Alexander Kent

  • 29

    Catalog books

  • 35

    Works

  • 1973 to 2003

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Alexander Kent is the name behind the Richard Bolitho novels, a seafaring series that follows a Royal Navy officer from midshipman to captain. These books — from Midshipman Bolitho to The Flag Captain and Honour This Day — combine shipboard detail, rigging drama, and naval command tension.

Beyond Bolitho adventures, Kent’s titles such as The Darkening Sea, Sword of Honour and Stand into Danger sustain the age-of-sail atmosphere with weathered captains, blockades, and close-quarters action. Readers who value tactical maneuvering and life at sea will find steady pacing and authentic naval stakes throughout.

Best Place To Start

Colours Aloft!

McBooks Pr • 2000 • standard commitment

It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Richard Bolitho naval adventures • Age of Sail war and life at sea • Tall-ship command and tactics

Genres and themes: Historical naval fiction • Adventure • Sea warfare • Shipboard life

Who this author is best for: For readers who want character-driven, technically detailed Age of Sail action and command-room drama.

Start with an early Bolitho title (Midshipman Bolitho) to follow the character’s progression through rank and command.

Top Books To Start With

  1. Colours Aloft!

    McBooks Pr • 2000 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2000 • 300 pages.

  2. Honour This Day (The Bolitho Novels)

    McBooks Pr • 2000 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2000 • 316 pages.

  3. The Only Victor (No.18)

    McBooks Pr • 2000 • longer commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2000 • 384 pages.

  4. Enemy in Sight (Richard Bolitho Novels/Alexander Kent No 10)

    McBooks Pr • 1999 • longer commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1999 • 366 pages.

  5. Passage to Mutiny (Richard Bolitho Novels/Alexander Kent No 7)

    McBooks Pr • 1999 • longer commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1999 • 350 pages.

  6. The Flag Captain (The Bolitho Novels)

    McBooks Pr • 1999 • longer commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1999 • 384 pages.

  7. The Inshore Squadron (The Bolitho Novels)

    McBooks Pr • 1999 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1999 • 284 pages.

  8. Sloop of War

    McBooks Pr • 1998 • longer commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1998 • 352 pages.

  9. Stand into Danger (The Bolitho Novels)

    McBooks Pr • 1998 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1998 • 288 pages.

  10. To Glory We Steer (The Bolitho Novels)

    McBooks Pr • 1998 • longer commitment

    You enjoy Alexander Kent’s Richard Bolitho as a tough, principled captain | You read nautical war scenes, shipboard disc…

How The Picks Compare

  • Colours Aloft! is the easier short commitment, while Honour This Day (The Bolitho Novels) asks for more reading time up front.

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