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Product Description
Review
'In this Jane Austen-meets-Bernard Cornwell novel, Goldsworthy brilliantly evokes the reality of life - and death - in the early 19th century British Army' (Kathy Stevenson DAILY MAIL )
'draws some good contrasts between English Regency society and the Peninsula War sustaining it' (Jeremy de Groot HISTORY TODAY )
'Take a distinguished historian, a long and bloody war against an apparently invincible enemy, and you have a good recipe for what promises to be a classic series' (GOOD BOOK GUIDE ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
'draws some good contrasts between English Regency society and the Peninsula War sustaining it' (Jeremy de Groot HISTORY TODAY )
'Take a distinguished historian, a long and bloody war against an apparently invincible enemy, and you have a good recipe for what promises to be a classic series' (GOOD BOOK GUIDE ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
A brilliant new Napoleonic military fiction series from one of the UK's brightest young historians.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I wish to apologise in advance for my review, but I found this a dull and turgid read. For me the characters lacked personality and there were too many of them that were too similar. The action, for a good portion of the book, was less than gripping.
I have spent a considerable number of years reading everything I can about this and other notable periods of history when British military forces were engaged in do-or-die campaigns, and in this novel Adrian Goldsworthy just hasn't come close to emulating the likes of Bernard Cornwell and others. Interestingly enough I found the same was true of Saul David's Zulu Hart. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned here: modern historians do not necessarily produce good historical fiction just by writing it.
I have spent a considerable number of years reading everything I can about this and other notable periods of history when British military forces were engaged in do-or-die campaigns, and in this novel Adrian Goldsworthy just hasn't come close to emulating the likes of Bernard Cornwell and others. Interestingly enough I found the same was true of Saul David's Zulu Hart. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned here: modern historians do not necessarily produce good historical fiction just by writing it.
22 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Review
At first I was sceptical, I have heard that Adrian Goldsworthy can be a bit dry and too mired in the detail. After a couple of chapters I was wondering if they were talking about a different chap?
Not that the book lacks detail, just that its so well written flows so well, that the detail does not drag you down. Much as he may hate the comparison, this for me was like a Sharpe prequel, and I very much enjoyed it, even though it probably meandered along for about 50% of the book, but while meandering it introduced you to each character and the characters are compelling and draw you in, you give them that emotional connection that immerses you fully in the story. Then the latter 50% the run in at the end was truly excellent almost breathless in its finish.
If I had to criticise one major plot line it would be the inclusion of the Russian angle, I felt it was not needed, enough could have been written and in such a way that this side plot was not required...in fact this made it even more Sharpe like...again not a bad comparison to have, but surely he is looking to stand alone not follow in steps already taken? (but thats a purely personal opinion, and not a detraction from an excellent book) I look forward to book 2, because despite the Russian angle this was an fantastic read, well written, well laid out and absorbing from start to finish. (Parm)
Description: (from back of Book)
The year is 1808, and Hamish Williams is a 'gentlemen volunteer' in the 106th regiment of foot, a man serving with the ranks but living with the officers, and uncomfortable in both worlds: looked down on by those with the money or influence to buy their rank, and distrusted by the common soldiers who know he is not one of them. But Williams is determined to prove by deeds alone that he is a man worthy of advancement, and when the 106th embarks for Portugal to begin what will become known as the Peninsula War against Napoleon, he knows his chance of glory is at hand. Soon he is receiving a sharp lesson in the realities of war, as the 106th undergoes a bloody baptism at the hands of the French - and he realises that his single-minded devotion to honour may not, after all, be the quickest route to promotion. Combining the vivid detail of a master historian with the engaging characters and pulsating action of a natural storyteller, TRUE SOLDIER GENTLEMAN is the first volume in what promises to be a classic series
At first I was sceptical, I have heard that Adrian Goldsworthy can be a bit dry and too mired in the detail. After a couple of chapters I was wondering if they were talking about a different chap?
Not that the book lacks detail, just that its so well written flows so well, that the detail does not drag you down. Much as he may hate the comparison, this for me was like a Sharpe prequel, and I very much enjoyed it, even though it probably meandered along for about 50% of the book, but while meandering it introduced you to each character and the characters are compelling and draw you in, you give them that emotional connection that immerses you fully in the story. Then the latter 50% the run in at the end was truly excellent almost breathless in its finish.
If I had to criticise one major plot line it would be the inclusion of the Russian angle, I felt it was not needed, enough could have been written and in such a way that this side plot was not required...in fact this made it even more Sharpe like...again not a bad comparison to have, but surely he is looking to stand alone not follow in steps already taken? (but thats a purely personal opinion, and not a detraction from an excellent book) I look forward to book 2, because despite the Russian angle this was an fantastic read, well written, well laid out and absorbing from start to finish. (Parm)
Description: (from back of Book)
The year is 1808, and Hamish Williams is a 'gentlemen volunteer' in the 106th regiment of foot, a man serving with the ranks but living with the officers, and uncomfortable in both worlds: looked down on by those with the money or influence to buy their rank, and distrusted by the common soldiers who know he is not one of them. But Williams is determined to prove by deeds alone that he is a man worthy of advancement, and when the 106th embarks for Portugal to begin what will become known as the Peninsula War against Napoleon, he knows his chance of glory is at hand. Soon he is receiving a sharp lesson in the realities of war, as the 106th undergoes a bloody baptism at the hands of the French - and he realises that his single-minded devotion to honour may not, after all, be the quickest route to promotion. Combining the vivid detail of a master historian with the engaging characters and pulsating action of a natural storyteller, TRUE SOLDIER GENTLEMAN is the first volume in what promises to be a classic series
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As someone who loves the military history, and reading military/naval historical fiction, of the period I am quite fussy, particularly when it comes to the detail in a story; I want the uniform descriptions, the tactics and the period feel etc to be accurate. This does not mean however I want to read a novel filled with minutiae that adds nothing to the story. Patrick O'Brian's series with Jack Aubrey set the standard in this respect and Adrian Goldsworthy comes very close to matching O'Brian.
True Soldier Gentleman is a great read and like O'Brian and Mallinson, the plot is based on historical fact and the fictitious characters and regiment are cleverly woven into real events. What I like is that the hero of the story, Hamish Williams, is a Gentleman Volunteer fighting in the ranks as a private soldier, but living with the officers with whom one day he hopes to join. Thankfully Adrian Goldsworthy portrays the officers far more realistically than those in the Sharpe novels; they are portrayed as Gentlemen, good and bad, but doing their duty and not as complete buffoons. The 106th Foot is a Line Regiment, taking the place of the real 29th Foot and this makes the story so much more grounded, as unlike Sharpe who being a Rifleman is in an 'elite' regiment, the 106th is a reflection of the majority of the regiments who fought so long and hard in the Peninsular War.
Where would I put Goldsworthy against, Bernard Cornwell (Sharpe)- above and Allan Mallinson (Hervey) - neck and neck. For me the Sharpe stories are too 'gung ho' and I have never really been able to get into them, so unsurprisingly I prefer Mallinson and Goldsworthy as both give you a great story in a more measured way. I do agree with one reviewer that the Russian angle was not needed - that said, it is does not affect the story.
Read this book you will enjoy it. I have the second in the series and am looking forward to it enormously.
True Soldier Gentleman is a great read and like O'Brian and Mallinson, the plot is based on historical fact and the fictitious characters and regiment are cleverly woven into real events. What I like is that the hero of the story, Hamish Williams, is a Gentleman Volunteer fighting in the ranks as a private soldier, but living with the officers with whom one day he hopes to join. Thankfully Adrian Goldsworthy portrays the officers far more realistically than those in the Sharpe novels; they are portrayed as Gentlemen, good and bad, but doing their duty and not as complete buffoons. The 106th Foot is a Line Regiment, taking the place of the real 29th Foot and this makes the story so much more grounded, as unlike Sharpe who being a Rifleman is in an 'elite' regiment, the 106th is a reflection of the majority of the regiments who fought so long and hard in the Peninsular War.
Where would I put Goldsworthy against, Bernard Cornwell (Sharpe)- above and Allan Mallinson (Hervey) - neck and neck. For me the Sharpe stories are too 'gung ho' and I have never really been able to get into them, so unsurprisingly I prefer Mallinson and Goldsworthy as both give you a great story in a more measured way. I do agree with one reviewer that the Russian angle was not needed - that said, it is does not affect the story.
Read this book you will enjoy it. I have the second in the series and am looking forward to it enormously.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Competent, but more history than novel in style and substance
Overall this was a competent novel, but I don't think this lives up to the hype that surrounded it, and I would recommend borrowing this, rather than buying, just to find out if... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Opus_Seven
Gentleman Volunteer
A very good start to what I hoping will be as good a series as Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe which has set the Standard. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Aussie downunder
Opposite to Sharpe
Having read comments stating that the two books by Goldsworthy, 'True Soldier Gentleman' and 'Beat the Drums Slowly' were on a par with the Richard Sharpe novels I was very keen to... Read more
Published 2 months ago by A. Coop
Enjoyable historical romp
I found True Soldier Gentlemen to be a thoroughly enjoyable read. Goldsworthy evokes the period well, and shows a good deal of promise as a novelist. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jack
True gentleman soldier
If you have read 'Sharpe', then you would like True Soldier Gentleman. Has a different perspective on a soldier learning his trade. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Patrick
Not quite.
To be fair it does say on the back cover Jane Austen meets Bernard Cornwall but lot of fans of Bernard Cornwall's Sharp series who may be attracted to this novel will alas be... Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. N. Bullock
Excellent
Excellent all round service and product, on time and well packaged. Couldn't be better and very well pleased. Great book.
Published 4 months ago by Frankly
True to the period
I find the Napoleonic Wars fascinating and am always pleased to see a new novel set within the period. Read more
Published 5 months ago by D.Buttery
A good solid read that get's better
Not sure I like the title, but taken from the famous song 'over the hills'.
I found it to be an enjoyable read more when the regiment reached portugal, another one for... Read more
I found it to be an enjoyable read more when the regiment reached portugal, another one for... Read more
Published 12 months ago by D. Cook
Start of a saga
Like other reviewers I know the author from his books on Roman history and was a little surprised to find this novel was set in the Napoleonic Wars. Read more
Published 15 months ago by H. T. Davies
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