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George Hart #2
Hart of Empire
George Hart, back in London following his heroic part in the Zulu Wars, scarcely has time to gamble away his meagre fortune before he is summoned to a secret meeting in Whitehall. There, Prime Minister Disraeli himself asks George to undertake a dangerous mission to Afghanistan.
Mistrust and dislike for the local ruler by the British is growing and Muslim extremists threaten to overthrow the local government. The British cannot allow the loss of Afghanistan, which would put at risk India, the jewel in the Imperial crown.
Although he suspects that the Establishment sees a part-Zulu officer as expendable, George can see that his dark skin will help him go undercover and soon, accompanied only by a local Pathan guide, he is descending the Khyber Pass into a strange and violent land. On the way he meets Yasmin, an alluring Afghan princess, and together this unlike trio find themselves in a race against time to prevent a tribal uprising and head off a catastrophic British invasion.
Mistrust and dislike for the local ruler by the British is growing and Muslim extremists threaten to overthrow the local government. The British cannot allow the loss of Afghanistan, which would put at risk India, the jewel in the Imperial crown.
Although he suspects that the Establishment sees a part-Zulu officer as expendable, George can see that his dark skin will help him go undercover and soon, accompanied only by a local Pathan guide, he is descending the Khyber Pass into a strange and violent land. On the way he meets Yasmin, an alluring Afghan princess, and together this unlike trio find themselves in a race against time to prevent a tribal uprising and head off a catastrophic British invasion.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published August 5, 2010
About the author
Saul David
53 books185 followersSAUL DAVID was born in Monmouth in 1966 and educated at Ampleforth College and Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities (History MA and PhD).
An expert in the wars of the Victorian period, he began writing his first history book when he was twenty-five and has since completed eight more. They include: The Homicidal Earl: The Life of Lord Cardigan (1997), a critically-acclaimed biography of the man who led the Charge of the Light Brigade; The Indian Mutiny:1857 (2002), shortlisted for the Westminster Medal for Military Literature; Zulu: The Heroism and Tragedy of the Zulu War of 1879 (2004), a Waterstone's Military History Book of the Year; and the bestselling Victoria's Wars: The Rise of Empire (2006). In 2007 he signed a three book deal with Hodder & Stoughton to write a series of historical novels set in the late Victorian period. The first, Zulu Hart, was published on 5 March 2009 to critical acclaim with The Times describing it as a 'rattling good yarn' with 'a compelling, sexy hero who could give Cornwell's Sharpe a run for his money'. He is currently writing a history of the British Army.
An expert in the wars of the Victorian period, he began writing his first history book when he was twenty-five and has since completed eight more. They include: The Homicidal Earl: The Life of Lord Cardigan (1997), a critically-acclaimed biography of the man who led the Charge of the Light Brigade; The Indian Mutiny:1857 (2002), shortlisted for the Westminster Medal for Military Literature; Zulu: The Heroism and Tragedy of the Zulu War of 1879 (2004), a Waterstone's Military History Book of the Year; and the bestselling Victoria's Wars: The Rise of Empire (2006). In 2007 he signed a three book deal with Hodder & Stoughton to write a series of historical novels set in the late Victorian period. The first, Zulu Hart, was published on 5 March 2009 to critical acclaim with The Times describing it as a 'rattling good yarn' with 'a compelling, sexy hero who could give Cornwell's Sharpe a run for his money'. He is currently writing a history of the British Army.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 21, 2017
OK, I gave this an extra star for the unwitting comedy is provided me with. It's not bad, but...it drove me to (fail) to look at how to add pictures to goodreads reviews (doesn't seem to be allowed which is a shame). So please imagine - Alec Guinness plays eight (or nine?) roles in Kind Hearts and Coronets. That's absolutely bugger all to the roles played by just one man in this book.
Basil Exposition.
That's right, Austin Powers' boss who exists merely to brief Austin, provide background and insight. A classic role in damn near every book and which made one of my favourite jokes in a film full of them. So here's Basil. He's the PM, the Prince of Wales, the squaddie, the frontier guard, the man at the hotel, the local guide. The farmer, the trader, the enemy, the rival, the old friend, the princess, the member of the mob - Basil Exposition plays them all. Once you imagine this it provides some unwitting comedy too. Yet it's brilliant just how many people meet George Hart and spill out their innermost thoughts and motivations within mere seconds of meeting him. Everyone seems to do it, which is lovely for Mr Hart, as it gives him a very straightforward role
The plot is a fairly general piece of bumph - but based on a general fact. Saul David is an excellent historian (I'd highly recommend Victoria's wars) and can write really engaging non-fiction. He can write engagingly here - the set pieces and the whole Afghan war piece is good fun. But he clearly can't resist the urge to shoehorn in as much history as he can - letters, explanations and so the appearance of Basil every couple of pages. Indeed at the end, Hart gets to lecture the British General in charge of the whole damn country (Roberts) on his performance in the campaign and point out the mistakes he made. Because of course he would...
I'd much rather have read a non-fiction piece by him on this. But despite Basil's smooth tones and glakit expression emanating from just about every character. That adds a star. I t's not a huge surprise he seems to have gone back to 'proper' history - which he is very good at. Though I'd still have bought another one of these to be honest. Fun enough, unwittingly tremendous stuff with Basil.
Basil Exposition.
That's right, Austin Powers' boss who exists merely to brief Austin, provide background and insight. A classic role in damn near every book and which made one of my favourite jokes in a film full of them. So here's Basil. He's the PM, the Prince of Wales, the squaddie, the frontier guard, the man at the hotel, the local guide. The farmer, the trader, the enemy, the rival, the old friend, the princess, the member of the mob - Basil Exposition plays them all. Once you imagine this it provides some unwitting comedy too. Yet it's brilliant just how many people meet George Hart and spill out their innermost thoughts and motivations within mere seconds of meeting him. Everyone seems to do it, which is lovely for Mr Hart, as it gives him a very straightforward role
The plot is a fairly general piece of bumph - but based on a general fact. Saul David is an excellent historian (I'd highly recommend Victoria's wars) and can write really engaging non-fiction. He can write engagingly here - the set pieces and the whole Afghan war piece is good fun. But he clearly can't resist the urge to shoehorn in as much history as he can - letters, explanations and so the appearance of Basil every couple of pages. Indeed at the end, Hart gets to lecture the British General in charge of the whole damn country (Roberts) on his performance in the campaign and point out the mistakes he made. Because of course he would...
I'd much rather have read a non-fiction piece by him on this. But despite Basil's smooth tones and glakit expression emanating from just about every character. That adds a star. I t's not a huge surprise he seems to have gone back to 'proper' history - which he is very good at. Though I'd still have bought another one of these to be honest. Fun enough, unwittingly tremendous stuff with Basil.
June 3, 2020
Set during the Second Anglo-Afghan War of 1878-1880, 'Hart of Empire' follows our hero of the Zulu Wars, George Hart, as he goes undercover in Afghanistan to prevent a take over of the country that would threaten the very essence of the Imperial crown, India.
Initially he isn't too keen to take on the adventure, but, needing the money offered, he suddenly finds himself in the Khyber Pass ready to take action. He recruits a local Pathan, Ilderim, as a guide and off they go and his stirring adventures around the country begin.
He finds himself in Kabul where the British Resident, Sir Louis Cavagnari, ignores his warnings about an invasion and shortly thereafter he pays the price. Hart, along with Ilderim, manages to escape by the skin of his teeth and thereafter his life is in danger at every turn. Indeed, Ilderim saves his life on more than one occasion.
He meets up with a local princess, Yasmin, who joins the duo in their quest to prevent an uprising that could have catastrophic consequences for the British. Yasmin, to whom Hart has taken a shine, branches out on her own, Hart and Ilderim, then get into more danger but manage to avoid the trouble that Yasmin subsequently finds herself in. Eventually Hart manages to be heavily involved in the prevention of disaster for the British and he is later recommended for an honour by Sir Frederick Roberts, who at one time he was at odds with.
'Hart of Empire' is a mixture of fact and fiction, which is nicely interwoven but I felt I missed out a little for my geography of Afghanistan is scant so I had to refer continually to the maps at the front. A short afterword by the author helps to put the story more neatly into its historical context.
Initially he isn't too keen to take on the adventure, but, needing the money offered, he suddenly finds himself in the Khyber Pass ready to take action. He recruits a local Pathan, Ilderim, as a guide and off they go and his stirring adventures around the country begin.
He finds himself in Kabul where the British Resident, Sir Louis Cavagnari, ignores his warnings about an invasion and shortly thereafter he pays the price. Hart, along with Ilderim, manages to escape by the skin of his teeth and thereafter his life is in danger at every turn. Indeed, Ilderim saves his life on more than one occasion.
He meets up with a local princess, Yasmin, who joins the duo in their quest to prevent an uprising that could have catastrophic consequences for the British. Yasmin, to whom Hart has taken a shine, branches out on her own, Hart and Ilderim, then get into more danger but manage to avoid the trouble that Yasmin subsequently finds herself in. Eventually Hart manages to be heavily involved in the prevention of disaster for the British and he is later recommended for an honour by Sir Frederick Roberts, who at one time he was at odds with.
'Hart of Empire' is a mixture of fact and fiction, which is nicely interwoven but I felt I missed out a little for my geography of Afghanistan is scant so I had to refer continually to the maps at the front. A short afterword by the author helps to put the story more neatly into its historical context.
August 16, 2017
George Hart is one amazing 19-year old boy/man! He has been shot, stabbed, tortured, beaten up so many times...first in the Zulu War in 1879 and again in Afghanistan in the same year. But I really enjoyed reading both books and look forward to the third one coming out in Feb 2018.
I do find David's "Author's Notes" at the end of the book so interesting....really adds to the story for me. Have been amazed with the number of 'real' people featured in the novels ....googling the war involved confirms the validity of their part in the stories.
"We'll never understand each other, which is why we - the British - should stop trying to impose our culture and system of rule on unwilling and ungrateful foreigners". This quote is George Hart's reply on General Roberts' decision to leave Afghanistan after helping set up rulers in three areas instead of one ruler over all. I think we could apply this quote to aggressive nations in today's world also.
I do find David's "Author's Notes" at the end of the book so interesting....really adds to the story for me. Have been amazed with the number of 'real' people featured in the novels ....googling the war involved confirms the validity of their part in the stories.
"We'll never understand each other, which is why we - the British - should stop trying to impose our culture and system of rule on unwilling and ungrateful foreigners". This quote is George Hart's reply on General Roberts' decision to leave Afghanistan after helping set up rulers in three areas instead of one ruler over all. I think we could apply this quote to aggressive nations in today's world also.
November 27, 2022
331 pages
April 19, 2026
A novel set in the Afghan wars in the 1870s. Based around historic facts it is a decent adventure with good fictional and factual characters.
Read
April 30, 2015This is the second book featuring George Hart, a 19 year old British officer who is part Zulu so fairly darked skinned. On his return from the war against the Zulus George is summoned to Whitehall where he is asked to undertake a dangerous mission to Afghanistan where mistrust and dislike for the local ruler chosen by the British is growing and Muslim extremists threaten to overthrow the local government possibly putting at risk India. Whilst at the same time vested interests in India are looking for an excuse to invade Afghanistan.
Although he suspects that the Establishment sees a part-Zulu officer as expendable, George agrees to the mission and accompanied only by a Pathan guide, he is descending the Khyber pass into a strange and violent land. On the way he meets Yasmin, an alluring Afghan princess, and together this unlikely trio find themselves in a race against time to prevent a tribal uprising and head off a catastrophic British invasion.
