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 Historic 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 using the contact form available in Contact Me. If you would like to receive a monthly email notification of what's new please subscribe to my newsletter. The site also covers all other nautical literature, both fiction and non-fiction in the Other Nautical Genres section. This is where you will find news and listings of naval fiction set after the Age of Sail.
Alaric Bond's new novel to be published by Old Salt Press
- Details
- Astrodene's HNF Blog
- Created on Saturday, 08 June 2013
- By David Hayes
I recently posted that Joan Druett was publishing her latest trilogy with a new venture, Old Salt Press, an independent press catering to those who love books about ships and the sea.
This exciting new project will be enhanced by the news that Alaric Bond's new novel, outside his Fighting Sail series, is to be published by them. Turn a Blind Eye will be available worldwide Autumn 2013.
"Autumn, 1801. Newly appointed to the local revenue cutter, Commander Griffin is determined to make his mark, and defeat a major gang of smugglers. But the country is still at war with France and it is an unequal struggle; can he depend on support from the local community, or are they yet another enemy for him to fight?
With dramatic action on land and at sea, Turn a Blind Eye exposes the private war against the treasury with gripping fact and fascinating detail."
Review: Eavesdropping on Jane Austen's England by Roy Adkins & Lesley Adkins
- Details
- Book Reviews
- Created on Friday, 31 May 2013
- By David Hayes
In their book Jack Tar: Life in Nelson's Navy Roy & Lesley Adkins explored the life of the ordinary sailor in the ships of the Napoleonic wars, but what was life like when they were ashore and for their families left behind? Naval fiction books will often depict the shore life of officers and their servants but the life of the ordinary seaman is usually restricted to visiting inns and brothels. In their new book, Eavesdropping on Jane Austen's England: How Our Ancestors Lived Two Centuries Ago Roy & Lesley explore what life ashore was really like for all sections of society.
The book makes extensive use of personal letters, diaries and manuscripts of the time, Jane Austen's being the most famous, to provide a detailed view of the everyday existence and experiences of the population. To explore the differences between the classes the book is divided into sections which explore each aspect such as "Wedding Bells", "Sermons and Superstitions" and "Leisure and Pleasure". The world of young people is also covered in "Toddler to Teenager"
This is an authoritative work which gave me a real insight into the day to day lives that produced and supported our seamen or the vast industries that provided the ships and supplies. It will become required reading for anyone interested in Georgian life and for prospective authors of novels set in the period. Recommended
'A Sea of Troubles' Paperback now available for order
- Details
- Astrodene's HNF Blog
- Created on Thursday, 23 May 2013
- By David Hayes
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The Paperback version of A new trilogy from Joan Druett
- Details
- Astrodene's HNF Blog
- Created on Thursday, 16 May 2013
- By David Hayes
What could be better news than a new book from award winning maritime historian and novelist Joan Druett? Well three books actually. Released together for kindle are the three books of the Promise of Gold trilogy, Judas Island, Calafia's Kingdom, and Dearest Enemy.
This release also marks Joan's move to a new publisher, Old Salt Press, an independent press catering to those who love books about ships and the sea. They are an association of writers working together to produce the very best of nautical and maritime fiction and non-fiction. Old Salt Press was launched by author and well known maritime blogger Rick Spilman.
Incidentally, Old Salt Press have announced that, to celebrate the publication of Joan Druett's Promise of Gold trilogy, starting May 15th and running through Sunday, May 19th, Rick Spilman's Hell Around the Horn will be free on Kindle. From May 18 – 20, Joan Druett's The Beckoning Ice will be free and from May 21 - 23, Joan's A Love of Adventure will be also be free. Some truly great fiction free! and an opportunity not to be missed.
Lone Star Rising: T.S. Wasp and the Heart of Texas (PB/K)
- Details
- Naval Fiction Releases
- Created on Tuesday, 14 May 2013
- By Jason Vail
Jason Vail recently released a new novel in his alternate US history series, Lone Star Rising: T.S. Wasp and the Heart of Texas, which is available in paperback worldwide and for download on Kindle.
British forces spread across the rebellious colonies, crushing all resistance now that George Washington is dead and the American army is dispersed.
But defeat is merely a reckoning postponed. A few die-hards flee west into the Tennessee and the unsettled wilderness beyond the frontiers of British control, where after many years a leader arises among them, Andrew Jackson.
Yet the British cannot ignore these upstarts, and Banastre Tarleton eventually arrives to crush them as well. Those who survive, lead by Jackson, escape into the Spanish Empire — to Texas.
The Spanish Armada (HC/K)
- Details
- Non-Fiction Releases
- Created on Saturday, 04 May 2013
- By Robert Hutchinson
A new book by Robert Hutchinson, The Spanish Armada, was released last month in hardcover and for Kindle.
After the accession of Elizabeth I in 1558, Protestant England was beset by the hostile Catholic powers of Europe - not least Spain. In October 1585 King Philip II of Spain declared his intention to destroy Protestant England and began preparing invasion plans, leading to an intense intelligence war between the two countries, culminating in the dramatic sea battles of 1588.
Robert Hutchinson's tautly written book is the first to examine this battle for intelligence, and uses everything from contemporary eye-witness accounts to papers held by the national archives in Spain and the UK to recount the dramatic battle that raged up the English Channel. Contrary to popular theory, the Armada was not defeated by superior English forces - in fact, Elizabeth I's parsimony meant that her ships had no munitions left by the time the Armada had fought its way up to the south coast of England. In reality it was a combination of inclement weather and bad luck that landed the killer blow on the Spanish forces, and of the 125 Spanish ships that set sail against England, only 60 limped home - the rest sunk or wrecked with barely a shot fired.
Caribbee (HC)
- Details
- Naval Fiction Releases
- Created on Saturday, 27 April 2013
- By Julian Stockwin
The latest novel in Julian Stockwin's Kydd series is now available for pre-order in hardcover, Caribbee. It is due for release in the UK on 24 October 2013 and in the US on 1 November 2013.
More than a decade ago, Thomas Kydd and Nicholas Renzi were in the Caribbean as sailors before the mast in the old Trajan. Now Kydd, a storied hero of Trafalgar, holds the glory of being Post-captain of the 32-gun frigate, L'Aurore. His almost unbelievable feat of self-advancement is the toast of his own crew... but the envy of others less blessed than he.
After unremitting war a Caribbean posting seems a welcome respite. But, in addition to the balmy warmth and turquoise waters, Kydd and Renzi find themselves facing a familiar threat as the French imperil Britain's vital sugar trade.
When more and more merchantmen begin vanishing from the sea, fear spreads. Before long, the sugar ships refuse to set sail at all. Now Kydd and Renzi must embark on a dangerous game of espionage, seamanship and breath-taking action in order to destroy this new and terrible danger to the Empire.
The latest novel in Richard Woodman's Kit Faulkner series, 
The latest book in J. D. Davies's Journals of Matthew Quinton, 
The latest book in Naomi Novik's fantasy Temeraire series, 