Run Them Ashore

Napoleonic Wars #5

by Adrian Goldsworthy

As the fifth novel in acclaimed historian Adrian Goldsworthy's Napoleonic series opens, British fortunes in the Peninsular War are at their lowest ebb. Lieutenant Hamish Williams of the 106th Foot will soon discover just how precarious their situation is, and what bloody sacrifices are necessary to prevent total victory for the French. While the Navy keeps the British foothold at Cadiz from falling to the enemy, help from the valiant but divided Spanish guerrillos will be vital if the French advance on land is to be halted. Alongside the experienced 'exploring officer' Lieutenant Hanley, Williams joins the Spanish partisans behind enemy lines, but while he learns much about the viciousness of guerrilla warfare - not least that women can sometimes fight with all the ferocity of their male counterparts - he quickly finds that the greatest danger comes from his own side. Carrying vital knowledge of a traitor, Williams must find his way back to the British lines before a deadly French trap can be sprung, but with the British commanders determined to go on the attack, will he be able to avert disaster?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, War

368 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2014

About the author

Adrian Goldsworthy, born in 1969, is the author of numerous acclaimed books, including biographies of Julius Caesar and Augustus. He lectures widely and consults on historical documentaries for the History Channel, National Geographic, and the BBC. He lives in the UK.

Reviews

[Mark Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent addition to a good series as Williams, Pringle and Hanley aid the Spanish partisans against the invading French. A traitor works against them, Williams still covets the gorgeous Miss McAndrews and there many battles and scrapes before a huge fight to end the book. Always good to catch up with this trio of likeable rouges.

[Gareth Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the five books in the series so far, this one reads most like characters inserted into a detailed description of a battle. It had rather the feel of a docudrama - informative, sometimes compelling but caught a little between two stools. Nevertheless, one key character arc reaches a pleasing conclusion and I will certainly be reading the last in the series soon.

[Mark Croxford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Napoleonic wars in southern Spain

Enjoyable book of the Penisula war.

The fifth book in the series and the characters are old friends. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Nicholas Quenet · Rating 5 out of 5]

1810 against Napoleon

This was a very exciting book & most of it happened in 1810. I know a lot of Napoleonic history at that time including the fights in the control of Spain & Portugal but you made the action more exciting than I remembered reading about. Our continued fight in pushing the French back will be in book 6.