Book Description
From Bernard Cornwell, the undisputed master of historical fiction, hailed as "the direct heir to Patrick O'Brien,"* comes the third volume in the exhilarating Saxon Chronicles: the story of the birth of England as the Saxons struggle to repel the Danish invaders.
The year is 878, and as Lords of the North begins, the Saxons of Wessex, under King Alfred, have defeated the Danes to keep their kingdom free. Uhtred, the dispossessed son of a Northumbrian lord, helped Alfred win that victory, but now he is disgusted by Alfred's lack of generosity. Uhtred flees Wessex, going north to search for his stepsister, who was taken prisoner by Kjartan the Cruel, a Danish lord who lurks in the formidable stronghold of Dunholm.
Uhtred arrives in the north to discover rebellion, chaos, and fear. His only ally is Hild, a West Saxon nun fleeing her calling, and his best hope is his sword, Serpent-Breath, with which he has made a notable reputation as a warrior. He needs other partners if he is to attack Dunholm, and chooses Guthred, a seemingly deluded slave who believes he is a king. Together they cross the Pennines, where fanatical Christians and beleaguered Danes have formed a desperate alliance to confront the terrible Viking lords who rule Northumbria.
Instead of victory Uhtred finds betrayal. But he also discovers love and redemption as he is forced to turn once again to his reluctant ally, Alfred the Great. It is Alfred who sees opportunity in Northumbria's chaos, and Alfred who looses Uhtred and his stepbrother, Ragnar, onto Dunholm, the invincible fortress on its great spur of rock. A breathtaking adventure, Lords of the North is also the story of the creation of England, as the English and Danes fight against each other, but also find common cause and create a common language. In the end they will become one people, but as Uhtred will discover, their union is forged through the white heat of battle.
* The Economist
Customer Reviews:
Lords of the North by Bernard Cornwell.......2007-09-19
In Lords of the North (coming January 23rd), the wonderful writer of great historical periods and characters brings us the third in his increasingly popular Saxon Chronicles series, as he tells the story of King Alfred the Great's life and his work in unifying the many kingdoms into the country we know today as England.
We continue with our hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who has just helped Alfred save and maintain control over the land of Wessex, therefore preventing the complete invasion by the Danes. Angered with Alfred's piousness and making every decision according to God, Uhtred flees north to Northumbria, still hoping one day to defeat his uncle and take back his beloved Bebbanburg. It is here that he meets old Danish friends and before he realizes what's going on, a deal has been brokered to maintain peace in Northumbria in return for Uhtred's enslavement. With his blood-stained blade - Serpent-Breath - the many lords of the region are happy to get rid of this formidable warrior.
Uhtred, stripped of his title and power, then spends most of the book suffering the abuse and torture of a slave on a trading traveling along the Flemish coast, and back and forth between Britain and the mainland. On a number of occasions they face off again this "red ship" that is a trader like them. Upon returning to the original place where Uhtred was sold - so that more slaves can be bought - the red ship appears out of nowhere and beaches the shore. Foreign Danes stream out and Uhtred soon finds himself face to face with an even older friend who raised him.
Eventually he discovers that it is thanks to Alfred's help that he has received his emancipation. With his title, weapons, and armor restored, along with more allies from the south forming a considerable army, they set out to defeat these lesser heathen lords and regain control of the kingdom of Northumbria. The book ends with the reader contemplating what is next for Uhtred in the further Saxon Chronicles: Will he regain control of his land? Will he remain a lone pagan among the many determined Christians? Sadly, we will have to wait another whole year before we can read more about Uhtred of Bebbanburg, slayer of the great Ubba Lothbrokson, and his adventures with the pious Alfred the Great.
For more book reviews, and other writings, go to www.alexctelander.com
Just when you thought the saga could not get better..........2007-09-18
It gets better. This book finds Uhtred as not only a man and a warrior, but as a humbled (as much as the Dane in him will allow) crafty leader. He has recovered from his trials and is on his way to his destiny. His allegiance to Alfred has him hamstrung a bit...regarding his goal of re-taking his rightful lands of Bebbenburg...but he can see the future, and he knows that the tide is slowly turning in his favor. He will crush his enemies, and reign triumphant. This book is about Uhtred the man...and I believe is the FIRST step into his world as a Lord and warrior...with the first 2 novels having been merely an exciting prologue.
The Best of Uhtred's Saga, Not to be missed.......2007-08-11
If you've read books one and two in the Saxon Chronicles, it goes without saying that this is not to be missed. This is also the best of the series, and that's saying quite a lot. No, we're not talking literary masterwork -- although as always Bernard is engaging, often amusing, certainly disarming as a writer -- but there's just something about he way Bernard can bring to life the dark ages. Sure, I enjoy Sharpe novels, but where Bernard shines is in the dark ages, the time before we have "reliable histories." He manages to make everything from King Arthur to the "Vikings" -- which he explains just means "raiders" not Northmen -- come alive. It feels right. Sure, the dialogue is very twentieth-century, but it has to be for us to stay interested. Uhtred is, perhaps, his best hero yet, larger-than-life yet human and vulnerable at times, and Uhtred is a hero for both men and women to relate to, where perhaps some of Bernard's other protagonists are "macho man" heroes. This is a period in history very rarely touched in literature, and perhaps that's the charm of it. There are moments of satire as well, (anyone familiar with my work will know I thrive on satire), humor, adventure. What more can you ask in a yarn. Who else can make a slave a king, and a hero a slave then back to a hero all in one story? Who else can come across as a lover of all things British, yet create a character who is more Danish and Northman than Saxon or British? Just a lot of fun, great pace, humor, characters that you'll want to come back to. I'd say his best yet.
NOOOO!!!!! 6 months wait for the next book. This was GREAT!.......2007-08-06
Book three in the Saxon Chronicles is the best book by Bernard Cornwell that I have read. I had read his "Grail Quest Trilogy" before coming to this series, which I thought was a trilogy, but now know could go on much longer (it will be at least 4 books and I certainly hope for more).
"Lords of the North" continues the fantastic, emotional tale of Uhtred, the fictional Saxon-born, Dane-adopted and raised warrior, that is fated to fight for England and a king that he does not like, Alfred.
Uhtred lost his family when he was a boy and was adopted by a Danish Viking warrior, Earl Ragnar, who he loved as a father, and from whom he learned of the pagan deities, especially the spinners, the three mythical creatures that weave the fate of every man; hence his repeated statement through the entire series, "Fate is inexorable".
Uhtred, after assisting Alfred the Great with the defense of Wessex against the Danes, marches north to regain his birthright which was taken by his uncle when Uhtred's birth father died in battle. But fate has other plans for Uhtred, including assisting another king, killing priests, killing Saxons, killing Danes, loving a woman who becomes a nun, loving another woman who is betrothed to another, betrayal, slavery and revenge. Not bad for six months in the life of a Saxon/Danish warrior in the ninth century.
The author admits in his historical note at the end of the book that this tale is more fiction than fact, mainly because not much is known about the history of the Northumbria, the northern Saxon province. Using the name of the king, Guthred, and the characters he created in books 1 & 2,(which I highly recommend you read before coming to this; not because you need to in order to understand this book, but because the entire series is fabulous and why skip the salad and appetizer to get to the main course when the entire meal should be savored?) to weave a more fictional tale that is still most definitely anchored in fact, so far as the customs, trials, dangers, life, religions and battles would have been in the ninth century; that is to say that, despite the fact that none of the characters are real (except Guthred of whom not much is known) the entire story is told in accordance with the period and should be taken as an authentic description of fictional people. The world which Cornwell writes is wonderful, historically accurate and vivid.
This book is the best of the "Saxon Chronicles" by far and I eagerly await the release of book 4, "Sword Song" which is slated for release early 2008.
Another great book in a fun, fast-paced series.......2007-08-02
Lords of the North is the third volume of Bernard Cornwell's "Saxon Tales", set in ninth-century England, and is every bit as enjoyable as the preceding books in the series.
In this entry, Uhtred goes north to settle a long-standing bloodfeud. With his customary flair for the dramatic, he disguises himself as the Dead Swordsman and heads toward Dunholm, the fortress of his enemy, Kjartan the Cruel. Along the way he frees a slave who turns out to be Guthred, king of Northumbria. Uhtred swears loyalty to Guthred and soon learns that, despite his congenial manner, Guthred will do whatever is necessary to preserve his kingdom.
While Lords of the North does not deal with any significant historical event, it does have political intrigue, betrayal and lots of swordplay. As always, Cornwell's battle scenes are visceral. Having been bitten by a dog as a child, I found his descriptions of attacking dogs particularly unsettling.
The book's main strength is Uhtred, an extremely likable and unexpectedly complex character. Born English, but raised by Danes, he is continually torn between his adopted people and his oath, given unwillingly, to King Alfred. Irreverent and insightful, Uhtred tells his story in the first person, describing moments of brutish violence and tender emotion with a slightly sardonic flair.
I really enjoyed this book, and I look forward to the next installment in the series. Thank you, Mr. Cornwell, for helping me release my inner Valkyrie!
Amazon.com
Some stories are so enthralling they deserve to be retold generation after generation. The wreck in 1815 of the Connecticut merchant ship, Commerce, and the subsequent ordeal of its crew in the Sahara Desert, is one such story. With Skeletons on the Zahara: A True Story of Survival, Dean King refreshes the popular nineteenth-century narrative once read and admired by Henry David Thoreau, James Fenimore Cooper, and Abraham Lincoln. King's version, which actually draws from two separate first person accounts of the Commerce's crew, offers a page-turning blend of science, history, and classic adventure. The book begins with a seeming false start: tracing the lives of two merchants from North Africa, Seid and Sidi Hamet, who lose their fortunes—and almost their lives—when their massive camel caravan arrives at a desiccated oasis. King then jumps to the voyage of the Commerce under Captain Riley and his 11-man crew. After stops in New Orleans and Gibraltar, the ship falls off course en route to the Canary Islands and ultimately wrecks at the infamous Cape Bojador. After the men survive the first predations of the nomads on the shore, they meander along the coast looking for a way inland as their supplies dwindle. They subsist for days by drinking their own urine. Eventually, to their horror, they discover that they have come aground on the edge of the Sahara Desert. They submit themselves, with hopes of getting food and water, as slaves to the Oulad Bou Sbaa. After days of abuse, they are bought by Hamet, who, after his own experiences with his failed caravan (described at the novels opening), sympathizes with the plight of the crew. Together, they set off on a hellish journey across the desert to collect a bounty for Hamet in Swearah. King embellishes this compelling narrative throughout with scientific and historical material explaining the origins of the camel, the market for English and American slaves, and the stages of dehydration. He also humanizes the Sahrawi with background on the tribes and on the lives of Hamet and Seid. This material, doled out in sufficient amounts to enrich the story without derailing it makes Skeletons on the Zahara a perfectly entertaining bit of history that feels like a guilty pleasure. --Patrick O'Kelley
Book Description
Some stories are so enthralling they deserve to be retold generation after generation. The wreck in 1815 of the Connecticut merchant ship, Commerce, and the subsequent ordeal of its crew in the Sahara Desert, is one such story. With Skeletons on the Zahara: A True Story of Survival, Dean King refreshes the popular nineteenth-century narrative once read and admired by Henry David Thoreau, James Fenimore Cooper, and Abraham Lincoln. King's version, which actually draws from two separate first person accounts of the Commerce's crew, offers a page-turning blend of science, history, and classic adventure. The book begins with a seeming false start: tracing the lives of two merchants from North Africa, Seid and Sidi Hamet, who lose their fortunes#151;and almost their lives#151;when their massive camel caravan arrives at a desiccated oasis. King then jumps to the voyage of the Commerce under Captain Riley and his 11-man crew. After stops in New Orleans and Gibraltar, the ship falls off course en route to the Canary Islands and ultimately wrecks at the infamous Cape Bojador. After the men survive the first predations of the nomads on the shore, they meander along the coast looking for a way inland as their supplies dwindle. They subsist for days by drinking their own urine. Eventually, to their horror, they discover that they have come aground on the edge of the Sahara Desert. They submit themselves, with hopes of getting food and water, as slaves to the Oulad Bou Sbaa. After days of abuse, they are bought by Hamet, who, after his own experiences with his failed caravan (described at the novels opening), sympathizes with the plight of the crew. Together, they set off on a hellish journey across the desert to collect a bounty for Hamet in Swearah.King embellishes this compelling narrative throughout with scientific and historical material explaining the origins of the camel, the market for English and American slaves, and the stages of dehydration. He also humanizes the Sahrawi with background on the tribes and on the lives of Hamet and Seid. This material, doled out in sufficient amounts to enrich the story without derailing it makes Skeletons on the Zahara a perfectly entertaining bit of history that feels like a guilty pleasure.--Patrick O'Kelley
Download Description
An incredible story of shipwrecked American sailors sold into slavery in North Africa and dragged through the hellish interior of the Sahara.
Customer Reviews:
A modern retelling of one of the most influential books in U.S. history.......2007-10-09
We read this book for our book club and had the honor of discussing it with the author, Dean King. As someone without any sort of nautical background, I was a bit worried as I started reading that the book was going to be too technical for me, but I quickly got to the point where I didn't want to put it down. The story, which is true and yet reads like a novel, had a certain "Apollo 13" feel to it...it is hard to fathom that so much could go wrong and yet be overcome. Dean King really did his research and was able to verify seemingly unverifiable elements of the story through his own trek on camel - and in some cases on foot - through the Sahara (such as the branding treatment used for illness and the belief that one cannot be hurt if fallen from a camel).
The original manuscript of Captain Riley's has been documented as being one of a handful of books that was influential to Abraham Lincoln. After his own stint as a slave, Riley - a white man - was able to give voice to the inhumanity of slavery here in the U.S. in a way that, at that time, no black man or woman could. Captain Riley's experiences and the telling of his story certainly had an impact on the consciousness of the American people and its leaders. This book brings history alive in a truly thrilling way. I highly recommend reading the footnotes for each chapter and the extra features (like an excerpted interview with the author) included in the paperback version of this book.
Too Much Camel Urine.......2007-09-20
Skeletons of the Zahara certainly has moments of high drama, and the fact that the story is (mostly) true, adds to the sense of adventure and disbelief. And the poor sailors stranded on the Western Shore of Africa could not have been treated much worse than they were. But for me, the retelling of this story suffered from the same monotony as the sailors themselves must have felt. There are lengthy passages of their travels through the desert that are too similar to other lengthy passages of their travels through the desert. This was interspersed occasionally with the graphic depiction of the devouring of an entire camel. I don't really have a weak stomach, but the numerous references to the green goo inside the camel stomach which became the main entree on the menu was a little too much even for me. Then there was the camel urine, which one and all slurped down like a nice chardonnay. Maybe I need to spend more time with the Touareg to get a better feel for things.
One Heck of a Ride.......2007-07-23
This book rips your throat out and stuffs it up your nose!!!!!!!!!
If you think you are tough.....or if you waste your time watching the goofy fake Survival Reality TV shows.......then you need to cleanse your brain with this book......It will show you what a wimp you really are...I do not know anyone who could take for 24 hours what these human beings endured for the extraordinary amount of time they were subject to these conditions from hell......... Dean King did his homework ...from the library to the turf...He actually ventured into this region and DID SOME REAL HOMEWORK
It'll take your breath away.......2007-06-25
Americans shipwrecked in 1815 and held captive by Muslim slavers in the Sahara.
I was considering ordering Sufferings in Africa by James Riley and Robbins' journal: by Archibald Robbins, the two books King based his book on, but after reading this I didn't think I could stomach anymore of their suffering.
The cruelty and ignorance of the arabs/islamist/muslims is stunning. How could and why would anyone be so cruel? If you don't take care of your servants how are they going to be able to continue to serve you?. These arabs were either too dumb to logic that out or just inherently vicious.
Devoured by the Desert.......2007-05-13
This incredible tale captures the true recollections of survivors of shipwreck and enslavement by nomadic Arabs in the western Sahara in 1815. It's a time when the US is striving to assert itself on the world stage. American men seeking to provide for their families willingly take great risk and leave their homeland and find themselves in the Islamic world, stranded and forced to pay a high price to escape. Survival in this world requires enduring constant threat to life and limb. While some of the Arabs are worthy of respect and admirable in their bravery, even the best examples have a moral code that is hard to reconcile with Western values. Equally true is how Islamic values mirror some of the best and worst of Western values (slavery, cruelty for economic profit, strong familial bonds, communal coherance in a time of threat, and dissonance in a time of abundance). While the story of Captain Riley and his fellow American sailors may stand as one of the world's great survival tales, it is enriched by moral themes relevant to today's world experience.
Customer Reviews:
What is forever - Green Grass, Running Water.......2007-03-26
Thomas King captures Native Humor as an excellent tool for teaching, for sharing wisdom and as a means to cope when others cannot grasp the meaning of what Natives have to say. The humor of the book and its cyclic rather than linear paterns may be new to Non-Native readers. But, this is the richness and beauty of Native storytelling and liturature at its best.
Window on the Indian mind.......2005-10-27
This is an inventive, magical book for anyone who knows, or wishes to know, American Indian ways of seeing the world. Rather than ponderously attempting to explain the Indian mind, King simply puts it on display: storytelling, puckish humor, memory, quiet persistence and all. Through that Indian lens, the book examines the interactions of men and women, white and Indian attitudes, modern and traditional ways, Hollywood and real history.
It is understandable that those not familiar with Indians might find the book disjointed or hard to follow or less laugh-out-loud hilarious than it is. Much of my enjoyment came from seeing all my Mohican aunts, uncles and cousins -- and the Blackfeet who is married to one of them -- reflected in King's Blackfeet characters.
Nonetheless, for those who know -- or take the time to understand -- Indian ways of thinking, this is a simply wonderful book, a more polished companion to the delightful movie "Smoke Signals" and the Sherman Alexie short stories in "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" from which that film is drawn.
" In the Beginning , there was just the Water ".......2005-05-07
Thomas King with " Green Grass Running Water " takes us on a Journey of Spirit and Adventure. Witty , Engaging and Entertaining , this is a must read for those who enjoy Quirky Slice of Life stories. His words flow as if Carried on a Breeze. He plays with Indigenous Philosophy , Christianity and Creationism with Tongue in Cheek. This is a Simple and Sincere , Warm and Charming read that will Entertain and Enlighten.
If you like Talking Coyotes , Women who fall from the Sky , Virgin Births and more than I highly recommend this book. Throughout this Theatre of the Imagination Mr.King proves that he is an Engaging Literary Voice to be Respected and Treasured for Generations to come. In all Thomas Kings writings we are made to Smile and Think while being left with Hope for a Greater Tomorrow.
There is Common Sense Wisdom thoughout as we are Taken on a Journey where Dreams come Alive and the Heart of the Human Spirit is Tested. This is Truly a Delightful Book , Food for the Spiritual Seeker. Green Grass Running Water is an Inventive Interpretation of the Human Spirit. Thomas King is a Writer whose Voice is Unique and his books are Enlightening , Inspiring , Wise and Generous.
Green Grass Running Water is a Literary Tree of Life. To truly enjoy it you must Read Between the Leaves.
I have read this Story and now I will Live my Life differently.
Green Grass, Running Confusion.......2004-12-10
This was a very readable book. I liked the characters and their development, and the many sub-plots are woven together remarkably well. That being said, what is going one here? There are these four Indians with names from famous literary works, like Robinson Crusoe and Ishmael. What they smybolize or mean, I wasn't clever enough to pick up on. If you like a challenge, you can try to figure it out, but be warned. The Indians fit in with the book; the confusion stems from trying to divine their roles and their overall contribution to the book. With the multitude of characters, it's a little tricky keeping all of them straight, but once you've got them figured out, you'll find yourself wanting to read more and more to find out about them. One of the characters is said to have made three major mistakes in his life, and you'll want to read and read until you find out what they were. This is a highly enjoyable book if you can learn to let go of all the confusing aspects of it.
Interesting..........2004-09-22
I found this novel aesthetically pleasing, well written and interestingly structured, as well as witty in places, but hardly hilarious as others here have suggested. Regarding the book seeming to be written by a female (with all the presumptions of enlightenment that that carries with it - in this text and in literati generally) due its satirical reworkings of phallocentric myths and legends, I would say that the first 'novel' in history by Cervantes did just that, so phallused author's have a decent tradition in that area; having said that, this comment made the course material of my literature course at university, so you can see how pervasive it is. I don't blame the book for its strident and parochial feminist/misandrist and postcolonial themes - there is almost a complete cultural saturation of it. The book works in very well with current literary theory and should be used by all like-minded people as a text to place new 'Portias' and 'Shylocks' in different racial/cultural groups - same sort of hatreds with different wrappings. It's a shame, because King's talents as a writer are very great, despite the ideolatry.
Book Description
On the sparkling morning of June 25, 1876, 611 men of the United States 7th Cavalry rode toward the banks of the Little Bighorn in the Montana Territory, where 3,000 Indians stood waiting for battle. The lives of two great warriors would soon be forever linked throughout history: Crazy Horse, leader of the Oglala Sioux, and General George Armstrong Custer. Both were men of aggression and supreme courage. Both became leaders in their societies at very early ages; both were stripped of power, in disgrace, and worked to earn back the respect of their people. And to both of them, the unspoiled grandeur of the Great Plains of North America was an irresistible challenge. Their parallel lives would pave the way, in a manner unknown to either, for an inevitable clash between two nations fighting for possession of the open prairie.
Customer Reviews:
A new perspective.......2007-08-23
I have been a big fan of Ambrose and have read most of his books. I grew up in Montana and was aware of "Custer's Battlefield". The name was changed from Custer's Last Stand to the Battle of the Bighorn. Very appropriate.
Ambrose opened my eyes to the policy of the government as it related to the "Indian Wars". He does a great job in positioning both Custer and Crazy Horse throughout their lives and how they were destined to meet in SE Montana.
This book helps me understand how the Native Americans were treated and mistreated during the opening of the west.
If you are a history fan, I encourage you to read Stephen Ambose's works. His details allow you to put yourself in the shoes of an observer to history. Check out Undaunted Courage if you want to see the world through the eyes of Lewis and Clark.
Great introduction to 2 somewhat parallel lives.......2007-06-10
I went into this book primariliy interested in crazy horse, yet by about half way through i was captivated with custer. Many of Mr. Ambrose's detractors say he stretches the facts. This could easily be true, i am in no way an expert on either crazy horse nor custer. Yet when i walk away from this book i dont remember many facts but more so feel as though i have a sense of who these two individuals were and how they operated in their respective worlds. If i was writing a dissertation on the topic i probably wouldnt cite this as a source, at the same time i think this is a great introduction book to crazy horse, custer, and the indian wars. Overall its a captiviating and fun read, enjoy!
Crazy Horse and Custer.......2007-01-09
Excellent book-goes into depth about both of their lives and the parallels between them.
Death in Battle - Death in Peace.......2006-08-30
They are books like those written by Stephen Ambrose which keep the flame of my interest in reading of times and events of long ago burning. Some have accused Ambrose of taking too many liberties with the facts. To those I would say, Bah Humbug! This book is well written and worthy of the readers time, unless, of course, you are a "fact-checker", in which case the original sources, to the extent they even exist, might be more to your liking. For Orginary Joe's, like me, Mr. Ambrose has provided a good deal of reading entertainment and information. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be transported in time and place to the high plains during the Indian Wars.
Interesting.......2006-08-04
Great study of two complex personalities. I never realized what a mysterious figure Crazy Horse was, and his integral role at the Little Big Horn. Ambrose, as usual, does phenomenal research and his gift of prose make this book a pleasure.
Average customer rating:
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Native Americans: A Portrait : The Art and Travels of Charles Bird King, George Catlin, and Karl Bodmer
Robert J. Moore
Manufacturer: Stewart Tabori & Chang
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Book Description
Brilliant…stunning,” raved the Los Angeles Times about Conn Iggulden’s first novel,
Emperor: The Gates of Rome. “Iggulden is a grand storyteller,” declared USA Today. Now Iggulden returns to the landscape of ancient Rome and the life of Julius Caesar in a new novel filled with all the sumptuous storytelling that distinguished his first book. Sweeping from the windswept, pirate-ruled seas to the stifling heat of the Roman senate, Iggulden takes us further down the path to glory as Julius Caesar comes into his own as a man, warrior, senator, husband, leader.
In a sweltering, sparsely settled region of North Africa, a band of disheveled soldiers turn their eyes toward one man among them. Ragged, dirty, and half starved, the men will follow their leader into the mad, glorious fight for honor and revenge that only he wants to fight. Their leader is named Julius Caesar. The soldiers are Roman legionaries. And their quarry is a band of pirates who made the mistake of seizing Julius Caesar—and holding him for ransom. Now, to get his revenge, Caesar will turn peasants into soldiers, building a shipborne fighting force that will not only decimate a pirate fleet but will dominate the Mediterranean, earning him the coveted title Military Tribune of Rome.
While Caesar builds a legend far from Rome, his friend Gaius Brutus is fighting battles of another sort, rising to power in the wake of the shocking assassination of a dictator. Once Brutus and Caesar were as close as brothers, both devoted to the same ideals and attracted to the same forbidden woman. Now, when Caesar returns—with the winds of glory at his back—they will find themselves at odds. For each has built an army of elite warriors—Caesar’s forged in far-flung battles, Brutus’ from Rome’s political killing fields. But in an era when men die for their treachery and their allegiances, the two men will soon be united by a shock wave from the north. There, a gladiator named Spartacus is gathering strength, building an army of seventy thousand desperate slaves—to fight a cataclysmic battle against Rome itself.
Filled with unforgettable images—from the death throes of a king to the birth of Caesar’s child, from the bloody battlefields of Greece to the silent passion of lovers—
Emperor: The Death of Kings is an astounding work, a stunning blend of vibrant history and thrilling fiction.
Download Description
"Brilliant... stunning," raved the Los Angeles Times about Conn Iggulden's first novel, Emperor: The Gates of Rome. "Iggulden is a grand storyteller," declared USA Today. Now Iggulden returns to the landscape of ancient Rome and the life of Julius Caesar in a new novel filled with all the sumptuous storytelling that distinguished his first book. Sweeping from the windswept, pirate-ruled seas to the stifling heat of the Roman senate, Iggulden takes us further down the path to glory as Julius Caesar comes into his own as a man, warrior, senator, husband, leader.
In a sweltering, sparsely settled region of North Africa, a band of disheveled soldiers turn their eyes toward one man among them. Ragged, dirty, and half starved, the men will follow their leader into the mad, glorious fight for honor and revenge that only he wants to fight. Their leader is named Julius Caesar. The soldiers are Roman legionaries. And their quarry is a band of pirates who made the mistake of seizing Julius Caesar—and holding him for ransom. Now, to get his revenge, Caesar will turn peasants into soldiers, building a shipborne fighting force that will not only decimate a pirate fleet but will dominate the Mediterranean, earning him the coveted title Military Tribune of Rome.
While Caesar builds a legend far from Rome, his friend Gaius Brutus is fighting battles of another sort, rising to power in the wake of the shocking assassination of a dictator. Once Brutus and Caesar were as close as brothers, both devoted to the same ideals and attracted to the same forbidden woman. Now, when Caesar returns—with the winds of glory at his back—they will find themselves at odds. For each has built an army of elite warriors—Caesar's forged in far-flung battles, Brutus' from Rome's political killing fields. But in an era when men die for their treachery and their allegiances, the two men will soon be united by a shock wave from the north. There, a gladiator named Spartacus is gathering strength, building an army of seventy thousand desperate slaves—to fight a cataclysmic battle against Rome itself.
Filled with unforgettable images—from the death throes of a king to the birth of Caesar's child, from the bloody battlefields of Greece to the silent passion of lovers—Emperor: The Death of Kings is an astounding work, a stunning blend of vibrant history and thrilling fiction.
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic Book.......2007-09-03
The entire series 'Emperor',including 'The Death of Kings',are very exciting and well-written.It's true that Iggulden made many changes from the original story but I believe the most important thing is to understand the character of Julius Caesar and of Marcus Brutus,and how life was at the time.The author takes us close to the characters and the story is so vivid that you can't stop reading..For me,the most interesting thing in the series is the relationship of the two friends and how they changed during the years.
To Many Liberties With History.......2007-05-15
There are so many better books in this genre.
While one must suspend belief with much of the dialogue put into the mouths of the great men of history, it is unforgivable how the author changes well documented important events.
Cato is killed during the Spartacus rebellion by Pompey? No he lived for many years more, died in Africa and should be a MAJOR character in the next books in the series - except the author has decided to kill him off. Ridiculous.
Caesar personally kills Mithridates during a great battle the same year he escaped from pirates??? No such thing happened.
There are many other major changes in History that make this mediocre book and series a must avoid.
Tales of Caesar's Young Adulthood.......2006-12-22
My interest in Julius Caesar & ancient Rome was piqued by viewing HBO's Rome. I really enjoyed the series & read Gods & Legions by Michael Curtis Ford. I started this series with The Death of Kings. If someone read this books & the one that follows, without knowing anything about Rome & Caesar, I think they would really enjoy these books.
I'm far from a historical expert on Caesar & Rome, but there were some historical inaccuracies that distracted me from fully enjoying this book. The main event was the suicide of Cato about 20 years before it actually happened. Cato's suicide infuriated Caesar in real life. He is noted as saying "Cato, I must grudge you your death, as you grudged me the honor of saving your life." Cato's death was one of the final events before Caesar declared his triumph.
The other part of this book & the next is the inclusion of Octavian who was born in 63 B.C. Octavian was born about 1-2 years before Caesar went to Gaul, yet he's at least 6 when Caesar is 19. (Note Gaul is mostly in Book 3.) The author obviously wanted to have Octavian in the series, but this discrepancy was hard to overlook. In the end of each book there is a historical note where the author says where he's changed historical facts for the story. He mentions Cato, but I don't recall him mentioning the age discrepancy of Octavian. He does mention he changed the relation to cousin or something from great uncle. Aside from the historical changes the story is well told & fun to read. I'd recommend these books to anyone interested in ancient Rome unless historical liberties taken to improve story would make it unreadable.
Conquering all others..........2006-12-13
Emperor: The Death of Kings by Conn Iggulden is a book in the Emperor series. This book is about Julius Caesar's life from one of his first military campaigns until his posting in Spain as a governor, a few years later. The book begins with the words "The Fort of Mytilene loomed above them on the hill" pulling me right into the story. Though only a leader of a small unit, Julius Caesar and his group joined by about 20 other men attack this fort being held by rebels. Disaster follows soon after the successful battle because pirates capture the ship Caesar is sailing on as they are leaving the port. For a long time, Caesar and the rest of the officers are trapped in the hold, but they soon escape. After that, Caesar assembles an army and goes after the pirate captain. He finds the pirate captain and has a pitched sea battle. Caesar wins and gets all his money back from when he had to pay his ransom. This is the first of three major battles described in the book. After the second battle, Caesar hears that his old nemesis Sulla has died in Rome. This is important because Caesar is now free to go back to Rome, having sworn not to return to Rome while Sulla was alive. The reason for the hatred between the two men must have been explained in the first book of the series. While in Rome Caesar is in Rome he must struggle with all the events that have happened while he was away. For example, his father's house was being occupied by one of Sulla's friends Antonidus also known as Sulla's "dog". Caesar kicks Antonidus out of the house resulting in a trial, which Caesar wins. After this trial, Caesar goes to battle having been recently promoted. The battle was incredibly successful because the Roman soldiers were better trained than the slaves who they were fighting. Immediately after the battle, Caesar is posted to Spain as a Governor where the book ends. There are many characters: some military people, some family and some friends. Some characters are famous in history such as Caesar's friend Brutus and his successor Octavian. The parts of the book in Rome have to do with the political aspects, which are extremely complicated because everyone is vying for power. A friend can become an enemy in a second. The book was complicated, attention grabbing and if you are afraid of long words, do not read it. The story seemed jerky at first, but then I realized that it really flowed smoothly. I particularly enjoyed reading about the trial because it was extremely suspenseful. Because of the author's style of writing, the book is energetic and interesting. Iggulden's characters are well described and are consistent in their actions throughout the story. Sometimes the author does not give enough detail about certain events and must be assumed from the first book; however, the action is fun to read and I liked it.
I Loved It!.......2006-11-23
"The Death of Kings", (second in the Emperor series), follows on from the first, taking in the period from the capture and imprisonment of Caesar up to the rebellion of Spartacus. It follows on directly from the first volume, so should not be read independently of that one.
Firstly, as I did not read this book for the historical accuracy, (I would have read a real historical non-fiction book, if I actually cared that much), I couldn't give too much of a toss about the liberties that Iggulden took with it, within certain broad limits. Especially, considering that he is so open about these liberties in the first place, (unlike some authors who have been very popular).
The narrative itself is certainly fast paced and keeps you moving from one thing to the next with a vigorous and frenetic energy. It is sometimes a bit lax on the details, but the sacrifice to speed is liveable. It not a book that presents a lot of profound comments on the life of Caesar, but it is an action novel. And it has plenty of it. I enjoyed the pace and the action a lot, and it was a rip-roaring read for that.
The characterisations were rather good, though sometimes a bit like a cardboard cut-out. I was especially drawn to the character of Cornelia in her reactions to the newly returned Caesar after Sulla had had his way with her. Her bitterness and anger, coupled with her strong desire to draw Caesar near her, were poignant and interesting. She is perhaps the deepest character of the series so far.
The book is not deep, and it takes a lot of liberties with the historical truth. However, if that is a concern, might I recommend real history books and not novels. This is a fast paced adventure novel with a lot of fighting, intrigue and other stuff. There is even romance, though I have skipped through as much of that as possible. If you are into a fast read that is not too taxing, I recommend this one. Just read the first one before you get to this one.
Book Description
Listed by Abraham Lincoln, alongside the Bible and Pilgrim’s Progress, as one of the books that most influenced his life, few true tales of adventure and survival are as astonishing as this one. Shipwrecked off the western coast of North Africa in August of 1815, James Riley and his crew had no idea of the trials awaiting them as they gathered their beached belongings. They would be captured by a band of nomadic Arabs, herded across the Sahara Desert, beaten, forced to witness astounding brutalities, sold into slavery, and starved. Riley watched most of his crew die one by one, killed off by cruelty or caprice, as his own weight dropped from 240 pounds to a mere 90 at his rescue. First published in 1817, this dramatic saga soon became a national bestseller with over a million copies sold. Even today, it is rare to find a narrative that illuminates the degradations of slave existence with such brutal honesty.
Customer Reviews:
BEST SERVICE YET !.......2007-07-07
Great and rapid service. Book was exactly as promised. We will definitely use this seller again.
Slavery and Racism from the Eyes of a Shipwrecked White-Man.......2007-05-09
Travel back to the mindset of the early 19th century, when racism was the rule and God was thought to intercede on the behalf of white men shipwrecked in the midst of savage brown men. The first few chapters are hard to believe. However, if you assume that James Riley is honestly recounting what he believes happened to him, the story exposes the background of racist, Eurocentric, and religious bigotry that soaked American and European thought of that era.
Despite the difficult to swallow constant referrals to the general color of skin of each an every character Captain Riley encounters, as well as his unbelievable description of "savage" Africans as "orangutan-like" beasts, the book is a compelling read that you will not be able to put down. While Riley never overcomes his racism towards the darker Africans, the story reveals a transformation in his estimation of Arabs and Muslims which is instructive in our present era where Arabs and Muslims are denigrated and misunderstood.
If you love a book you cannot put down, this is the book for you.
Book Description
Constantinople, 1035: Thorgils has become a member of the Varangian lifeguard and witnesses the glories of the richest city on earth but also the murderous ways of the imperial family. Under the leadership of warrior chief Harald Sigurdsson he is set up as the unwitting bait in a deadly ambush to destroy Arab pirates harassing the Byzantine shipping lanes in the Mediterranean. When Harald eventually ascends the throne of Norway, his liegeman Thorgils is despatched on a secret mission to Duke William of Normandy with a plan to coordinate the twin invasions of England. On September 20, 1066 Haralds fleet of three hundred ships sails up the Ouse, confident of success, but a prophetic dream warns Thorgils that Duke William has duped his allies and the Norsemen are heading for disaster at Stamford Bridge. Thorgils embarks upon a race against time to reach and warn his liege lord before the battle begins. But will Odinns devout follower really be able to anticipate what fate has decreed and save the heritage of his Viking ancestors?
Customer Reviews:
Great History, Poor Storytelling.......2007-09-16
I really wanted to like this book. I have read the first two in the trilogy, and I am an avid reader of the old Norse and Icelandic Sagas. I am fascinated with this period in history, and with Norse culture in general. That being said, I had a really tough time getting into this book. There were two reasons for it.
First, the author expounds on history and the culture of the time to the detriment of the flow of the story. There are many times during the course of the book that a character will extemporize for several paragraphs instead of holding a normal conversation. While it is interesting from an academic perspective, it brings a complete stop to the narrative. While the author spends a great deal of time describing the life and politics of 11th century Europe, he spends next to no time describing his character's motives. To sum it up, by the end of the book I had a relatively thorough understanding of Norse life at the time, but no real idea as to why Thorgils did much of anything.
The second problem I had with this book is the author's clear disdain of Christianity. I'm not a Christian myself, but I had a hard time believing that every Christian character Thorgil's came into contact with was either bigoted, shallow, hypocritical, or overzealous. All pagans, of course, were portrayed as noble and openminded. At first it was interesting, as I myself lean more towards a nature-worshiping direction. But I've met plenty of nice Christians in my life, and plenty of pagan and atheist jerks. Christianity does not have a monopoly on boorishness.
These two points aside, the book (and series overall) is a fascinating, well-researched look at life at the turn of the first millenium in Northern Europe. Credit is due the author for not only showing how brutal and harsh life was back then, but also hwo fascinating and colorful it was. After reading this series, I am even more convinced that I was born too late. Oh, to be a Viking!
Entertaining.......2007-07-09
The author takes you across much of euope during his journey and weaves an entertaining tale along the way. As the lead character travels as a follower of Oddin, he witnesses much history that climaxes with the downfall of complete Norse dominance and the begining of Norman rule, the last vestiges of paganism washed away. A worthy read.
Astounding Grand Finale to Viking Trilogy.......2006-10-30
King's Man is the last series of the Viking trilogy, which told the story of Thorgils Leifsson. Viking series was Mr. Severin's first foray into the fiction realm. He used to write exclusively non-fiction history books, which I learned from the list of books he had written (not less than ten books, excluding this novel). The first and second (previous) of the trilogy: Odinn's Child and Sworn Brother, respectively. For reviews of the other two novels, please find my separate reviews.
Thorgils Leifsson was now 35 years old (born in late 999 AD). He had landed a job in Constantinople. A reader might be intrigued, that there were actual many Vikings working for the Byzantine Empire, known as the imperial bodyguards: Varangians. Vikings actually found the city of Kiev and they were known as Rus in eastern Europe/central Asian region. Thus, the name Russians actually emerged from it. I was also confounded when Normandy in France was the other word for Norsemen Land. Well, if you are a well informed reader, William the Duke of Normandy during 1060s was actually the descendant of Norsemen (Vikings) too!
I think I have leaked out too much of Severin's plot of this last novel in the trilogy. For short, Thorgils did have a chance to return to the vast northern wasteland in between Norway and Sweden (or the netherland). Eventually, he went to France. And for the remaining of the story, I would highly recommend you reading this book.
It would be best if a reader can start reading in sequence:
1. Odinn's Child (999-1020s AD)
2. Sworn Brother (1020s-1035 AD)
3. King's Man (1035-1070s AD)
Though, if you prefer, you can read only this last book. But Thorgils character would seem shallow. For me, the best of the Viking series were actually the first and last (third) novels.
My final tally for King's Man and Viking trilogy in general:
Book 3: King's Man: 5-star read
Viking trilogy: 5-star overall
A Dramatic Conclusion.......2006-08-02
This book is the sequel to Odinn's Child and brings to a conclusion the Viking adventure.
The date is 1035, the place the cosmopolitan city of Constantinople, the gateway to Asia and all its treasures and mysticism. Thorgils has become a member of the elite Varangian lifeguard, a post that allows him to witness first hand the glories of one of the greatest cities in the whole world. Unfortunately it also allows him first hand experience of the cruelty and murderous ways of the imperial family.
Under the leadership of Harald Sigurdsson, Thorgils is used as bait to trap Arab pirates who are attacking the shipping lanes of the Mediterranean.
When Harald becomes King of Norway, Thorgils life becomes ever more entwined with the King and his travel eventually take him on a journey to England and a desperate race to Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire, to warm the Norwegian King that he has been duped by his supposed ally William of Normandy, but will Thorgils be in time or for that matter ever reach Stamford Bridge. . .
A Great Way to learn History.......2006-01-09
Reading the Viking series is a great way to get a 'behind the scenes' experience of historic events - in this instance the death of a Byzantine Emperor (by murder or natural causes?) the reconstruction of the church of the Holy Sepulcre in Jerusalem, the Siege of Syracruse and the Norman invasion of England.
Thorgils is a Norseman who has trained as a monk, but longs for the return of the old Norse gods. His travels put him in the midst of some of the most significant events of the 11th Century.
The characters are boldly sketched, the action is well paced, the detail rings with authenticity, and the book is down-right fun to read!
Average customer rating:
- Wonderful!
- Weetamoo
- Enjoyable, but lacks solid information.
- Warrior woman Weetamoo depicted as a child!
- heart of the pocassets
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Weetamoo: Heart of the Pocassets, Massachusetts, 1653 (The Royal Diaries)
Patricia Clark Smith
Manufacturer: Scholastic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0439129109 |
Book Description
It is 1654 in New England, native land of Algonquin tribes, among them the Pocasset, Wampanoag, and Narrangansett people. The pilgrims -- called Coat-men by the Wampanoag -- have settled here in the natives' territory at Patuxit, a place that the Pilgrims have renamed Plymouth. Weetamoo's father, Corbitant, is sachem, or chief, of the Pocassets. He is mistrustful of the colonists and imparts his beliefs about them to his daughter, who is next in line to become chief. Weetamoo must learn the fundamental values and disciplines of a true Pocasset chief, but she must also be prepared for
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful!.......2006-07-29
I loved the adventures of Weetamoo, and I wanted to read more even though the book was done!
Weetamoo.......2005-12-18
Weetamoo is the inspiring story of a young Native American girl who strives to become a woman and for patience. The beginning starts out kind of slow, and it's hard to get into. But if you keep reading then you really get into it. It was interesting to see the way she changed throughout the diary. It was also interesting to find out the way the authour took a real historical character and turned her into a fictional one. Her true life story is really tragic, and so is the end of the book. It depends on your age weather I'd recommend it or not. It can be a little childish and too easy to read at times. Other than that, it's a great story!
Enjoyable, but lacks solid information........2005-08-14
"Weetamoo: Heart of the Pocassets, Massachusetts, 1653" took me by surprise, since I did not know about this woman, and because she did not know how to read or write. This last fact made it harder for me to let myself into her world, knowing that the things in her diary may not have happened that way, much less at all. If you set this historical bungle aside, then the story is quite interesting, but slow-going. I really wanted to know more about the "Coat-men" (the English settlers) according to Weetamoo, and I felt the ending was very hasty. Much research and time went into this book, and I give credit to author Patricia Clark Smith for undertaking such a task, and I blame myself for not truly appreciating it, since I was caught up in the accuracy or their lack of it. Since not much is known about Weetamoo, I had trouble seeing her through this diary, and after a while, I had to resign myself to thinking that this diary belonged to an ordinary Native American girl. If you can look past the lack of information about Weetamoo, then this could be an enjoyable book. I "sorta" recommend.
Warrior woman Weetamoo depicted as a child!.......2005-08-07
I had always thought of Weetamoo as the powerful warrior woman who entered King Phillip's war with style and grace. Many thought her a killer and a savage, but this book depicts Weetamoo as a young teenager in Massachusetts. The year is 1653 and Weetamoo is a 14 year old girl, eldest daughter of Corbitant, the chief of the Pocasset people. They are what they call themselves: the 'Wampanoag' nation, and many of them have expressed interest in the English 'coat-men' that have recently sailed into Massachusetts. Many of their tribe have changed their religion to use the English materials instead of their poor, natural ones. Weetamoo, too expresses interest in the 'coat-men and women' while she plays snowsnake with other children of her tribe and from other tribes. Weetamoo lives a simple, carefree life in her Pocasette Tribe, playing with friends and finding love. Until she has a secret vision during a fasting ceremony of the squared eyed godess 'Squant' Weetamoo knows she must do whatever she can to save the Pocassets. I enjoyed this Royal Diary and found it very interesting with it's gods and traditional Pocassett life.
heart of the pocassets.......2005-05-14
Weetamoo is a girl from 1653 and she is a pretty average teenager. She has to travel from Massachusetts to Rhode Island. With her family and village, They make it. The problem isthat Weetamoo had to suffer harsh cold, feets of snow winters. Very hot summers. All as well as doing all her chores.
If you like diaries and stories of Native Americans. You will for sure like this book.
Book Description
New perspectives on three centuries of Indian presence in New England.
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