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A Close Run Thing | 
 enlarge | Author: Allan Mallinson
Publisher: Bantam Books
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy Used: £0.01
You Save: £7.98 (100%)
New (20) Used (164) Collectible (1) from £0.01
Rating:  21 reviews
Sales Rank: 99413
Media: Paperback
Edition: New edition
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5 x 1.1
ISBN: 0553507133
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780553507133
ASIN: 0553507133
Publication Date: March 2, 2000
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: PAPERBACK BOOK - GOOD OVERALL CONDITION - TRUSTED DEVON (UK) BASED SELLER - IN STOCK - SENT WITHIN 1 WORKING DAY - AVAILABLE BY EMAIL FOR QUERIES - NO QUIBBLE REFUND IF NOT COMPLETELY SATISFIED -
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| Customer Reviews: Read 16 more reviews...
 A close run thing whether I finished it.. October 15, 2008
SE Killick (Lewes, East Sussex, UK)
Mallinson is no Bernard Cornwell. This book does not fizz along like another hero from Waterloo, Major Richard Sharp. In fact Mallinson's prose is written in the style of cod jane Austen whilst also relying on his reader to have an in depth knowledge of horse ailments and equipment.
Mallinson's hero, Cornet Hervey, rather like the author's prose, takes time to get anywhere. Indeed there were moments when Hervey is being selflessly noble in Ireland whilst musing over what to do with his object of affection in England when I nearly gave up.
When we and Hervey finally get to June 18th, 1815, the pace quickens as one might anticipate although it is the harrowing aftermath of this bloody encounter that produces the best writing in the whole book. Good fortune and coincidence shine on the righteous and all ends happily for those who survived the battle.
As an enthusiastic student of the Waterloo campaign, the book had its moments for me. Sadly not sufficient to want to read another Mallinson.
 Turgid proto-victorian prig December 10, 2007
P. A. Rowell (Sawbridgeworth, UK)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Religion, religion everywhere. Harvey saves the day all by himself for the plucky British. I thought it was all a bit more complex than that. Holding on till the timely arrival of the Prussians surely had something to do with it, but heyho...
Unfortunately, Harvey is exactly the kind of proto-victorian stiff upper lipped christian soldier prig General Flashman VC so joyfully derides and bamboozles.
If this era is of military interest forget Harvey read Flashman.
BORING. July 2, 2007
Mr. C. A. Miller (blackpool ,lancashire,England)
I'm not one to give up on a serie's after reading just the first book,I read the first three installment's in a row,none of these storie's got me gripped and so I decided to not read the fourth-due to the fact I found the other's to slow and boring.Don't get me wrong I enjoy a good historical epic,but Mathew Hervey is no Richard Sharpe or John Caspasian.
 An unjustifiably lukewarm reception. March 16, 2007
gixxer (London)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I would strongly recommend you read this, and make up your own mind. (I know..Right before I launch into an opinionated tirade of my own...)
If you are an O'Brian fan, you will be right at home, no matter what others might say. I found the writing was extraordinarily good, and frequently beautiful.
Apart from identifying Jane Austen as the author of "Pride and Prejudice", the attention to detail seems faultless. Again, like O'Brian, all the books are littered with terminology that I'm perfectly happy to take on trust. Most of the time the context gives you a reasonable hint, and if it really bothers anyone that much, there is always Google.
Same with the language and manners. I'm convinced.
I have no problem with interludes between all the battles. This is one for the long haul, and the calm, and background suit me fine and help character development.
Better still, as you progress though the series, All the characters actually stay in character. Nothing's worse than people suddenly behaving inexplicably.
All action, all the time, can be a bit like drinking six pints of coffee and watching any* noisy sequel to what was a decent enough original film.
*I reserve the right to exempt "Aliens" from the "Rubbish Sequel" rule. Properly noisy, and a classic in its own right.
Ze Prussians are coming! February 24, 2007
Mr. A. J. Watson (Huddersfield UK)
Sorry but do not be deceived,this is more Sharp than Aubrey/Maturin. It is a decent enough story for all that; the detail on horses and cavalry practice is very good. The writing is fine also, but this is not written in a contemporary way like the O'Brian novels. My main gripe is the silly 'Allo Allo' exchanges with the Prussians at Waterloo and the cardboard cut out regional stereotypes. A good beach read for a holidaying Countryside Alliance activist.
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