The Kydd Series
“Historical fiction is a tricky beast. As a writer you have to keep your history in proper shape while combining it with a narrative that someone actually wants to read. Score two out of two for Julian Stockwin.”
– Daily Mail
The Kydd Books
“One man’s journey from pressed man to Admiral in the Great Age of Fighting Sail…”The Thomas Kydd Novels [ Download PDF ] |
Julian Stockwin 
Loving your Kydd series Julian I’ve already finished “Yankee Mission” how long do we have to wait to find out if Kydd can win his place back with the Admiralty and bring about the steam revolution?
Having loved the Alexander Kent and Hornblower books I was looking through our local Library this summer and came across ‘Kydd’ and was hooked, I have now added the Kydd series to my library and have just finished ‘The Baltic Prize’ and started ‘The Iberian Flame’ and put Numbers 21 to 25 on my Christmas wish list.
Thank you for giving me hours of pleasure.
Eric
Last October I picked up “Kydd” on a whim. Ten months later I finished “Thunderer”, and in the throes of withdrawal restarted the series.
This last year has been a challenging one for me, starting a new job in a new field for the first time in over a decade. I’ve taken inspiration from your books and Tom’s success through skill, passion, and hard work.
Thank you for all your work, and I look forward to wearing them out for years to come.
– Greg.
Hello from Canada, Mr. Stockwin!
Last October I picked up “Kydd” on a whim. Ten months later, I finished “Thunderer”, and in the throes of withdrawal restarted the series.
In that time I decided to take a second stab at “Master and Commander” and though it is doubtless a classic, I find your contemporary writing style much more accessible, while still effectively transporting me back through time.
The last year of my life has been marked by the start of a new job, my first in a decade, and Tom Kydd’s rise through the ranks on the shoulders of skill, experience, and (not a little) luck has inspired me through several hard times.
Thank you for your works, and I look forward to wearing them out for years to come.
– Greg.
Love your books. Anxious to read “Yankee Mission #25 when it comes out. Do you know when it will be available in Hardcover version in the US?
early in the New Year
Hi Julian
Just finished your fanastic collection of Sir Thomas Kydd read back to back start to finish couldn’t put my Kindle down even at work😂 can’t wait for the next few books to be released when is the next book 26 available please
October
I got my copy for Christmas and have read every one. I have truly enjoyed reading these books over the years and have helped me in my own research of historical nautical maps. I was involved in getting the George Vancouver Map of the west coast designated as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark with Britain, USA, Canada and Spain Engineers participating in the award ceremonies in Canada and Port Townsend, WA. My family had 3 motor boats growing up, but my older brother is the sailor in the family still at 80 years old. I designed many marinas on the West Coast of Washington. Ports of Everett, Edmonds, Des Moines, Friday Harbor, Cap Sante in Anacortes, John Wayne Marina in Sequim and Port Orchard, the draft for the keel of the sailboats and designing for mean lower low water was key for low tides at marinas and the mouth of the Snohomish River system. As well as several projects for the US Navy at Adak Alaska, Bremerton Navy Shipyard docks and moorings and an airfield in Honduras with support medical facility for Operation Big Pine in the 80’s. I also was involved in helping design 3 boat ramps for Port of Everett on 14th Street, Don Armeni Boat Ramp in West Seattle where I grew up and the one at the John Wayne Marina from 1975-1985 at Reid Middleton and Associates. I spent the last 34.5 years as County Hydraulic Engineer rising up to Chief Engineering Officer for Snohomish County, Washington before I retired in 2019 and worked part time a few months a year until 2021.
My family heritage is from England I have been told, but the furthest I have been able to trace our line was to a Rector in the Episcopal Church who graduated from General Theological Seminary in New York City in 1840 a George Nisbet Sleight.
Great books, read two, remind me of “Dewey Lambdin” Alan Lewrie of which I read all of the series, as his well written. Those, of course read a
some in the niddle of the series before starting at the beginning. Just finished “Command”.
Thanks John
Mr. Stockwin,
I have been enjoying the Thomas Kydd series via audible. I don’t get much time to read any more and my poor old eyes just aren’t even hat they used to be after a long day’s work at the computer. I cannot tell you how much it has meant to me to be able to partake of them in this manner. I listen every day while I am working and I will be starting on Thunderer tomorrow. I have gone through the whole series non-stop in just a short few weeks! Thank you for creating such an engaging character and stories in my favorite genre!
