Charles Lever's One of Them is the fictional autobiography of Charles O'Malley, an Irish lad who starts his journey as a bit of a hot-headed university student and ends up in the thick of the Napoleonic Wars. We follow him from his home in Galway, through his misadventures as a young officer in the British Army, and across the battlefields of the Peninsular War.

The Story

The plot is essentially Charles's life, told with all the energy and exaggeration of a great storyteller at a pub. He gets into duels over insults (real and imagined), falls hopelessly in and out of love, and forms a legendary friendship with his eccentric mentor, Mickey Free. The heart of the story is his military service. Lever, who was a doctor in the army, uses Charles's eyes to show us the chaos, boredom, and sudden terror of war, but also the incredible camaraderie. It's not a dry history lesson; it's a personal account of a young man growing up in the most dramatic circumstances imaginable.

Why You Should Read It

I picked this up expecting a simple adventure yarn, but I found so much more. Charles O'Malley is a fantastic character. He's flawed, impulsive, and often his own worst enemy, but you can't help but root for him. His voice is what makes the book. The humor is sharp and feels surprisingly modern—the banter between Charles and Mickey Free had me laughing out loud. But Lever doesn't shy away from the darker side. The moments of loss and the descriptions of battle are stark and sobering, making the high spirits elsewhere feel earned and real. It’s this balance that gives the story its heart.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves a character-driven historical adventure. If you enjoy the wit of Jane Austen's dialogue but wish it had more cavalry charges, this is for you. It’s a great fit for fans of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series, as it covers similar ground but with an Irish flair and more focus on the comedy of military life. Be prepared for a long, immersive ride—it’s a big book in the old-fashioned style, meant to be savored. Don't rush it. Let Charles O'Malley take you by the arm and tell you his unforgettable story.