8th October 2026
Good morning my fellow reading Army,
How the devil are you?
I am really well thank you, getting back to myself more and more every day. I am getting back to standing, but it is tricky on a shorter leg. So, rewarding though. At times, when it gets hard I think about all the things I have managed to achieve. Being under the Marvelous Neurology/Stroke team of Physios from the caring Dorset County Hospital; is like joining a tough but kindly boot camp where they teach you to use your weak limbs again. Thank you so much to Emily and Adam. Don’t worry, I didn’t have a stroke, I just see them to re-teach my resisting muscles.
I have never had my shoulders go through so much. But I am so super proud.
Speaking of Physio and amazing people…
On the 23rd of September, I had the pleasure of going to Bournemouth Pavilion for a brilliant appointment to see the Infectious Georgie Carroll. She is a Fabulous Comedian/Nurse that Marvel Mo got me tickets to see. She and I went with Terrific Tia, who I can’t believe I have the beautiful opportunity to work with.
Georgie made me laugh so hard when she told more stories about being a Nurse. It was a wonderful evening. If you like realistic and humane stories that make you giggle until you need medical assistance, she is for you. Highly recommend!
Check her out on Youtube. I have chosen a taster for you where she lays out the three types of Nurses you can get. She some of this with lots of new bits in Infectious. My favourite bit was about Physio exercises!
Talking of joining an army and being putting through your paces, let’s take a trip across the battlefield to converse with Lord John Grey again.
Review
Book Chooser:
The fantastic Barbara! Thank you for being part of my family army.
Book and audiobook info:
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Series: Lord John Grey #2.75
Novella title: The Custom of the Army
Anthology title: Seven Stones to Stand or Fall
Imprint: Century (which is a division of Penguin Random House)
The Custom of the Army was originally published in a book called Warriors, edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois , which I only got on audiobook.
Narrators: Patrick Lawlor
And Christina Traister
Audiobook case
Ways of reading: Audiobook/Hardback
Number of pages: 76
Audiobook (as a whole) length: 31 hours, 8 minutes
Publication date: 29th June 2017
Genre: Historical
Original language: English
Would I recommend? As always, yes when it comes to something Outlander related.
Started: 6th December 2025
Finished: 7th December 2025
Ease of read: 3/5
Enjoyment level: 5/5
Story stars: ****
Lord John Grey again!
History Hideout
At the heart of this novella we see Lord John play a big part in the Battle of Crefeld, on 23rd June 1758 and the Battle of Quebec, on 13th September 1759. Each battle John fights in helps him unleash his emotions amid the bloodbath that each one became.
The Custom of the Army is a great historical novella that places us in two of the most famous battles of the Seven Years’ War. It follows Lord john as he becomes involved in a court martial for an army colleague, Charlie Carruthers.
It’s nice to see Diana Gabaldon let history take centre stage with the Battle of Quebec and Lord John in the background. This hasn’t happened in a while.
‘“Someone has to keep order John. Soldiers fight for all kinds of reasons…
The word is chaos and death and destruction. But people like you – you don’t stand for that. If there is any order in this world, any peace – it’s because of you, John, those very few like you.”’
The way Gabaldon writes puts the reader at the beating heart of the Battle of Quebec; they feel the force of every hit the British army takes. The British went on to win that Battle, under the command of Major-General James Wolfe. They were fighting the French in this case.
Wolfe
It’s crazy to that this story opens with an electric eel party. I certainly wouldn’t want to attend one of those. Well done Lord John!
This one was very informative and history heavy but still fun to be immersed in.
I hope you have enjoyed this little Lord John Grey marathon. Next time I see him with you will see Jamie Fraser too.
First though, I will put another Library Reading Group Issue in your Letterbox, so pop over to the front door to see what books have been chosen next.
Fall out Soldiers,
See you soon.
Major Harriet Greemway
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