Resultados narrador por "Henry Clore Harrison" en Todas las categorias

This book introduces a new central character, fledgling war correspondent, Thomas Harrison. Readers of Robert Brightwell’s earlier series may find descriptions of his grandfather familiar and certainly this Thomas has similar personality traits. His first assignment sees him sent to Paris. After an idyllic start, things go downhill fast when he joins the French army on its march to Berlin in the Franco–Prussian war of 1870. He soon learns that despite advantages in weaponry, he has joined a force that can turn snatching defeat from the jaws of victory into an art form.

In 1806, Prussia declared war on France, and in a disastrous campaign lost most of its territory. Russia was forced to come to its aid, and Britain too sent observers to assess how to help. Flashman joins this mission in what should have been a safe diplomatic visit, but of course was anything but.

While many people have heard of the battle at Rorke’s Drift, (featured in the film Zulu), and the one at Isandlwana that preceded it, few outside of South Africa know of an earlier and equally bloody conflict. Under a tyrannical king, the Zulu nation defended its territory with ruthless efficiency against white settlers. Only a naïve English vicar, with his family and some translators, are permitted to live in the king’s capital. It is into this cleric’s household that Thomas Flashman finds himself, as a most reluctant guest.

When other men might be looking forward to a well-earned retirement to enjoy their ill-gotten gains, Flashman finds himself once more facing overwhelming odds and ruthless enemies, while standing (reluctantly) shoulder to shoulder with some of America’s greatest heroes. A trip abroad to avoid a scandal at home leaves him bored and restless. They say the devil makes work for idle hands, and Lucifer surpassed himself this time, as Thomas is persuaded to visit the newly independent country of Texas.

The most fearsome enemy he ever faced. Of all the enemies that our hero has shrunk away from, there was one he feared above them all. By his own admission they gave him nightmares into his dotage. It was not the French, the Spanish, the Americans, or the Mexicans. It was not even the more exotic adversaries such as the Iroquois, Mahratta, or Zulus. While they could all make his guts churn anxiously, the foe that really put him off his lunch were the Ashanti.