Mr. Stockwin, I have read all the Thomas Kid series, just finished Thundered, and I can’t wait for the next one. Will he make Admiral? I found that after I start reading one I almost can’t put it down. Thank you so much. They are wonderful.
Great to hear you’re enjoying my books so much, Dwight. Possibly a few more books before he makes admiral…
I just wanted to say thank you for some of the best books I’ve read about the Royal Navy in the napoleonic war.
I’m a ex Royal Navy sailor and I’ve been fascinated with you in-depth in sight story telling that brings the story of Tom kydd to life.
Can’t wait for the next book
Lee Millington
I was given two of your paperbacks for Christmas, so far I have read all the Kydd series, also the Silk Tree and the Black Powder and brilliant they all are too, I’m a budding writer myself, but not yet published anything, basically I don’t have the funds, but hoping one day to be able to, out of the two latest additions to my library, which of these two comes first, – ‘The Eastern Seas’ or ‘Balkin Glory’ ? I am ex RN myself by the way. But I regret I only did 12. Cheers, from another old salt,
Delighted to hear you’re enjoying my work, David, and thank you for your kind comments. TO THE EASTERN SEAS comes before BALKAN GLORY. And good luck with your own writing endeavours!
Thank you! The Kydd series is a joy to read. I savor each one. I grew up in a fishing family and have always felt a pull towards water of any kind. I started with Travis McGee, the John D. MacDonald series, then Aubrey and Maturin. From there, I don’t know if you’re much for science fiction, the Destroyermen series by Taylor Anderson creates a wonderful progression of naval might in a ‘new’ world. My wife helped me find the Hornblower books but toward the end of that series, I was thought that might be it. She introduced me to Kydd and I’m loving the research and talent you’ve applied to his creation. I can only hope there are more on the horizon. I just finished Tenacious and have the next book waiting on my desk. You’re series, liked the previous I’ve mentioned, causes me to resist the urge to read them all at once for fear of not having a new one to look forward to. Ultimately, my point is to say thank you. Your work is deeply appreciated. Carry on. (Please) – Lee Adkison
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about the Kydd Series, Lee, and rest assured there are more to come after THUNDERER, out this October. Anchors aweigh!
I was given Caribbee and I am excited to read your works. However, I realize it’s one in the series so my question is, should they be read in order?
not necessarily, but many readers prefer to read them in order
Yes, read them in order if at all possible.
I think it’s better to go in order but they do review past events every time.
I have just paused after shoving off with Kidd and Toot (Invasion) leaving their pursuers behind to drop you a note of thanks. After O’Brian I felt landlocked. Then I ran into Kidd.
Now I am signed on like a faithful deckhand. And like the hoveller of Deal, I honor you for your taut writing. Reading this series reminds me that great writing and good stories, even about the same subject matter, can come from different perspectives. Nothing Renzi derives from reading is any more pleasing than spending my days venturing with this series of your books. I am no sailor, but your books make me a willing lubber to learn the ropes. Fair weather and full sails. Richard Dorsey.
Pleased to have you aboard, Richard!
What an opening for Invasion!
I am a great fan of the Kydd series. Please write as many as you can. I am sure it will prolong my life if there is another on the horizon. Captain of a ship of the line, Vice admiral, Admiral.
Are you planning to write anymore books in your excellent “Moments in History Series”?
Nigel – certainly hope to do so but am concentrating on the Kydd series for the moment. Delighted you enjoyed THE SILK TREE and THE POWDER OF DEATH
Please don’t stop writing the Kydd books, fantastic read.
I read Kydd in July 2018. Am now on Pasha. Some I obtain from the marvellous library in Southsea Portsmouth. I’ve never enjoyed a series of book more. I’m so glad there’s more to come because although I can’t read them quickly enough I dread them ending. I used to be a sailor’s wife and now I’m a guide on HMS Victory. Thank you so much for the hours of pleasure and information your books give me.
Anne – always like to hear from a lady reader! Thank you for your kind comments.
Hi Anne,I live in Southsea and am a member of the dockyard and Parmy rd Libray, a regular visiter to Victory may see you on board one day after the current crisis regards Michael Parks.
I have all of your Kydd series in paperback and have read then many times!- each with even more enjoyment.
Is there any prospect of the publishing of the series in a collectors compendium set ?
