"Rich with historical and naval information"
On May 30, 1916, the biggest naval battle of World War
I occurred as the English fleet of 150 ships containing
sixty thousand sailors fought the German armada of 100
vessels with forty-five thousand on board. Unlike the
soldiers fighting in the continental trenches, most of
those in this Battle of Jutland taste war for the first
time. On the British destroyer Lanyard, sub-lieutenant Nick
Everard, a younger member of a highly regarded naval
family, looks forward to a chance to make a name for
himself. For his own peace of mind, Nick needs to attain
the illustrious levels of his father, uncle, and older
brother. So far his naval career has been one of flop and
punishment, but he will soon learn how well he reacts under
extreme pressure. THE BLOODING OF THE GUNS is a reprint of the first
Everard Naval story from the late seventies. Though the
story line is rich with historical and naval information,
the tale lacks the blood, sweat, and guts needed of a war
novel even one based on a true event. Readers who relish
depth on weaponry and sea tactics will enjoy Alexander
Fullerton's depiction of the devastating battle, but anyone
who prefers to see real people dealing with the death,
destruction, and battle trauma of World War I should return
to the classic, All's Quiet on the Western Front. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted November 4, 2001
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