Mister Tidwell Gunner

A 19th Century Seafaring Saga of War, Self-reliance, and Survival

By L. Ron Hubbard | Publisher: Galaxy Press

About the book

Imagine a young Laurence Olivier cast as a scholarly Oxford professor—an academic snatched out of his bookish world and pressed into service aboard Lord Nelson’s legendary British fleet—in the position of schoolmaster. Such is the life of the land-loving, seafaring Mister Tidwell, Gunner.

Thrust into service at the height of the Napoleonic Wars, Tidwell soon finds himself directly in the line of fire and way out of his depth. Fate has cast him into a terrible and terrifying spot—alone on deck to face the fearsome approach of a French man-o’-war.

The professor is about to get an object lesson in war, self-reliance … and survival. Overwhelmed by the smell of gunpowder, the sound of cannons, and the sight of death, he will either experience the sweet taste of victory … or the bitter taste of his own blood.

In an essay called Search for Research Hubbard wrote about how he came up with story ideas: “I want one slim, forgotten fact. From there a man can go anywhere.… In one old volume, for instance, I discovered that there was such a thing as a schoolmaster aboard Nelson’s ships.… When did this occur? The Napoleonic Wars.” Drawing on this single obscure discovery, Hubbard delved deeper into the history and let his remarkable imagination do the rest. “Complete after a few days of search, I had my Mister Tidwell, Gunner.”

Also includes the sea adventures The Drowned City, the story of two deep-sea divers who set out in search of a long-lost treasure only to find that the waters are full of treacherous currents and even more treacherous men; and Submarine, in which a young sailor on leave enjoys a quiet interlude with his girlfriend—only to have it interrupted by a call to duty and danger.

Editions of Mister Tidwell Gunner

Paperback
ISBN 9781592123971
EBook
ISBN 9781592125968

Read an Excerpt

Imagine a young Laurence Olivier cast as a scholarly Oxford professor—an academic snatched out of his bookish world and pressed into service aboard Lord Nelson’s legendary British fleet—in the position of schoolmaster. Such is the life of the land-loving, seafaring Mister Tidwell, Gunner.

Thrust into service at the height of the Napoleonic Wars, Tidwell soon finds himself directly in the line of fire and way out of his depth. Fate has cast him into a terrible and terrifying spot—alone on deck to face the fearsome approach of a French man-o’-war.

The professor is about to get an object lesson in war, self-reliance … and survival. Overwhelmed by the smell of gunpowder, the sound of cannons, and the sight of death, he will either experience the sweet taste of victory … or the bitter taste of his own blood.

In an essay called Search for Research Hubbard wrote about how he came up with story ideas: “I want one slim, forgotten fact. From there a man can go anywhere.… In one old volume, for instance, I discovered that there was such a thing as a schoolmaster aboard Nelson’s ships.… When did this occur? The Napoleonic Wars.” Drawing on this single obscure discovery, Hubbard delved deeper into the history and let his remarkable imagination do the rest. “Complete after a few days of search, I had my Mister Tidwell, Gunner.”

Also includes the sea adventures The Drowned City, the story of two deep-sea divers who set out in search of a long-lost treasure only to find that the waters are full of treacherous currents and even more treacherous men; and Submarine, in which a young sailor on leave enjoys a quiet interlude with his girlfriend—only to have it interrupted by a call to duty and danger.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mister Tidwell Gunner about?

Imagine a young Laurence Olivier cast as a scholarly Oxford professor—an academic snatched out of his bookish world and pressed into service aboard Lord Nelson’s legendary British fleet—in the position of schoolmaster. Such is the life of the land-loving, seafaring Mister Tidwell, Gunner.

Thrust into service at the height of the Napoleonic Wars, Tidwell soon finds himself directly in the line of fire and way out of his depth. Fate has cast him into a terrible and terrifying spot—alone on deck to face the fearsome approach of a French man-o’-war.

The professor is about to get an object lesson in war, self-reliance … and survival. Overwhelmed by the smell of gunpowder, the sound of cannons, and the sight of death, he will either experience the sweet taste of victory … or the bitter taste of his own blood.

In an essay called Search for Research Hubbard wrote about how he came up with story ideas: “I want one slim, forgotten fact. From there a man can go anywhere.… In one old volume, for instance, I discovered that there was such a thing as a schoolmaster aboard Nelson’s ships.… When did this occur? The Napoleonic Wars.” Drawing on this single obscure discovery, Hubbard delved deeper into the history and let his remarkable imagination do the rest. “Complete after a few days of search, I had my Mister Tidwell, Gunner.”

Also includes the sea adventures The Drowned City, the story of two deep-sea divers who set out in search of a long-lost treasure only to find that the waters are full of treacherous currents and even more treacherous men; and Submarine, in which a young sailor on leave enjoys a quiet interlude with his girlfriend—only to have it interrupted by a call to duty and danger.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Mister Tidwell Gunner?

Fiction > Historical fiction

Where can I read a sample of Mister Tidwell Gunner?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781592123971

Is Mister Tidwell Gunner part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series Historical Fiction Short Stories Collection

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Mister Tidwell Gunner?

L. Ron Hubbard

Who is the Publisher of the book Mister Tidwell Gunner?

Galaxy Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Mister Tidwell Gunner is available as paperback(ISBN 9781592123971) and ebook(ISBN 9781592125968)

Where can I buy Mister Tidwell Gunner online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Mister Tidwell Gunner from below

Is there an audio of the book?

Listen to an audio sample of Mister Tidwell Gunner here

Where can I buy Mister Tidwell Gunner?