Custom of the Army FAQ
A lot of people have been asking about Diana Gabaldon's latest story, "The Custom of the Army". I thought I'd try to collect the answers in one place. Please pass this on to anyone you think might be interested. (Last updated November 29, 2023)
1) What is "The Custom of the Army" and where can I find it?
This is a Lord John story, a 30,000-word novella, originally published in hardcover in March, 2010, in the WARRIORS anthology (edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois). The story is also available in paperback in WARRIORS 3, which was published in August, 2011. A standalone e-book version was released in the US and Canada on May 21, 2012.
"The Custom of the Army" was also included in the story collection, A TRAIL OF FIRE, which was published in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand in November, 2012.
2) Where does this story fit into the timeline of the other Lord John books/stories?
"Custom" takes place in 1759, after the events in BROTHERHOOD OF THE BLADE and "Haunted Soldier", but before THE SCOTTISH PRISONER.
3) How can I get an autographed copy of WARRIORS or WARRIORS 3?
All of Diana Gabaldon's books are available through the Poisoned Pen bookstore, which is her local bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona. They ship all over the world. If you want a signed copy of WARRIORS or WARRIORS 3, please contact the Poisoned Pen.
4) Is there an audio version of "Custom of the Army"?
The audiobook of "Custom of the Army", read by Jeff Woodman, is available here.
5) What about an e-book version?
A special e-book edition of "The Custom of the Army" was released in the US and Canada on May 21, 2012. If you haven't yet read this story, I would definitely encourage you to download the e-book! (And I'm not just saying that because Diana dedicated the e-book version of "Custom" to me. It really is a good story.)
6) There are three different mass-market paperback editions of WARRIORS. Which one contains Diana Gabaldon's story?
"The Custom of the Army" is included in WARRIORS 3, which was released on August 2, 2011 in mass-market paperback format (that's the small size paperback). Look here for more details, or click on the picture below to go to the Amazon page for WARRIORS 3.
7) I haven't yet read AN ECHO IN THE BONE. Can this story be read before ECHO?
Yes. There are a few places where it will help to be familiar with the events of ECHO, but I think you can definitely enjoy "Custom of the Army" even if you haven't read ECHO. (The story does, however, assume some degree of familiarity with the previous Lord John books/stories.)
8) Where can I go to discuss this story?
There's an in-depth discussion on Compuserve here.
9) What is the significance of the title, "The Custom of the Army"?
Read the story and you'll find out. <g>
1) What is "The Custom of the Army" and where can I find it?
This is a Lord John story, a 30,000-word novella, originally published in hardcover in March, 2010, in the WARRIORS anthology (edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois). The story is also available in paperback in WARRIORS 3, which was published in August, 2011. A standalone e-book version was released in the US and Canada on May 21, 2012.
"The Custom of the Army" was also included in the story collection, A TRAIL OF FIRE, which was published in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand in November, 2012.
2) Where does this story fit into the timeline of the other Lord John books/stories?
"Custom" takes place in 1759, after the events in BROTHERHOOD OF THE BLADE and "Haunted Soldier", but before THE SCOTTISH PRISONER.
3) How can I get an autographed copy of WARRIORS or WARRIORS 3?
All of Diana Gabaldon's books are available through the Poisoned Pen bookstore, which is her local bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona. They ship all over the world. If you want a signed copy of WARRIORS or WARRIORS 3, please contact the Poisoned Pen.
4) Is there an audio version of "Custom of the Army"?
The audiobook of "Custom of the Army", read by Jeff Woodman, is available here.
5) What about an e-book version?
A special e-book edition of "The Custom of the Army" was released in the US and Canada on May 21, 2012. If you haven't yet read this story, I would definitely encourage you to download the e-book! (And I'm not just saying that because Diana dedicated the e-book version of "Custom" to me. It really is a good story.)
6) There are three different mass-market paperback editions of WARRIORS. Which one contains Diana Gabaldon's story?
"The Custom of the Army" is included in WARRIORS 3, which was released on August 2, 2011 in mass-market paperback format (that's the small size paperback). Look here for more details, or click on the picture below to go to the Amazon page for WARRIORS 3.
7) I haven't yet read AN ECHO IN THE BONE. Can this story be read before ECHO?
Yes. There are a few places where it will help to be familiar with the events of ECHO, but I think you can definitely enjoy "Custom of the Army" even if you haven't read ECHO. (The story does, however, assume some degree of familiarity with the previous Lord John books/stories.)
8) Where can I go to discuss this story?
There's an in-depth discussion on Compuserve here.
9) What is the significance of the title, "The Custom of the Army"?
Read the story and you'll find out. <g>
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