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Matthew Hervey #4
A Call to Arms
Matthew Hervey is recalled to take up arms against Burmese rebels massing on the frontier with India in the fourth installment of his adventures with the Light Dragoons.
The last two years have not been good ones for Matthew Hervey. His beloved wife Henrietta is dead and, believing that he can no longer remain in a regiment where men like Lord Towcester can rise to command, he has turned his back on the 6th Light Dragoons. He is left kicking his heels in a corrupt and unruly England far removed from its once glorious past.
1819 sees Hervey in Rome with his sister Elizabeth, where a chance meeting with one of England’s most controversial men of letters leads him to rethink his future. Joined by his old friend Captain Peto, Hervey realizes just how much he has missed the excitement of military action and the camaraderie of the Sixth. Soon he is en route for Hounslow via Whitehall, where he hurriedly purchases a new commission and is refitted for the uniform of his former regiment. There he finds things much changed for the better. Though depleted in numbers, they are now under the assured leadership of Sir Ivo Lankester, brother of Edward Lankester, hero of Waterloo. Hervey’s first task is to raise a new troop and then to organize transport, for his men and horses are to set sail for India with immediate effect.
What Hervey and his greenhorn soldiers cannot know is that in India they will face a trial for which they are sorely ill-prepared. For a large number of Burmese warboats are being assembled near the headwaters of the river leading to Chittagong, and the only way to thwart their advance involves an arduous and hazardous march through the jungle. Hervey and his troop find themselves in the midst of hot and bloody action once more.
The last two years have not been good ones for Matthew Hervey. His beloved wife Henrietta is dead and, believing that he can no longer remain in a regiment where men like Lord Towcester can rise to command, he has turned his back on the 6th Light Dragoons. He is left kicking his heels in a corrupt and unruly England far removed from its once glorious past.
1819 sees Hervey in Rome with his sister Elizabeth, where a chance meeting with one of England’s most controversial men of letters leads him to rethink his future. Joined by his old friend Captain Peto, Hervey realizes just how much he has missed the excitement of military action and the camaraderie of the Sixth. Soon he is en route for Hounslow via Whitehall, where he hurriedly purchases a new commission and is refitted for the uniform of his former regiment. There he finds things much changed for the better. Though depleted in numbers, they are now under the assured leadership of Sir Ivo Lankester, brother of Edward Lankester, hero of Waterloo. Hervey’s first task is to raise a new troop and then to organize transport, for his men and horses are to set sail for India with immediate effect.
What Hervey and his greenhorn soldiers cannot know is that in India they will face a trial for which they are sorely ill-prepared. For a large number of Burmese warboats are being assembled near the headwaters of the river leading to Chittagong, and the only way to thwart their advance involves an arduous and hazardous march through the jungle. Hervey and his troop find themselves in the midst of hot and bloody action once more.
384 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2002
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131 people want to read
About the author
Allan Mallinson
44 books87 followersBrigadier Allan Lawrence Mallinson is an English author and was an officer in the British Army.
Mallinson is best known for writing a series of novels chronicling the (fictional) life of Matthew Hervey, an officer serving in the (fictional) British 6th Light Dragoons from the late Napoleonic Wars through subsequent colonial conflicts in India, North America and south Africa.
Mallinson is best known for writing a series of novels chronicling the (fictional) life of Matthew Hervey, an officer serving in the (fictional) British 6th Light Dragoons from the late Napoleonic Wars through subsequent colonial conflicts in India, North America and south Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 6, 2021
Read this book in 2006, and its the 4th volume of the wonderful "Matthew Hervey" series.
The years AD 1817 and 1818 has been very hard for Matthew Hervey, not only his disastrous military endeavour in Canada but most of all losing his wife, Henrietta Lindsey, over there in dire circumstances.
Now in the year AD 1819, and still feeling bereft about the loss of his wife, he's visiting Rome with his sister Elizabeth, and a chance encounter will make him decide to purchase a new commission, and he will be awarded for another stint with the 6th Light Dragoons.
