The Road To Ladysmith


Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
455 Pages
Reviewed on 11/12/2020
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Author Biography

Born in Morecambe, England, into a military family, Nigel Seed grew up hearing his father’s tales of adventure during the Second World War which kindled his interest in military history and storytelling. He received a patchy education, as he and his family followed service postings from one base to another. Perhaps this and the need to constantly change schools contributed to his odd ability to link unconnected facts and events to weave his stories. Nigel later joined the Army, serving with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in many parts of the world. Upon leaving he joined the Ministry of Defence. He is married and lives in Spain; half way up a mountain with views across orange groves to the Mediterranean. The warmer weather helps him to cope with frostbite injuries he sustained in Canada, when taking part in the rescue effort for a downed helicopter on a frozen lake.
His books are inspired by places he has been to and true events he has either experienced or heard about on his travels. He makes a point of including family jokes and stories in his books to raise a secret smile or two. Family dogs make appearances in his other stories.
Nigel’s hobbies include sailing and when sailing in Baltic he first heard the legend of the hidden U-Boat base that formed the basis of his first book some thirty eight years later.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

The Road to Ladysmith: The Last Imperial War by Nigel Seed is the second installment in the gripping Michael McGuire Trilogy. After his life-threatening escapade in Sudan and recovering from his wounds, Captain McGuire sails south as the government is having trouble with the Boer republic in South Africa. Part of his remit is to recruit suitable men from wherever he finds them, train them his way, equip them as he wishes, and make them effective as soon as possible. He recruits a team of misfits who do not exactly fit the standards. They get involved in reconnaissance missions that lead to the relief of Ladysmith. Just as he was already homeward bound to spend time with his family, the army was not yet finished with him as a devastating war looms.

The Road to Ladysmith is a fast-paced war story with engaging dialogues and intense action. As the second book in a trilogy, Seed makes it convenient for readers to enjoy this novel as a standalone. He provides a short synopsis of the first installment at the beginning of the story that will introduce you to Michael McGuire. Everything is written with Seed’s solid prose and well-researched settings. You become absorbed in the obstacles that McGuire and his men encounter on their mission as if you are a part of his misfit recruits. In acknowledgment of the time period, Seed has thrown in factual content about Ladysmith at the end of the book. For the enjoyment of a military novel that is undeniably realistic, this book is a must-read.