Richard Woodman

Richard Woodman is an English author renowned for his works in naval history and historical fiction. Born in London in 1944, he has written extensively about maritime themes, drawing from his firsthand experiences at sea. His notable works include a range of nonfiction titles that explore naval history, as well as gripping historical fiction novels that bring maritime adventures to life.

Woodman's deep connection to the sea began at the age of 16 when he became an indentured midshipman in cargo liners. Over the years, he advanced from apprentice to captain, gaining invaluable expertise that informs his writing. His authentic portrayal of naval life and meticulous attention to historical detail have earned him critical acclaim. In 1978, he was honored with the Marine Society’s Harmer Award, recognizing his contributions to maritime literature.

Combining his professional sailing career with his passion for writing, Woodman continues to produce works that resonate with both historians and fiction enthusiasts. His ability to blend factual accuracy with compelling storytelling has solidified his reputation as a leading voice in naval literature.
James Dunbar Books
# Title Year
1 Waterfront 1995
2 Under Sail 1998
Nathaniel Drinkwater Books
# Title Year
1 An Eye of the Fleet 1981
2 A King's Cutter 1982
3 A Brig of War 1983
4 The Bomb Vessel 1985
5 The Corvette / Arctic Treachery 1985
6 1805 1985
7 Baltic Mission 1986
8 In Distant Waters 1988
9 A Private Revenge 1989
10 Under False Colours 1991
11 The Flying Squadron 1992
12 Beneath the Aurora 2001
13 The Shadow of the Eagle 2002
14 Ebb Tide 2002
William Kite Books
# Title Year
1 The Guineaman 2000
2 The Privateersman 2000
3 The East Indianman 2001
Kit Faulkner Books
# Title Year
1 A Ship for The King 2011
2 For King or Commonwealth 2012
3 The King's Chameleon 2013
Sword of the State Books
# Title Year
1 The Forging 2014
2 The Tempering 2015
3 The Wielding 2015
Tales of the Sea Books
# Title Year
1 Cold Truth 2020
2 An Absence of Imagination: A Tale of the China coast 2021
3 The Judgement of his Peers 2021
4 Magnetic Anomaly 2021
5 Unintended Consequences 2021
6 The Petrel's Cry 2023
William Marshal Books
# Title Year
1 The Knight Banneret 2018
2 The King's Knight 2018
3 Guardian of the Realm 2018
A History of the British Merchant Navy Books
# Title Year
1 Neptune's Trident 2008
2 Britannia's Realm 2009
3 More Days, More Dollars 2010
4 Fiddler's Green 2010
5 Masters Under God 2016
Keepers of the Sea Books
# Title Year
1 Keepers of the Sea 1983
2 View from the Sea 1985
3 The Arctic Convoys 1994
4 The History of the Ship 1997
5 The Victory of Seapower 1998
6 The Story Of Sail 1999
7 Malta Convoys 2000
8 The Sea Warriors 2001
9 The Lighthouses of Trinity House 2002
10 The Real Cruel Sea 2004
11 A Brief History of Mutiny 2005
12 .. Of Daring Temper 2006
13 The Battle of the River Plate 2008
14 The Merchant Navy 2013
15 Cold War Command 2014
16 A Low Set of Blackguards 2016
17 Revolution! 2017
18 Light Upon the Waters 2020
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
1 Decision at Trafalgar 1985
2 Voyage East 1988
3 Wager 1990
4 the Darkening Sea 1991
5 Endangered Species 1992
6 The Accident 1995
7 Act of Terror 1996
8 The Antigone 1997
9 Captain of the Caryatid 1998
10 Cruise of the Commissioner 1999
11 The Captain & The Commissioner 1999
12 Dead Man Talking 2002
13 Blue Funnel Voyage East 2002
14 The Ice Mask 2003
15 Disastrous Voyage of the Santa Margarita 2009
16 Beyond Madagascar 2019
17 An Absence of Imagination 2020
18 A River in Borneo 2021
Short Stories/Novellas
# Title Year
1 The Judgement of his Peers 2020