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The year is 1793 and twenty-year-old Thomas Kydd from Guildford, England, earns his living as a wig-maker, only dimly aware of the war breaking out across Europe. But then he is seized by the press-gang and forced to be part of the crew of the 98 gun line-of-battle-ship Duke William. From these humble beginnings Kydd eventually comes to love the sea and resolves to become a true seaman. Over the course of some fifteen or more books, his exploits will take him into dramatic encounters all around the world.
The series, based on real events from history, is the story of one man's journey from pressed man to Admiral. Eight books have been published to date - KYDD, ARTEMIS, SEAFLOWER, MUTINY, QUARTERDECK, TENACIOUS COMMAND and THE ADMIRAL'S DAUGHTER - this will continue with one book annually. THE PRIVATEER'S REVENGE comes out in October.
Julian loves hearing from readers about the Kydd
series. Despite the huge numbers of emails he receives he makes a point of
personally answering every one. Here's a small selection of comments, reprinted
with permission
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I am a fan of the Kydd series and what is amazing is that I am terrified of water, boats and the sea - but your books are so readable! Colin Lewsey
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I have read all of O'Brian and loved the series, but, for me your nautical descriptions and verbal picture painting is, well, The Best! Kydd is so real to life, thank you for many pleasurable hours at sea! Philip Hannah
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The way you construct your books `feeds' all the needs for a complete escape into another time and place, peopled with believable characters, superbly described and historically correct. Patricia Fray
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Through your fiction you are contributing to the wealth of historical data about a period of time that is now past. The immense amount of research, coupled with your personal nautical background and your writing style, bring together the statistics, the nautical engagement reports and the details of society at the time. By putting this together in the form of stories you make it interesting to read and take history out of the `dusty halls of academia' and make it accessible to the general population. Miranda Atwood
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I have read all of O'Brian and loved the series but for me your nautical descriptions and verbal picture painting is, well, The Best! Kydd is so real to life. Thank you for the many pleasurable hours at sea! Philip Hannah
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Many thanks for a real quality series on Thomas Kydd. I have to tell you that the copies at the local library (where I first came across your works) are well‑thumbed, dog‑eared in some cases and well read if the waiting lists are any indicator. Nelson Hoskins
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I like a flowing style of writing which you have. Your writing is consistently "flowing"; you write with a paint brush. You bring your characters alive! Mary Goose
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I came across Kydd by chance and after the first chapter I was captivated. But for the historical detail, Tom's plight, thoughts and emotions could have applied to a young man of any century and Julian Stockwin has the great ability to make the reader feel that they almost know the characters personally. Pam Hunt
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Looking forward to COMMAND and many more in the Kydd series - so don't put the pen down yet! Ian Noble
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Every day I travel for four hours by train and I'm really grateful to you for giving me the ability to set sail and pass the time so enjoyably. Hilary Spilsbury
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No matter how much I read there was something lacking - until I discovered Kydd! Evangelos Evlogidis
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You do real justice to a sailor's life and some things never change. I spent ten years in the US Navy - one of the things I remember most is sitting on the flight deck of the USS Biddle watching the sun set in the Caribbean. You have also done a great job of reminding me of the bond one has with his first ship. Fred Jamison
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Though a serving Warrant Officer in the Army I have always had a passion for naval fiction. I came across your books two weeks ago and bought the entire set to date. I'm just coming to the end of MUTINY and cannot put them down. Doug Kershaw
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Just keep writing, Julian, and I will keep reading them! Bert Perryman
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I am an avid reader but this was the first time I have read a sea adventure. Although I was sceptical at first I was quite amazed how the adventures of Tom Kydd kept me reading page after page. Thank you for the great writing and for raising my interest about sea life in the eighteenth century. Hamilton Westley
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Your story not only held my interest from start to finish but I felt more like I was present and part of the story than with any other of the great tales and tellers. I look forward to reading all of your books and pray that you will have the longevity to bring forth a goodly number. Gordon Fields
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Fantastic story teller! You can really see what Julian is writing about. If you are looking for a historically based series about the sea, this is it! Terence Ambrose
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Please keep your books coming! Having read all of the Forester and O'Brian books and having lost both of those fine authors now, I thought that was going to be it for quality maritime historical novels. That was why I was so pleased when your series came out. I look forward to the next book with bated page-turning fingers! Rob Hunt
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I really love the sea battles - you can almost smell the gunpowder! Brian Tagg
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I'm a devoted fan of Thomas Kydd. I feel bound to him as much as I have to all the naval heroes of the past. I can't wait to witness his rise up the steps of command. Larry Robertson
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I find your books absolutely fascinating; can't wait to get my hands on the next. I was checking my blood pressure at home, which thankfully was fine, except when I read your passage about Kydd taking his first faltering steps aloft. Powerful writing, or what! Stephen Sayles
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I have found a new naval series which makes the great age of sail truly come alive for me. I can hardly wait for the next adventure of Kydd and Renzi. Marc Stibbe
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Gee whiz! I just recently discovered you. Congratulations on some wonderful writing; I look forward to all of Kydd's adventures. Beryl Vogel
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Finishing your last book in a day's sitting left me (shamefacedly) cursing the fact that a) I read it too fast and b) you are not turning them out fast enough! Seamus McNally
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No writer has quite got to grips with the period and made me feel so close to the people as you do. Austin Hawkins
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Just finished your latest book. Once started I couldn't put it down. You are the best - can't wait to get my hands on the next one. Thanks so much! Oran Donner
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I've been reading age of sail fiction since high school and my library overflows but your books hold a special place of honour. All your descriptions of the sea ring so true. Eric Jungemann
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I just love your books and devour them! Your writing style is great and I congratulate you on your storytelling prowess. Patrick Bogert
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Thank you so much for the
Kydd novels. They're excellent. I'm a hopeless landlubber, sick after my
first trip below decks, but I love stories of the sea so please keep them
coming! Kevin Gossett -
I have loved Hornblower, Bolitho and other titles too numerous to mention so I was delighted when I came across yours. Life on board ship as seen through the eyes of Kydd, a common seaman, is a totally new perspective; I have been on board with him and his crewmates and suffered and struggled along with them. All in all a great read! Sally Wilkinson
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I thought I would let you know what I think of your Kydd series in one word: excellent! Once I have picked up one of your books I find it hard to put down. Allen Taylor
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You have woven descriptions of parts and ways of the sailing ship into a rich, inviting read, providing a depth of reality that really brings history alive. Adam Horwitz
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My only wish is that your books will come out faster. I am very interested in what will happen to Kydd next... Jeffrey Beecroft
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It's hard to say what I enjoyed most there is so much but perhaps it's the overall impression of being there that the stories impart. Pat Croley
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I look forward to reading many more of your novels. You are making a true contribution to naval fiction and blazing a new route. Les Mader
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I enjoy the pace, historical and technical accuracy and the author's ability to entertain from beginning to end. Ron Morris
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I love all the characters, the drama and learning new things. Lynda Grierson
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If you want an exciting story about life in the British navy in Nelson's time, Julian Stockwin's Kydd series is for you! David Pearson
These reviews are from the FIRE Project portals, an international on-line knowledge base