An Eye of the Fleet

A Nathaniel Drinkwater Novel

Published by McBooks Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
LIST PRICE $5.99

About The Book

Nathaniel Drinkwater's life at sea begins with the HMS Cyclops' capture of the Santa Teresa during Admiral Rodney's dramatic Moonlight Battle of 1780. Subsequently, Drinkwater's courage and initiative are put to the test as the Cyclops pursues American privateers threatening British trade and is later dispatched to the swamps of South Carolina, where many lives are lost both at sea and ashore.

Gradually, Drinkwater matures into a capable and self-assured sailor. As he contends with enemy forces, the tyranny of the Cyclops' midshipmen, and the stark contrast between the comfort of home life and the brutality of naval service, he finds strength and sustenance in the love of his beloved Elizabeth.

About The Author

Captain Richard Martin Woodman retired in 1997 from a 37-year nautical career. Woodman's Nathaniel Drinkwater series is often compared to the work of the late Patrick O'Brian. Woodman is the author of some two dozen nautical novels, as well as several nonfiction books. Unlike many other modern naval historical novelists, such as C.S. Forester or O'Brian, he has served afloat. He went to sea at the age of sixteen as an indentured midshipman and spent eleven years in command. His experience ranges from cargo-liners to ocean weather ships and specialist support vessels to yachts, square-riggers, and trawlers. Said Lloyd's List of his work: "As always, Richard Woodman's story is closely based on actual historical events. All this we have come to expect—and he adds that special ambience of colourful credibility which makes his nautical novels such rattling good reads."

Product Details

  • Publisher: McBooks Press (May 1, 2020)
  • Length: 192 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781493056569

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Raves and Reviews

Action to the bone, no romantic bilgewater, a first-rate account of conditions in Rodney's navy.

– The Observer

Nautical novelist Richard Woodman arrives in New World ports with the first three of 14 installments in the Nathaniel Drinkwater series, previously released in the U.K. between 1981 and 1983 and compared by critics there to C. S. Forester's Hornblower saga. An Eye of the Fleet, A King's Cutter, and A Brig of War are set in the late 18th century and find hero Drinkwater caught up in revolutions on both sides of the Atlantic. Those looking for high seas action and historical intrigue are in luck but these are strictly for devotees of the genre.

– Publishers Weekly

Packed with exciting incident worthy of wide appeal to those who love thrilling nautical encounters and the sea.

– Nautical Magazine

There is no doubt that Nathaniel Drinkwater rates up there with the best of the nautical world.

– Midwest Book Review

Well written and exciting.

– Latitudes & Attitudes

Woodman knows his ships and the sea and is a craftsman of great ability.

– Guernsey Evening Press

Brilliantly told . . . the characters are real and lively, the language similar; but above all it is a convincing and compulsive seafaring story.

– Oxford Times

. . . for all who like to read about naval action in the 19th century, told with gusto and bravura.

– Publishing News

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