A Close Run Thing (The Matthew Hervey Adventures: 1)

An heroic tale from the Battle of Waterloo and the final days of the Napoleonic Wars that introduces an unforgettable new fictional hero in Matthew Hervey of the 6th Light Dragoons...From the Sunday Times bestselling author Allan Mallinson, a riveting read with the perfect combination of hero, history and adventure - perfect for fans of Patrick O'Brian and Bernard Cornwell."Convincingly drawn, perfectly paced and expertly written...A Joy to read" - Antony Beevor."I can't wait to read the next in the series..." - Reader review."A captivating read..."- Reader review."Allan Mallinson is a truly gifted storyteller..."- * Reader review.*****Waterloo 1815. The war against Napoleon Bonaparte is raging to its bloody end at Waterloo.A young officer - Cornet Matthew Hervey - going about his duty suddenly finds himself at the crux of events.The decisions he has to make - both military and romantic - will change the course of his life, and possible have far reaching political consequences...A Close Run Thing is the first book in Allan Mallinson's Matthew Hervey series. His adventures continue in The Nizam's Daughters.

“"Of recent years many eminent hands have undertaken to lead the reader deep into the Royal Navy of Nelson's time, describing the life of the service, the men who sailed those 'far-distant, storm-beaten ships, upon which the Grand Army never looked' but which 'stood between it and the dominion of the world.' "Hitherto nobody that I know of has done anything like the same for the army, which did after all have a not inconsiderable share in winning the war; but now at last a highly literate, deeply read cavalry officer of high rank shows one the nature of horse-borne warfare in those times; and Colonel Mallinson'sA Close Run Thingis very much to be welcomed." --Patrick O'Brian, author of the Aubrey-Maturin series "Mallinson'sA Close Run Thingis an astonishingly impressive debut in the field of Napoleonic fiction. Convincingly drawn, perfectly paced and expertly written, this cavalryman's tale is a joy to read. I hope it will be the first of many." --Antony Beevor, author ofStalingrad: The Fateful Siege From the Hardcover edition.”

"'Now at last a highly literate, deeply read cavalry officer of high rank shows one the nature of horse-borne warfare in those times: and Colonel Mallinson's A Close Run Thing is very much to be welcomed.'" Patrick O'Brian "'As astonishingly impressive debut...Convincingly drawn, perfectly paced and expertly written...A joy to read'" -- Antony Beevor "'The scope of A Close Run Thing is quite breathtaking...A sustained piece of bravura writing'" Observer "'The account of the Battle of Waterloo is an imaginative feat of high order, owing as much as to thorough scholarship as it does to compassion and sensibility. Brilliantly conveyed.'" Daily Telegraph "'Allan Mallinson's grasp of the technical side of his subject is effortless and impressive...The portrayal of the men of all ranks is excellent." Spectator

A professional solder for thirty-five years, Allan Mallinson began writing while still serving.His first book was a history of four regiments of British light dragoons, one of which he commanded. His debut novel was the bestselling A Close Run Thing, the first in an acclaimed series chronicling the life of a fictitious cavalry officer before and after Waterloo (The Tigress of Mysore is the fourteenth in the series). His The Making of the British Army was shortlisted for a number of prizes, while 1914- Fight the Good Fight won the British Army's 'Book of the Year' Award. Its sequel, Too Important for the Generals, is a provocative look at leadership during the Great War, while Fight to the Finish is a comprehensive history of the First World War, month by month.Allan Mallinson reviews for the Spectator and the TLS and also writes for The Times. He lives on Salisbury Plain.

'I have never read a more enthralling account of a battle ... This is the first in a series of Matthew Hervey adventures. The next can't come soon enough for me' Daily Mail Waterloo , 1815 As the war against Bonaparte rages to its bloody end upon the field of Waterloo, a young officer goes about his duty in the ranks of Wellington's army. He is Cornet Matthew Hervey of the 6th Light Dragoons - a soldier, gentleman and man of honour, who suddenly finds himself allotted a hero's role ... 'Now at last a highly literate, deeply read cavalry officer of high rank shows one the nature of horse-borne warfare in those times: A Close Run Thing is very much to be welcomed' Patrick O'Brian

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.