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143rd out of 2,624 books
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The Last Kingdom (The Saxon Stories #1)
In the middle years of the ninth-century, the fierce Danes stormed onto British soil, hungry for spoils and conquest. Kingdom after kingdom fell to the ruthless invaders until but one realm remained. And suddenly the fate of all England--and the course of history--depended upon one man, one king.
From "New York Times" bestselling storyteller Bernard Cornwell co
...morePaperback, 351 pages
Published
January 1st 2006
by HarperCollins Publishers
(first published January 1st 2004)
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Asolutely loved it. I went to the library and randomly picked a book. It was The Pale Horseman, and I realized it was second part of Ulthred's life, so I went back and got this first part out. I love England and so I loved those 3 books. (now waiting for another to come out. There must be 4 book.) It's the same feeling like waiting for Harry Potter books to come out.
A Review That Has Very Little to Do with This Book:
Sometimes you need a lot of book. You know what I mean.
Those Fridays you come home, lie down on the couch, and resolve not to come back until Sunday afternoon. You have vetoed faces and the spoken word. The phone will remain unplugged except for the ordering of something greasy.
On these Fridays you have two options: dissolve into a self-pitying, gelatinous blob or turn to a lot of book.
You are no...more
Sometimes you need a lot of book. You know what I mean.
Those Fridays you come home, lie down on the couch, and resolve not to come back until Sunday afternoon. You have vetoed faces and the spoken word. The phone will remain unplugged except for the ordering of something greasy.
On these Fridays you have two options: dissolve into a self-pitying, gelatinous blob or turn to a lot of book.
You are no...more
I had no idea what I was getting into when I read this book. I'd never read Bernard Cornwell. All I knew was that it was a book about Vikings.
Anyway, I absolutely loved it! And I became a permanent Bernard Cornwell fan. I think Uthred is one of my favorite characters of all time. Yes he’s mean, arrogant, and a bit of an antihero, but he’s a full blooded character, and I felt like I really got to know him.
This book goes through Uthred’s childhood as a Saxon rais...more
Anyway, I absolutely loved it! And I became a permanent Bernard Cornwell fan. I think Uthred is one of my favorite characters of all time. Yes he’s mean, arrogant, and a bit of an antihero, but he’s a full blooded character, and I felt like I really got to know him.
This book goes through Uthred’s childhood as a Saxon rais...more
Update: I did a reread of this September 2011. Still love it. :) Below review is from 2009.
Well, where do I start????......as I write this review I am in the middle of the fourth book in this Saxon series, Swordsong, so I have a few more reviews to do after this one and I admit, I want so badly to just gush. But, I need to save some for the other reviews. The reviews of The Pale Horseman and The Lords of the North.
So, here's where I will start...
WOW! I can't get enough of ...more
Well, where do I start????......as I write this review I am in the middle of the fourth book in this Saxon series, Swordsong, so I have a few more reviews to do after this one and I admit, I want so badly to just gush. But, I need to save some for the other reviews. The reviews of The Pale Horseman and The Lords of the North.
So, here's where I will start...
WOW! I can't get enough of ...more
JG (The Introverted Reader)
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The Last Kingdom is the story of Uhtred Uhtredson, the 10-year-old son of an English earl who is kidnapped in a battle against the Danish invaders of England. He becomes more and more Danish, but he always knows deep in his heart that he is truly an Englishman. As Uhtred gets older, he comes to the attention of King Alfred the Great. He becomes something of a pawn in the war between the Danes and the last free kingdom of England.
To be fair, I wasn't really in the mood for this whe...more
To be fair, I wasn't really in the mood for this whe...more
I have never read anything by Bernard Cornwell before but another book by him caught my attention on the library shelves. Once I realized that this was the first book of the series, I picked it up to read and I am so glad that I did.
I found it to be a colourful, creative work that kept my attention throughout. Will definitely be reading the next books in this series and others from this author.
I found it to be a colourful, creative work that kept my attention throughout. Will definitely be reading the next books in this series and others from this author.
A quick entertaining read. I want to say 'bro-lit", but I know that doesn't quite hit the mark. Not to deep, especially after coming off of Neal Stephenson, but Cornwell incorporates a unreliable first person narrator who tells this story in the past tense. Typical of Cornwell. In fact, my main disappointment with this first volume of the Saxon Chronicles is that it starts off very similarly to the first volume of The Warlord Chronicles: main character is a kid who is born in one culture, b...more
This is a very good work of historical fiction. Told through the eyes of Uhtred, a Northumbrian child who is "captured" by the Danes during their invasion and is essentially raised as a viking. After betrayals and various personal losses, he retreats to Wessex, the only section of England not yet conquered by the Danes. Uhtred grows as a warrior, deals with the conflicts of being both English and an adopted-Dane, and sees the battles of a exceedingly devout Alfred the Great holding ...more
Bernard Cornwell lernte ich schon lieben, als ich seine Artustrilogie verschlang. Und auch mit diesem Buch konnte er mich wieder voll und ganz überzeugen. "The Last Kingdom" bildet den Auftakt zu einer Serie rund um die Entstehung des Danelag auf der britischen Insel. Es ist auch die Geschichte des Aufstiegs des ersten englischen Königs Alfred, des einzigen britischen Monarchen der den Beinamen "der Große" trägt.
Der Icherzähler der Geschichte, Uhtred, wird mit ger...more
Der Icherzähler der Geschichte, Uhtred, wird mit ger...more
The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell is a historical fiction novel set in Britain around 870/880 time frame and tells the story of the Danes attempted conquest of England. The story is told from a singular fictional character named Uthred from the time he was captured by the Danes at the age of 8 to the age of 18. Events in the story are historically accurate, or as accurate as Cornwell can make them.
I wasn't sure at first I would like the first person narrative but after getting i...more
I wasn't sure at first I would like the first person narrative but after getting i...more
Inhalt:
Osbert ist ein Aldermann und lebt als zweiter Fürstensohn auf der Bebbanburg. Als die Wikinger angreifen, ist Osbert gerade mal 10 Jahre alt. Sie töten seinen Buder Uhtred, woraufhin Osbert der Erbe seines Vaters wird und daraufhin den Namen seines verstorbenen Bruders annehmen muss, Uhtred. Der Vater möchte sich für den Tod seines Erstgeborenen rächen, gerät dabei aber in einen Hinterhalt.
Der kleine Osbert, nun Uhtred, versucht daraufhin selbst, den Tod seines Bruders zu räche...more
Osbert ist ein Aldermann und lebt als zweiter Fürstensohn auf der Bebbanburg. Als die Wikinger angreifen, ist Osbert gerade mal 10 Jahre alt. Sie töten seinen Buder Uhtred, woraufhin Osbert der Erbe seines Vaters wird und daraufhin den Namen seines verstorbenen Bruders annehmen muss, Uhtred. Der Vater möchte sich für den Tod seines Erstgeborenen rächen, gerät dabei aber in einen Hinterhalt.
Der kleine Osbert, nun Uhtred, versucht daraufhin selbst, den Tod seines Bruders zu räche...more
I should have loved this book. It's extremely well-written, insanely well-researched, and set in a time period I knew nothing about, therefore, had no pre-conceived notions or expectations. In spite of this, I had to force myself to finish it and will not continue with the series. I'm not sure what the problem was. Our hero is some kind of sociopath, but those who know my tastes in fiction know that this is no impediment to my enjoying a book. In fact, I often like a book more if it stars some k...more
I avoided Cornwell for awhile, not wanting to get caught up with a writer who churned out books in piles. I mean, how good could they really be? My bad! I really enjoyed this, along with the following Saxon Stories volumes. I've now read the first four with the fifth waiting.
I was afraid that the blood and gore would put me off, but it's done in such a way that I can tolerate it and it does not detract from my pleasure in reading.
The early middle ages are a weak area fo...more
I was afraid that the blood and gore would put me off, but it's done in such a way that I can tolerate it and it does not detract from my pleasure in reading.
The early middle ages are a weak area fo...more
After finishing the Arthur trilogy (the Winter King, etc), I immediately hopped up to the library and got all of the books in the Saxon series; days later I had surgery, and after pretty much sleeping for two days straight,I began the series with a vengeance.
The Saxon series is narrated by Uhtred, also a warrior but a bit more of a meat-head than Derfel, who is relatively quite a poet. At the same time, he seems to be more characteristic of the age in which he lives, more brutish,...more
The Saxon series is narrated by Uhtred, also a warrior but a bit more of a meat-head than Derfel, who is relatively quite a poet. At the same time, he seems to be more characteristic of the age in which he lives, more brutish,...more
Written by the master of historical fiction, “The Last Kingdom” is the first in a series of novels set in a period of British history largely untouched by fiction writers. The central character is Uhtred, an Anglo-Saxon from Northumbria who loses his title, his inheritance and his family when his kingdom is dissolved. Taken in by the Vikings as a young boy, he soon learns their ways and eventually feels more Viking than Saxon.
Eventually, he is brought to the court of King Alfred whose ...more
Eventually, he is brought to the court of King Alfred whose ...more
I will just review this book but what I say will count for all the books in the Saxon Chronicles.
