An epic of 18th-century warfare by land and sea, this first novel in the Markham of the Marines trilogy introduces George Markham, lately of the 65th Regiment of Foot, now Lieutenant of Marines on His Britannic Majesty's frigate Hebe. As the winter of 1793 comes to the Mediterranean coast of France, Markham will have to prove he is a worthy officer . . . or die in the attempt.