Sudhagar
asked
David Gilman:
Hi David, I was very impressed with the Englishman especially the scenes from the Mali war as well as the Russian penal colony. Such a level of realism and scenes are unusual for a book in English. May I know did you carry out the research for this as such information are not easily available in English language?
David Gilman
Dear Sudhagar,
Thank you for getting in touch. It took a long time to dig out the research for both the Mali war involvement of the French Foreign Legion (I'm pleased to say a former Legionnaire with 15 years experience thought I had got the whole Legion ethic correct). I also recall being in Africa, both jungle and desert when I was a soldier and from the time I lived in Africa afterwards. So there are many sources of inspiration that can be embraced and out down on the page. And I am pleased to hear you think the atmosphere prevailed in the novel.
As far as the penal colony goes I found information via an Italian documentary in an Italian magazine and then discovered more about the harshness of these penal colonies. There are quite a few of them and some, like the one in the book are really bad - and it was one colony in particular that the various sites and articles in international, as well as Russian, periodicals that I based this prison on. Thanks again for getting in touch, Best wishes, David.
Thank you for getting in touch. It took a long time to dig out the research for both the Mali war involvement of the French Foreign Legion (I'm pleased to say a former Legionnaire with 15 years experience thought I had got the whole Legion ethic correct). I also recall being in Africa, both jungle and desert when I was a soldier and from the time I lived in Africa afterwards. So there are many sources of inspiration that can be embraced and out down on the page. And I am pleased to hear you think the atmosphere prevailed in the novel.
As far as the penal colony goes I found information via an Italian documentary in an Italian magazine and then discovered more about the harshness of these penal colonies. There are quite a few of them and some, like the one in the book are really bad - and it was one colony in particular that the various sites and articles in international, as well as Russian, periodicals that I based this prison on. Thanks again for getting in touch, Best wishes, David.
More Answered Questions
Diane
asked
David Gilman:
I've enjoyed the Master of War series. Cross of Fire was particularly interesting having visited places such as Bordeaux, Perigueax, Nimes, Avignon, Arles, and Carcassone - you capture the geography and landscape well. While somewhat familiar with the later part of the period (Azincourt, St Emilion, Joan of Arc), the evolution is interesting. Many parallels to Napoleonic wars do you agree?
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