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The Iron Stallions
The third novel in the Goff family trilogy. The Goff family have lived and died for the Nineteenth Lancers for generations but when Josh Goff runs away from school to enlist in the ranks of the cavalry under a false name, he winds up on the beaches of France. It is D-Day and heavy artillery pummels the landscape around him. As he fights, Goff learns that the cavalry is still expected to save the day, or die bravely in the attempt.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
247 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 22, 2020
Good
Maybe my least like book of the three. It ended, and at the end it felt like there were so much of the story left untold that there were almost a few more books missing.
Maybe my least like book of the three. It ended, and at the end it felt like there were so much of the story left untold that there were almost a few more books missing.
March 2, 2020
No Epilogue
It wasn’t a bad series but I would have liked to have seen an epilogue. I’ve always preferred some sort of closure to a book rather than being left hanging.
It wasn’t a bad series but I would have liked to have seen an epilogue. I’ve always preferred some sort of closure to a book rather than being left hanging.
November 15, 2020
An exceptional trilogy
The Goff family trilogy is certainly is not to be left unread a history that goes back to the Charge of the Light Brigade continues through 2 World Wars ,it shows the mistakes made by the politicians and the army General Staff. the traditions that are prevalent in regiments like the 19th lancers, it deserves more than the 5 stars I've given it I enjoyed all 3 books and others by this author.
The Goff family trilogy is certainly is not to be left unread a history that goes back to the Charge of the Light Brigade continues through 2 World Wars ,it shows the mistakes made by the politicians and the army General Staff. the traditions that are prevalent in regiments like the 19th lancers, it deserves more than the 5 stars I've given it I enjoyed all 3 books and others by this author.
October 20, 2022
I can't really give a reason why this isn't worth a 5 star. This is the 3rd Goff trilogy book and for some reason I decided to read this before #2. As it happens, each book can be read on its own. Spoilers ahead.
Josh Goff is the grandson of Colby Goff in book 1. It's pretty amazing that Colby was at the Crimean War and only 1 generation separates the two between that and WW2.
When Josh joins the 19th Lancers, they were still equipped with horses but as war approaches they are switched to tanks. Josh basically participates in 3 theatres: Battle of France at the beginning, the North African campaign and the Western Front after D-Day. And in between he is sent back to England on leave, to train or recuperate from injuries.
During these interludes, Hennessy also writes about his personal life: his marriage to Ailsa, her death, the placement of the orphan sisters to his home, his relationship with Jocelyn, and his subsequent marriage to Louisa. There is also the side-plot of his uncle Robert trying to take over the family home.
To be honest, for a military fiction book, those romantic side plots are a bit superfluous but ok, I guess it helps flesh out his character. More important are his friendships with his fellow tankers and how these brothers in arms are heavily woven into the fabric of British military history and family. It's almost a little bit like the Prussian Junker where everyone is connected by lore, blood and land.
Hennessy does a great job of depicting tank battles and tankers. The writing is a little short on the technical side but more on the POV side. I think if Hennessy cut out the romantic side plots he could have spent more time on this part and I think it would have made the series better. I do enjoy a bit of romantic writing but I didn't come to read about that.
OK, now for book 2.
Josh Goff is the grandson of Colby Goff in book 1. It's pretty amazing that Colby was at the Crimean War and only 1 generation separates the two between that and WW2.
When Josh joins the 19th Lancers, they were still equipped with horses but as war approaches they are switched to tanks. Josh basically participates in 3 theatres: Battle of France at the beginning, the North African campaign and the Western Front after D-Day. And in between he is sent back to England on leave, to train or recuperate from injuries.
During these interludes, Hennessy also writes about his personal life: his marriage to Ailsa, her death, the placement of the orphan sisters to his home, his relationship with Jocelyn, and his subsequent marriage to Louisa. There is also the side-plot of his uncle Robert trying to take over the family home.
To be honest, for a military fiction book, those romantic side plots are a bit superfluous but ok, I guess it helps flesh out his character. More important are his friendships with his fellow tankers and how these brothers in arms are heavily woven into the fabric of British military history and family. It's almost a little bit like the Prussian Junker where everyone is connected by lore, blood and land.
Hennessy does a great job of depicting tank battles and tankers. The writing is a little short on the technical side but more on the POV side. I think if Hennessy cut out the romantic side plots he could have spent more time on this part and I think it would have made the series better. I do enjoy a bit of romantic writing but I didn't come to read about that.
OK, now for book 2.
May 2, 2023
Not one of his best
I like this author and he does war well. But in this book he is trying to cover too much ground and it feels like a camera 1000 feet high zooming past with little time to record details. The result is an acccount of tank warfare from a British perspective in WW2, but at the cost of characters who really involve you.
