Matrix Games Forums

 Forums  Register  Login  Photo Gallery  Member List  Search  Calendars  FAQ 

My Profile  Inbox  Address Book  My Subscription  My Forums  Log Out

OT - HMS Ulysses

 
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> OT - HMS Ulysses Page: [1] 2   next >   >>
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/20/2011 10:44:58 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		This is off topic and a copy of something I just posted in my AAR, but I wanted to open it up to a wider audience. This is directed to all you guys, but I'm especially interested in feedback from those of you who are citizens of the United Kingdom.

Have you ever read Allistair McLean's novel HMS Ulysses? If so, what do you think of it?

(It's a novel set in the Murmansk convoys during World War II.)

It has been one of my favorite books since my high school years, and a recent re-reading hasn't altered my high opinion of it. I assume Brits would hold it in high regard, but I thought I'd ask.
Post #: 1
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/20/2011 11:05:01 PM   
AW1Steve


Posts: 14507
Joined: 3/10/2007
From: Mordor Illlinois
Status: offline 		I'm not a Brit, but I enjoyed it immensly. I was recently able to locate a pb edition, but I'm still looking for a hard cover. I't make a great movie.

_____________________________


(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 2
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/20/2011 11:41:07 PM   
Tiornu

 

Posts: 1126
Joined: 4/1/2004
Status: offline 		[Spoiler alert]
Honestly, I didn't think much of it. The drama felt stretched and forced. I think more planes crashed into this ship than historically crashed into the whole of British cruiser-dom prior to the kamikaze. It was the man's first novel, and I don't think he'd found his voice yet.

(in reply to AW1Steve)
Post #: 3
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/20/2011 11:56:36 PM   
Terminus


Posts: 41459
Joined: 4/23/2005
From: Denmark
Status: offline 		I found it soul-crushingly depressing, which I suspect was a big objective for McLean...

_____________________________

We are all dreams of the Giant Space Butterfly.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 4
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/21/2011 5:49:57 AM   
jmalter

 

Posts: 1673
Joined: 10/12/2010
Status: offline 		an alternative to HMS Ulysses, in the same theater - Jan de Hartog's "The Captain. 'S got a nift' RN cruiser, too, but no Kapok Kid.

(in reply to Terminus)
Post #: 5
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/21/2011 7:54:29 AM   
ilovestrategy


Posts: 3611
Joined: 6/11/2005
From: San Diego
Status: offline 		I haven't read it but I'm going to assume that no mess boys were accused of stealing the last of the strawberries! 

_____________________________

After 16 years, Civ II still has me in it's clutches LOL!!!
Now CIV IV has me in it's evil clutches!

(in reply to jmalter)
Post #: 6
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/21/2011 10:28:26 AM   
Arnhem44


Posts: 578
Joined: 11/23/2004
From: Singapore
Status: offline 		I remember reading this when I was a kid, flipping back and forth between the line drawing of the ship and whichever page I was on whenever any part of the ship was mentioned, I think this was the book that introduced me to where the turrets were on a ship when you talked about A,B,X,Y turrets, good times. Been looking for a pb edition for a year now but the local shops here suck big time, was thinking of turning to Amazon, any alternatives out there? It's not published anymore is it? Just pre-owned books out there now?

(in reply to ilovestrategy)
Post #: 7
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/21/2011 10:47:27 AM   
Grollub


Posts: 6674
Joined: 10/9/2005
From: Lulea, Sweden
Status: offline 		I read it as a kid. Loved it, even if it was kind of depressing.

I have another favorite though, that I read for the first time when I was young and have kept rereading over the years.

It's Nicholas Monsarrats "The Cruel Sea". Anyone who have missed this one would be advised to correct that mistake. Can be found here;
http://www.amazon.com/Cruel-Sea-Classics-War/dp/1580800467/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305970955&sr=8-1

_____________________________

“Not mastering metaphores is like cooking pasta when the train is delayed"

(in reply to Arnhem44)
Post #: 8
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/21/2011 1:16:05 PM   
spence

 

Posts: 5400
Joined: 4/20/2003
From: Vancouver, Washington
Status: offline
quote:

It's Nicholas Monsarrats "The Cruel Sea". Anyone who have missed this one would be advised to correct that mistake.


Talk about soul-crushingly depressing...rubbing the burn cream onto the burned survivor and having the man's skin breaking away, layer after layer, then hoping he would just die and then having the man see it in the Execs eyes....

(in reply to Grollub)
Post #: 9
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/21/2011 1:17:38 PM   
Grollub


Posts: 6674
Joined: 10/9/2005
From: Lulea, Sweden
Status: offline 		Ok, I missed labeling that one as "depressing" as well.

