- Hardcover: 460 pages
- Publisher: Magna Large Print Books; Large Print Ed edition (15 April 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0750526793
- ISBN-13: 978-0750526791
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 944,733 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
'Intrigue, high-life and low-life are brilliantly interwoven...the historical details are utterly convincing' LAWRENCE JAMES 'Stephen has a good feel for the momentary decisions that can help to shape the course of history - as well, of course, as the cowardice, vainglory and greed' THE TIMES 'A terrific book' THE SPECTATOR 'Henry Gresham is a hero for all seasons' VAL MCDERMID
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
The Spectator
'A terrific book'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
For some reason Amazon have the wrong reviews on this page, so I hope this will appear on the right page...
The other Henry Gresham books by Stephen have had slightly mixed reviews: but get your expectations right and this is a good read. It's more Sharpe than The Other Boleyn Girl and perhaps more of a 'boy's' historical than a girl's: the historical background doesn't quite feel right so that our hero Gresham seems more of an C18th gentleman spy than a C16th one (somewhat like Percy Blakeney, the scarlet pimpernel) but even so it's a rollicking read.
Set in the run-up to the Armada, Gresham gets embroiled in plots and counter-plots set in motion by Robert Cecil and Walsingham, involving Francis Drake and the Spanish. Don't worry about the plot too much, just enjoy the action at both sea and on land; the cast of characters including a young arrogant Spanish countess (beautiful, of course!); and the hero himself: elegant, clever, handsome, brave, with a core of vulnerability (again, of course!). The vignettes of Elizabeth are nicely cutting. A good escapist read.
The other Henry Gresham books by Stephen have had slightly mixed reviews: but get your expectations right and this is a good read. It's more Sharpe than The Other Boleyn Girl and perhaps more of a 'boy's' historical than a girl's: the historical background doesn't quite feel right so that our hero Gresham seems more of an C18th gentleman spy than a C16th one (somewhat like Percy Blakeney, the scarlet pimpernel) but even so it's a rollicking read.
Set in the run-up to the Armada, Gresham gets embroiled in plots and counter-plots set in motion by Robert Cecil and Walsingham, involving Francis Drake and the Spanish. Don't worry about the plot too much, just enjoy the action at both sea and on land; the cast of characters including a young arrogant Spanish countess (beautiful, of course!); and the hero himself: elegant, clever, handsome, brave, with a core of vulnerability (again, of course!). The vignettes of Elizabeth are nicely cutting. A good escapist read.
Format:Paperback
Third instalment in this historical adventure series continues a high standard, combining accuracy and excitement.
For me, however, this book doesn't quite reach the heights of the first two books, maybe the fact that this is effectively a prequel to the earlier works reduces the tension a little. The main problem though, is that the sea bound passages, in the claustrophobic setting of a working warship, do sag a little, although the action and intrigue never die off completely.
Telling the famous story of the Armada from the point of view of the invaders is an interesting twist, and the Spanish themselves are shown in a very sympathetic light.
Henry Gresham, our stone cold, self serving assassin is rather surprisingly shown weeping with emotion on two (TWO!)separate occasions but I am cannot be the only reader to wonder if his attachment to either of the causes he professes to support at various points in the book is quite genuine.
The closing London set scenes, where Gresham clashes conclusively with his arch-enemy Robert Cecil are the best in the book, where, in the torture chambers under the Tower of London, our hero is stretched to his limits in every possible way.
The afterword, with facts and figures about the events that inspired the story, although brief, contains some genuinely shocking statistics.
For me, however, this book doesn't quite reach the heights of the first two books, maybe the fact that this is effectively a prequel to the earlier works reduces the tension a little. The main problem though, is that the sea bound passages, in the claustrophobic setting of a working warship, do sag a little, although the action and intrigue never die off completely.
Telling the famous story of the Armada from the point of view of the invaders is an interesting twist, and the Spanish themselves are shown in a very sympathetic light.
Henry Gresham, our stone cold, self serving assassin is rather surprisingly shown weeping with emotion on two (TWO!)separate occasions but I am cannot be the only reader to wonder if his attachment to either of the causes he professes to support at various points in the book is quite genuine.
The closing London set scenes, where Gresham clashes conclusively with his arch-enemy Robert Cecil are the best in the book, where, in the torture chambers under the Tower of London, our hero is stretched to his limits in every possible way.
The afterword, with facts and figures about the events that inspired the story, although brief, contains some genuinely shocking statistics.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
Espionage amongst the Spanish Armada
21 Dec 2010
Format:Paperback
Another installment in the Gresham series this is an entertaining story of spying for England in the Elizabethan age. Gresham is surrounded again by enemies. As he battles foes both domestic and foreign Gresham conquers incredible odds, saves a beautiful girl and eventually the country.
With Mannion by his side he is unbeatable and the story makes for a good read. I must confess it took me awhile to get into it but once it grabbed me I was hooked.
Enjoy.
With Mannion by his side he is unbeatable and the story makes for a good read. I must confess it took me awhile to get into it but once it grabbed me I was hooked.
Enjoy.
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