Attack on the Redan

The year is 1855, and the port of Sebastopol is still under siege by the Allies, the Russians putting up a vigorous defence. Sgt Jack Crossman and his hardy band of brothers carry out discreet British operations in and around the troubled city. Russian sharpshooters mysteriously disappear as Crossman and his men chip away at the enemy's morale.But these foxhunts serve merely as a warm-up to the major British attack on the Redan, the fortification guarding Sebastopol, which, when it does come, is ill planned and ill advised. A terrible climax ensues, with Crossman forced to bear witness to the wholesale massacre of his fellow soldiers.

Garry Douglas Kilworth was raised in South Yemen, the son of an RAF sergeant. Later he served 15 years in the RAF himself. Most recently he was with the British Army in Hong Kong, where he wrote for the South China Morning Post. He now spends his time between Suffolk and Spain, writing full time. He has won many awards for both his children's and adult novels.

It is 1855, when Britain and France are at war with the Russians in the Crimea, and Sergeant Fancy Jack Crossman is leading a secret group harassing and ambushing the enemy along the Redan. Kilworth provides a detailed look at war and life in the British Army. Terry Wale tells the story with aplomb, effortlessly switching accents to mimic Americans, Australians, a variety of British classes, and Frenchmen. An amusing series of scenes with a camel-mounted machine gun that wreaks havoc on the Russians gives way to the serious slaughter of both British and Russians at the Redan. Wale's performance is as flawless as ever, engrossing the listener in the blood and guts of the Crimean War. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine