Follow the Drum by James Leasor is what I call a thumping good read. Originally published in 1972 this historical adventure focuses on the 1857 Indian Sepoy Mutiny. I was a little doubtful about this book at first, but once he dropped any pretence at romance, his straightforward military drama was excellent. The author obviously did intensive research in order to place the various regiments along with their commanders and staff at their locations before, during and immediately after the mutiny. He also was able to highlight some of the key mutineers and their reasons for inciting the rebellion.

Politically, India at that time was being run by the East India Company whose main objective was to strip the country and fatten their pockets. Although the British Army was present, the bulk of the military was made up of soldiers who served the Company first. Lack of communications, corrupt officials, and the company’s policy of controlling the native rulers by honouring some and stripping the rights of others helped in developing the rumours that stirred the sepoys into a killing frenzy. Once the mutiny was underway the corruption and jealousy between the Company and the Army meant that there was no clear leader to bring the mutiny to a timely end. There was more than enough blame to go around and eventually it took months for the British to regain control.

The authors’ description of military life and the actual campaign to subdue the rebellion made for an exciting read. As there were atrocities on both sides, there is extreme violence that might be off-putting for some readers. Personally I found this a well told tale that was both informative and entertaining. ( )

This is my favourite James Leasor book. Mr. L was a novelist, who would fit somewhere between Bernard Cornwell and George MacDonald Fraser. He gave us blood and thunder in the India Mutiny, in this book, and it's fun. The only jarring note for me was a scene where people cram their pockets with cartridges for their percussion cap revolvers. The paper cartridges wouldn't have stood up to that treatment, and the revolvers would have jammed quickly if loaded with them. But I quibble, and you will have fun with this book, if you are like me. ( )