Customer Reviews

A Call to Arms

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Yet again, Mallinson provides a worthy and highly recommended addition to the Matthew Hervey series - the study of the life and culture of a post Napoleonic-era British cavalry officer.

A brief synopsis - the book starts with Hervey and his sister, vacationing in Italy. The sights and culture of Italy, are vividly described, and serve well as a different backdrop to young Hervey, as tries to come to terms with his current lot in life. There are encounters with noteworthy characters - the poet Shelley for example - which serve to touch Hervey as he seeks to find himself after his recent personal tragedy. (See Book Three - "A Regimental Affair".) Hervey begins to see his way clear - and purchases a new commission with his old regiment, soon to be posted to India. Upon arrival, old 'friends' re-introduce themselves into his life - the Somerviles - and help him to get his feet planted and moving forward again. The naivete of Hervey is almost gone - except for the opposite sex - and a much harder, more resolute officer remains. Also, the trials and tribulations of establishing a new troop in a foreign posting, are nicely described here. The troop battle or action scene, where Hervey eliminates most of his lingering self-doubt regarding his capabilities and prospects as a leader, showed a discerning touch.

In sum, Mallinson provides a thoroughly engrossing depiction of England and India during the time period, with all its complexity of class, religion, and politics. The story is well paced, and balanced with the 'much' anticipated development of certain characters - Sergeant Armstrong, Elizabeth Hervey, the Somerviles, and not the least Hervey. There is sufficient military action to keep the reader's interest as well, with fascinating depictions of the 'family' called a cavalry troop.

If you enjoy historical fiction of the Napoleonic era, especially the cavalry - try this book, you won't be disappointed.

This book is not action packed; it is more about the internal struggles of Hervey as he comes to terms with the loss of his wife and the leaving of his daughter with a governess and Hervey's sister Elizabeth - possibly at some cost to her hopes for a suitable marriage. We open in Rome (where coincidentally Mallinson was serving as he wrote the book) with Hervey having left his regiment and travelling with his sister. We then meet Percy Shelley, which is an amusing interlude, and catch up with Captain - now Commodore - Peto, who is perhaps a little taken with Elizabeth. There is a some brief road brigandage, but it is more or less pointless, and this little interlude closes with Hervey deciding to rejoin the sixth, which is being posted to India.

We then have Hervey's return as a Captain, and having to raise a troop - both horses and men - out of very little. We have scenes of training in India, and finally a mission, and some action at the end to close out the book. Hervey is no longer quite the naif he was, visiting a local prostitute (mostly offscreen) and questioning his religious faith: it will be interesting to see where this goes.

If all that sounds a little tame...well...I suppose it is, but soldiering is a lot more than battle. By the standards of "battle" a hell of a lot of Aubrey-Maturin is idle sailing around. What Mallinson is giving us is a fun story where much of the conflict is internal, within Hervey himself. As well as this, it is an accurate and detailed look at the life of a Regency-era cavalry Regiment. As a reader, you can feel the heat of India, the oppression of the jungle, the sweat of horse and rider. This is putting the history in historical fiction, and that's not a bad thing.

The first three books of Allan Mallinson's series provide a nice story arc introducing us to Matthew Hervey of His Majesty's Sixth Light Dragoons, a British Cavalry unit depicted in the post Napoleonic era. We begin at the Battle of Waterloo, travel to Hindoostan (India), tangle with the Luddites on home turf in England, foray into Ireland and end the arc in North America.

This fourth installment is a reboot of sorts for the series as we find Hervey done with the military and hanging out in Rome as he licks his wounds. As the title suggests Hervey eventually hears his "call to arms" and returns to the battle.

Hervey has by this time been well blooded not only in battle but by cruel life itself. It's a different man that takes the field, still a bit dazed by his previous experiences. Mallinson does an erstwhile job with Hervey growing into an older and wiser officer determined to do his duty both to himself and his country, though neither one is perfect.

As I'm now reading the fifth book in the series one might not be surprised that I'm enjoying the endeavor and give it high marks. Though you could start reading with A Call to Arms if you find yourself with it in your hands, I agree with the other commenter that starting from the beginning is the best course.

The Hervey series is a fine example of historical military fiction and well worth your time. The last five books in the series that I ordered were ultimately shipped from England with all that implies, so I recommend you ordering early on in your initial reading if you don't want a break in the action.

Read this series chronologically. Gives a good feel for the era and does not lack in excitement.