While in England I visited bookstores whenever I came across one. I had seen the second of these two books several times and finally bought both the first time I saw them in a little shop in Leyburn. These are the first of a long series, I hope, by Allan Mallinson.

The first is A Close Run Thing (Introducing Matthew Hervey of the Light Dragoons). The second is titled The Nizam's Daughters (With Matthew Hervey of the Light Dragoons). Generally speaking these are two of the best historical fiction books I have ever read, these are by far better than Cornwell's Sharpe series. I can't wait to read the next ones. I have no idea if they are available in the US or Canada but they should be in Australia. If nothing else they should be available from amazon.com.uk

A Close Run Thing

A Close Run Thing begins in Toulouse in April 1814 and ends in August 1815. Hervey starts out as a cornet with the 6th Light Dragoons and in command of the remains of the regiment in the waning hours of Waterloo. Wellington recognizes him for his intelligence and promotes him not only to Lt., but after the war to one of his aides. By the end of the book he is sent as a Captain to undertake a job in India for Wellington.

The Nizam's Daughters

The Nizam's Daughters picks up with Hervey on his way to India where he proceeds to help a rajah defend against a mutiny and then invasion by another state, and ends with the beginning of his return to England. Hurry up Mallinson I can't wait much longer!!!!

I won't give away too much more of the plots, but boy are they good its like reading a land version of Hornblower. Mallinson's grasp of the history comes through with his descriptions and the ease that he draws the reader into the period. The cast is large but without a constant sidekick like Maturin or Bush or Harper which does not detract at all. There are many scenarios for wargaming here.

A highly intelligent, outstandingly good read, almost makes me want to change time periods for my British/Indian troops. Supremely recommended!

Jack Whyte: Sky Stone

While on the subject of books I have noted that many of you and others in MWAN columns have exclaimed how great the Bernard Cornwell books about Arthur are. Well, first let me say I have not read them and will not critique them. However, I would suggest if you want a series of books about late Romano-Britain that includes detailed and readable descriptions of the period then I suggest you read Jack Whyte's series beginning with Sky Stone. A friend, and anglo-phile lead me to this series several years ago and I have been reading them since. I believe there are now seven in this historical fiction series. Arthur is introduced as a baby at the end of book four or five. The story is narrated by the members of a Romano-British family through a period of almost 100 years.

Having seen some of the Roman architecture first hand this last trip, and having read some history of the period these books are smack on without the use of magic or the supernatural with, most importantly, a historically realistic and more probabilistic feel to them. Jack Whyte has spent time visiting the museum collections of the period and the ground he discusses and puts that empirical information to good use. There is much here to wargame, very possibly more than Cornwell, based on reading the Sharpe series. Not just one off scenarios but major and minor campaigns. The Later Romans and Romano-British by The Foundry would work very well here.