The action is fast paced and although some historical facts have been distorted to suit the author's needs they are generally true. However, where the book falls down is with the character development. For me Hart or any of the other main characters were really believable and as such hard to really warm to. For me this was a decent piece of escapology that taught me a little about a war that I knew nothing about before but generally was just OK.
Although he suspects that the Establishment sees a part-Zulu officer as expendable, George agrees to the mission and accompanied only by a Pathan guide, he is descending the Khyber pass into a strange and violent land. On the way he meets Yasmin, an alluring Afghan princess, and together this unlikely trio find themselves in a race against time to prevent a tribal uprising and head off a catastrophic British invasion.
The action is fast paced and although some historical facts have been distorted to suit the author's needs they are generally true. However, where the book falls down is with the character development. For me Hart or any of the other main characters were really believable and as such hard to really warm to. For me this was a decent piece of escapology that taught me a little about a war that I knew nothing about before but generally was just OK.
May 24, 2012
I've read this out of order, there is a first book in the series with George Hart in South Africa. I highly recommend reading it first, I missed quite a bit by not doing that.
George Hart has returned from the Zulu Wars and because of his complexion he is asked by the British government to undertake a secret mission in Afghanistan to protect their intersts in India. War, rebellion and a beautiful Afghan princess make his mission more complicated than he had hoped.
The writing style was to simple for my tastes and Hart was to much of a one dimensional character. There is stacks of action and there is no doubt that the author knows his history, which was my favorite part of the book.
George Hart has returned from the Zulu Wars and because of his complexion he is asked by the British government to undertake a secret mission in Afghanistan to protect their intersts in India. War, rebellion and a beautiful Afghan princess make his mission more complicated than he had hoped.
The writing style was to simple for my tastes and Hart was to much of a one dimensional character. There is stacks of action and there is no doubt that the author knows his history, which was my favorite part of the book.
May 7, 2012
Im not sure what it is about some readers of Historical fiction, the amount of times i have seen online that Saul Davids books are dry and boring and slow and plodding. BUNKUM...thats what i say.
I have enjoyed every word he has written, it was most definatly flashman without the humour, but it was fully with the enjoyment.
I reccomend this book and the other Hart book to anyone who reads Scarrow, Iggulden, Riches, Wilcox and others of the ilk.
(Parm)
I have enjoyed every word he has written, it was most definatly flashman without the humour, but it was fully with the enjoyment.
I reccomend this book and the other Hart book to anyone who reads Scarrow, Iggulden, Riches, Wilcox and others of the ilk.
(Parm)
May 21, 2012
Another very good read by Saul David. It didn't get five stars because it started too slowly for me, but when it did get started and George got to Afganistan then thing took aturn for the better.
well worth a read.
well worth a read.
January 21, 2013
A very enjoyable read but seemed to be lacking the action that was in the 1st hart novel! Still like a sharpe novel so if you like the swash buckling adventures you'll like this! Nice little ending just hope there will be another book to follow!
March 11, 2015
I don't really know what to say about his book. I didn't think it was fantastic. But not awful enough to not finish. I am not interested enough in the character to read the first one or hunt down the next in the series.
This would probably suit a teenage boy.
This would probably suit a teenage boy.
January 19, 2017
A good spy/adventure novel set into real history of Afghanistan. The central characters and their conversations while not "real", were well developed. It was a pleasant insight into Afghanistan. I will be on the lookout for more Novels from Saul David.
August 4, 2013
Nice easy read.
Hart is a character and I look forward to reading more from Saul David.
Hart is a character and I look forward to reading more from Saul David.
September 22, 2015
Not bad for a proof copy. The dialogue is very back-and-forward like real conversations, but I wasn't completely sold on the story. Still, not bad!
April 11, 2024
For a book I had no expectations of it was pretty good .
Give it a read! ( regardless of my 2 stars rating!) , there many books that do this better but there is something unique here .
Give it a read! ( regardless of my 2 stars rating!) , there many books that do this better but there is something unique here .
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews