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Fire and Sword: (Revolution 3)
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Review
'The last book in the quartet cannot come quickly enough'
(Daily Mail ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.Review
'The last book in the quartet cannot come quickly enough' -- Daily Mail
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As another reviewer noted, Fire and Sword, the third in Simon Scarrow's quartet of books following the lives and careers of Napoleon Bonaparte and Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington, is a very different animal to any of the author's 'Eagle' series of novels set during Roman times. Whereas the books following the adventures of centurions Cato & Macro, all of which I can highly recommend, are works of pure fiction with a focus on action and adventure, Fire and Sword along with the two preceding volumes are a mix of historical fact and some fictional license that seek to offer an accurate portrait of the lives of two undoubtedly great (if flawed) men.
In pursuit of this aim both 'Young Bloods' & 'The Generals, the earlier volumes, succeeded admirably and 'Fire & Sword' maintains that record. Sticklers might quibble over idioms of speech the author uses, some of the traits individual characters display or the accuracy of some minor historical facts, but as a work of part fact and part fiction, or 'Faction', 'Fire and Sword' works admirably. It is informative without being dull or dry, holds the reader's attention and imbues the iconic figures on display with real humanity.
Simon Scarrow must also be congratulated for again crafting a book that is so satisfying out of real historical events without the need to substantially alter the facts. The twists and turns of history, whilst often fascinating, do not always unfold in a way that makes for smooth story-telling. Battles aren't always won when they should be and big events don't always coincide with the timing of a book's big finale. With straight bio-graphical history this is not a problem but with a novel like Fire & Sword however, it can be. Readers of novels, even ones based on fact, expect a story that unfolds in a dramatically satisfying fashion. Simon Scarrow once again manages to offer that, and the result is a book that feels cohesive and self-contained rather than just a series of episodes in a larger story; an accomplishment which is a hell of a trick to pull off once but he has now done three times.
If you haven't read Young Bloods or The Generals I suggest you go back to the beginning of the series and start there. You'll find doing so to be very worthwhile. If you're a fan of Scarrow's Eagle series chances are you'll find this series just as enjoyable. If however, you're looking for pure action adventure or something along the lines of Cornwell's Sharpe this may not be for you. The same applies if you're looking for pure historical fact and analysis. There are biographies of both Napoleon and Wellington and wider studies of the period that will provide far more detail than this series. If like me however, you want real, world changing historical events offered in an accessible, exciting form you cannot go far wrong with the Revolution series and its latest instalment.
In pursuit of this aim both 'Young Bloods' & 'The Generals, the earlier volumes, succeeded admirably and 'Fire & Sword' maintains that record. Sticklers might quibble over idioms of speech the author uses, some of the traits individual characters display or the accuracy of some minor historical facts, but as a work of part fact and part fiction, or 'Faction', 'Fire and Sword' works admirably. It is informative without being dull or dry, holds the reader's attention and imbues the iconic figures on display with real humanity.
Simon Scarrow must also be congratulated for again crafting a book that is so satisfying out of real historical events without the need to substantially alter the facts. The twists and turns of history, whilst often fascinating, do not always unfold in a way that makes for smooth story-telling. Battles aren't always won when they should be and big events don't always coincide with the timing of a book's big finale. With straight bio-graphical history this is not a problem but with a novel like Fire & Sword however, it can be. Readers of novels, even ones based on fact, expect a story that unfolds in a dramatically satisfying fashion. Simon Scarrow once again manages to offer that, and the result is a book that feels cohesive and self-contained rather than just a series of episodes in a larger story; an accomplishment which is a hell of a trick to pull off once but he has now done three times.
If you haven't read Young Bloods or The Generals I suggest you go back to the beginning of the series and start there. You'll find doing so to be very worthwhile. If you're a fan of Scarrow's Eagle series chances are you'll find this series just as enjoyable. If however, you're looking for pure action adventure or something along the lines of Cornwell's Sharpe this may not be for you. The same applies if you're looking for pure historical fact and analysis. There are biographies of both Napoleon and Wellington and wider studies of the period that will provide far more detail than this series. If like me however, you want real, world changing historical events offered in an accessible, exciting form you cannot go far wrong with the Revolution series and its latest instalment.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As a constant reader and reviewer of historical fiction, or more the point 'faction' I believe this genre has recently been labelled, Simon Scarrow is one of my favourites with Iggulden & Cornwell. This is much more recent than his Roman novels, and it that aspect much more accurate. As normal with Scarrow, he has an excellent way of telling a story, keeping you engrossed whilst teaching you a history lesson at the same time. OK, this is probably biased against the French and pro British, especially in the way in this novel he talks about Arthur and Napoleon, however he certainly doesn't hold back from criticising the British when he needs to, especially about the politics, old school army generals and the treatment of the Irish. This once again is a superb, gripping tale, but as with some of the other reviewers on here I am frustrated that I probably won't be able to read the last instalment for another year.
40 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
One of the problems with books written in a series - this being the third of (reportedly) four - is waiting for the next one to be published! After waiting for some twelve months for this one, and having read it within two days over the New Year, I am going to find it very difficult to wait for the final volume in this fascinating series. I just couldn't put this one down. By the author's own admission these are fictional accounts based on historical fact, but they are truly engrossing for anyone interested in Wellington, Napolean and this period of European and British history. Please hurry up with the next volume!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Thoroughly good read
What can i say? What an exciting read,and continues wonderfully from The Generals but also sets up fabulously The feilds of death,which i cannot wait now to read. Read more
Published 3 months ago by bookwo0rm
Shin Mac
One can almost feel sorry for Napoleon in this book until you rember the trueman I do not feel Scarrow did the Duke and his peninsula campaign the justice it deserves but it is... Read more
Published 9 months ago by CSGT JOHN MACKINNON
Scarrow at his best.
Funny as it might seem, I'm reading the book and I see lots and lots of research work that combined with a imagination tuned to "action mode" generates a great gripping book. Read more
Published 15 months ago by De Feyter
Good Book
The book was received quickly and in excellent condition. The price, including postage, was very good and I would definiotely use this seller again.
Published 16 months ago by R. V. Callow
late delivery and notification of payment error
I ordered this item for a present and asked that it be delivered by 1.00pm on 1st Feb but was sent an email after 2. Read more
Published 16 months ago by andrea
Fire and Sword
I loved the previous books in this series. This book I found more just about battles and it took a while to get to the inevitable denouement (the outcome of which of course is... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Sue Bookworm
Waterloo is coming
Brilliant. Napoleon and Wellington and their battles before they actually faced each other. Third in a series of 4. Read more
Published 19 months ago by John Newman
That bad I couldn't be bothered to finish it
and the worst thing is that the cover had already warned me what to expect "Napoleon has Europe in his sights, Wellington will do anything to stop him. Who will win? Read more
Published 21 months ago by Daryl
a great read!
when i found out that simon scarrow was writing another series i was excited and when i found out this was going to be about Wellington and Napoleon i was immensely looking forward... Read more
Published 22 months ago by rob_hawke
Fire & Sword by Simon Scarrow
This book is the third of a set of four. Books 1, 2 and 3 are superb and highly recommended. Looking forward to The Fields of Death (4th book) when it comes out. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Avid Reader
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