This is the third volume in the "Beau . . ." series by P.C. Wren of which the first, "Beau Geste" Is the most well-known, In my opinion "Beau Ideal" is the best of the three. It is more coherent--avoiding the extended coda of the first book and the quite unsympathetic hero of the second, "Beau Sabreur". Yes, it has the colonial patriarchal racism, the culturally accepted sexism, and the ridiculous sense of duty and "stiff upper lip" of the time Here, however, the hero has a certain darkness of soul and the adventures are as exciting as ever.