Through the pages of the popular cycle of historical-adventure novels by Pérez-Reverte, a fearless warrior of the Spanish king's army strides with a sword in hand, and in his spare time from battles, he is a duelist, an adventurer, a noble robber, and a hired killer, a man of honor, Diego Alatriste, who is called captain for his incredible bravery. He always walks the edge of the blade, and fate is sometimes unfair to him and sometimes gracious — Alatriste gains enemies, engages in battles with the powerful Spanish Inquisition, participates in the long siege of Breda, immortalized by the great Velázquez in his famous painting, regains gold from smugglers illegally exporting it from the New World. And what does he gain from this? Fame? Wealth? No. Because there are values in the world that are not replaced by the clinking of metal or rewards from cold noble hands. Honor above all — honor and dignity. Arturo Pérez-Reverte is a former military journalist, a renowned author of brilliant historical, military, adventure, and detective novels translated into forty languages, a holder of prestigious literary awards; the cycle about Alatriste is one of his highest literary achievements. 'Captain Alatriste,' wrote the author’s colleague Alberto Montaner about the cycle, 'has deserved the honor of becoming one of those characters that entered the club of literary myths and forever settled in the collective imagination. A serious achievement, considering that there are just a few Spaniards in this club: El Cid, Don Juan, and Don Quixote.' This volume brings together the first four novels of the cycle: 'Captain Alatriste,' 'Pure Blood,' 'Spanish Fury,' and 'The King's Gold.'
