Kydd Series
[ Click to download full list of KYDD titles, in order ]
The Kydd Series, closely based on real events from history, is the story of one man’s journey from pressed man to Admiral in the Great Age of Fighting Sail. There are a projected 26 titles in the series. Although they form a series, each book can be read alone as a complete story. They are available as hardbacks, paperbacks, e-books and audiobooks; a number of titles have been translated into French, German, Portuguese, Russian and Japanese.
Having to endure my first ever hospital stay, I decided to re-read the first three Kydd novels and get on with the rest of the (ahem) canon. The start of the first novel always stayed with me since the first read in about 2003, it was so descriptive that I felt illl myself! I wasn’t disappointed, the magic remained -although I have to say, the remainder of the tale had been lost to the mists of time – I was hooked once again and although I’m a slow reader it doesn’t detract from my immersion into the era.
On reflection, perhaps reading Kydd’s first boarding wasn’t the cleverest thing I’ve ever done considering I’d just gone under the surgeon’s knife! So descriptive, it really got the imagination whirling!
I’m driven to ask you Julian what you must have thought of Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin novels, for surely you HAVE read them – I have, twice. I’m not going to:draw a single comparison however, because I’d fall short of doing either of you justice. I love this era and to have rediscovered your Kydd novels has set my mind ablaze with the possibilities – I can’t wait! The narrative is full of explanations of the sailing era that I can’t possibly pretend to understand – I served on board many of Her Majesty’s ships in the (19)70’s as a Royal Marine, therefore my knowledge of sail is what I’ve learned from O’Brian and am still learning, but now from you!
Loving your work and looking forward to where you’re going to take me in the future.
Thank you Julian, and thank you for your service.
Hello, Stuart – firstly, best wishes for a speedy recovery! Delighted to hear you’re enjoying my Kydd tales second time around. Yes, I’ve read O’Brian (and many others in the genre) and have a great admiration for his work but of course but we write from different perspectives
Well I’ve just finished book 22 after reading them back to back, so if that says I enjoyed them so be it. I was gripped from the first. Kidd became real and found myself willing him on to succeed, which of course he does. The language created a curiosity and a colourful insite into social levels perhaps not appreciated today. I heard say that some struggled with the technical terminology and made it known, however in my view regardless of that it added flavour and meat to the backdrop of Kidd’s journey. No, I’m not aufait with the terminology, but it added depth, in the sense the motion of the ship and it’s mechanics. If one wants to know what things mean do as the author did and research. I found myself immersed and standing next to Kidd willing him on. The supporting characters have been masterfully created and I feel that Kidd’s successes would not have been so had it not been for these, almost guardian angel like. The series had its moments of monotony as to padd out, not too often I might add, was every book as intense as the next? no! but every book drew you into the next, an immensely compelling read. Come on Mr. Stockwin get busy we’re hanging here waiting for the next rip rollicking journey. As a series 5 stars, this story made my covid lockdown so much easier and for that, thankyou.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Dave. Rest assured there will be more Kydd tales…
I have just finished all of the Kydd series currently released, and enjoyed them all I was hooked after the first book and couldn’t help but binge the whole series which has not dipped at any point threw all 23 books definitely the best series I have read of the era and probably now my favourite series of books I have ever read. The attention to detail is unparalleled and characters are excellent I’m currently listening again on audible and enjoying them even more. I would just like to say thank you for these great books and the hours of enjoyment and entertainment you have given me, I’m hungrily waiting for more.
Sean – great to hear you enjoyed my Kydd tales so much. Still a few to come…
I have to concur with the comment above and I’ve read many sea stories being a professional mariner myself. I can immerse myself into Kydd’s life and relish the accuracy of the seamanship depicted. IBooks appears to be selling book 24 as To the Eastern Seas, which I’ve already read… anyway I look forward to the real book 24 and subsequent Kydd tales
Hello, Julian,
A note on the frigate “Tyger”. Until I read “Eastern Seas”, I had thought that Tyger was a 36 or 38: tough, strong, and roughly same as “Shannon”. Now I find that she is a 32. Was that in your novel that introduced her? Perhaps my eyes and brain were frosted over. As I mentioned to you, I missed my subway stop because I was lost in far northern waters, with your blizzards and icebergs.
It strikes me, though, that “Tyger” hits harder than a 32.
Is it time that Captain Sir Thomas Kydd be promoted to command a 74? And then to admiral?
(Now adventuring with you along the Balkans)
Best regards,
John Welch
Yes, ‘Tyger’ is a now 32-gun frigate and thanks to Kydd’s insistence on gunnery excellence she packs a punch greater than many other 32s! Note that these guns are now long 18 pounders, the heaviest short of a ship of the line.
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