HMS Ulysses was the first novel by Scottish author Alistair MacLean and one of his most popular. Originally published in 1955, it was also released by Fontana Books in 1960. MacLean’s experiences in the Royal Navy during World War II provided the background and the ill-fated PQ-17 convoy to Murmansk provided the basis for the story.
The novel features HMS Ulysses, a light cruiser that is extremely well armed and among the fastest ships in the wor...
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HMS Ulysses was the first novel by Scottish author Alistair MacLean and one of his most popular. Originally published in 1955, it was also released by Fontana Books in 1960. MacLean’s experiences in the Royal Navy during World War II provided the background and the ill-fated PQ-17 convoy to Murmansk provided the basis for the story.
The novel features HMS Ulysses, a light cruiser that is extremely well armed and among the fastest ships in the world. (Ulysses is similar to the real Dido-class cruisers. MacLean had served in HMS Royalist of that class.) Her crew is pushed well beyond the limits of endurance and the book starts in the aftermath of a mutiny. Ulysses puts to sea again to escort FR-77, a vital convoy heading for Murmansk. (The fictitious convoy FR-77 is based on the ill-fated convoy PQ-17.) Predictably, they are beset by numerous plot elements: an unusually fierce Arctic storm, German ships and U-boats, as well as air attacks. All slowly reduce the convoy from 32 ships to...
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