Hello and welcome to Astrodene’s Historic Naval Fiction.
This site is dedicated to the Age of Sail and the transition to steam, and in particular the time of "Nelson's Navy" when sailing ships roamed and fought throughout the oceans of the world. Probably most people have heard of Horatio Hornblower the hero created by C S Forester but over the years many more authors and their heroes have appeared and these pages will summarise them under the Authors A-Z. You can also find them via the Book Title Index. If you want to chat about them or read additional reviews and comments not on this site why not join my Historical Naval Fiction forum.
I aim to provide details of all the naval fiction novels from the age of sail that have been written, not just the Royal Navy but the US Navy, the Bombay Marine and others. Many of these books are now out of print so I have also brought links to purchase them together in the online store. Please browse the various sections for further information. Let me know if you find my pages interesting, or if you know of another author that should be included, by making an entry in the Guestbook or using the contact form available in Contact Us. If you would like to receive a monthly email notification of what's new please subscribe to my newsletter.
Although it is not due for release until 18 January 2011 the latest Alan Lewrie novel by Dewey Lambdin titled The Invasion Yearis now available for pre-order in hardcover worldwide.
The smashing series featuring the roguish Captain Alan Lewrie continues with The Invasion Year. After reluctantly saving the last French citizens left on rebellious Haiti, Lewrie finds himself invited back to London to receive honors from the King. Thanks to King George III and his uncertain mental state, the moment ends with a surprise for Lewrie—if not for King himself!
A Battle Wonby S. Thomas Russell, continues the adventures of Charles Hayden, the son of an English naval captain and a French mother. His hopes for a new command following his promotion to Master and Commander are dashed when the Port Admiral sends him back into his former ship, the frigate Themis, as a “job-captain” with orders to deliver the ship to Admiral Hood in the Mediterranean following which he will again be unemployed. Despite the lateness of the season the ship must join the escort of a convoy across the Bay of Biscay and the ships reputation as a "mutiny ship" soon finds his in conflict with the other escort captains.
This first book in the Maritime adventures of Charles Hayden soon had me turning the pages. Hayden, is a young lieutenant, the son of an English father and a French mother which has held back his career. When he joins his new ship, the frigate Themis, under the command of Captain Josiah Hart, the officers and men seem at odds with the captain and near to mutiny.
Hayden stuggles to maintain order and get the ship into the war without the support of his captain and you are soon wondering whose side he will take in the internal conflict.
I recently had recommended to me Robert Redick’s The Red Wolf Conspiracy, a fantasy epic which is almost exclusively set aboard the Imperial Merchant Ship Chathard, a 600 year old sailing ship of immerse proportions and age that sets out on a mission of mystery and intrigue with a huge crew and equally large and varied cast of characters.
Astrodene's Historic Naval fiction is pleased to have obtained an Interview with S. Thomas Russell who's new book A Battle Won is now available worldwide.
What can you tell us about Charles Hayden's new adventures in A Battle Won without spoiling the plot for readers?
Poor Hayden is sent to deliver the Themis to Admiral Lord Hood in the Med and as convoy escort to Gibraltar. Not only is his convoy pursued by an enemy squadron but his commander has been given a report on his character from Captain Hart. It does not go well. He’s then sent off to Corsica to help oust the French from that island. There is a lot of action and period detail in this book.
Astrodene's Historic Naval fiction is pleased to have obtained an Interview with William C. Hammond who's new book For Love of Country, due out in October, is now available for pre-order worldwide.
What can you tell us about Richard Cutler's new adventures in For Love of Country, without spoiling the plot for readers?
For Love of Country is set in the years 1786 to 1789. It is a time when the United States has an ever expanding merchant fleet but no navy to protect its fleet or trade routes. As such, the Barbary States of North Africa prey on American shipping by seizing ships and cargo, and by holding American sailors hostage until ransoms and tributes are paid. One such prisoner is a Cutler family member and Richard Cutler sails to Algiers to try to rescue him and his shipmates. Quickly finding himself in a viper’s den of intrigue and deceit involving many nations, Richard’s schooner fights a vicious battle against two heavily armed Arab xebecs. Victorious at sea, Richard travels to France, his mission to report to John Paul Jones, President Washington’s choice for U.S. emissary to the Barbary States. As the French Revolution erupts, Richard flees Paris in a desperate attempt to save a former lover and her two young daughters from the guillotine.
Although it is not due for release until 18 January 2011 the latest Alan Lewrie novel by Dewey Lambdin titled The Invasion Yearis now available for pre-order in hardcover worldwide.
The smashing series featuring the roguish Captain Alan Lewrie continues with The Invasion Year. After reluctantly saving the last French citizens left on rebellious Haiti, Lewrie finds himself invited back to London to receive honors from the King. Thanks to King George III and his uncertain mental state, the moment ends with a surprise for Lewrie—if not for King himself!
Author William C. Hammond has a new novel which is due for release on 15 October 2010, For Love of Country. Originally due for publication by Cumberland House in 2009 the company failed 6 weeks before it's release so this new Naval Institute Press version will be the true 'First Edition'
The Cutler family ship Eagle is captured in the 1780s, a time when America is weak and nations like the Barbary States of North Africa are preying on its commerce. Richard Cutler is sent to negotiate a ransom for his brother Caleb and the crew.
Although it is not due for release until February 2011 the latest Bolitho novel by Alexander Kent titled In the King's Nameis now available for pre-order in hardcover worldwide.
Filled with high-seas intrigue and sharp tensions, this nautical novel takes an intense voyage into the heart of Napoleonic-era Africa. The year is 1819 and Captain Adam Bolitho has been sent on an urgent but risky mission to make a fast passage from Plymouth to Freetown, West Africa, with secret orders for the senior officer stationed there. Due to the slave trade being declared illegal, ships in every harbor are waiting to be scrapped and officers have been cut loose without hope of future commands, thus Adam soon finds himself the object of envy and jealousy. In Africa he discovers unexpected allies and faces an enemy far more powerful and ruthless than any he has known before.
Although it is not due for release until 18 January 2011 the latest Alan Lewrie novel by 
The Paperback version of 
This first book in the Maritime adventures of Charles Hayden soon had me turning the pages. Hayden, is a young lieutenant, the son of an English father and a French mother which has held back his career. When he joins his new ship, the frigate Themis, under the command of Captain Josiah Hart, the officers and men seem at odds with the captain and near to mutiny.
Originally published on the 
Astrodene's Historic Naval fiction is pleased to have obtained an Interview with 
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Although it is not due for release until February 2011 the latest Bolitho novel by 