Harold Coyle

Highly recommended reading.

No Small Thing: A Novel of the American Revolution is truly that...no small thing. It is a robust examination of the "human factors" that shaped the early months of armed conflict between the poorly trained and rudely equipped American Patriots and the professional military forces of their resolute English "sovereign."

Instead of focusing on the growing conflict from the perspective of a single military voice, Harold Coyle has penned a swift-moving journal, telling show more the story in the vernacular of the 18th century, featuring numerous characters, each a protagonist and antagonist in the eyes of the other. The reader feels immersed in the epic and privy to the characters' thoughts in real time. New York business merchants, American loyalists, Hessians mercenaries, British officers, militiamen, rebel commanders... the interplay of perspectives is enlightening.

In addition, this work transcends the expected. It is not a historical romance, although there are passions and love expressed that motivate actions. It is not simply military fiction, although the interpretations of strategy and battle are told from the quagmire of the forces converging. It is more of a fictionalized social history, illuminating the motives, desires, and ambitions of the array of participants in a truly Revolutionary period in world history

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers. April 14, 2026. show less

"No two men ever fight for the same thing," says Ian McPherson, a key player in this beefy, brawny story, and he is indeed correct. Harold Coyle follows the trail of several officers, enlisted men, and native Americans on both sides of the French and Indian War, each of whom have a different drive to succeed.

The novel throws you into action immediately, as McPherson begins his career at the battle of Culloden Moor in Scotland, making the reader wonder if you're just going to get dragged show more from one bloody skirmish to another without a storyline to let you catch your breath. No worries--great narrative; interesting people; history lessons that aren't pedantic. It's a long read, but a good one. show less

A wonderful historical fiction story is told from both sides of the conflict. The writing gives you an awareness of what the people went through to realize their freedom. Telling the story from both the English and American perspectives, as well as those of soldiers and civilians, made it so much more interesting. The story, the characters, and the pace were all outstanding. The only drawback was how the book ended. Nothing was wrapped up. So, Mr. Coyle, we need another book, and we need it show more quickly. I am invested in these characters and need to know if they make it through to the end of the war. Are there any happy endings for any of these characters?
Thank you to librarything.com and Harold Coyle & Master Wings Publishing for a copy of this book show less

A Savage War of Empire is a gritty, immersive look at the French and Indian War, told with Harold Coyle’s signature blend of military realism and human depth. Coyle follows soldiers, settlers, Native allies, and imperial powers as their worlds collide in a brutal struggle for control of North America. The battles are tense, the frontier setting feels raw and dangerous, and the shifting alliances give the story real emotional weight. It’s a fast, engaging read for anyone who enjoys show more historically grounded war fiction show less