THE LEOPARD WAKES

New Napoleonic Literary Hero - Just in time for the Bi-Centennial

The year 2003 marks the 200th anniversary of the lead-up to the Peninsular War between Britain and Napoleonic France - the perfect time to catch up on a little historical fiction.

Bernard Cornwell recently published the last of his successful "Sharpe" novels, but readers can continue their Napoleonic adventures with a new hero, artilleryman Jonathan West, in two books from Derek Cheney, "The Leopard Wakes" and the sequel "Vittoria".

Derek Cheney combines imaginative sympathy with the historian's cool objectivity and rare knowledge of arms, men and military strategy. His vivid portrayal of nineteenth century England - its farming, fashionable society and colourful London "Season" - is as rich in fascinating period detail as his evocation of campaign life. The Leopard Wakes, a story of romance, rivalry and adventure - but also of self-discovery through suffering - captures the spirit of the age and adds blood and meat to the dry bones of history.