Product Description

Napoleon's forces are poised to invade Britain, and Commander Thomas Kydd's ship is at the forefront of the fleet defending the English coast. His honour restored after temporary disgrace in the Channel Islands, and reunited with his ship Teazer, Kydd seizes the chance to fight for his country.

Then Kydd is abruptly withdrawn from the fleet and sent back to Dover on a secret mission to guard a mysterious American inventor. Having worked his way up from press-ganged seaman to captain of his own ship, Kydd is furious to find he will miss his opportunity to prove himself in battle. And Kydd's baffled superiors are equally angry to lose Kydd and his ship at such a dangerous time.

Yet Kydd's role in the approaching war may be the most crucial part he has ever played.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11174 in Books
• Published on: 2009-10-15
• Binding: Hardcover
• 352 pages

Review
'Stockwin has done a wonderful job of keeping control over a breakneck chain of events with his usual delicious sprinkling of salt to complement it. Well done!' (Ty Martin, former commander of USS Constitution )

'Another thundering good read for those who love seagoing stories in the Hornblower mould' (Peterborough Evening Telegraph on TREACHERY )

'Another ripping yarn' (Good Book Guide on TREACHERY )

'I was soon turning the pages almost indecently fast...Roll on, the promised adventures of Kydd and Renzi' (Independent on KYDD )

'Stockwin paints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-line...the harsh naval discipline, the rancid food, and the skill of the common sailor are all skilfully evoked.' (Daily Express on KYDD )

'Stockwin is a born storyteller and, with his series of intriguing sub-plots, a man with a vivid imagination. Importantly, his research is accurate and first class. Treachery is highly recommended.' (Flagship on TREACHERY )

'An absorbing tale' (Firetrench on TREACHERY )

About the Author
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. In Vietnam he saw active service in a carrier task force. After leaving the Navy rated Petty Officer, Julian practised as an educational psychologist. He lived for some time in Hong Kong, where he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Reserve. 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.

Customer Reviews

Another Brilliant Kydd Adventure
INVASION is another brilliant read by Julian Stockwin. His faithful attention to historical detail in this fast-paced tale places readers in the moment, as his narrative unfurls. The facts behind Robert Fulton's activities during the war are relatively obscure, compared to his invention of the commercially successful steamboat. But this authenticity is what I've come to expect from Stockwin. The particulars of Kydd's world, so well drawn in Stockwin's words, add texture to the fabric of his prose. It is the authenticity and human sides of Kydd and renzi that continue to draw me back again and again. Invasion is yet another master stroke from Stockwin's pen. I look forward to the next chapter in Kydd's life, VICTORY.

Historical Accuracy
On reading about Robert Fulton's submarine, I went onto the internet and there it was, a whole raft of information about the demonstration to Napolean of a submarine. Also Torpedos and their failure against the French Fleet.
I do enjoy the narrative accuracy of Julian's novels and the trials and tribulations of Kydd as he moves from the lower to the quarterdeck. A different perspective from other writers whose characters tend to start at the quarterdack.

Disappointing?
Not up to Stockwin's usual standard, the story lacks pace and becomes quite tedious in the middle of the book leaving me pleased to get to the end! Is he drawing out this long running saga to make more books out of it? Rather than leaving me wanting more like the previous books, I'm not sure I'll rush to buy the next one