Written by Alexander Kent
Format: M4B
Unabridged

Richard Bolitho, newly promoted to lieutenant comes close to death in this splendid yarn and he sustains the wound that leaves him with the scar on his forehead that he ever afterwards tries to hide by a lock of hair. We also learn how he first encounters his faithful coxwain Stockdale, displaying in the process the humanity and generosity that will characterise him in later life. The response of a young man to increasing responsibility, and to the aloof but careful guidance of a seasoned commander, is well conveyed in the story and with the assistance of a beautiful Portuguese Bolitho comes of age in more ways than one. Experience of a complex landing-operation on an island controlled by a renegade Royal Navy officer also yields experience that will stand him in good stead for future adventures. This was the first Bolitho story I read and it hooked me into tracking down all the others I could in the series. I have read them as far as possible in chronological order and this adds to the pleasure, as Kent handles Bolitho's maturing as a man and a commander skilfully and convincingly.