Whose Business is to Die

Napoleonic Wars #6

by Adrian Goldsworthy, Adrian Goldsworthy

It's 1811. Wellington has finally driven Napoleon's armies from Portugal, but the cost has been high. Fearing a French counter-attack, the British must rally their tired men and go on the offensive. Lieutenant Hamish Williams of the 106th Foot relishes the call to action. Spurred on by the prospect of at last redeeming himself in the eyes of Jane McAndrews, he hopes for a battlefield promotion. But Williams is marching into the bloodiest battle of the war - Albuera. As entire regiments are destroyed in the desperate pursuit of victory, the fate of Williams and his comrades hangs in the balance . . .

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, War, Military Fiction

369 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 11, 2015

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 2 out of 5]

Very run of the mill addition to a decent series as the four friends moon over loves, ride around alot, kill some French, get wounded, moon again, kill more French.......series in need of a lift.

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not convinced I've read all the others in this series leading up to this instalment of pseudo-Sharp adventures in the Peninsular.

That would explain why there were a lot of threads I didn't understand.

That said, the details here are really well researched and the fictional characters mix in well with the historical figures, like Wellington and Beresford.

I particularly liked the uniform descriptions and distinctions that marked out different kinds of soldiers. The Polish Vistula Lancers were included (they had to be, to maintain credibility) and we even have the Irish legion in French service featured quite strongly. This is where Cornwell falls down, I think, as he concentrates on the story rather than the details that interest me very much as I have studied Napoleonic Uniforms for more than 50 years.

The plot is relatively genereic - girl/kidnap/shooting, and the battle scenes are excellent. A good read then, but would be a lot better with the knowledge of previous volumes behind you.

[Ben Duerksen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The current, and perhaps final, end to this Napoleonic fiction series. This was one of the stronger entries in the series, both for the tense combat as well as the anticipated resolution of Williams’ love interest. Some of the larger points of battle come across muddled, with detail like which 4 squads were to the left of which often dulling comprehension of the overall picture, likely contrary to the reason for their inclusion. The action sequences though are well paced, if not a little repetitive in places, and effectively convey the tumult of battle. The book also ends in a spot that mostly satisfies any loose ends given that a sequel doesn’t seem forthcoming; the author’s website says this was a planned 12 part series, but this sixth entry came out nearly a decade ago and he’s since moved on to his very good Roman historical fiction series. Perhaps he’ll revisit these characters once that second trilogy is complete…I hope so.

[Gareth Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the last book in this series I had expected more. Several story arcs are left incomplete although we are almost overloaded by battle manoeuvres which often have only a peripheral impact on the main characters we have come to care about of the course of the past five books.
For too much of the book, characters move from place to place (or not) as dictated by events, but without much sense of their own journeys. Perhaps Goldsworthy was running out of steam for this series, hence it was the last?
However, if you want the gory detail of a Peninsula War battle brought to life, them the closing chapters will definitely satisfy.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gripping adventure of Wellington's Peninsular Campaign. Alas, this seems to be the last in this series as Dr. Goldworthy has not seen fit to continue the adventures of Williams, Hanley, Pringle, and Truscott that would have surely taken them to Waterloo. I hope Adrian Goldworthy changes his mind as I shall miss these gallant friends and soldiers.

[Ian Kennon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pick up and put down book, the last quarter not a bedtime story

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

Avery good Napoleon war series. Enjoyed. Good characters. Flows well and takes a realistic approach to warfare and the results of battles

[Jim Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good history, excellent characters, and storyline are the hallmarks of this excellent series. Hopefully, it is only on pause before we get the next six entries.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable book like the previous 5 in the series. I was disappointed with the end which left several loose ends. It feels like there should be a book 7 but there isn’t. So great series, but a poor and incomplete ending.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an outstanding historical novel set in the Peninsular War with France where the British army and its allies under Wellington are driving the French out of Portugal and the action culminates in the battle of Albuera, near Badajoz. The quality of detail in respect of the different divisions on both sides, including all the different uniforms, as well as the weather and geography of the area is unequalled. The possibly overwhelming factual information is leavened by the delineation of the characters involved whom one can like, admire and even laugh at. This is an historical novel to rival Cornwall's Sharpe although the protagonists are much more "normal"; less heroic.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series of Adrian Goldswothy just goes from strength to strength,our group of heroes all get their turn in the spot light but it is Lieutenant Hamish Williams and Lieutenant William Hanley who carry this gripping yarn.This for me is story telling of the highest level,it takes you right into the thick of battle and makes me wonder how the men were able to stand the carnage that was all around them.Adrian Goldsworthy has again produced a cracking adventure spiced with detail research that for me feels the gap left by Sharpe.

[Cerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Polish **** was my overriding reaction to the Vistula Legion lancers riding down the Buffs. The author captures the visceral nature of battles of the time, and we readers pray that Bills and his friends in the 106th win through.