Allan Mallinson

Allan Mallinson is a British author and military historian best known for his Matthew Hervey series of historical novels set in the early 19th century. He served as a cavalry officer in the British Army for 35 years, reaching the rank of brigadier, before focusing on his writing career. The Matthew Hervey novels follow a cavalry officer through various military campaigns and draw heavily on Mallinson's own military experience and historical knowledge. The first book in the series, "A Close Run Thing," was published in 1999 and takes place during the Battle of Waterloo. Beyond fiction, Mallinson has written several non-fiction works on military history, including "The Making of the British Army" and "1914: Fight the Good Fight." His expertise in military matters has led to regular contributions to newspapers including The Times and The Daily Telegraph. Mallinson frequently appears as a commentator on military history for television and radio programs, particularly regarding cavalry warfare and the British Army's development. He holds a position as a visiting fellow at Oxford University and continues to write on both historical and contemporary military subjects.

Readers praise Mallinson's detailed knowledge of military history and cavalry tactics in the Matthew Hervey series. His authentic portrayal of army life and command decisions draws from his own military career. Multiple reviews note his ability to convey complex battle sequences. Readers liked: - Accurate historical and military details - Character development of Matthew Hervey - Period-appropriate dialogue and terminology - Battle scene descriptions Readers disliked: - Dense military terminology that can be hard to follow - Slower pacing between action sequences - Some find the level of tactical detail excessive Ratings: - Goodreads: Average 3.9/5 across the series - Amazon: 4.2/5 average - "A Close Run Thing" (Book 1): 4.1/5 Review quote from Amazon: "Mallinson brings authenticity and expertise but occasionally gets bogged down in military minutiae." LibraryThing review: "Strong on accuracy and period detail but requires patience with technical passages."

A Close Run Thing - Lieutenant Matthew Hervey, a young cavalry officer, faces combat during the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

The Nizam's Daughters - Hervey travels to India on a diplomatic mission that becomes entangled with military conflict and local politics.

A Regimental Affair - Back in England, Hervey deals with internal regiment conflicts while investigating a series of murders.

A Call to Arms - Hervey commands troops in Portugal during the Liberal Wars of the 1830s.

The Sabre's Edge - Set in 1824, Hervey leads military operations in Burma during the First Anglo-Burmese War.

Company of Spears - Hervey undertakes a mission in South Africa, dealing with both Zulu warriors and Dutch settlers.

Man of War - Chronicles Hervey's experiences during the Portuguese Civil War in 1827.

Warrior - Hervey commands forces in Canada during the rebellion of 1838.

On His Majesty's Service - Hervey serves as an intelligence officer in Portugal during a period of political upheaval.

The Making of the British Army - A non-fiction historical account of the British Army's development from the English Civil War to modern times.

Too Important for the Generals - A non-fiction analysis of military leadership during World War I.

Words of Command - Hervey faces challenges both personal and professional while serving in Ireland during a time of unrest.

Light Dragoons - A non-fiction history of the British Army's light cavalry regiments.

The Passage to India - Details Hervey's journey to India and subsequent involvement in military operations on the subcontinent.

Bernard Cornwell writes historical military fiction with a focus on Napoleonic-era warfare and combat tactics. His Sharpe series follows a British soldier's rise through the ranks during the Peninsular War, similar to Mallinson's Matthew Hervey series.

Patrick O'Brian created the Aubrey-Maturin series set during the Napoleonic Wars, depicting military life and strategy from a naval perspective. His work demonstrates deep research into period military practices and terminology.

C.S. Forester wrote the Horatio Hornblower series about a British naval officer's career during the Napoleonic Wars. His books focus on military leadership and the technical aspects of warfare in the early 19th century.

George MacDonald Fraser authored the Flashman series, following a British army officer through various 19th-century military campaigns. His works combine historical accuracy with first-person military narratives.

Simon Scarrow writes the Eagles of the Empire series about two Roman military officers, incorporating detailed military tactics and command structures. His focus on military life and advancement through ranks parallels Mallinson's approach to cavalry warfare.