'Elegantly plotted ... the writing has the power of a broadside at close range.' -- Oxford Times 'Well-written mixture of high-seas adventure and character-based drama ... impossible not to enjoy' -- Booklist 'Written with authoritative detail by a gifted storyteller who is passionate about the Great Age of Sail.' -- Western Morning News 'Stockwin's descriptions of the bloody reality of naval combat 200 years ago are memorably vivid, and reveal a profound respect for the seamen who were willing to sacrifice their lives to help save their country.' -- Yorkshire Evening Post 'More historically accurate than the Patrick O'Brian series' -- Royal Navy Sailing Association journal on the KYDD series 'This heady adventure blends fact and fiction in rich, authoritative detail. The author closely follows historical record, taking readers into the world-defining events of 1805.' -- Nautical Magazine 'The full-blooded seagoing adventures of Commander Thomas Kydd reach another thrilling chapter.' -- Peterborough Evening Telegraph 'This latest book is as fresh as the first to be published ... takes forward the careers of his two heroes in such a natural way that they feel to be a genuine part of history, interacting with the real story of Nelson, Trafalgar and Victory.' -- Firetrench

Julian Stockwin was sent at the age of fourteen to Indefatigable, a tough sea-training school. He joined the Royal Navy at fifteen before transferring to the Royal Australian Navy, where he served for eight years in the Far East, Antarctic waters and the South Seas. He was awarded the MBE and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He now lives in Devon with his wife Kathy. More information can be found on his website at www.julianstockwin.com.