Rules of War (Jack Steel 2) [Hardcover]

Iain Gale (Author)

Book Description

Series: Jack Steel 2 | Publication Date: April 1, 2008

In the early 18th century, the British army led by John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, were the leaders of a wide-ranging and very successful alliance. Jack Steel, maverick gentleman and superb soldier, was in the middle of any fight. Ramilles 1706—one of the great victories of the British army, a signal battle honor for the regiments who were there. But for Captain Steel, standing at the head of his Grenadiers, sinking into the swampy ground, at odds with his Allied partners and receiving contradictory orders, it was hard to see the General, Lord Marlborough's grand stratagem. Even after victory, Steel finds himself mired in further difficulties. The Allies had thought that they were liberating the Low Countries but some preferred their previous masters, the French, who at least were Catholic, and some wanted independence from all powers, while others of his fellow officers wanted out of the war altogether. Far from the battle lines he enjoys, Jack Steel is sent undercover to discover and deal with the traitors. He needs to identify the loyal locals who would help a few British advance troops into the besieged city—a dangerous mission made deadly by his identification by an old enemy of his and the brilliant malevolence of the renegade French pirate who is in charge of Ostende. The second volume in an exciting new Sharpe-like series by a respected military historian will delight all fans of Bernard Cornwell and Patrick O’Brian.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Four Days in June: 'A powerful novel of men at war. A triumph' Bernard Cornwell 'A debut novel to treasure!brilliantly evoking the horrors and excitements of war' Publishing News 'A treat for every history buff, and a vivid picture of men at war' Scotland on Sunday 'Thoroughly researched' Financial Times 'An old-fashionedt ale of military strategy and valour.' Glasgow Herald

About the Author

Iain Gale is the editor of the National Trust for Scotland magazine and art critic for Scotland on Sunday.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007253559
• ISBN-13: 978-0007253555
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,333,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid read, not Cornwell though, October 27, 2009

By 

David C. Powers (Gulfport, MS) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Rules of War (Jack Steel 2) (Paperback)

If you are a fan of historical fiction, this is a solid read. The book goes at a quick pace, plots are believable, the only draw back is, it reminds me of the Richard Sharpe Series by Bernard Cornwell. You have the Rogue officer the big sergant, the do or die missions plus the ever so hot damsel in trouble. Since the stories are 100 years before Sharpe, it truely informs about new weapons of the time, battle order, Honour and Glory are always abound.