I just bought a new paperback book "Sword Song" by Bernard Cornwell. I thought some might be interested in looking out for his latest book during their 2008 Christmas holiday break shopping. The inside cover says it is released in paperback copyright 2009. The subject matter is Danish (Viking) - England conflict in 885 A.D. I expect it will be well worth $14 U.S. in exchange for the quality of the writing and story. (Will update after having a few hours to read into it.)

Previous books, often well received by others here, included such titles as "The Archer's Tale", "Againcourt", the British regimen officer Sharp series, Saxon series, and many other fictional tales are inspired through historical research, although, the character and plot is generally fiction adventure. Normally I find it difficult to stop reading his tales when it is seriously time to go to bed.

Cornwell's "Sword Song" is indeed an excellent read. As are the three books proceeding it in the SAXON TALES series - "The Last Kingdom", "The Pale Horseman" and "Lords of the North". I have read these several times and enjoy the story of the life of the main character, Uhtred Uhtredson immensely. Cornwell almost makes one feel like they are there. Am looking forward to the next installment, hopefully in 2009 ! A "big-bellied, bushy-bearded tale" indeed !

I really enjoyed Sword Song and Cornwell's other tales of Utred the Danish-raised Saxon. Also Azincourt was very good. Cornwell has a great way of spinning a military adventure yarn without getting sentimental about the characters. Pretty good on the history too, at least from my meager vantage point.

By the way if you like that series, you would probably like Tim Severin's Viking series placed about a century later. It's somewhat less bloody and more Medieval travelogue in tone.

-JD

I really loved the first book The Last Kingdom, except for this part, which made me groan:

Quote:

Ealdwulf finished the blade by hammering grooves that ran down the center of each side. He said they helped stop the sword from being trapped in an enemy's flesh. "Blood channels," he grunted.

:confused:

I read that and thought gosh, he needs to join myArmoury before he writes any more books.

I felt that he did a much better job of describing the archer/ bowmen's skills and traditions for making and using their longbows.

I've read the Archer's Tale, Vagabond, and Heretic.
I've also read the other three books in the series of Sword Song and just ordered Sword Song from amazon last week. Shoud show up just after Christmas. :D

Try Bernard Cornwell's "Warlord Trilogy" i.e. The Winter King, The Enemy of God, Excalibur, its the best thing I've read about Arthur. All the family fought over the books as they came out. Seasons Greetings from Scotland, Brian Moffatt

I like the "Arthurian Trilogy" better than the "Saxon Stories" (and Cornwell does too, in fact they are his favourite books). Derfel was not only a mighty warrior, but he also had a softer and more humane side, that Uhtred lacks. Derfel would have never killed ten people the speedy way just for making "trade-unionist" complains (Sword Song). I found it easier to relate to him than to Uhtred. It could be said, though, that Uhtred's portrayal of a warrior is much more realistic.

Besides the Arthurian books had very good supporting characters (Merlin, Arthur, Guinevere), and I think Uhtred carries all the weight of the series on his shoulders.


The thing I like most of Cornwell is how he recreates the ethos of a Dark Age warrior, better than any other reader I have read. Two examples of this, the first one a reflection of Uhtred, I think (not sure) from The Lords of the North:

"All my life I have followed the path of the sword. Given a choice I would rather draw a blade than settle an argument with words, for that is what a warrior does."

And the second, an excerpt from The Pale Horseman, when he refuses to walk away from a duel to the death with the seemingly unbeatable Steapa.
Leofric tells him:
" 'You could have walked away.'
'And men would have called me a coward.' I said. And that too was the truth, that a man cannot step back from a fight and stay a man. We make much in this life if we are able, but only one thing survives us. Reputation. I could not walk away."


On the negative side, as Gavin pointed out, a few times his research is lacking, something the vast majority of his readers will not notice, but for the few of us that do, it is a (minor) nuisance.

I do not know if this happens to you too, but when I make comments on inaccuracies in films and novels, most people tell me that they just do not care. And they may be right, after all Hollywood is about making films and money, not documentaries and research.


I also liked Tim Severin's "Viking Trilogy". Good read, with lots of information about Norse mythology. I would have prefered Thorgils to be a little bit less mystical, though.

I love Bernard Cornwell's writing. I own the Archer's Tale series and all of the Richard Sharpe series, both of which I have re-read multiple times. He is definitely in my top 5 of fantasy/historical fiction authors.

I think I've read all the books he's written with the exception of his detective novels. I started reading his books with the Archer's Tale Series and was hooked. I read the Sharpe Series last summer! What an amazing writer!!!

Having read it, i now readily recommend this book and will pass it on to a friend.
I started reading the "Sword Song, Battle for London", around dinner time (5 PM.) I could not put it down, and was sad to reach the end of the tale around 3 A.M.

The Anglo born,Dane raised character, Uhtred is very believable (human, fallible, plausible degree of luck, but bold and battle lusty like a Conan type figure), and the background historical events and front maps were impressive. Even if the plot and relationships are purely fictionalized, I will remember the historical event and central figures involved in the defense of London now.

Both is very unlikely but he describes his blade in the first book more tapered then other blades so it is more likely that he would manage to pierce it then cut it. I think that was before his duel with Steapa, right?

At the risk of spreading gossip, I recall reading an article or interview with Cornwell in which he professed with some pride his ignorance of weapons and his reliance on the unsubstantiated advice of friends in such matters. It seemed to me that he found it somehow suspect to display a knowledge of the implements of death and destruction and that the consequent inaccuracies were of no import to his art.

AMDG
JSA

I love these books too, but as a swordmaker, I have to admit Cornwell irritates me to no end. I mean some simple fact checking would have taken care of some of this silliness. The part that really got may hair up (and I don't have the exact quote) was when Uthred put his sword and scabbard on his back so that he could fight better in the shield wall. Uggh! Thank you Hollywood for more silliness that has some how become fact to so many.

[quote="Harold R."]

Luka Borscak wrote:

Both is very unlikely but he describes his blade in the first book more tapered then other blades so it is more likely that he would manage to pierce it then cut it. I think that was before his duel with Steapa, right?

I've read three of the books and at this time, I can't find my copy of The Last Kingdom, but I do remember reading something about that.
I think it was when he didn't have the option of using his own sword and had been forced to use an unfamiliar one. Uthred commented that he knew he had made a poor choice - picked one that wasn't going to be quick enough.
This did make sense to me. Given the fact that a handmade weapon will by definition, be one of a kind, it made sense that some swords would be "better" than others.

I checked, the part with mail piercing was before his first duel with Steapa. He sad that because Steapa is well armoured he has no chance of wounding him with cuts and that he should somehow thrust through mail. He wounded him twice through mail, but lightley.

I believe the good aspect of these books outweigh the bad aspects. Uthred's character is well developed and I do like how he has evolved.