He must as quickly as possible raise a new troop and transport, for they are heading back towards India.
Over there in India Hervey and his troop will encounter another military trial in repelling Burmese war-boats near Chittagong, and in doing so they will have to march through the jungle territory.
Hervey and his men are in the thick of the action, and they must do everything to stay alive and defeat a ferocious enemy so they can move forward towards another military adventure.
Highly recommended, for this is another excellent historical adventure of this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Brilliantly Executed Call"!
The years AD 1817 and 1818 has been very hard for Matthew Hervey, not only his disastrous military endeavour in Canada but most of all losing his wife, Henrietta Lindsey, over there in dire circumstances.
Now in the year AD 1819, and still feeling bereft about the loss of his wife, he's visiting Rome with his sister Elizabeth, and a chance encounter will make him decide to purchase a new commission, and he will be awarded for another stint with the 6th Light Dragoons.
He must as quickly as possible raise a new troop and transport, for they are heading back towards India.
Over there in India Hervey and his troop will encounter another military trial in repelling Burmese war-boats near Chittagong, and in doing so they will have to march through the jungle territory.
Hervey and his men are in the thick of the action, and they must do everything to stay alive and defeat a ferocious enemy so they can move forward towards another military adventure.
Highly recommended, for this is another excellent historical adventure of this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Brilliantly Executed Call"!
February 20, 2019
The first half of the novel shows Matthew Hervey at loose ends while out of the army. Though he spends time with Percy Shelley, and though he gets into a brief action between Carboneri and Austrian troops, the book is slowly paced as beginnings go. Once he repurchases a commission and begins recruiting and training dragoons, things get more interesting. It is when his regiment ships to India (their services having been bought by the Honorable East India Company, that Hervey's career picks up in interest, especially when his lone troop finds itself a forty-man barrier against a Burmese invasion (supported, it must be noted, by Skinner's Horse).
July 11, 2012
I wanted to enjoy this. Built around two things I enjoy greatly, Napoleonic soldiering and India, the book seemed to be set up for a thoroughly engaging read. And yet I found Hervey to be stiff, stilted and two dimensional on this tale. He lacks the depth of Aubrey and Maturin or the fortitude of Sharpe. Indeed he is more Richard Bolitho than anyone else; too self-righteous and not real enough.
The tale itself meanders and seems disjointed. Mallinson does not write with the clarity and panache of Russell or Cornwell, nor with the elegance and wit of O'Brien. I have a few more of his on my to-read shelves, but I suspect it will be some time before they reach my hand.
The tale itself meanders and seems disjointed. Mallinson does not write with the clarity and panache of Russell or Cornwell, nor with the elegance and wit of O'Brien. I have a few more of his on my to-read shelves, but I suspect it will be some time before they reach my hand.
March 3, 2019
Mallinson's fourth entry in the Hervey series reflects an author maturing and getting comfortable with both his style, setting and protagonist, something which only bodes well for the future of the series.
As before, Hervey's escapades take him around the globe, from Italy to England and back to India and the border with Burma, and in this respect, A Call to Arms manages to pick up where The Nizam's Daughters left off, with a clear narrative against a definite foe. Given one of my criticisms of A Regimental Affair was that Hervey never seemed to have an enemy (aside from his CO) who lasted more than a few pages, it was nice to have a narrative which flowed relatively smoothly from start to finish.
Mallinson also sets out what will hopefully become the beginning of a more stable group of characters to surround Hervey by finally giving him a troop of his choice. While existing characters such as Collins, Armstrong and Johnson return, it's nice to see a bit more characterisation of the ranks, in the same way one sees in a Sharpe with the members of the 95th. His character work is beginning to mature, and Hervey's crisis of faith and maturation in the face of life's realities begin to make up for the somewhat aggravating naivety shown in some of the previous works.
