"The Hussar," the first book by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, was written in 1983, "between two war reports," as he himself says. Reverte narrates the story of a very young hussar, the sub-lieutenant of the Napoleonic army Frédéric Glüntz, who is preparing to fight his first battle.

"A robust and masterful narrative, which is today ranked among the best of his overall work. Its story, the military experiences in Andalusia in 1808 of the sub-lieutenant of the Napoleonic army Frédéric Glüntz, has as its theme one thing, the evolution of some battles, and refers to another, the meaning of life and human behavior in extreme conditions."
Santos Sanz Villanueva

"A wonderful story about the demystification of war and the death of all heroism, in the heart of the Napoleonic era."
Rafael Conte

"War is depicted here in all its glory: empty and terrible. A masterpiece for the gallery of battles."
Le Monde