My paperbacks won’t stand up to much more usage and I would love a bound set to keep for future years!
Nigel – pleased to hear my Kydd tales are giving you so much pleasure. At the moment there are no plans for a compendium set but hopefully this will eventuate at some point in the future
G’day Julian,
I have read all the Kydd series and look forward to each new book with relish, though I have a question on the series, when you first started the series you said it was the story of Thomas Kydd from Pressed Seaman to Admiral with approx 20 books in the series, we are now about to get number 20 in June and 21 in November and no sign of him even being a promotion to Commodore let alone the eventual promotion to Admiral , can we expect maybe a promotion in 22?
Thanks and regards Mark Harbour
Well I have found the historical record such a rich source of inspiration that I now think the series will run to at least 26 titles…
Wonderful news that there will be more adventure that previously thought. I just this minute finished A Sea of Gold, and started the Kydd series in July 2019. I can’t get enough of it, and am a huge fan. When can we expect the next book? Kimberley Waterfield
BALKAN GLORY is out this October
The RN of the period was all about seniority on the List.You only advanced when there was a vacancy.
In my time in the RN/RNZN one or the formal toasts was “Bloddy war or sickly season” to which the response was “and quick promotion”
Hello!
I’ve recently discovered your books and they’ve kept me going during lockdown. I love the combination of seafaring, action and realistic romance. Struggling to lay my hands on Command and The Admiral’s Daughter at the moment as the Amazon well has run dry. Any ideas where I could lay my hands on them?
I assume you’re after hardbacks, Matt? They’re basically out of print now but you may find ‘used’ copies on sites like Abe. The paperbacks are still available new.
Hello!
Thanks so much for replying. It’s actually the new paperbacks I’m struggling to source!
Thanks,
Matt
What country are you in, Matt?
Hello again!
I’m in the UK and trying to buy soft copies of Thomas Kydd 7 and 8. Amazon seem to be completely out and only have used copies for sale.
Thanks,
Matt
Awesome Kydd series, was introduced by an elderly neighbor having a clear out of several books, but not the first volume, once I read that from the library I have been hooked and working my through them all.
Julian, I’ve read all the Kydd series and have just started on ‘The Silk Tree’, where I notice ‘The Crakys of War’ announced…
However I don’t see any evidence anywhere of it actually being published. Is it under another title, or…?
Looking forward to the next instalment of Kidd and the next GameChanger – and thank you for your gorgeous prose and riveting plot lines!
Best regards, Tony.
Thank you for your kind words, Tony. The next book in the GameChangers Series is now retitled THE POWDER OF DEATH. https://www.facebook.com/The-GameChangers-Series-903673289759330/ It comes out in August.
OK, thanks for clarifying, Julian!
I took a pause when I first read this paragraph, and came back to it several times before completing this marvelous story. This is the kind of writing that keeps readers hooked to reading, searching for another gem such as this. Marvelous:
“There never was a definite time. Never an exact defining instant at which England finally vanished. One moment the far line of the land was there, only just, and the next time Kydd remembered to look, there was nothing but a horizon innocent of anything but the rimming seascape. It should have been a special moment, leaving his native country astern, but he only felt a curious separation, one in which England carried on with its own cares, duties and pleasures down one line of existence, while Kydd and watery world went another.”
Kydd, by Julian Stockwin, page 112 of the McBooks Press, Inc. paperback edition
Sir,
I’ve just finished Tyger and it is bittersweet: knowing the adventure continues, but having to wait until next October.
I can only describe your latest edition to Tom Cutlass’ adventure a complete triumph.
Your transition from L’Aurore to Tyger with the introduction of so many new characters was seamless, however nice to see old Toby Stirk still rattlin’ around.
Given I am a Bray myself, quite a big fellow with a dark complexion and an ex-navalman too, I could not help but warm immediately to Tyger’s new first.
I thank you sir and eagerly await the next instalment, passing the time by going back over Tom’s adventures past.
Warmest regards,
Mr Bray
Mr Bray – thank you indeed for your kind words about my latest Kydd title. It always gives me special pleasure to hear from Old Salts! Best wishes, Julian Stockwin
6
Mr Stockwin.
Having just finished ‘Yankee Mission’, I’ve now read the whole series, so far in your excellent Kydd novels. As a sport sailor, and as one who passes through Brittania College, I have never enjoyed novels as much as yours. I look forward to the next. Thank you.