There are, of course, a few criticisms which still haunt the series; Mallinson occasionally still is a bit too indulgent with his prose and speech, and the opening scenes in Rome drag a little bit, but at the same time he seems to have tamped down on his urge to discuss every aspect of horsemanship and the various ailments they might encounter in exchange with some more general information about life in a regiment.
All in all, I found this to be the most satisfying of the Hervey novels thus far, and having been wavering about whether to continue reading the series following some of the decisions in previous works, it's nice to have one's faith rewarded.
As before, Hervey's escapades take him around the globe, from Italy to England and back to India and the border with Burma, and in this respect, A Call to Arms manages to pick up where The Nizam's Daughters left off, with a clear narrative against a definite foe. Given one of my criticisms of A Regimental Affair was that Hervey never seemed to have an enemy (aside from his CO) who lasted more than a few pages, it was nice to have a narrative which flowed relatively smoothly from start to finish.
Mallinson also sets out what will hopefully become the beginning of a more stable group of characters to surround Hervey by finally giving him a troop of his choice. While existing characters such as Collins, Armstrong and Johnson return, it's nice to see a bit more characterisation of the ranks, in the same way one sees in a Sharpe with the members of the 95th. His character work is beginning to mature, and Hervey's crisis of faith and maturation in the face of life's realities begin to make up for the somewhat aggravating naivety shown in some of the previous works.
There are, of course, a few criticisms which still haunt the series; Mallinson occasionally still is a bit too indulgent with his prose and speech, and the opening scenes in Rome drag a little bit, but at the same time he seems to have tamped down on his urge to discuss every aspect of horsemanship and the various ailments they might encounter in exchange with some more general information about life in a regiment.
All in all, I found this to be the most satisfying of the Hervey novels thus far, and having been wavering about whether to continue reading the series following some of the decisions in previous works, it's nice to have one's faith rewarded.
February 25, 2023
I really like this series. Written with masterly aplomb, as ever. I love H/Faction when written with the authority and detail of an academic in the subject, added to the flair and skill of an accomplished novelist. Mr Mallinson, although not an historian per se, did and does LIVE the history of the subject, which adds yet another dimension.
The use of language style is also exquisite (many would do well to match it) which adds even more to the delight awaiting anyone who picks up these books.
(My only wee negative thought is that the action is a bit like a single firework at the end of the night - colourful and dramatic, but leaves you wanting more… but the build up is fascinating and I guess that’s the beauty of a series. Roll on the next book!! Is that the sound of hooves I hear…?)
The use of language style is also exquisite (many would do well to match it) which adds even more to the delight awaiting anyone who picks up these books.
(My only wee negative thought is that the action is a bit like a single firework at the end of the night - colourful and dramatic, but leaves you wanting more… but the build up is fascinating and I guess that’s the beauty of a series. Roll on the next book!! Is that the sound of hooves I hear…?)
January 20, 2025
Reluctantly Back in Service.
I began this series with this edition, and perhaps I arrived too late to the party. The main character engaged in excessive introspection. While he may have struggled with the effects of his earlier service, this focus was a burden on the story's progression. Unfortunately, we only encounter the action we were hoping for at the very end. By that time, I had already lost interest in this slow-moving cavalry parade.
I began this series with this edition, and perhaps I arrived too late to the party. The main character engaged in excessive introspection. While he may have struggled with the effects of his earlier service, this focus was a burden on the story's progression. Unfortunately, we only encounter the action we were hoping for at the very end. By that time, I had already lost interest in this slow-moving cavalry parade.
May 9, 2020
Talk about slow. Took half the book before the story got started. I like being transported back in time and this is what you get with this series as the way the characters talk, act, think is just as you would expect in the early 19th century. The only reason for not getting 4 is the pace of the book and more that this is about Captain Hervey's personal inner struggle. Still a good read.
