Fire and Sword

Wellington and Napoleon, Book 3

By: Simon Scarrow

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble

Napoleon and Wellington are one of history's most fascinating pairings, vividly symbolising the adversarial nature of French and English relations in the 17th century. Simon Scarrow brings this revolutionary time to life in this vivid historical account.

Fire and Sword is the pause-resisting third novel in Simon Scarrow's best-selling Wellington and Napoleon Quartet. A must-listen for fans of Robert Harris.

It's 1804. Napoleon Bonaparte is emperor of France, his ultimate aim to rule Europe. After defeat at the Battle of Trafalgar, he wins a glorious victory against Austria at Austerlitz. He then deposes the Spanish king and places his own brother on the throne. But he is yet to triumph over his most hated enemy: Great Britain.

Arthur Wellesley (the future Duke of Wellington) throws himself into the British campaign in Europe. After glory in Portugal, he commands the army in a series of triumphant battles across Spain. For those living reluctantly under French rule, his victories suggest that Napoleon's progress is not inexorable: freedom can be restored....

©2009 Simon Scarrow (P)2017 Headline Digital

Setting the Stage!!!

In volume 3 of this Historical Fiction Simon Scarrow sets the stage for what we all know is coming in Volume 4, but he does it in such a way that you still want to go there. Jonathan Keeble is outstanding!!

Great series

I keep coming back to this series, it’s well written and narrated perfectly. Really brings to life the characters that time has made flat.

Love this Series

I have now read the first three of the Wellington Bonaparte sag and it is fascinating. Scarrow is an excellent writer and Keeble reads it as if he was there!
Have just acquired the final book in the series!

Very Good - Stays On Course

Any additional comments?

As always, Jonathan Keeble is amazing. I love when he yells orders to the troops! Simon stays on course with his tale, and really makes you feel like you are behind the scenes of history. He's starting to bring out the cruelty and arrogance of Napoleon, and he's making me see Wellesley as a very good General, but a little lacking in normal life when it comes to being a husband, or a father. I think this is the best installment so far, and can't wait for the next!

Well written and read

This is fantastic and there is nothing like the books in this series. It is perfection to the highest degree. "You actually feel like you are standing in the room with the characters." I listened to all of them and I can't wait to do it again.

Great read overall

Was a little slow in the middle and would have preferred more of Wellington in Portugal and less tantrums from Napolean, but understand the author was setting up the timelines for the final book. Overall very enjoyable and well researched story. Excellent narration as always from Keeble.

Historical Fiction at its Best.

Since childhood I have read everything I could obtain about Napoleon Bonaparte and Arthur Wellesley, The Duke of Wellington. I have devoured Scarrow’s historical fiction series about the two men. This is book three of a four-part series. It is best to have read these books in order to fully enjoy the history and learn about each man.

The book takes place in the years from 1804 to 1809. The French revolution is over and Napoleon becomes Emperor of France and now wants to acquire Europe. Wellesley has just returned to England after his nine years of service in India. The chapters of the book alternate between the two men. I agree with Scarrow that Napoleon had an enormous ego just as Wellesley was equally arrogant. Napoleon was the first to promote his army on merit not by the title a person was born with. I found the information about Prime Minister Pitt most interesting. Now I will look for a biography about Pitt so I can learn more about him.

The book is well written and meticulously researched. Scarrow is continuing to build his characters. Scarrow is a great storyteller and he brings this period of history to life. The historical picture and battle scenes are all from the viewpoint of either Napoleon or Wellesley, therefore, it is the broad perspective. If you are interested in the viewpoint of a soldier I would recommend the historical novels series “Sharpe” by Bernard Cornwell. It covers the same time frame with Wellesley in command of the army.

The book is long at almost twenty-two hours. Jonathan Keeble does an excellent job narrating the book. Keeble is an actor and audiobook narrator. If you are interested in the Napoleonic Wars and Napoleon, this book is for you.

Amazing retelling of Epic Tale

I can't remember when I've been so entertained about reading historical events put into a fictionalized style. Simply put, masterful storytelling at its best. Bernard Cornwell Lookout!

I can't wait for the final book in this series

This series of stories by Simon Scarrow about Napoleon and Wellesley is by far the best I have ever read (heard).