It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide
The Flag Captain

The Flag Captain

(The Richard Bolitho adventures: 13): a rip-roaring, rollicking adventure on the high seas from the master storyteller of the sea

Summary

If you love adventure, tight plotting, excellent characterization and vivid writing, set your course for this compelling and captivating naval adventure from multi-million copy seller Alexander Kent. Fans of Patrick O'Brian and C. S. Forester will not be disappointed. Do not miss out!

'One of our foremost writers of naval fiction' -- Sunday Times
'Fans of the Hornblower stories have a treat in THE FLAG CAPTAIN...The book is full of action - and character.' -- Sunday Mirror
'Engrossing' -- ***** Reader review
'An emotional tour de force' -- ***** Reader review
'Typical Alexander Kent " Bolitho " novel - every book in the series has kept me enthralled. I struggle to put them down until the end' -- ***** Reader review
'Superb with unexpected twists and turns, fascinating plot lines and gripping descriptions of naval battles' -- ***** Reader review
*****

1797
: Richard Bolitho brings the 100-gun Euryalus home to Falmouth to be flagship of the hastily formed squadron which has been chosen to make the first British re-entry to the Mediterranean for nearly a year. As flag captain, Bolitho is made to contend with the unyielding attitudes of his new admiral, as well as the devious requirements of the squadron's civilian advisor.

England is still stunned by the naval mutiny at Spithead, in which Bolitho's admiral was personally involved, and as the squadron sets sail, the air is already alive with rumour of an even greater uprising in the ships at the Nore.

Only when the squadron is drawn to a bloody embrace with the enemy does the admiral see the strength in Bolitho's trust and care for his men - but by then it is almost too late for any of them.

Bolitho's adventures continue in Signal, Close Action!

Reviews

  • One of our foremost writers of naval fiction.
    Sunday Times

About the author

Alexander Kent

Alexander Kent's great interest in the ships and men of the eighteenth century navy was aroused when he was still at school. Although he attended fleet reviews and explored modern warships and dockyards with his father, he found that the great days of square riggers and battles at close quarters captured his imagination. H.M.S. Victory, Nelson's flagship at Trafalgar, was always high on his list of regular visits.

He served in the Royal Navy as a young man, and saw action in the Battle of the Atlantic and other major theatres of war, but his first love of the great days of sail remained unshaken.

Now firmly established as a leading writer of authentic sea stories, he was the author of twenty-eight acclaimed books featuring Richard Bolitho. Under his own name, Douglas Reeman, and in the course of a career spanning forty-five years, he wrote over thirty novels and two non-fiction books. He died in January 2017.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more