The First To Land: Second in the Blackwood Series

Douglas Reeman is a master of his genre. No he does not provide the historical oratory of Cromwell and does not let you hear the shrill of the bosun pipe or the smack of unfurling sail like an O'Brien but he tells a very human tale in exciting circumstances. His characters are as you would find them in a real military context. If you have ever been in or exposed to a military life, his books will resonate. They are of the right size to truly be a "pocket book". You will find his novels in many back pockets or otherwise disposed by those who are "on watch" or "on leave". Each installment comes to a satisfactory conclusion and takes you along for a quick military venture. In other words, entertainment. In "First to Land" he continues from "Badge of Glory" with the story of the Royal Marines of Great Britain, through the annals of the Family Blackwood, steeped in the grand fashion of British Military Traditions. This time Captain David Blackwood learns of the death of Brother Neil in South Africa and we get snippets of discontent for the manner in which the British are maintaining their Crimean tactics in a new Guerilla War with South African Farmers of Dutch descent. The main plot however finds Captain Blackwood and a small company of RMLI in China on a mission to escort a German Countess to the International holdings of Shanghai but become embroiled in the opening salvos of the "Boxer Rebellion". Other commenters are correct in saying that there is precious little political background here but then that is not the style of Reeman Novels. He writes as a soldier would write. A soldier does not spend a lot of time pondering the politics of the world. Their world is limited to their immediate group and their ultimate survival in whatever it is they are engaged in. Not healthy questioning orders, no matter what rank you hold. You do your duty That's a Reeman novel. Heavy on duty and honour and a good dose of people you could easily like or remind you of someone very clearly defined on the pages. If you read one and don't like it, don't buy another one because they all fit the mold. I for one, always have a Reeman novel ready to be read for when I need a break from heavy Tomes and dreary politics. When I just want to stretch out, be lazy and enjoy a good simple, straight forward but exciting yarn, then a Douglas Reeman Novel fits the bill, every time. Try one and let me know. Would love to hear from you.

I much enjoyed the book, it is very well written and about a subject which I know little, the British Royal Marines. This is the second in the series. I liked the first two so much that I have ordered the next three.