The Custom of the Army

The Custom of the Army (2012) Diana Gabaldon

Why do I like Lord John so much?

“The world is chaos and death and destruction. But people like you— you don’t stand for that. If there is any order in the world, any peace— it’s because of you, John, and those very few like you.”

And why do I like these stories?

Hal, whose usual communiqués consisted of hastily dashed-off notes, generally employing slightly fewer than the minimum number of words necessary to convey his message.

There are also some… not poetic, but nevertheless, fascinating descriptions of battle.

Smoke was drifting over the field, low white clouds. Forty paces. Effective range. “Don’t fire, don’t fire, don’t fire …” someone was chanting to himself, struggling against panic.
…
Chest heaving, he turned round in a circle, disoriented. There was so much smoke around him that he could not for a moment tell where he was. It didn’t matter.
…
The entire battle had lasted less than a quarter of an hour.

Rating: 8/10

Published by Dell

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