The True Soldier (Jack Lark, Book 6): American Civil War, Battle of Bull Run, 1861

Jack Lark #6

by Paul Fraser Collard

In The True Soldier by Paul Fraser Collard, roguish hero Jack Lark - dubbed 'Sharpe meets the Talented Mr Ripley' - travels to America to reinvent himself as the American Civil War looms... A must-read for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow. 'Enthralling' - The Times

'This ain't the kind of war you are used to. It's brother against brother, countryman against countryman'

April, 1861. Jack Lark arrives in Boston as civil war storms across America.

A hardened soldier, Jack has always gone where he was ordered to go - and killed the enemy he was ordered to kill. But when he becomes a sergeant for the Union army, he realises that this conflict between North and South is different. Men are choosing to fight - and die - for a cause they believe in.

The people of Boston think it will take just one, great battle. But, with years of experience, Jack knows better. This is the beginning of something that will tear a country apart - and force Jack to see what he is truly fighting for.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Military Fiction, War, Adventure, Civil War, American Civil War

449 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2017

About the author

Paul's love of military history started at an early age. A childhood spent watching films like Waterloo and Zulu whilst reading Sharpe, Flashman and the occasional Commando comic, gave him a desire to know more of the men who fought in the great wars of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries. At school, Paul was determined to become an officer in the British army and he succeeded in winning an Army Scholarship. However, Paul chose to give up his boyhood ambition and instead went into the finance industry. Paul stills works in the City, and lives with his wife and three children in Kent.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and now Jack Lark takes us into the heart of new territory indeed - 1861 and the early months of the American Civil War.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts with an “Englishman” who has jus arrived in Boston with his last remaining cash in his pocket & his worldly possessions in a bag…. He looks destitute…. Broken….. he’s looking for an address to deliver some letters (see last book) & this being Boston he bumps into a few Irishmen, which, doesn’t go well….. but we all know this is JACK LARK & he pummels the trio in short order…..

Jack Lark has arrived on the shores of America jus as the Civil war fires it’s first shots, the very day in actuality that the South starts hostilities……

This one takes a little longer to get into the action but as we’re on a new continent, the lay of the land has to be set as do introductions to a rath of new characters into Jack’s life which is done just fine.

Jack is broken indeed, without purpose in life & his deliverer turns out to be the very man he came to carry the letters too, its this link that see’s to Jack becoming a sergeant in the Union Army, off to battle the confederates, the reasoning I’ll let you read for yerself…..

It takes a while for Jack to “fit in” with the lads, Boston being an Irish heartland who have no love of the English which is reflected in the company he joins. But as soon as he fits in, he’s quickly transformed into the Jack of old now he has purpose, that of being a soldier again & soon love interest(s) appear, his libido seemingly fully intact!

It’s a good romp, boys own style, full of tropes some might say but I have to say I fair enjoy this series when I pick it up every summer & it was a change for me to read about the American Civil War which is something I’ve never really read about or followed historically (bar a few films/tv shows) so found that educational too.

The contrast between Jack’s professionalism as one from the regular British Army & that of the American militiamen is obvious from the start & you can see day one how in all likelihood that Jack “will save the day”. As regards the war it covers the mobilisation & early manoeuvres before moving onto what becomes the Battle of Bull Run which is covered in more detail & gives a good feel for this type of warfare & how the battle builds from what would seem just a skirmish at the start.

I enjoyed this more than the prior book as it had more of a story to it I felt, with better pacing, perhaps even his best one yet after the initial foray into this series.

4.5 stars rounded to a 4 as it’s jus what I was after, most enjoyable.

[Ian Langham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series in a way is turning into a bit of a world tour of 19th century battle fields. This is not a bad thing as the titular hero Jack Lark gets to pit brawn and brain against many different foes. From the Crimea to India, Persia, back to Europe and beyond.In this volume Jack finds himself embroiled in the opening exchanges in the American civil war. After delivering on a promise made at the end of JL 5, Jack finds his only option to keep body and soul together is to accept a job body guarding the youngest son of a wealthy Boston family. In the course of this, which is the main plot hook. Jack discovers a (potential) love interest from an unusual source. Thrown into guarding the aforementioned son, Jack joins a local Boston regiment here he discovers, that the american officers are just like the others he has served alongside in the past. In that they are a mix of good, bad, heroic and cowardly. As the (1st)battle of Bull Run looms closer and closer Jack tries to whip his new comrades into some kind of battle order. One thing just before the battle Jack discovers his new employer, while he has grand visions and noble designs, has his own personal prejudices which come to light. Along with the other (later) tales in the series the writer paints vivid scenes of carnage along with the horror and confusion of mid 19th century battlefields. As opposed to the earlier volumes where the battlefields were portrayed as exciting if dangerous places. Of course as Jack has matured he has come to learn just what both massed and single combat really is.
Overall while Jack's travels and adventures have taken a young green, red coated recruit to a somewhat cynical veteran who appears to be resigned to his fate of death at some point on a battlefield. So where does Jack go next??

