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  1. #1
    Master of Nothing He Surveys Member CybrGamr's Avatar
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    Default Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Trilogy

    I am about 120 pages into the first book - The Last Kingdom - and I must say I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It is quite interesting to see how the Vikings lived and raided.

    Has anyone else read this trilogy? How accurate is the author with his facts?

    ((It's got me excited to play MTW tonight as the Vikings... I have been on hiatus from Total War as Civ4 has dominated my time...))

  2. #2
    Research Shinobi Senior Member Tamur's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Trilogy

    I've seen it but hadn't really paid attention. Guess I'll have to give this one a go.

    Another I would VERY highly recommend -- as in, it is the ultimate good read with astounding historical accuracy, beautiful prose, great battles, and really envelopes you in the period -- is Röde Orm by Frans Bengtsson. It's found in English under the title "The Long Ships". It's an old one, published in the 50's, so you may have a bit of a time finding it. But well worth the search.

    Thanks for the lead on the Cornwell series!
    "Die Wahrheit ruht in Gott / Uns bleibt das Forschen." Johann von Müller

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    Cynic Senior Member sapi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Trilogy

    It's a very good series, and well worth reading.

    Another free plug to the slightly-historically-accurate Troy series by David Gemmel - it's just a pity he died while writing the third book
    From wise men, O Lord, protect us -anon
    The death of one man is a tragedy; the death of millions, a statistic -Stalin
    We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area -UK military spokesman Major Mike Shearer

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    Deadhead Member Owen Glyndwr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Trilogy

    I didn't know he had a saxon trilogy. I read the Archer's Tale trilogy, and Stonehenge. I almost finished the arthur series but stopped about 100 pages before the end of the last book, it was getting a little depressing. I didn't want to see Derfel lose his hand, Merlin die somehow, and Arthur disappear. Although I have to admit, I would really like to have seen Mordred and Lancelot put in their places.
    "You must know, then, that there are two methods of fight, the one by law, the other by force: the first method is that of men, the second of beasts; but as the first method is often insufficient, one must have recourse to the second. It is therefore necessary for a prince to know well how to use both the beast and the man.
    -Niccolo Machiavelli


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    Default Re: Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Trilogy

    Quote Originally Posted by sapi
    It's a very good series, and well worth reading.

    Another free plug to the slightly-historically-accurate Troy series by David Gemmel - it's just a pity he died while writing the third book

    I've read the first book and liked it but I'd overlooked the fact that he'd died before completing it. has someone else finished it off or something?

    Also, I have read the Saxon trilogy (well the first book) and it's not a bad read but I preffered his Arthurian trilogy which sounded realistic to me. didn't think much of the Archer's Tale though.....
    Old warriors know more tricks!

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    Master of Nothing He Surveys Member CybrGamr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Trilogy

    I enjoyed "The Last Kingdom" (the first book). I finished it a couple of days ago. "The Pale Horseman" picks up right where book one left off (the day after). I like the battle scenes. I also find I am sympathetic to the main character - Uhtred.

    I have them out from the library, and with the new one being a very new release, I will have no chance to renew it so I have to make short work of book 2 and 3.

    Once I have finished and "Lords of the North", I will either try the Arthur series or the Sharpe series...

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    Cynic Senior Member sapi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Trilogy

    @Owen - how's stonehenge - i've got it sitting in my cupboard (family member brought it, i guess) but have never got around to reading it. If you say it's good, i'll have to.

    @Don Esteban - i believe that his wife is finishing the final book

    @CybrGamr - I highly reccomend the Sharpe series
    From wise men, O Lord, protect us -anon
    The death of one man is a tragedy; the death of millions, a statistic -Stalin
    We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area -UK military spokesman Major Mike Shearer

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    Senior member Senior Member Dutch_guy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Trilogy

    Quote Originally Posted by sapi
    It's a very good series, and well worth reading.

    Another free plug to the slightly-historically-accurate Troy series by David Gemmel - it's just a pity he died while writing the third book
    Gah, I thought he died after book one !

    Hmm, it seems I'm going to have to find book two now, and hope someone somehow manages to write book three in the same fashion as book 1 !

    I'm an athiest. I get offended everytime I see a cold, empty room. - MRD


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    Member Member Solon of Athens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Trilogy

    It isn't a triology to my knowledge, I'm quite sure he is writing the next book for release this/next year. it is a very good series so far though, I'd recommend it to anyone.

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    Member Member Caerfanan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Trilogy

    Well, I'll give Cornwell's a shot then, seing three "org jedis" speaking of it.



    If you like the 13th century period there's an author called Peter Berling (german?) who wrote a serie of five books mostly about the templars and the Cathares in France. Don't know the English titles though.
    Last edited by Caerfanan; 02-13-2007 at 11:07.

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