Other Military Series

OTHER MILITARY SERIES

Once again, these are the books I haven't read - my reading list. There aren't many fictional series about the Napoleonic Wars in English as far as I know, which is why I've read more factual books about the military side of things. If you know of any more, please email me.

MATTHEW HERVEY: POST NAPOLEONIC HERO
Allan Mallinson

A military series which starts at the Battle of Waterloo! Matthew Hervey is a cornet in the 6th Light Dragoons (a fictional regiment). Written by a serving officer with an interest in history, the series is quite accurate, though he does make the mistake of making a commission a heritable asset.

A Close Run Thing: Follows Matthew from Toulouse, through a short peacetime service in Ireland to the battle of Waterloo, where his actions gain the attention of Wellington and an appointment as an aide-de-camp. I found it a bit slow to start with, but the last half really galloped along.
The Nizam's Daughters: Now Aide-de-Camp to the Duke of Wellington, Hervey is sent to India on a secret mission to a small but wealthy Indian state under threat from its neighbours. When both sides are England's allies, where does a secret envoy stand?
A Regimental Affair: At the request of the Colonel, Hervey returns to his regiment but finds the spirit very different. The new lieutenant-colonel is snobbish and unpleasant and Hervey soon hears worse of him. Posted to Canada, the regiment must cope with its internal divisions as well as a hostile country.
A Call To Arms: A broken-hearted Hervey has left the army, but finds himself unable to settle in civilian life. The chance to return to his beloved light dragoons and lead a troop in India is offered, but Hervey finds that the troop has to be raised and trained by himself. Will he have time to turn them into dragoons before action is forced upon them?
The Sabre's Edge: Burmese incursions have reached the point where the Governor in Calcutta must act and send an expedition up the Rangoon river. Meanwhile unrest is spreading to other parts of the sub-continent and British interests are threatened when the throne of Rajputana is usurped by the anti-British uncle of the recognised heir.
Rumours of War
An Act of Courage
Company of Spears

HARRY FLASHMAN: VICTORIAN CAD AND ACCIDENTAL HERO
George MacDonald Fraser

If we go forward in time we get to some more rollicking tales particularly the Flashman series. Based upon a minor character in the classic "Tom Brown's Schooldays", Fraser has built an entire series satirising Victorian imperialism. (Image courtesy of Harper Collins.)

Flashman
Royal Flash
Flashman's Lady
Flashman and the Mountain of Light
Flash For Freedom!
Flashman and the Redskins
Flashman at the Charge
Flashman in the Great Game
Flashman and the Angel of the Lord
Flashman and the Dragon
Flashman and the Tiger
Flashman on the March

SERGEANT 'FANCY JACK' CROSSMAN
Garry Douglas Kilworth

This series is set in the Crimean War about which I know very little. Quite good fun:

The Devil's Own
Sgt 'Fancy Jack' Crossman, the illegitimate son of an aristocrat, has joined the 88th "Connaught Rangers" under a false name. He is given charge of a bunch of misfits, rough even by the standards of "The Devil's Own" and sent on reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines. The group still manages to return int time for the Battle of the Alma.
The Valley of Death
Jack's past catches up with him, but he escapes because of a mission into the besieged city of Sebastopol. There he is captured by the Russians, tortured and is just about to be hanged when rescued by his most incorrigible bad lot. Back in the British lines he recovers sufficiently to stand with the 93rd during the initial Russian charge at Balaclava. After the battle he and his peloton are sent on another "fox hunt" to harass the Russian supply lines.
Soldiers in the Mist
"There is a traitor in our midst" says Lovelace, and sends Crossman to spring the trap he has set. But the person in the trap is one of Lovelace's own, and when Jack tries to take him back alive they are ambushed. Could Lovelace be the traitor, and the whole an elaborate setup?
The Winter Solders
Attack on the Redan
Brothers of the Blade

CASPASIAN OF THE GHURKHAS
Anthony Conway

Set in the inter-war years of the 20th Century, probably a bit late for readers of my site:

The Viceroy's Captain
The General's Envoy
The Colonel's Renegade
The Brigadier's Outcast

Well, if I ever get sick of the Peninsular War, there's plenty more to read! The cover image of "Flashman" is used courtesy of Harper Collins Publishers Ltd

Images on this page are used by kind permission of Harper Collins Publishers Ltd.

Return to How I Got Hooked
Return to Main Page