_____________________________

“Not mastering metaphores is like cooking pasta when the train is delayed"

(in reply to spence)
Post #: 10
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/22/2011 2:50:35 AM   
AW1Steve


Posts: 14507
Joined: 3/10/2007
From: Mordor Illlinois
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: ilovestrategy

I haven't read it but I'm going to assume that no mess boys were accused of stealing the last of the strawberries! 



Nope. But the story does open with the aftermath of a mutiny.

_____________________________


(in reply to ilovestrategy)
Post #: 11
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/22/2011 5:33:44 AM   
BrucePowers


Posts: 12094
Joined: 7/3/2004
Status: offline 		I have never read HMS Ulysses. Another great book about North Atlantic convoy duty is The Good Shepard By CS Forrester. This was about a captain of a US destroyer on convoy duty. It was a very good book.

(in reply to AW1Steve)
Post #: 12
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/22/2011 4:38:13 PM   
Hortlund


Posts: 2884
Joined: 10/13/2000
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Tiornu

[Spoiler alert]
I think more planes crashed into this ship than historically crashed into the whole of British cruiser-dom prior to the kamikaze.



I dont remember any aircraft crashing into the Ulysses

OnT: I love the book, have read it several times.

_____________________________

The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close.
In its place we are entering a period of consequences..

(in reply to Tiornu)
Post #: 13
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/22/2011 4:46:54 PM   
Terminus


Posts: 41459
Joined: 4/23/2005
From: Denmark
Status: offline 		Apparently not recently. I forget if it's two or three German aircraft that hit it.

_____________________________

We are all dreams of the Giant Space Butterfly.

(in reply to Hortlund)
Post #: 14
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/22/2011 5:12:53 PM   
AW1Steve


Posts: 14507
Joined: 3/10/2007
From: Mordor Illlinois
Status: offline 		I'd love to get it on Kindle. Unfortunately only Amazon UK has it , and apparently we in the USA can't purchase from them.

_____________________________


(in reply to Terminus)
Post #: 15
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/22/2011 5:25:37 PM   
BrucePowers


Posts: 12094
Joined: 7/3/2004
Status: offline 		I purchased my copy of the Ordnance Survey from them. All you have to do is open up an Amazon UK account. That is what I did.

(in reply to AW1Steve)
Post #: 16
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/22/2011 5:29:17 PM   
obvert


Posts: 14050
Joined: 1/17/2011
From: PDX (and now) London, UK
Status: offline 		If anyone does want it from the UK Amazon, I'd be happy to get a copy, read it, and then send it on when I I get to the US in June.

_____________________________

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

(in reply to BrucePowers)
Post #: 17
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/22/2011 6:48:53 PM   
AW1Steve


Posts: 14507
Joined: 3/10/2007
From: Mordor Illlinois
Status: offline 		Oh I've ordered books from them......the problem is kindle is an e-book. I tried to get them to send it to my emai for my PC (where I'd download it to my Knidle) but apparently their system doesn't permit that. I suspect it's a copy right thing.

_____________________________


(in reply to obvert)
Post #: 18
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/22/2011 6:50:03 PM   
AW1Steve


Posts: 14507
Joined: 3/10/2007
From: Mordor Illlinois
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Terminus

Apparently not recently. I forget if it's two or three German aircraft that hit it.



I don't think they were kamikazes though...I got the impression it was a dead pilot at the control.


_____________________________


(in reply to Terminus)
Post #: 19
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/22/2011 6:54:47 PM   
Terminus


Posts: 41459
Joined: 4/23/2005
From: Denmark
Status: offline 		True. There were definitely one Stuka and one Condor.

_____________________________

We are all dreams of the Giant Space Butterfly.

(in reply to AW1Steve)
Post #: 20
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/23/2011 1:07:34 AM   
AW1Steve


Posts: 14507
Joined: 3/10/2007
From: Mordor Illlinois
Status: offline 		A stuka would be bad.....a Condor? I'd imagine that would be fatal to a Leander class CL.

_____________________________


(in reply to Terminus)
Post #: 21
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/23/2011 3:58:59 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for the replies, gents. It's great to see so many familiar with the book (like mentions of the Kapok Kid and the Stuka that crashes into one of the turrets) and to read different takes on it.

I was surprised at those who found the book depressing, though I understand the basis for that sentiment. The book deals with the crushing punishment taken by a Royal Navy light cruiser, ultimately leading to it's demise. Plus most of the convoy gets sunk (anybody remember things like the Vektra, the Viking, Ralston and his father, turning on the searchlight to blind the pilot of an attacking plane, etc). Rather that depressing, however, I found the book inspiring as the crew responds with loyalty and affectiion to a captain who was a good man and a good leader.

I recall reading Alistair MacLean's comments about HMS Ulysses. After the book's release, it was panned by critics as a terrible injustice to the Royal Navy. MacLean couldn't believe it as he though he had paid the RN the greatest possible compliment in writing the book.