[Paul Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed Jack Lark to many places and events about which I knew very little; The Crimean War, trouble in Persia, revolt in India, Solferino, Italy, and the stews and gin palaces of London.  Now, because of a promise made to a dying man, Jack is in my neck of the woods; Boston, Massachusetts and just in time for a war I do know about; The Civil War.  Through the influence of the father of the dying man, Jack becomes not only a sergeant in the army, but also the protector of the dying man's brother. You could say that Jack is less than under whelmed by the readiness and experience of this newly formed unit, and in his own lovable brusque manner attempts to make that point. You could say that his new comrades are less than enthused by his doom and gloom attitude. The author has crafted an engaging tale focusing on the early days of the war with all the pomp and ceremony as the crowds cheer their sons, husbands, fathers, and sweethearts onto what they all believe will be a short, victorious campaign. He has also presented those early days in a well researched manner; I especially enjoyed the riot in Baltimore. It's not one of those familiar bits of the era and the author portrays it in admirable fashion. Along with that and the 1st Battle of Bull Run the reader is brought into the action in all it's sound and fury. Jack, at times not knowing what to do with his life, rediscovers the plain facts; he can lead men into that maw of death and destruction, and he can still become a perpetrator of that death and destruction. A marvelous tale indeed with well rounded characters, entertaining plots, and the promise of more Jack to come.

5 stars

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Lark gets better with every outing. From the battlefields of Europe, Lark finds himself arriving in Boston just before the outbreak of the American Civil War. Delivering the letters of a dead comrade, Lark is caught up in the patriotic fervour, and ends up marching to war with a Boston volunteer unit. At Manassas/Bull Run, everything is going to change. Except Lark's ability on a battlefield. He hasn't forgotten how to fight.

'The True Soldier' is fantastic. Fraser-Collard is ably filling the gap between the end of the Sharpe novels and the start of the Simon Fonthill adventures. Always been fascinated by the American Civil War, and this is a good fictional entry on the conflict. A great read!

[steven devenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacks back !

Best one yet must admit Jack does get around well rewritten a very believable story couldn't put it down very good read

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack Lark hadn’t intended to get involved in a civil war. He’d come to America bearing the letters from a friend who had fallen in combat, a man whose side he had stood by even when things grew grim and their unit was routed completely. But his friend had a powerful father, and a beautiful sister, and …well, things happen. Before he knew it, Jack Lark found himself wearing the uniform of a sergeant in the Federal army, there to serve as a bodyguard to the somewhat useless brother of his friend. Disliked by his largely Irish brigade and their naive officers, who regard his battle-weary advice as British arrogance, Lark finds himself marching with an army of fools into the first battle of the Civil War. But Irish toughs and wars aren’t enough of a challenge for Jack Lark, no sir — he has to let two women, equally problematic, into the picture.

I started reading the Jack Lark novels a year or or so ago: they’re basically an imitation of Cornwell’s Sharpe novels (which Cornwell seems to appreciate- – he’s called them “Brilliant”) , featuring an up-from-the-ranks soldier thrust into the brass. Previous books have seen Jack fighting in Crimea, India, Persia, and Lombardy, but this book brings him to familiar shores. Lark has no ideological interest in the war; questions of the Union, slavery, and States’ rights are little concern to him. Lark is a soldier; his talent is fighting, commanding, and killing. He stands in contrast to some of the other characters in this novel, whose heads are filled with great ideals — or strange plots, in the case of the beautiful but patently viperous Elizabeth. Because Lark chaffs with so many of the other characters — the Irish toughs who assault him in the street and later realize he’s their officer (…Patrick Harper, get back to England!), the other officers who are resentful and jealous — I assumed things would go poorly for Lark here, and sure enough on the next book he’s wearing a Confederate uniform.

I enjoyed The True Soldier well enough, but it’s one of the weakest in the series for me — possibly because it involves a battle that I’m already roughly familiar with, so there’s none of that thrill of the unknown that I got when reading about Jack’s time in central Asia. Some of the dialogue strikes me as unrealistic for 1861, particularly the fulsome rhetoric about the United States being a place for all races, creeds, etc. Collard remarks in his historical note that he drew it from a speech of the time, but it’s all over the place; his characters would be more at home in 1968 than 1861! In the next book Lark evidently goes behind Confederate lines in disguise, and then later drifts into Mexico, so we’ll see if things get any more realistic. Those who enjoy historical fiction purely for the combat should know that Bull Run appears late in the game here, around the 70% mark. Stonewall Jackson’s brigade makes a guest appearance for those who know a little about the battle; Lark is amazed by their refusal to budge during the moment that gave Jackson and his brigade their obdurant nickname.

On a side note, Jack Lark really is a Sharpe stand-in. Not only has he lost all of his money and Indian loot on a French woman, but he makes the same speeches to raw infantrymen about the importance of being able to Stand and fire three shots per minute. I don’t mind it in the least, but I keep giving Lark a Yorkshire accent that a London boy wouldn’t have!

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowwww.  Just finished The True Soldier.. Loved the Civil War backdrop.. What a thrilling ride to the end to read about Jacks journey in the Union Army.  Once again regiments charge; halt and fire, bayonets attach for a bloody and gruesome ending. As you read on you can picture the landscape of the bull run battlefield. Praise for this great novel of historical fiction. Paul has done a great job capturing the first major battle of the American Civil War; Union vs Confederates, so enjoyable to read.. his best work yet.

[Robin Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

I have to be transparent from the start, i’m a HUGE fan of this series, If any writer has managed to capture the spirit and adventure of Sharpe and the daring of his character then its Paul Collard, but he has done it in his own unique way with his own unique character, Jack Lark. ( Jack Lark v Sharpe).

Full review: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read this book because as a Southerner, I can’t bear to read Jack Lark as a bad guy fighting for the North. I am trying to find out what happens in this book so I can skip it and pick up when he defects to the South. I’ve read all the others and love them, and would like to see Lark wind up in the Franco Prussian war, if he can stay around for 10 more years

[Calvern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent as was expected!!!

From the first few lines I was captured in Jack's world. As always in trouble from day one, and uncontrollably heading for more!!! Can't wait for the next adventure .

[Mr Roy Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr Fraser Collard back to his best. Really enjoyed this one, after a disappointing 4 and 5. Yes, there's always baddie who is against wor Jack, but this was everyone against him! At least Jack seems to have found love, but I doubt that will last beyond book #07.

[Leonard White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book. Not as much action as the first five but still a good story. Scene moves from Europe to the U.S. as Jack Lark takes part in the Battle of Bull Run during the U.S. Civil War. Actually this was my introduction to the U.S. Civil War and I may further my reading in this area.

[John Nino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack adapts to America

Well written book in keeping with the remainder of the series. Maybe the curse will be broken in the good Ol’ USA.

[Allen Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The True Soldier

If you love American history, this is a required read. Based on facts with a wonderful bit of fiction thrown in.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to believe that this is already book #6 in Paul Fraser Collard's Jack Lark series: a series which (when it began) was probably best described as a Victorian Sharpe.

Over time, however, the series has grown its own character, with Jack Lark now at the stage where he is no longer assuming other's identities but is now living (and employed) under his own name, with this latest instalment seeing Jack caught up in the early days of the American Civil War, fighting for the North against the South in the first battle of Manassas (or Bull Run). Yes, I did see shades of Bernard Cornwell's other less-popular and less-well-known Starbuck in that last sentence.

As this is early days of the war, Collard takes great pains to show us just how fervent the belief was at the time that this would be 'all over by Christmas', and just how strongly the Northerners (and, by extension, the Southerners) believed in their cause, and that the enemy would run at the first sight of trouble. He also shows the lackluster preparations made by those in charge, even down to the fact that - at this stage - there was no clearly defined uniform, so how would you know who the enemy was?

In a change from the previous, however, Jack does not lose everything by the end of this particular novel - even if, once again, things do not go fully his (or, by extension, his employer's) way, with the Northern forces defeated in this particular instance.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well. It took Collard only five novels and three short stories to produce an entertaining and enjoyable book. I wrestled with the previous books because I sensed there was more to the story and the storytelling, and finally I was proven right. a gripping and fun read, Jack Lark has finally grown up to be a likeable character.

[John Walker]

The first Civil War book fiction or non-fiction I've read since the Age of Landrieu.

Jack Lark fresh from the Battle of Solferino was given a task by his dying friend Thomas Kearney to deliver letters to his father in Boston. Jack eventually finds his way to the U.S.A. where Jack comes at the beginning of what will become the Civil War.
The Kearney family is a right mess: Thomas' father is wealthy nasty piece, with a conniving daughter who, although engaged, seems to play favorites finally there is Robert, the youngest son. Robert wants to join the Union cause, after this is Boston, but is weak in what to do.
A devil's bargain enlists Jack is joining up with Robert to protect him from harm. Jack's is the best choice naturally and so we begin the training along with Robert's sister's beau, who hates Jack like Satan hates Holy Water. Another winkle is that this time Jack is a Second Lieutenant not a Major or Colonel, so he has grit his teeth and follow order's.
Still our boy Jack knows what war is really about and begins to train the men; and when it come time to meet the Confederate at a little place called Bull Run or Manassas (pick one) Jack will see how his advice,rarely taken and training, which plays much better work.
As always Collard knows his way around the battlefield with excellent description of strategy and tactics of the age with vivid descriptions of men in battle. Does the term 'Southron' mean Southern? not explained and pops up more times than it should.
The end of this book leaves Jack and Ruby (have to read the book to find out who she is) behind Confederate lines which will be the focus of this next book.
One last thing I gave this book four stars and a half which doesn't appear in the My Rating section.