True Blue By: William Henry Giles Kingston (1814-1880)
In "True Blue" by William Henry Giles Kingston, readers are taken on a thrilling maritime adventure that offers a captivating glimpse into life at sea during the 19th century. This historical fiction novel is filled with vivid descriptions, compelling characters, and unexpected twists that keep the pages turning. The story follows the journey of young protagonist, Harry Blue, who finds himself torn between the comfortable life he knows on land and the allure of the open ocean. Fueled by a thirst for adventure and a desire to prove himself, Harry joins the crew of the HMS Centaur and embarks on a perilous voyage. One of the highlights of the book is the author's remarkable attention to detail. Kingston's meticulous research shines through in his vivid and realistic portrayal of life aboard a naval ship. From the relentless battles with pirates to the treacherous storms that threaten to capsize the vessel, every scene is brought to life with impeccable precision. The nautical terminology sprinkled throughout the narrative adds an authentic touch, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the seafaring world. The characters in "True Blue" are also well-crafted and multi-dimensional. Harry Blue is a relatable protagonist, torn between his sense of duty and his longing for personal freedom. The relationships he forges with his fellow crew members are nuanced and evolve over time, reflecting the challenges and hardships they face together. From the strict and seasoned captain to the fiercely loyal first mate, each character plays a vital role in advancing the story and revealing different aspects of life at sea. The plot of "True Blue" is fast-paced and action-packed, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The author does an excellent job of balancing the intense sea battles with moments of reflection and introspection, creating a well-rounded narrative that explores themes of bravery, loyalty, and the pursuit of one's dreams. However, while the story is undeniably engaging, there are moments where the pacing slows down slightly. Some readers may find certain sections overly descriptive or lengthy, detracting from the overall momentum. Additionally, the writing style, representative of the time period in which the book is set, may take some getting used to for modern readers. Overall, "True Blue" is a captivating historical fiction novel that transports readers to a bygone era of maritime exploration. William Henry Giles Kingston's attention to detail, strong character development, and adventurous plot make it a compelling read for anyone with an interest in naval history or a love for thrilling tales of the high seas. First Page: True Blue A British Seaman of the Old School, by W.H.G. Kingston. From an Introduction by Herbert Strang. The present volume gives a capital description of life in the Navy in days of the old three decker, and many interesting particulars of the naval warfare in the revolutionary period, including the battle of the "glorious first of June." It differs from the average boys' story in one important respect. The hero, instead of gaining a title and a fortune, refuses to rise above the class in which he was born, and attains no higher rank than that of a warrant officer. The author skilfully introduces little touches and incidents, such as True Blue's conduct when at a theatrical performance, which make his career seem entirely natural and reasonable, and enlists the sympathy and approval of the reader. "He had not aimed high, in one sense of the word," says Kingston in the closing pages, "and yet he had in another sense always aimed high and nobly to do his duty." In Kingston's eyes no mariner, nor any other man, could have higher praise. TRUE BLUE BY W.H.G. KINGSTON. CHAPTER ONE. TRUE BLUE A BRITISH SEAMAN OF THE OLD SCHOOL. The old Terrible , 74, was ploughing her way across the waters of the Atlantic, now rolling and leaping, dark and angry, with white crested seas which dashed against her bows and flew in masses of foam over her decks... Continue reading book >>

True Blue By: William Henry Giles Kingston (1814-1880)

In "True Blue" by William Henry Giles Kingston, readers are taken on a thrilling maritime adventure that offers a captivating glimpse into life at sea during the 19th century. This historical fiction novel is filled with vivid descriptions, compelling characters, and unexpected twists that keep the pages turning.

The story follows the journey of young protagonist, Harry Blue, who finds himself torn between the comfortable life he knows on land and the allure of the open ocean. Fueled by a thirst for adventure and a desire to prove himself, Harry joins the crew of the HMS Centaur and embarks on a perilous voyage.

One of the highlights of the book is the author's remarkable attention to detail. Kingston's meticulous research shines through in his vivid and realistic portrayal of life aboard a naval ship. From the relentless battles with pirates to the treacherous storms that threaten to capsize the vessel, every scene is brought to life with impeccable precision. The nautical terminology sprinkled throughout the narrative adds an authentic touch, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the seafaring world.

The characters in "True Blue" are also well-crafted and multi-dimensional. Harry Blue is a relatable protagonist, torn between his sense of duty and his longing for personal freedom. The relationships he forges with his fellow crew members are nuanced and evolve over time, reflecting the challenges and hardships they face together. From the strict and seasoned captain to the fiercely loyal first mate, each character plays a vital role in advancing the story and revealing different aspects of life at sea.

The plot of "True Blue" is fast-paced and action-packed, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The author does an excellent job of balancing the intense sea battles with moments of reflection and introspection, creating a well-rounded narrative that explores themes of bravery, loyalty, and the pursuit of one's dreams.

However, while the story is undeniably engaging, there are moments where the pacing slows down slightly. Some readers may find certain sections overly descriptive or lengthy, detracting from the overall momentum. Additionally, the writing style, representative of the time period in which the book is set, may take some getting used to for modern readers.

Overall, "True Blue" is a captivating historical fiction novel that transports readers to a bygone era of maritime exploration. William Henry Giles Kingston's attention to detail, strong character development, and adventurous plot make it a compelling read for anyone with an interest in naval history or a love for thrilling tales of the high seas.

First Page:

True Blue A British Seaman of the Old School, by W.H.G. Kingston.

From an Introduction by Herbert Strang.

The present volume gives a capital description of life in the Navy in days of the old three decker, and many interesting particulars of the naval warfare in the revolutionary period, including the battle of the "glorious first of June." It differs from the average boys' story in one important respect. The hero, instead of gaining a title and a fortune, refuses to rise above the class in which he was born, and attains no higher rank than that of a warrant officer. The author skilfully introduces little touches and incidents, such as True Blue's conduct when at a theatrical performance, which make his career seem entirely natural and reasonable, and enlists the sympathy and approval of the reader. "He had not aimed high, in one sense of the word," says Kingston in the closing pages, "and yet he had in another sense always aimed high and nobly to do his duty." In Kingston's eyes no mariner, nor any other man, could have higher praise.

TRUE BLUE BY W.H.G. KINGSTON.

CHAPTER ONE.

TRUE BLUE A BRITISH SEAMAN OF THE OLD SCHOOL.

The old Terrible , 74, was ploughing her way across the waters of the Atlantic, now rolling and leaping, dark and angry, with white crested seas which dashed against her bows and flew in masses of foam over her decks... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Fiction
Sea stories
Teen/Young adult

eBook links
Wikipedia – William Henry Giles Kingston
Wikipedia – True Blue

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