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The Last Kingdom (Alfred the Great 1)
 
 
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The Last Kingdom (Alfred the Great 1) (Paperback)

by Bernard Cornwell (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
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Product details

  • Paperback: 496 pages
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd (3 Oct 2005)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 000721801X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0007218011
  • Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 2.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 910 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #5 in  Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > C > Cornwell, Bernard > Sharpe Novels
    #20 in  Books > Fiction > Genre > Historical
    #59 in  Books > Fiction > Contemporary Fiction: 1970 Onwards

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

Does the fact that the The Last Kingdom inaugurates yet another series from Bernard Cornwell fill you with anticipation--or trepidation? His immensely popular Sharpe novels are, of course, the bedrock of the author’s popularity. But when readers learned that he was to abandon the redoubtable Sharpe for a Grail Quest series, there were those who invoked the ‘if isn’t broke, why fix it?’ rule. However, when Cornwell proved himself equally adept at conjuring a world of knights and savage combat, his Grail Quest series (the first book of which was Harlequin) soon established itself as another Cornwell winner.

And here’s yet another series from the protean writer. Do we really need it? Yes, we do--it’s a safe bet that The Last Kingdom will prove that the author is seemingly capable of beginning an endless run of new novel sequences. As well as the impeccably plotted narrative, Cornwell has other fish to fry here: nothing less than a totally fresh look at a historical figure we think we know: Alfred the Great. Cornwell’s protagonist is Uhtred, caught in the conflict between the Danes and the English in the ninth century. He is born into the English aristocracy, but loses his parents at the age of ten and is raised in Viking fashion by a Dane. When massacres reign down on both sides, Uhtred is torn between his loyalties--and when his family disappears, a reckoning with a Viking chieftain is in the offing.

Behind all this is the King, Alfred: complex, conflicted, and by no means the figure that the conventional history books render him. All of the customary Cornwell virtues are fully on display here.--Barry Forshaw --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.



Review

'Cornwell is a virtuoso of historical fiction.' Sunday Telegraph '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
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Customer Reviews

58 Reviews
5 star:
 (35)
4 star:
 (16)
3 star:
 (6)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (58 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
73 of 79 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable historical fiction book..., 23 Oct 2004
By Iceni Peasant (Norfolk, England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: The Last Kingdom (Hardcover)
This new series from Bernard Cornwell focuses on 9th Century Britain and the onset of the Viking invasion and settlement in a move that would split the country into Wessex and the Danelaw, and how Alfred started to develop into the "great" king he became.

The story follows a young boy called Uhtred, as his family deal with the invasion, and without giving away too much of the plot the paths his life takes because of the invasion, crossing the paths of both Dane leaders and Saxon ones.

I have seen criticism that this book is the same formula as all Bernard Cornwell's other books. I won't deny that it DOES follow the same style of story development and characterization as previous books such as "Sharpe" and the Holy Grail trilogy. However the real beauty of these books is the weaving of a fictional story into actual chronicled history, and Mr.Cornwell is a master at this.

We meet such real historical characters as King Alfred, Guthrum and there's a wonderful take on the death of King Edmund of East Anglia.
The way this book has been written you can truly see the Danes and the Saxons in your mind, hear them, touch their clothes and even smell them, such is the wonderful ambience that comes from reading the book.

If you're looking for something original and unconventional then this book may not be for you....but generally speaking historical novels like these can't be too original. If, however you are a fan of history and love delving into thinking about possibilities within history that are not black and white, then you'll love this book.

I'm really looking forward to the second book in this series.

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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A great story, especially for the B rits...., 25 Oct 2004
By P. Wade "PulpKult`s Read it...." (Zurich, Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Last Kingdom (Hardcover)
Some say, its the "same old, same old". Others tell it correctly. Its the work (again) of the leader of Historical Fiction, at his best. I do have a critissism however. The book ended, as books will. Far too soon for me.
I tried reading slowly, but it still only lasted a couple of days. Sad. Its exciting and yes, of course, its following in the time loved tradition of the "young fella growing up to be a man, etc. etc. etc.", thats just how these books are written. Would we really want to change that?
Anyhow, being about my favorite Author, Bernard Cornwell can do no wrong, so I just cant wait for the next two books in this trilogy.
This story is tight, the charactors are so real you can smell them and if my memory serves me well, the history is pretty close to how we were told it at school too. Alfred, later known as the "Great", the conflicts the transgressions, are all there.
I am quite purposely NOT going into the plot, or the story, as there are obviously plenty of you Cornwell fans out there who havent read the book yet. So Im not going to be the one who gives anything away.
Just buy it, you wont be sorry, also, Amazon were selling the hardback for the price of a decent bottle of wine, way to go Amazon...

PulpKult....

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23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars When's the next one due?!, 7 Oct 2004
This review is from: The Last Kingdom (Hardcover)
This is Cornwell at his best. Its the 1st installment in what I hope will be a lengthy series, following the life of a young Saxon boy in the 9th Century. Son of a minor noble-man he is captured by the invading Northmen (better known, if incorrectly so, as Vikings) and brought up as one of them but returns to his country men after his adopted father is betrayed by one of his own people.

This first volume, chronicling the Northmen as they attempt to conquer the 4 kingdoms of England is immensely gripping (I finished it 1 day) and includes great characterisations as well as the sort of information about post Roam England that made his Arthur series so unmissable. The last book by Cornwell I read was Stonehenge and this is so much better than that, as good as the Arthur books and probably better than most of the early Sharpes.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Kingdom
Just finished reading this, can't wait to start on the next. Hard to get into initially, as not my usual style of book, but once I began to 'know' the characters I found the... Read more
Published 2 days ago by grumpyoldlady

4.0 out of 5 stars Historical page turner
This is my first Cornwell novel, and I have to say I can't wait to read the rest.

It has great characters and a swift moving plot that weaves historical fact and... Read more
Published 5 days ago by J. Watters

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for the squeamish.
Having visited Northumberland almost every year of my entire life it was impossible not to enjoy following the stories of Uhtred. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Jamie.W

5.0 out of 5 stars last kingdom
another of bernard cornwell's wonderful books. you just want to know more and more about the characters.
Published 1 month ago by Wendie Emery

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed
The Last Kingdom is only the second novel I've read by Bernard Cornwell, and the first in a series of books about the Vikings. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. A. M. Chadwick

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book - A must read
You won't be able to stop reading this one. Another great romance from Bernard Cornwell
Published 3 months ago by Lucas Lira

5.0 out of 5 stars A Ripping yarn
As with all Cornwell's books, this is accessible - an easy read. It's even better when you know English geography and can visualise the towns and countryside that the story has... Read more
Published 5 months ago by BowTie

5.0 out of 5 stars I read until my eyes hurt.
This is the first Bernard Cornwell book I have read and I was mightly impressed. I havnt read a book that has been so addictable since Conn Igguldens excellent 'Gates of Rome'... Read more
Published 5 months ago by N. Thompson

3.0 out of 5 stars The Last Kingdom
Well written and, as always with this author, well researched but anyone looking for the GREAT Alfred will be somewhat surprised and disappointed by this portrayal of him.
Published 6 months ago by Mrs. Dorothy C. Gomm

4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining glimpse into history
I think the most enjoyable aspect of 'The Last Kingdom' is the depiction of two powerful cultures clashing dramatically. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. John L. Phillips

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