Draw Near to Battle Author:Jere Wheelwright Jere Wheelwright has set his new novel in the glittering Parisian world of 1805 when Napoleon's power was approaching its zenith. As an American, young Rid Howard had been warned not to take part in any of the political intrigues which seethed in court circles. But in one of the Royalist groups Rid met Cecilie Von Hulsen, lovely as a Dresden f... more »igurine with her blond and pink beauty; and, although his interest in the Royalists stemmed entirely from a much stonger interst in Cecilie, he nevertheless found himself entangled in a minor plot against Napoleon.
The arrival in Paris of Cary Gilmore, his childhood sweetheart from Baltimore, further complicated Rid's life, for Cary was a spirited girl, well equipped to cope with pink Dresden figurines. As a result of his part in the Royalist plot, Rid was brought before Napoleon - and more or less forced into volunteeering to serve in the Emperor's army. Thus began two bitter years of campaigning, which ended with the battle of Eylau when Rid was wounded and taken priosoner. His struggle to escape and reach the safety of the French lines is one of breathtaking excitement.
Jere Wheelwright has done some of his best writing in Draw Near to Battle. Rid's difficulties with his two young ladies are wonderfully lighthearted, and his days in Paris are filled with rapid and stirring adventure, in sharp contrast to the haunting horrors of winter war on the snowy plains of Easty Prussia. Mr. Wheelwiight has old of those fateful years in the history of the French Empire with real power. Draw Near to Battle provides truly fine entertainment for the reader who lies his historical ficton written with depth and spirit.« less