In the Shadow of the Mountain

This novel is the first in a trilogy following two characters through the wars of the Blair/Brown period of government.

Paul Illingworth, an ambitious young army officer at the threshold of life’s great adventure, is confronted by the realities of military command. In order to win the trust of an experienced and uncompromising platoon he must choose between his childhood love and a path that lures him onwards.

Set against the collapse of the IRA ceasefire in the mid 1990s, this is a compelling story of leadership written with precision and authenticity. As Paul grows in confidence, mirroring the rise of New Labour, the novel creates a beautiful allusion of Tony Blair coming to power.

Reviews

Professor Hew Strachan

“The British public sympathises with its army, but does not empathise with it. That is why it needs to read ‘In the shadow of the mountain’, and not just because it will help it understand what motivates soldiers. Fergus Smith’s characterisation is strong. None of his principal protagonists is overdrawn, and their ambitions, foibles and strengths are plain enough, as well as – ultimately – admirable. The army trumpets the ideals of leadership; this book explains what they are, and how they operate.”

James Clark, former Defence Editor, The Sunday Times

“The true scale of the impact politics has on modern military operations, from an individual mission to the grand strategy, is one the taboos of recent history. This book breaks that taboo with brutal clarity and should be as thought-provoking as it is enthralling. In many ways, this is a story which has needed telling since Kosovo.”