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Azincourt

by: Bernard Cornwell

October 01, 2008
I studied this period (and this battle in particular) during my history degree in the early 90's and decided that I would delve back in time to remind myself what this was all about. Azincourt was my companion on a return flight to Bahrain recently and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Historically interesting, full of action and detail it really had me turning pages through both flights! When I landed at Gatwick I was disappointed to have to find another book to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a passing interest in medieval history, but it's easily accessible to absolutely anyone who enjoys as good action adventure.

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Sharpe's Story

by: Bernard Cornwell

November 15, 2007
If you ever enjoyed any Sharpe story or film then you must buy this book, A. it is for charity
B. It fills a lot of gaps in the films.
C. it is funny and amusing.
and
D. I t ends with a great true life story about the author which explains a lot about Richard Sharpe.

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Sword Song (Alfred the Great 4)

by: Bernard Cornwell

May 06, 2008
Our Hero Uhtred just as he thinks things are settling down, he gets some new enemies to fight.... well it wouldn't be a Cornwell without would it? He is stuck fighting for the Saxons and their King Alfred, of which he has no love, and against the Danes who he has an affinity to. Not suprisingly this gives him problems just about every where he turns. This first person narrative style is different to the other Cornwell series and is a nice change. This is not the strongest in the series, but still excellent. well researched, gripping historical fiction from the master Bernard Cornwell! Only problem is I dont know when the next book is due.......

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Sharpe's Christmas

by: Bernard Cornwell

September 03, 2003
This is basically 2 Newspaper Christmas stories expanded and published for the fans. As a huge Cornwell & Sharpe fan I really wanted to read these, and was very glad I did. 2 very good stories full of Christmas spirit done in a way that only Sharpe can manage. OK, this is expensive for 2 short stories but a must have for all Sharpe fans, and the profits are for the Sharpe appreciation society and their charities, so was happy to pay for this.

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The Lords of the North (Alfred the Great 3)

by: Bernard Cornwell

February 05, 2007
I've listened to all of Bernard Cornwell's Saxon series in audiobook format (and read them in hardcover, too) and this is an OK version of book 3. I'm not going to comment on the plot but rather about the reader. If you are going to listen to a book, the reader is as important as the content. The right reader can bring a good story to another level. Unfortunately, while Jamie Glover is a good reader but this is not the best version available. Hold out for the one read by Richard Armitage. His reading is far superior to the other narrators (Tom Sellwood reads the unabridged version and Jamie Glover's version is abridged). It's a shame that Amazon doesn't sell Mr. Armitage's version but you can get it through audiobookcollection{.com}.

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The Winter King

by: Bernard Cornwell

November 01, 2007
Bernard Cornwell for me is the no 1 in historical fiction genre, and as these are his favourite set of books of all he has written, I was really looking forward to these. I have just finished the first book, and it was amazing. I think as these books are written in the Dark Ages, he is able to let his imagination go wild in a way that he couldn't in the Sharpe or Grail Quest series. This book is an interesting take on the famous Arthur legend, and in his usual way, he has done an amazing amount of research into the time period and legend, to make what is probably the most likely Arthur tale that I have read (dont expect round tables!). This book is one you just cant put down, finished it in a week! A great tale of battles, love and magic..... halfway through ... Read More:

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Enemy of God: A Novel of Arthur (A Novel of Arthur: The Warlord Chronicles)

by: Bernard Cornwell

November 01, 2007
I used to read cornwell books when I was 14 and I thought they were amazing.

Recently I picked up this book again and had a quick look through and realised why the biggest fans of these books are 40 year old men and 13 year old boys.

His books contist of gory battles puncutated by erotica set in a different historical periods with a few dates and a bit of a plot thrown in (13 year old boys liking this formula becuase they are interested in sex and a box and 40 year old boys because perhaps dont get as much sex and excitment as they got when they were in their prime)

To be fair this book has a mildy engaging plot but there truly are better books, and authors out there.

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The Pale Horseman (Alfred the Great 2)

by: Bernard Cornwell

May 22, 2006
Cornwell follows on from the Last Kingdom with another fantastic historical novel. Our hero Uhtred is a confused and reluctant Saxon saviour. Surrounded by men who do not appreciate him and in a world where he has more in common with his enemy than his fellow English, we follow him on his adventures. Being a Cornwell novel, you know the history will be as accurate as he can make it (with his usual twists of the truth) and full of love, enemies, friends and of course the battles. You feel really emersed in the historic period, and as always 'just one more chapter'.

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Excalibur: A Novel of Arthur (A Novel of Arthur: The Warlord Chronicles)

by: Bernard Cornwell

November 01, 2007
The third and final book of the Arthur/warlord trilogy is again a Bernard Cornwell classic. Not many authors have his ability for you to get into the heads of their characters in the same way he manages. You are so immersed in them, the story and the time period that it gives you an extra depth when you read his work. Our heroes think that maybe at last they have found a lasting peace for Britain..... of course that could never do! With twists, plots and power hungry rulers, there is still plenty for them left to fix. Cornwells interpretation of the Arthur legend is based on the stories from the time, rather than the much later Arthur legends which were written over 500 years later. This gives a much more believable Arthur legend than many others. He has included many of the ... Read More:

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The Last Kingdom (Alfred the Great 1)

by: Bernard Cornwell

October 03, 2005
If you read my other reviews you will know I am a huge Cornwell fan, especially Sharpe. Having nearly finished all the Sharpe novels and the Grail Quest trilogy it was time to give these a try. I was wondering if I would start to get bored with his style as Grail Quest was Sharpe in the middle ages, however this was sufficiently different to keep me interested. This book as per usual is historically acurate, good entertainment, and written in such a narrative way as to think you are reading the diary of Uhtred and that it is real. This gives it a different feel to the others, but still retaining all the things that make his books so gripping. Just started the next book, and have a feeling that these will stop me reading my last 3 Sharpe novels for a while, which is some feat!