I like this author and he does war well. But in this book he is trying to cover too much ground and it feels like a camera 1000 feet high zooming past with little time to record details. The result is an acccount of tank warfare from a British perspective in WW2, but at the cost of characters who really involve you.
July 11, 2020
Horse's to tanks
Another great story by this author hence 5 stars. The battles are fought not on horse but in a metal box but the charge is the same as would be for the horses. Who will survive you will have to read the book to find out enjoy.
Another great story by this author hence 5 stars. The battles are fought not on horse but in a metal box but the charge is the same as would be for the horses. Who will survive you will have to read the book to find out enjoy.
November 18, 2020
Transition from horsed cavalry to armoured corps
Covers the period from between the wars when the cavalry was still equipped with horses through the transition to an armoured force, and up to near the end of WW2.
Covers the period from between the wars when the cavalry was still equipped with horses through the transition to an armoured force, and up to near the end of WW2.
March 13, 2020
Couldn't put it down...
A brilliant trilogy fire anyone interested in historical fiction. The characters are woven around actual history - starts with the charge of the light brigade during the Crimean war, covers just about every war Britain was involved in right up to the final advance on Berlin during WW2. Have to admit "I got something I in my eye" during parts! A real page turner.
A brilliant trilogy fire anyone interested in historical fiction. The characters are woven around actual history - starts with the charge of the light brigade during the Crimean war, covers just about every war Britain was involved in right up to the final advance on Berlin during WW2. Have to admit "I got something I in my eye" during parts! A real page turner.
April 4, 2020
Enjoyed the trilogy, just felt the ending of this third book finished too soon, Just left a lot unanswered
August 16, 2020
Complete
The saga is done but is it? There will be more Goffs and more wars. Nice story and a good read.
The saga is done but is it? There will be more Goffs and more wars. Nice story and a good read.
Read
August 28, 2021Great history lessons! The chaos of war and emotions I have experienced during my tours are handled well
September 17, 2022
Pretty typical war story except it is the third in a trilogy about a family of soldiers.
March 11, 2020
Great read
The final book in a superb trilogy. Enthralling superbly written informative feet up head down and enjoy a great book.
The final book in a superb trilogy. Enthralling superbly written informative feet up head down and enjoy a great book.
February 24, 2020
Good series
This author knows his battle history
The only objection is all his works though well researched have the same formula boy meets girl boy loses girl boy regains girl. Luckily his war reporting is well dome
This author knows his battle history
The only objection is all his works though well researched have the same formula boy meets girl boy loses girl boy regains girl. Luckily his war reporting is well dome
January 27, 2020
Any Book. By Max Hennisey Is a Great Read
The Goff’s tale continues and the action is gripping. Going from horse cavalry to armored vehicles and the similarities and dissimilarity is fascinating. The action is well written and believable. The family history of the Goffs and the 19th Brigade is the heart of the story.
The Goff’s tale continues and the action is gripping. Going from horse cavalry to armored vehicles and the similarities and dissimilarity is fascinating. The action is well written and believable. The family history of the Goffs and the 19th Brigade is the heart of the story.
January 6, 2020
Immensely realistic tale
The last book of this trilogy does not disappoint, the confusion of battle is starkly described as is the deaths of friends. Having said that its a page turned of a tale and leaves you hoping that the Goff line continues into the future with perhaps another book telling of a future Goff who will no doubt be in battle hopefully with the 1(th Lancers
The last book of this trilogy does not disappoint, the confusion of battle is starkly described as is the deaths of friends. Having said that its a page turned of a tale and leaves you hoping that the Goff line continues into the future with perhaps another book telling of a future Goff who will no doubt be in battle hopefully with the 1(th Lancers
January 20, 2020
GOFF TRILOGICAL.
This review is for the trilogy. Being a former soldier in both infantry & armour, I enjoyed all three books, reading of places I'd been and others I've read about, my late father was at El Alamein, I myself have been to West & North Africa among other places. Anyone with an interest in war should read these books!
This review is for the trilogy. Being a former soldier in both infantry & armour, I enjoyed all three books, reading of places I'd been and others I've read about, my late father was at El Alamein, I myself have been to West & North Africa among other places. Anyone with an interest in war should read these books!
September 27, 2015
Final part of the trilogy. Stirring stuff, makes you proud to be British.
November 23, 2019
The End of a Great Series
So there books in the series deserve Mac stars. A well researched, believable series, each novel hard to put down. Sorry the series had to end.
So there books in the series deserve Mac stars. A well researched, believable series, each novel hard to put down. Sorry the series had to end.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews