armada. His work is exceddingly well-written and researched

[Hisham1969 · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion this is the best of the Kidd books so far. Kidd finally emerges as a likeable, believable character, and the story is filled with thrilling battles on land and sea and good companionship on board Tenacious. It has plenty of detail of life aboard ship and in the Mediterranean at the turn of the 19th century.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this was probably a really good book read by an ignoramus! I picked this up as I helped build the present day "Tenacious" but building didn't prepare me for any of the ship language and my history is poor as well so I struggled with this. The narrative imagery for me had "period drama" written all over it.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one bites the dust. Catching up with Mutiny