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Product Description
Review
Praise for Bernard Cornwell and Sword Song:
For HB:
‘This is typical Cornwell, meticulously researched, massive inscope, brilliant in execution’. The Sun
'Great action scenes, rich in period detail, are underpinned by a feeling for the passions that shaped the Britain we know today'. Sunday Telegraph, Seven Magazine
Bernard Cornwell is a literary miracle. Year after year, hail, rain, snow, war and political upheavals fail to prevent him from producing the most entertaining and readable historical novels of his generation.' Daily Mail
'Cornwell's narration is quite masterly and supremely well-researched.' Observer
Review
'His best book yet. No one understands the experience of the common soldier better than Bernard Cornwell and in this gripping account of the Agincourt campaign, seen through the eyes of a simple archer, he tears away the gloss of legend to reveal the raw truth of medieval warfare in all its shocking brutality, filth and gore.'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
179 of 184 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It probably comes as no suprise to anyone who saw Bernard Cornwell's glowing comments on the front of Juliet Barker's excellent history book 'Agincourt', that Cornwell turned his attention Henry V's famous, almost miraculous, victory over the French. The problem is how to make such an extraordinarily well known story - thanks to Shakespeare and numerous histories - seem fresh and exciting. Thankfully, we are in the hands of a master at this sort of thing.
His story of Nick Hook, an English longbowman, does more than simply tick the expected boxes. It successfully puts the victory at Agincourt into perspective both politically and socially. It does so by bringing us firmly into the lives of the people. These people realised as properly medieval men and women. Cornwell scores over so many of his competitors by convincing us that these are not simply modern men in fancy dress. Faith in Christianity, for example, and the battle between the heretical Lollard beliefs, common in England at the time, and the Church are woven into the fabric of the story. It will come as no suprise that the battle scenes are strongly and convincingly portrayed.
I always hesitate before giving a five star review, but this is certainly worth it.
His story of Nick Hook, an English longbowman, does more than simply tick the expected boxes. It successfully puts the victory at Agincourt into perspective both politically and socially. It does so by bringing us firmly into the lives of the people. These people realised as properly medieval men and women. Cornwell scores over so many of his competitors by convincing us that these are not simply modern men in fancy dress. Faith in Christianity, for example, and the battle between the heretical Lollard beliefs, common in England at the time, and the Church are woven into the fabric of the story. It will come as no suprise that the battle scenes are strongly and convincingly portrayed.
I always hesitate before giving a five star review, but this is certainly worth it.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book abroad recently while nursing a winter-sports injury and couldn't put it down. It is excellent dramatised history, bringing the reader right into the campaign and battle and the minds of the people who were there. As an ex-soldier I immediately identified with the way he conveys soldiers' thoughts and reactions when they face unpleasant realities. It has sparked a great interest to know more about Agincourt (I have bought Juliet Barker's book on the battle), and about Henry V's real reasons for undertaking this risky business. Highly recommended.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Cornwell has used a tried-and-tested formula for many of his books, which I have previously encountered in his `Sharpe' books. He chooses a common man as his hero (in this case Nick Hook), has him fight heroically and victoriously in every major battle in his time (Harfleur and Agincourt), makes him a master of his weapons (principally his longbow, but also handy with his poleaxe), gives him a beautiful love interest (Melisande), sets up a strong, arrogant enemy (the French noble Lanferelle, who also happens to be Melisande's father - such subtle plotting!) and adds extra spice in having enemies on his own side (the wicked Perrill brothers and Sir Martin).
It is a successful mud-splattered formula, tugging the reader on to turn the pages, at the expense of important household chores. However the transparent artifice, and the inherently unlikely nature of all the events that happen to one man dented my opinion of this book. It is as if Hook, the archer, has his own special angel hovering over him - the author, who miraculously makes every strike against the hero a slap or glancing blow, and nearly every strike of the hero a bulls-eye with arrow or poleaxe.
You have to admire Cornwell's ingenuity of side-stepping and overcoming the massive reputation of Shakespeare's `Henry V' (which incidentally does not mention the English archers once). He subtly incorporates all the Shakespearean highlights, such as the attack on the breach at Harfleur, the `Saint Crispin' speech and the King's midnight fraternising with the troops on the eve of the battle.
This is a gory book. The author goes out of his way to emphasise the horror of war more than any other of his books I have read. There are numerous descriptions of brains splattering, blood gurgling, guts slithering, mud clinging to heavy armour, eyes being pierced and so forth. He lays it on thick, garnished with some very choice earthy language. I guess it has to be done, to convey the reality of Medieval Warfare, and the massacre of the remarkable battle of Agincourt.
His hatred of priests in the hierarchy of power is evident. Most priests (but not all) are portrayed as lustful, power-mad, gluttonous, sadistic and hypocritical in this book. Cornwell raises the intellectual level of the book by pondering on the contradictions and confusions of religion, with both sides praying and believing that God is on their side. Their's is a harsh and vengeful God, wanting heretics to be burned at the stake, and mass slaughter to take place to support a King's rightful claim to a throne.
Cornwall uses the narrative device of the hero hearing the voices of Saint Crispin and Saint Crispinian in his head. This lets us glimpse a slightly deeper psychological depth and complexity, but not much more. Don't pick up this book for subtle or complex insights into human nature.
It is a successful mud-splattered formula, tugging the reader on to turn the pages, at the expense of important household chores. However the transparent artifice, and the inherently unlikely nature of all the events that happen to one man dented my opinion of this book. It is as if Hook, the archer, has his own special angel hovering over him - the author, who miraculously makes every strike against the hero a slap or glancing blow, and nearly every strike of the hero a bulls-eye with arrow or poleaxe.
You have to admire Cornwell's ingenuity of side-stepping and overcoming the massive reputation of Shakespeare's `Henry V' (which incidentally does not mention the English archers once). He subtly incorporates all the Shakespearean highlights, such as the attack on the breach at Harfleur, the `Saint Crispin' speech and the King's midnight fraternising with the troops on the eve of the battle.
This is a gory book. The author goes out of his way to emphasise the horror of war more than any other of his books I have read. There are numerous descriptions of brains splattering, blood gurgling, guts slithering, mud clinging to heavy armour, eyes being pierced and so forth. He lays it on thick, garnished with some very choice earthy language. I guess it has to be done, to convey the reality of Medieval Warfare, and the massacre of the remarkable battle of Agincourt.
His hatred of priests in the hierarchy of power is evident. Most priests (but not all) are portrayed as lustful, power-mad, gluttonous, sadistic and hypocritical in this book. Cornwell raises the intellectual level of the book by pondering on the contradictions and confusions of religion, with both sides praying and believing that God is on their side. Their's is a harsh and vengeful God, wanting heretics to be burned at the stake, and mass slaughter to take place to support a King's rightful claim to a throne.
Cornwall uses the narrative device of the hero hearing the voices of Saint Crispin and Saint Crispinian in his head. This lets us glimpse a slightly deeper psychological depth and complexity, but not much more. Don't pick up this book for subtle or complex insights into human nature.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Azincourt..
This it the first historical/fiction book I've read in years and I couldn't put it down.
Yes you can see the similarity with Sharpe but thats not a bad thing. Read more
Yes you can see the similarity with Sharpe but thats not a bad thing. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Paul
Best Historical Thriller I've Ever Read
Cornwell effortlessly manages to cast the reader deep into the heart of the action and recreates a beautifully rich and realistic world. Read more
Published 6 days ago by AvidReader
Blood, guts and glory
If you're an avid reader of Cornwell or first timer you will not be disappointed by this actioned packed zero to hero story. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Monty Chris Tow
blood, guts and history
I went into WH Smith to buy a newspaper and came out with this book. I've not read anything from Bernard Cornwell before, but am familiar with Sharpe from the television series. Read more
Published 1 month ago by RMCT
Mud, misery, fluxing and fear
Cornwell is probably in some ways the lineal successor to Dennis Wheatley who wrote his historical novels with the aim of imparting "history without tears". Read more
Published 2 months ago by John Fareham
Classic Cornwall
Review of "Azincourt" by Bernard Cornwell
The strength of Cornwell's books is drawn from two sources: strong, diverse characters and a through understanding of the... Read more
The strength of Cornwell's books is drawn from two sources: strong, diverse characters and a through understanding of the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by shedhead
B C for president!!!
Ive got to say I loved this book, its earthy qualities, its action and its humour.
great understanding of the times and attitudes of ordinary folk also the hardship of life... Read more
great understanding of the times and attitudes of ordinary folk also the hardship of life... Read more
Published 4 months ago by carter59
An excellent well thought out novel
Cornwell is certainly one of the masters of bringing historical fiction to life, he seems to be able to bring different perspectives together to successfully form a well written... Read more
Published 6 months ago by S.Duncan
Hooked
I was at a loose end when I bought this book, admittedly I am a history fan. Now I am a bernard cornwell fan. Read more
Published 6 months ago by dave.
A stunning recreation of Mediaeval warfare in all its blood and gore
This is the first Bernard Cornwell book I've read, so I was unhampered by comparisons with any of his previous works and able to enjoy it for what it was. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Dr. W. H. Konarzewski
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