THE JOURNAL OF COLONEL DE LANCEY

Virile, vigorous historical adventure concerning mid-19th century. Central American politics; the big action scenes seem based upon some real revolutionary activities in Nicaragua. The hero, Colonel Christopher de Lancey, is a dedicated soldier, and the insurgent actions led by a William Walker invite de Lancey's enthusiasm. Particularly since Walker is fighting the interests of Commodore Vanderbilt in that country (the new Panamanian railway has stimulated commerce in the area). When de Lancey teams up with Walker, he is taken on as second-in-command and his loyalty never wavers. Mid-novel, de Lancey loses an arm but gains a mistress, and at the close he is with Walker during his final defeat... Bellah is an old SEPost serial writer and can tighten his plots like a rifle sling. Slambang escapist fiction of some superiority.