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Kydd

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Kydd

By: Julian Stockwin
Narrated by: Christian Rodska
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The year is 1793 and Europe is ablaze with war…
Thomas Kydd, a young wig-maker from Guildford, is seized by the press gang, to be a part of the crew of the battle ship Royal William. The ship sails immediately and Kydd has to learn the harsh realities of shipboard life fast. Despite all that he goes through, he comes to admire the skills and courage of the seamen - taking up the challenge himself to become a true sailor.©2001 Julian Stockwin Action & Adventure Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Sea Adventures War & Military Adventure
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This is where it all start for Thomas Payne Kydd, a wigmaker from Guildford who is press-ganged into service with Her Majesty's Navy. What ensues from here is a long-running series of genuine quality by an author who not only writes a thrilling yarn with engaging characters but who also knows his subject in great depth.

This novel introduces Kydd in the hardest of circumstances as a pressed man and follows him as he struggles to come to terms with a life at sea and the brutal rules that apply to it. It also introduces the highly enigmatic Nicholas Renzi.

As a first book in the series it is not without its issues. The naval terminology is borne from deep knowledge but can confuse the layman (like me) at times. The book is fairly derivative of other naval historical fiction and the characters clearly need more investment before we see them become fully rounded. Though in fairness, the character of a pressed man would be either one of a defeated man from the start or would take time to develop.

This may sound slightly critical but peruse the reviews of the rest of the series and it's easy to see the quality that Stockwin brings to bear. The book itself is still highly enjoyable. What is undoubted though is that Christian Rodska hits the right tone right from the very beginning and does a superb job of the narration.

This has become one of my favourite series in the genre. If the above seems critical and you like this kind of fiction I would say don't be put off. This is just the beginning and when all is said it's a more than decent start!

The Launch of a Top-Notch Series

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well and truly hooked on the writings of Julian Stocks in, especially Kydd series, bought the lot of them

Kydd

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thourally enjoyable .Good story line well read ,moved along nicely. looking forward to the next tail.

Good story line most enjoyable .

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Loved the story very detailed in bits of history & the makeup of the ships involved.
All characters distinctive & interesting. Narrator Christian Rodska did a sterling job on all the characters

Gripping historical naval story

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Great story, fantastic narration, enjoyed every minute. , can't wait to read the next one in the series!

Great immersive story

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