Yankee MissionJulian StockwinLabel: Hodder PaperbackDescription: 'Yankee Mission is a jewel in Julian Stockwin's crown as a master in naval fiction with a ship-to-ship fight so vivid that the battle's sounds and scents fly off the pages like lethal wooden splinters' - Quarterdeck1812. Off the coast of Brazil HMS Java a proud British 38-gun frigate is captured in battle by the American USS Constitution - signaling across the world's oceans a challenge to Britain's naval premiership that cannot be ignored.Back in England Captain Sir Thomas Kydd is enjoying a moment of normal life with his wife and his newborn son. With his Thunderer in dock receiving some well-earned repairs he is momentarily without a command. It's a position the Admiralty does not leave him in for long and he is soon given a mission: engage the young republic in a fair fight frigate against frigate and restore the Navy's reputation. And they have just the ship and crew for him . . . Tyger. But on reaching the US east coast Kydd and his trusted Tygers realise that the hardest part of their mission will be drawing out one of the Yankee men-o'-war to engage in battle - especially once the Americans get wind of his purpose. It's a tall order requiring every ounce of the crew's guile and persistence - and when fortune turns against them Kydd finds not only his career but his life hanging in the balance.Praise for Julian Stockwin's Kydd series:'A very readable and enjoyable story . . . I can only recommend that you go out beg borrow or buy and enjoy' - Bernard Cornwell 'In Stockwin's hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world' - Guardian'The characterization is first-class and the reader quickly becomes involved with all that happens' - Historical Novels Review
