Originally released in 1987, this is one of Bernard Cornwell's earlier works as well as a standalone title - and a remarkable one at that I might say. Cornwell brilliantly has multiple personas clash in 1777/1778 Philadelphia during the British occupation where loyalist meets patriot, soldier meets rebel, and betrayal and treason are never far. The plot revolves around Sam Gilpin, drawn into the War of Independence by the promising dare of wearing a red coat, and his struggle to cope with the current ongoings at the time. On his journey, he will meet various different people whose story arches are covered as well, reaching from conservative loyalist, to relentless sergeant, over to idealistic patriots, all the way to a love interest of course. All of these people come together in a city at war, and over just about 400 pages, Bernard Cornwell depicts blood-soaked battlefields, conversations full of tension, and betrayal that will keep you on the edge constantly. For everyone who doesn't want to start one of his EXCELLENT book series like the Sharpe novels or The Last Kingdom, which are very much worth having a going at as well, I would recommend Cornwell's standalone books, spear-headed by 'Redcoat'. Kind regards, Skadi Awakening

Another well written book from cornwell. An interesting historical period that is well researched and one not well known to many. I did enjoy this one but the story felt a bit like a Sharpe story set in America. It's still good and the characters are decent.