Here's to good books, gents!

(in reply to AW1Steve)
Post #: 22
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/23/2011 5:49:38 AM   
CaptBeefheart


Posts: 2301
Joined: 7/4/2003
From: Seoul, Korea
Status: offline 		Great book as I recall from my teens. I liked all his stuff. Need to do a re-read. Also liked "The Good Shepherd."

And in no way could that book be considered an injustice to the RN.

Cheers,
CC

_____________________________

Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 23
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/23/2011 8:04:28 AM   
Apollo11


Posts: 24082
Joined: 6/7/2001
From: Zagreb, Croatia
Status: offline 		Hi all,

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Have you ever read Allistair McLean's novel HMS Ulysses? If so, what do you think of it?

(It's a novel set in the Murmansk convoys during World War II.)

It has been one of my favorite books since my high school years, and a recent re-reading hasn't altered my high opinion of it. I assume Brits would hold it in high regard, but I thought I'd ask.


I have read it at least 5 times in past 30+ years...

I like the book very much!

Sadly there was never a movie (and I think it would be a good one) from it...


Leo "Apollo11"

_____________________________



Prior Preparation & Planning Prevents Pathetically Poor Performance!

A & B: WitW, WitE, WbtS, GGWaW, GGWaW2-AWD, HttR, CotA, BftB, CF
P: UV, WitP, WitP-AE

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 24
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/23/2011 10:34:22 AM   
Terminus


Posts: 41459
Joined: 4/23/2005
From: Denmark
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

A stuka would be bad.....a Condor? I'd imagine that would be fatal to a Leander class CL.


Seem to recall that the Ulysses was supposed to be a modified Dido.

_____________________________

We are all dreams of the Giant Space Butterfly.

(in reply to AW1Steve)
Post #: 25
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/23/2011 11:33:51 AM   
Apollo11


Posts: 24082
Joined: 6/7/2001
From: Zagreb, Croatia
Status: offline 		Hi all,

quote:

ORIGINAL: Terminus

quote:

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

A stuka would be bad.....a Condor? I'd imagine that would be fatal to a Leander class CL.


Seem to recall that the Ulysses was supposed to be a modified Dido.


Yep... unique modified Dido...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Ulysses_%28novel%29


Leo "Apollo11"

_____________________________



Prior Preparation & Planning Prevents Pathetically Poor Performance!

A & B: WitW, WitE, WbtS, GGWaW, GGWaW2-AWD, HttR, CotA, BftB, CF
P: UV, WitP, WitP-AE

(in reply to Terminus)
Post #: 26
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/23/2011 11:36:29 AM   
Terminus


Posts: 41459
Joined: 4/23/2005
From: Denmark
Status: offline 		I like the Wiki article saying that "the convoy is beset by plot elements"...

_____________________________

We are all dreams of the Giant Space Butterfly.

(in reply to Apollo11)
Post #: 27
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/23/2011 11:39:01 AM   
Apollo11


Posts: 24082
Joined: 6/7/2001
From: Zagreb, Croatia
Status: offline 		Hi all,

BTW, I would also like to someday see good movie based on Len Deighton's "Bomber" novel... it was fantastic read...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bomber_%28novel%29


Leo "Apollo11"

_____________________________



Prior Preparation & Planning Prevents Pathetically Poor Performance!

A & B: WitW, WitE, WbtS, GGWaW, GGWaW2-AWD, HttR, CotA, BftB, CF
P: UV, WitP, WitP-AE

(in reply to Terminus)
Post #: 28
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/23/2011 12:14:40 PM   
sprior


Posts: 8596
Joined: 6/18/2002
From: Portsmouth, UK
Status: offline 		BB Radio4 did an audio adaption of it

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bomber-BBC-Radio-Collection-Baker/dp/0563523557

_____________________________

"Grown ups are what's left when skool is finished."
"History started badly and hav been geting steadily worse."
- Nigel Molesworth.



(in reply to Apollo11)
Post #: 29
RE: OT - HMS Ulysses - 5/23/2011 3:07:02 PM   
Yakface


Posts: 846
Joined: 8/5/2006
Status: offline 		HMS Ulysses had a role to play in me being born.

My mother is a bit of an Arts snob.  She would always quiz dates about what they were reading, so when it got to my father and his reply was 'Ulysses' she was impressed.  She had struggled with Joyce's Ulysses, so anyone who read it in a couple of weeks was worth a second date (in her opinion).  By the time she got to investigating a bit deeper ('but I thought you'd read Ulysses?' - 'Yes.....HMS Ulysses') it was already too late.  And she was lumbered with my father who was indded the philistine that he had first appeared.

(in reply to sprior)
Post #: 30
Page:   [1] 2   next >   >>
All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> OT - HMS Ulysses Page: [1] 2   next >   >>
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts


Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.4.5 ANSI

2.078