Philip Womack

A break from sabre-thrusting

It’s peacetime and it’s snowing in the 12th instalment of Allan Mallinson’s tales of a cavalry officer: time for our hero to pause and review his career

Battle of Waterloo (Photo: Getty) 
issue 02 May 2015

Allan Mallinson’s historical series concerning Matthew Hervey, the well-bred, thoughtful soldier, details a world where men are practical and not too clever; where the only sensible vote is Tory; where Moors make ‘uncommonly good cymbalists’. Everything gleams, buffed up to a shining surface: it is a fantasy of empire and glory.

Two thirds of the way through this, the 12th book, our hero finds himself at the site of the Battle of Waterloo.

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