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Lords of the North: A Novel (Saxon Chronicles #3)

Bernard Cornwell

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 53 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Cornwell spins a rousing yarn 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

When reading 'historical fiction' I prefer more emphasis on history. I like the author to set a believable backdrop. I've recently finished Iggluden's `Emporer series' and Follet's Pillars of the Earth. Cornwell's work is in a similar vein to Iggluden, with much blood and gore, whereas Pillars is an epic novel. Nevertheless, Lords of the North is a great action adventure story with satisfying character development and an intriguing plot. Uhtred is like an old-school James Bond. It helps to have some knowledge of geography/history of Britain, but not necessary to enjoy this fast-paced romp.

Editorial Review:

The year is 878. Uhtred, the dispossessed son of a Northumbrian lord, has helped the Saxons of Wessex defeat the invading Danes. Now, finally free of his allegiance to the victorious, ungrateful King Alfred, he is heading home to rescue his stepsister, a prisoner of Kjartan the Cruel in the formidable Danish stronghold of Dunholm. Uhtred's best hope is his sword, Serpent-Breath, for his only allies are Hild, a West Saxon nun fleeing her calling, and Guthred, a slave who believes himself king. Rebellion, chaos, fear, and betrayal await them in the north, forcing Uhtred to turn once more, reluctantly, to the liege he formerly served in battle and blood: Alfred the Great.

War And Peace (Signet Classics)

Leo Tolstoy

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 287 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Rosemary Edmonds trans. of War and Peace 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I'm suprised not to see anyone mention Rosemary Edmonds' translation of this masterful work. Her translation, published by Penguin Classics, is really quite good, and reads smoothly, and it seems accurate to what Tolstoy would have considered his message. I highly recommend this translation of War and Peace.

Great story, but terrible historical accuracy.... 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 3 people found this review helpful.

For me at first the novel started pretty good, and was quite one of the best I ever read, but from the half part of the book on after the french invasion of Russia, I was shocked to see so much historicals inaccuracies, and descriptions that seemed more and more propagandistic. For example his description of Napoleon, as a tiny egocentric man, that believes his own lies, and this is the secret from his victory, obviuosly seem more of Russian propaganda than anything else. And besides the Battle of Borodino, WAS A FRENCH VICTORY, and a Russian one, like Tolstoy try to makes us think....... Perhaps this is because of the time were he lived..... In summary buy it if you want to hear a great story about human nature. But take it as a fiction, as hardly anything Tolstoy says may be actually considered truth in a historical sense.

Editorial Review:

Set in the years leading up to and culminating in Napoleon's disastrous Russian invasion, this novel focuses upon an entire society torn by conflict and change. Here is humanity in all its innocence and corruption, its wisdom and folly.

Revolution (Dale Brown's Dreamland)

Dale Brown, Jim Defelice

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Dreamland Revolution 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The book is excellent and Dale Brown and my friend Jim DeFelice just keep putting out incredible work. I used to fly B-52G's out of Guam in the 80's as a non-rated crew member and they make it real to me. Guys, keep it up!

Fred 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Consistently good as the rest of the Dreamland series. Increased tie-in with original Dale Brown series.

so so 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The story line is ok, same old, same old mostly. The strength as always is the technological imagination and imaginative battles. Unfortunately, the research and writing (and copy editing) have gotten so sloppy as to be disracting. Several times in the first few pages "criteria" is used as a singular noun (ie, the criteria is...). Biceps is parsed to bicep, as if that makes it singular, and, most amusingly, during a scene at a Lakers' game, Kobe Bryant banks in a foul shot to win the game. I'm pretty sure Kobe has never banked in a foul shot intentionally. All in all, a lazy effort.

Editorial Review:

The masters of astonishing military technology that enables them to deploy almost instantaneously to any part of the Earth, the Dreamland team must now stop a dangerous revolution in the making in Eastern Europe—wherea mysterious group of insurgents has blown up an essential pipeline, thereby disrupting Europe's gas supply. With NATO and the EU paralyzed by the crisis, it falls to Dreamland's best and brightest to keep the world from the brink of another Cold War. But the secret hand of an old enemy is pulling the strings from the shadows, hoping to reap the rewards of chaos. And the devastating results could erupt with intense, white-hot fury.

Night Soldiers: A Novel

Alan Furst

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 60 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Epic in Scope with attention to detail 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Furst is one of those writers who makes every passage worth savoring. The prosaic descriptions of the minor events make this a great read. The fascinating subject matter of the eastern european perspective on the period leading up to, and during world war II make for a great story. We're carried through an extraorinary range of experiences in this book, but it never feels implausible.

Editorial Review:

Bulgaria, 1934. A young man is murdered by the local fascists. His brother, Khristo Stoianev, is recruited into the NKVD, the Soviet secret intelligence service, and sent to Spain to serve in its civil war. Warned that he is about to become a victim of Stalin’s purges, Khristo flees to Paris. Night Soldiers masterfully re-creates
the European world of 1934–45: the struggle between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia for Eastern Europe, the last desperate gaiety of the beau monde in 1937 Paris, and guerrilla operations with the French underground in 1944. Night Soldiers is a scrupulously researched panoramic novel, a work on a grand scale.

False Gods: The Heresy Takes Root (The Horus Heresy)

Graham McNeill

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 26 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Diamond in the Rough 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Graham McNeill is one of the major innovators at The Black Library. His books are always filled with the kind of "fluff" that excites Warhammer enthusiasts and I consider him the speartip of Warhammer creativity.

For the most part I am thrilled by his creative inventions. His descriptions of the various planets and societies are inspired and his descriptions of Chaos rituals are among the best in the Warhammer universe.

I would have given this novel five stars but for some niggling complaints, which I am going to enumerate out of a certain frustration.

My frustration arises from the following: (1) he usually employs multiple points of view (a practice endemic in Warhammer writing). This is not bad in itself but he employs short passages that break the flow of the writing and slows the narrative. Tolstoy uses multiple points of view but he lets the narrative develop and flow, allowing the reader to become involved in the narrative. Frankly, I want to be unaware of the change in point of view; I want to sink so deeply into the novel that I am living it. If a novelist shifts back and forth in short machine gun like bursts, it disrupts the narrative flow. This works in a movie; it doesn't work well in a novel. (2) He tends to use anachronistic expressions that distract from the narrative. For instance, twice Horus, the great Warmaster, says to his Mournival- "You are a sight for sore eyes." (3) Horus acts child-like over and over again (but so did Hitler and Stalin, you say), even spilling his guts to a journalist in an attempt to immortalize himself in print, when he thinks he is going to die.

In addition, certain plot choices confused me. More particularly, I didn't understand the motivations behind the invasion of the Davin moon. For instance, why would the Legion transport Titans to the moon to battle an army of the undead, which they dispatch with a blow to the head? Was Horus' hubris such that he saw every battle as an insult to his pride and honor? Was it necessary to display the almost incalculable strength of the Legion against a rebellious brother? Or was it necessary to introduce the Titans into the plot? Additionally, at the end of the novel,why does Horus abandon the crusade to attack a potentially friendly world? Does he seek their technology or has Chaos already taken hold of him and he wants simply to kill and maim?

Irrespective of these criticisms, I say bravo to McNeill. He took the threads of the Horus Rising and substantially raised the level of discourse.

Editorial Review:

The human Imperium stands at its height of glory - thousands of worlds have been brought to heel by the conquering armies of mankind. At the peak of his powers, Warmaster Horus wields absolute control - but can even he resist the corrupting whispers of Chaos?

The Last Full Measure

Jeff Shaara

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 138 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Gentlemen Warriors 5 out of 5 stars.
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This was a wonderful read. I learned so much about the Civil War conclusion, until I read this book I could appreciate the real situation of General Lee's army, I always thought he surrendered because of a political compromise and to avoid further useless bloodshed but I realized he really had no choice as his army was practically anihilated in the battles of march -april 1865.

I learned also the ruthless pursuit of victory of the Union armies under Grant, that ultimately decided the issue. Grant really pushed through no matter casualties or personal reputation, ultimately puting an end to the war and to further killing.

Lee was portrayed as a real gentleman at arms, almost as a knight of old, personally I would have followed him, his tactics sometimes were flawed or his secondary commanders did not deliver but he was the real spirit of the Conferderate Army. It was very sad to read of the destitution of his army, no food, no uniforms, but great spirit. In the end they gave it all for Lee but were swallowed by the industrial might of the North.

I liked the portrayal of Chamberlain, also a gentleman soldier, very chivalrous at the end.

This book really touched me, it was not a dry account of battles or meaningless action but the story of real men, desires fears, the grandious and the horror of fratricidal war. The vision Lee has of himself charging ahead of his troops at the moment of his death will always saty with me. Wonderful imaginery.

Editorial Review:

Author Jeff Shaara rounds out the Civil War trilogy started by his late father Michael Shaara, whose book The Killer Angels describes the Battle of Gettysburg. Just as Jeff Shaara's Gods and Generals covers action prior to Gettysburg, The Last Full Measure picks up with Confederate General Robert E. Lee's retreat from Pennsylvania and continues through the end of the war. Shaara focuses on the characters of Lee and Union commander Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, both of whom play prominent roles in the earlier books. He also introduces a new one: Ulysses S. Grant, the Union general who would finally defeat the South--something no soldier before him could manage. The Last Full Measure is often exciting and poignant, and fans of The Killer Angels and Gods and Generals won't be disappointed. --John Miller

Sharpe's Tiger (Richard Sharpe's Adventure Series #1)

Bernard Cornwell

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Total reviews: 88 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In a battery of events that will make a hero out of an illiterate private, a young Richard Sharpe poses as the enemy to bring down a ruthless Indian dictator backed by fearsome French troops.

The year is 1799, and Richard Sharpe is just beginning his military career. An inexperienced young private in His Majesty's service, Sharpe becomes part of an expedition to India to push the ruthless Tippoo of Mysore from his throne and drive out his French allies. To penetrate the Tippoo's city and make contact with a Scottish spy being held prisoner there, Sharpe has to pose as a deserter. Success will make him a sergeant, but failure will turn him over to the Tippoo's brutal executioners -- or, worse -- his man-eating tigers. Picking his way through an exotic and alien world. Sharpe realizes that one slip will mean disaster. And when the furious British assault on the city finally begins, Sharpe must take up arms against his true comrades to preserve his false identity, risking death at their hands in order to avoid detection and thus to foil the Tippoo's well-set trap.

The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels

Patrick O'brian

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 79 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A five star collection 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

While others may nitpick about the typesetting or the mistakes I found the set to be well produced and very comfortable to read, both to the eye and to hold. There are, no doubt, some typographical errors but I failed to notice more than a handful and they did not detract from my enjoyment of what may be the best naval historical fiction ever written. These books are beautifully bound and a considerable saving over buying the individual books (I hesitate to say novels as the whole is really a single novel in 21 parts).
An excellent set of great literature.

Editorial Review:

A handsomely bound omnibus edition of Patrick O'Brian's seafaring classics, including three chapters of the unfinished twenty-first novel.

The recent release of the film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World has focused even more attention on the publishing phenomenon of the late Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin novels about the Royal Navy in the age of Nelson. These five volumes, beautifully produced and boxed, contain over 7,000 pages of what has often been described as a single, continuous narrative. They are a perfect tribute to such a literary achievement, and a perfect gift for the serious O'Brian enthusiast. 5 volumes, boxed, 1396 pages each volume.

The Civil War Trilogy: Gods and Generals / The Killer Angels / The Last Full Measure

Jeff Shaara, Michael Shaara

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 33 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Outstanding trilogy, a must for history lovers 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

These three books should be required reading in school. Very eye opening to the horrors of war.

Gods and Generals - Fascinating portrayal of a sad time in US History, as told from the perspectives of the generals involved in these campaigns. I was most particularly moved by Lee and his torn loyalties to the US Army and his home state of Virginia, and most especially by the great Stonewall Jackson. I've come across the names in history classes (oh so long ago) and the occasional novel covering this period, but it was wonderful to have them brought to life as this author did, and we are once again reminded that was is indeed h***. One moment in the book that particularly touched me was during a retreat of Federal soldiers. One of them slipped in the mud and was told that since the general decreed the roads to be in good condition therefore there is no mud. Four stars instead of five as the author's habit of inserting a comma instead of the word "and" was a bit of a distration for me.

The Killer Angels - The author brings the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War to life in this wonderful novel. He uses the alternating views from the officers of both sides of the conflict, thus making you feel as you are right with them, culminating in the horrific and tragic end of the battle. I was truly saddened by the incredible loss of life due to the mistakes of the priveleged few, the generals. No wonder they say Gettysburg is one of the most haunted places in America.

The Last Full Measure - I think this book, and the two preceding it should be required reading in school. I had no idea how horrific this war was, particularly more so as the brutalities committed on both sides were against our own. There were so many moments when I wanted to stop and cry for the loss of life, and especially at the end when the one man who was capable of healing the country and bringing us all back together as one nation, Abraham Lincoln, was assassinated.

The research was impeccable and telling the story from the viewpoints of the various generals absolutely fascinating. The honorable Robert E. Lee, Chamberlain (loved his gracious salute to the surrendering army), and the ever fascinating U.S. Grant.

One quote from so many in the book that just brought tears to my eyes: "Yes, it was horrible, horrible indeed. But he had to tell himself that, remind himself to see it that way. There was no sickening revulsion, no outrage, no indignation at the barbarism. It was just one more scene from this war, one more horror, one more mass of death, blending together with all the rest."

Highly highly recommended.

Editorial Review:

Author Jeff M. Shaara rounds out the Civil War Trilogy started by his late father Michael Shaara, whose book The Killer Angels described the Battle of Gettysburg. While Gods and Generals covered action prior to Gettysburg, The Last Full Measure picks up with Confederate General Robert E. Lee's retreat from Pennsylvania and continues through the end of the war. The younger Shaara focuses on the characters of Lee and Union commander Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, both of whom play prominent roles in the earlier books. He also introduces a new one: Ulysses S. Grant, the Union general who would finally defeat the South--something no soldier before him could manage. The Last Full Measure is often exciting and poignant, and fans of The Killer Angels and Gods and Generals won't be disappointed. A nicely boxed edition of this classic historical fiction. --John Miller

War and Remembrance

Herman Wouk

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 64 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

1,382 pages worth of continuing monumental saga! 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Followup to The Winds of War. As the paperback cover blurb states, "the monumental saga continues": 1,382 pages worth of continuing monumental saga! Its good, no doubt, very good even, but it takes a great effort nearly as intense as the war itself to work through.

One of the things I find interesting about this book is that if written today, this book and its companion in the hands of a lesser author would probably end up as just another in the spate of serialized, romanticized historical fiction. Wouk's classics read more like intensely researched and well-written narrative history.

The Best Book You Will Read On Any Subject 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I just finished this novel and I have felt a bit lost the last couple days. How can I possibly follow up a book of this magnitude with something else? Nothing compares. As for Wouk's own words that it stands on it's own and you don't have to have read Winds of War - don't listen to him; read Winds of War. You will not regret it.

Wouk has created one of the most memorable cast of characters in a most memorable period time and he brings it all to life with complete credibility. As it is with war no one is safe and that goes for this book. The characters are actually vulnerable, the can and will die unexpectantly and leave you in shock at their lost - just like in war.

I did feel like it was a bit rushed in the end. Some of the biggest events of the war and some of the biggest events in the characters lives were brushed over very quickly. I would have liked to have read more about Iwo Jima, the bombing of Dresden and Toyoko, the actions taken by the Germans to cover their tracks and get rid of the surviving Jews in their camps and I especially wish he would have gone into more detail about one characters experiences while in a German camp.

That is my only complaint.

Read this book. It doesn't matter how young you are. It was the worlds biggest catastrophe, a war that encompassed the whole earth. That will never happen again and it is so important for people to read the history of WWII and understand its causes, understand Hitler and how he gained control over his people and most importantly understand the consequences of the Holocaust.

Editorial Review:

These two classic works capture the tide of world events even as they unfold the compelling tale of a single North American family drawn into the very center of the wars maelstrom. These two multimillion-copy bestsellers capture all the drama, romance, heroism, and tragedy of the Second World War.