February 23, 2025
Having first come to this period of historical novels through Cornwell's Sharpe stories, and as one of the few who isn't a massive fan of the ponderous Patrick O'Brien books, these Mallinson ones, which as someone else has described them, are like Sharpe written by Austen (and although I have never read a Jane Austen novel I get what they mean), are never going to be my favourites. They aren't as "page-turning" as some of the genre, with the narrative being somewhat linear and lacking in action. But I appreciate the period and local detail (it has set me down many a Google rabbithole), about an episode of British imperial history I know little about, and the mindset of the hero is refreshingly of the time, rather than, as with many other series that I love, being anachronistically 21st century in outlook. So whilst it may not be my favourite historical series I will probably seek out what happens next with Captain Hervey and E Troop.
April 7, 2012
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the previous 3 in the series. I found it rather slow moving with a somewhat disjointed plot (or perhaps more than one plot). It may be that I was getting tired of Mallinson's writing in a pre-Victorian style (though this lends a great deal of authenticity to the novel). Nevertheless Mallinson's description of regimental recruitment of the era and his description of army life in India was fascinating. As I mentioned before, I would love to have a glossary for the military, Indian, and the time period vocabulary. A decent read for those interested in this era and in the cavalry of the time, but without such an interest the plot would not likely hold many readers.
December 29, 2016
This is Number 4 in the extraordinary Mallinson series focused on early 19th century English cavalry. Mallinson's knowledge of and love for cavalry is overwhelming; one layman wishes for a little more explanation of technicalities and technique in some places, but as with Patrick O'Brian's work, one can work out enough of what is going on to enjoy the flow and the richness of the details of time and place. My only quibble with this book is that so much of it is devoted to the hero Hervey's soul-searching consideration of whether to re-enter the cavalry, and then to the recruitment and training of his new E Troop, that little space is left for the action when he finally returns to India. No matter; this is great stuff, and the stage is set for much more.
April 23, 2016
Still mourning the loss of his wife, Matthew Hervey finally decides to return the 6th which is under new and capable leadership. The book ambles for too long while we wait for the captain to find himself, but once he does the story takes off. Hervey ends up in India for what could be several years. As he is forming up a new troop so many new characters are introduced.
As usual, one of Mallinson's strengths is his use of period language. He is getting better at not overwhelming the reader with equine terminology. His description of scenery and smells is quite vivid. He is, without a doubt, the Patrick O' Brian of his genre.
As usual, one of Mallinson's strengths is his use of period language. He is getting better at not overwhelming the reader with equine terminology. His description of scenery and smells is quite vivid. He is, without a doubt, the Patrick O' Brian of his genre.
May 24, 2010
Mallinson's comparison to Patrick O'Brian are to my mind accurate and well earned. for period feel and colour he cannot be beat. Because he uses period language, manners and speech these books can be somewhat tough sledding but the effort is well rewarded.
Still morning the loss of his wife Hervey is back in the regiment and off to India
Still morning the loss of his wife Hervey is back in the regiment and off to India
June 13, 2022
4 This book has been frequently been described as ‘rip roaring’ and it is certainly that. Great descriptions of the minutiae of cavalry life which could only have been written by someone with a Great deal of experience. Lovely turn of phrase eg A trooper is described as being as 'useful as a sewn-up arse. . Definitely recommended to the normal crew.
February 11, 2012
All of the Mathew Hervey adventures are gripping stories - as good a series of reads as the Patrick O'Brian Aubrey/Maturin seafaring adventures. Great for lovers of horses. I have read, and re-read, the lot.
September 2, 2012
The series is chugging along nicely. there's enough here to keep one's interest. A cut above the average, but still not comparable to O'Brian
February 10, 2014
Another great story from Mallinson,
The man sheds light on things that other writers ignore, a benefit of a man who has the experience to back up his imagination.
The man sheds light on things that other writers ignore, a benefit of a man who has the experience to back up his imagination.
January 31, 2015
An interesting book, not really my usual fair, and I will admit I struggled a bit with it
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews