Sword Song (The Warrior Chronicles, Book 4) and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more

Buy Used
Used - Very Good See details
Price: £1.66
Fulfilled by Amazon

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Colour:
Image not available

 
See all 2 customer images
Share your own customer images
Search inside another edition of this book
Start reading Sword Song (The Warrior Chronicles, Book 4) on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

Sword Song [Hardcover]

Bernard Cornwell (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (107 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


Formats

 Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition £5.31   -- --
Hardcover --   -- --
Paperback £5.59   -- --
Audio, CD, Abridged, Audiobook, CD £12.15   -- --
Unknown Binding --   -- --
Audio Download, Abridged £8.39 or Free with Audible.co.uk 30-day free trial
Books Trade-In
Amazon.co.uk Trade-In Store
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more.

Book Description

Publication Date: 3 Sep 2007

The fourth in the bestselling Alfred series from number one historical novelist, Bernard Cornwell.

The year is 885, and England is at peace, divided between the Danish kingdom to the north and Alfred's kingdom of Wessex in the south. But trouble stirs, a dead man has risen and new Vikings have arrived to occupy London.

It is a dangerous time, and it falls to Uhtred, half Saxon, half Dane, a man feared and respected the length and breadth of Britain, to expel the Viking raiders and take control of London for Alfred. His uncertain loyalties must now decide England's future.

A gripping tale of love, rivalry and violence, Sword Song tells the story of England's making.

Product details

  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: HarperCollins; First Edition edition (3 Sep 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0007219717
  • ISBN-13: 978-0007219711
  • Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.8 x 3.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (107 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 90,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Bernard Cornwell Page
Bernard Cornwell
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.

Product Description

Review

‘The characterisation, as ever, is excellent…And one can only admire the little touches that bring the period to life: the bitter weather; the swollen rivers; the soliders gossiping about ale and women…he can also claim to be a true poet of both the horror and the glory of war, showing a feeling for the ways of fighting men which is too often lacking in the politicians who send them into battle.’
Sunday Telegraph

This is typical Cornwell, meticulously researched, massive in scope, brilliant in execution’. News of the World

‘He’s called a master story-teller. Really he’s cleverer than that.’
Telegraph

‘There are many authors who are now writing historical fiction, and some of them are almost as good as Cornwell, but so far there’s none better.’
Yorkshire Evening Post

‘Sword Song’s as sharply written as all of Cornwell’s historical adventures.’ Bournemouth Daily Echo

‘…this will not disappoint Cornwell’s legions of fans.’ Western Daily Press

‘…epic drama, rich language and a thoroughly satisfying journey through Saxon history.’ Eastern Daily Press

From the Inside Flap

The year is 885 and England is at peace, divided between the Danish kingdom to the North and the Saxon kingdom of Wessex in the south. Uhtred, the dispossessed son of a Northumbrian lord, warrior by instinct, Viking by nature, appears to have settled down. He has land, a wife, two children and a duty given to him by Alfred to hold the frontier on the Thames. But trouble stirs, a dead man has risen and new Vikings have arrived to occupy London. Their dream is to conquer Wessex, and to do it they need Uhtred's help.

Alfred has other ideas. He wants Uhtred to expel the Viking raiders from London. It is a dangerous time and Uhtred must decide how much his oath binds him to the king. Other storm clouds are gathering. Æthelflæd - Alfred's daughter - is now married, but a cruel twist of fate means that her very existence becomes a threat to Alfred's kingdom. It is Uhtred, half Saxon, half Dane, whose uncertain loyalties must now decide England's whole future.

Sword Song tells the story of the making of England and, like all Bernard Cornwell's previous novels, is based on true events. It is a gripping story of love, deceit, and violence, set in an England of tremendous turmoil and strife, yet one galvanised by a small flicker of hope that Alfred, the great king of Wessex, may prove a force that lasts. Uhtred, his greatest warrior, has become his sword, a man feared and respected the length and breadth of the land, his Lord of War.

See all Product Description
Inside This Book (Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Search inside this book:

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?

› Explore similar items

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars History lessons you don't fall asleep during! 5 July 2008
By Mr. A. I. Harrison
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Well I'll get all the negative stuff out of the way first! Uhtred really is just a dark ages 'Sharpe' he even has an Irish side kick now and whilst Sharpe was loathed as a commoner amongst upper class twit fellow officers, Uhtred is loathed because he is a pagan amongst pious preachy christians!

That said for many years I loved Sharpe! and likewise I am loving Uhtred and the Saxons, a major part of our national history largely ignored till now! Romans and vikings by the score, Saxons, hardly any!.

Back to the book it's architypical Cornwell. Our hero is unloved by his masters, out numbered by his foe's but backed up by his savage comrades. Yes we've seen it a hundred times before from Cornwell but it is such a winning formula and he does it probably better than anyone. Also I like the stories being told from the first person perspective by Uhtred himself as you really feel like you are in the heart of the action.

This book starts with the re-taking of London from the Danes an actual event but then takes a sharp left down imagination lane to put Uhtred in a daring rescue bid. As with most Cornwell stories the action is compelling gritty and believable, the book is fast paced though perhaps a hundred pages short of what we normally expect of him.

We are promised more Uhtred action shortley by the author and I'll no doubt be there with my credit card though I hope he doesn't over do it as I felt he did with Sharpe as there are so many other great bits of history he can take us to but I have not quite had enough of Uhtred yet! So I'll be sharpening my battle axe for next time.
2 Comments | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
46 of 49 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Keeps getting better 5 Oct 2007
By Didier TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
I read the 3 first books in this series (The Last Kingdom, Pale Horseman, and Lords of the North) quite some time ago, found them all three excellent historical novels, so started "Sword Song" with high expectations. Rest assured: it's near perfect.

In "Sword Song" the struggle between Saxons and Danes has reached a new phase, with Alfred consolidating the kingdom of Wessex and trying to get a grip on the (leaderless) Mercia. Uthred has become Alfred's most important warlord, but he feels equally drawn to the Viking-world in which he grew up, and just then an army of Vikings arrives and captures London...

I really can't do this book enough justice: the battle scenes are as good as ever (and there's plenty), but above all I love the way in which Uthred keeps developing as a character. The arrogant, young warrior has become a mature man (with a fearsome reputation, true enough), and a loving husband and father.

I for one am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
2 Comments | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars More death and mayhem with Uhtred 11 May 2011
By Keen Reader TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
In this, the fourth of the chronicles of Uhtred and the birth of the English nation under Alfred, the year is now 885 and the Danes appear to have been subdued. The treaty with Guthrum has the Danes settled in their own area of the Danelaw and the remainder of the Anglo Saxon kingdoms are apparently quiet; Alfred is now looking to consolidate his hold over the whole kingdom. This should be the high point for Alfred and all to look forward to from here; if he can keep his nephew Aethelwold from causing trouble, and hold off any more potential Dane incursions, hopefully he can bring Christianity to the whole country and start to rebuild under his own dynasty.

But for Uhtred things are not so straightforward, as the Norse under the Thurgilson brothers arrive in Lundene from Frankia. Alfred wants Uhtred's cousin Aethelred to be King of Mercia so tasks Uhtred with tidying up the problem in Lundene. While Uhtred is, as always, happy to fight and kill, he's not so happy to be involved in Alfred's schemes. All Uhtred really wants is to go home to Bebbanberg and reclaim his inheritance. But, he is a warrior and must do as a warrior does. I didn't count up the number of who died in this book, but I think it was a lot! Life sure was hard, short and brutal in those days.

Other reviewers of this book have complained that it lacks action, and that the story is stretched beyond its limits. I think that this story stands quite well in the series of five books about Uhtred, as in this one some years have passed since the last book, and relationships have settled. Uhtred finds himself content with his wife, Alfred's children are growing and demanding attention, the Danes are shifting their attention and their allegiances. I think that this book really acts as a stepping stone from the action that filled the first three books to the settlement of the many threads of the story hopefully in the fifth book. I guess we'll just have to see when I get to it. Still, recommended.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
No
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?   Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars B. Cornwells books
I enjoy reading Bernard Cornwells books very much and am working my way through all of themI shall read the rest
Published 8 days ago by Susan Small
4.0 out of 5 stars Keep going
More tales of Uhtred and his wish to kill all Danes. More blood less priests please. Will he ever get to Bamburgh? It's quite easy straight up the a1 and turn left.
Published 28 days ago by walesonline
4.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Probably not as fast flowing and all action as some of the other books in this series but still a great read.
Published 1 month ago by Graham Venning Work
4.0 out of 5 stars Continuing A Good Story
Start from the The Last Kingdom the first series to make sense of the plot. It does get very involved.Another easy to read book
Published 1 month ago by tr2rosie
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book of a great series
Really enjoyed the 4th book in this series. Continues the story well at a good pace whilst introducing some new characters. Well worth the read.
Published 1 month ago by Saintsman
5.0 out of 5 stars Bernard Cornwell
The book arrived on time and was very well packaged,as we're the other five in the series. I am very pleased.
Published 1 month ago by K.M.Walate
4.0 out of 5 stars Cornwell magic again
Just the right touch for a bedtime read, if you can put it down. You do need to read them in order. The characters build, as they should do. Read more
Published 2 months ago by ISOK
4.0 out of 5 stars I found this to be one of the weaker offerings in the warrior series...
The fabricated history of the Northumberland warlord Uhtred is a must read for those interested in the development of our united kingdom from the origins of Danelaw... Read more
Published 2 months ago by MRS K STRANGE
5.0 out of 5 stars CORNWELL AT HIS BEST
hAVING READ THE COMPLETE SERIES i AM AMAZED AT THIS MAN'S ABILITY TO BE HISTORICALLY ACCURATE AND AT THE SAME TIME TELL A TRULY GOOD READBALE YARN a MUST FOR HIS FANS.
Published 2 months ago by Mr. J. D. Roach
5.0 out of 5 stars Bernard Cornwell keeps the story going
I finish reading one of this series and immediately want to read the next. The storyline keeps me enthralled and is well written. I can imagine the events as I read about them. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Leslie
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

There's a problem loading this menu at the moment.

Learn more about Amazon Prime.

    Your Shopping Basket is empty.

    Give it purpose -- fill it with books, DVDs, clothes, electronics and more.

    If you already have an account, sign in.

    There's a problem previewing your shopping basket at the moment.

    Check your Internet connection and go to your cart, or try again.

    View Shopping Basket (0 items)

      Customer Discussions

      This product's forum
      Discussion Replies Latest Post
      No discussions yet

      Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
      Start a new discussion
      Topic:
      First post:
      Prompts for sign-in
       


      Active discussions in related forums
      Search Customer Discussions
      Search all Amazon discussions
         
      Related forums

      Listmania!

      Create a Listmania! list

      Look for similar items by category

      Feedback