These books are good for people who want viking themed adventure that is not too difficult or rewarding. While the plot is engaging it is not brilliant. The characters are not really developed or very exciting and most people seem to be quite one dimensional. The characters are either blood thirsty, greedy, pious, or manipulative. While some of them are generated from historical figures ...more
These books are good for people who want viking themed adventure that is not too difficult or rewarding. While the plot is engaging it is not brilliant. The characters are not really developed or very exciting and most people seem to be quite one dimensional. The characters are either blood thirsty, greedy, pious, or manipulative. While some of them are generated from historical figures ...more
It is reluctantly that I rate this book four stars. It's purpose , or the message the author was trying to pull off, was done beautifully. I gained a large amount of historical insight and a feeling for the times. I loved the plot, and the ruthless truthfulness of the lack of a "good team". However, it was pulled off so well that I felt uncomfortable rooting for Uhtred. He really only cared about himself and killed maniacally. His morals were loose, as were his loyalties. This could on...more
Historical fiction had never been more exciting…
The first installment in The Saxon Chronicles is a guaranteed page-turner. Places and people were painted vividly under the author’s pen. Dialogues and scenes were often humorous and faintly sarcastic, reflecting the eccentricities of the more prominent characters; like Ragnar the Fearless, whose boisterous laughter in the face of enemy and adversity makes him an adorable figure, Father Beocca, whose single-minded, but often fumbling, att...more
The first installment in The Saxon Chronicles is a guaranteed page-turner. Places and people were painted vividly under the author’s pen. Dialogues and scenes were often humorous and faintly sarcastic, reflecting the eccentricities of the more prominent characters; like Ragnar the Fearless, whose boisterous laughter in the face of enemy and adversity makes him an adorable figure, Father Beocca, whose single-minded, but often fumbling, att...more
The last kingdom is set just two centuries shy of AD 1000, and follows a fictional (I think) English born, Dane raised warrior during tumultous times on the British continent.
Like much historical fiction the novel suffers from a lack of fictional skill as it must stick somewhat to history, but also can't be taken as 'true'
The first act of the novel is the strongest, where the protaginist is raised by Danes, and we are introduced to interesting and uniquely described cha...more
Like much historical fiction the novel suffers from a lack of fictional skill as it must stick somewhat to history, but also can't be taken as 'true'
The first act of the novel is the strongest, where the protaginist is raised by Danes, and we are introduced to interesting and uniquely described cha...more
W-O-W!
As my hubby will tell you, my introduction to a Bernard Cornwell novel is looong overdue! But, hey, there's nothing like starting with the best and The Last Kingdom is one of them.
Admittedly this wasn't a quick read for me (approx. 2 wks). I only read it at bedtimes and some nights sleep overtook me when I'd only read a few pages. But each night I couldn't wait to pick the story up again which in itself speaks volumes.
Uhtred is a fictional character who...more
As my hubby will tell you, my introduction to a Bernard Cornwell novel is looong overdue! But, hey, there's nothing like starting with the best and The Last Kingdom is one of them.
Admittedly this wasn't a quick read for me (approx. 2 wks). I only read it at bedtimes and some nights sleep overtook me when I'd only read a few pages. But each night I couldn't wait to pick the story up again which in itself speaks volumes.
Uhtred is a fictional character who...more
Cornwell ignites a spark for me into this hitherto unknow period of British history and he gives us a hero too. Uhtred, the rightful lord of Bebbanburgh. This is the old name for Banburgh Castle which is one of the most impressive castles I have ever seen and lies on the east coast of Northumberland. This story is set in the 5th century in Britain.
Captured by the Danes in a raid on England at the age of 10 he was brought up as one of them and grew to love their ways. In a life ful...more
Captured by the Danes in a raid on England at the age of 10 he was brought up as one of them and grew to love their ways. In a life ful...more
My, but I do like me some historical fiction. Set during mid-ninth century Danish invasion of what was to become England, this was an exciting story with lots of great factual information about life and war (both brutal) during those times. I was disappointed that the Danish invaders aren't called vikings, nor do they wear horned helmets. I have so many other books I on my to-read list that I'm not sure when I'll be able to come back to this series and find out what happens to the protagonist.
After finishing the Sharpe novels of Bernard Cornwell, I felt as if I had come to the edge of a cliff and had nothing in store for my lust for great adventure novels but a bleak prospect of milquetoast. Fortunately for me, Cornwell has been a busy author. So far, he has written five Saxon Novels, of which The Last Kingdom is the first. (The others are The Pale Horseman, The Lords of the North, Sword Song, and The Burning Land.)
Cornwell's hero is Uhtred Uhtredson, hereditary Ealdorman...more
Cornwell's hero is Uhtred Uhtredson, hereditary Ealdorman...more
This is the first book in a series about King Alfred and how he saved England from the invading Danes. I confess that I knew absolutely nothing about King Alfred before I started this book. I'm a sucker for historical fiction so it sounded like a good way to enjoy a good yarn and learn something about history. I was right about one of those.
I did learn a decent amount about very early England, the Danes, the English, and King Alfred. But I wasn't very entertained. I found myself oddly ...more
I did learn a decent amount about very early England, the Danes, the English, and King Alfred. But I wasn't very entertained. I found myself oddly ...more
The Last Kingdom is an amazing story telling the tales of ancient England being plighted by the Danes, otherwise known as the Vikings. The storyline is brilliant and remarkably told, with truth mixed in with artistic licence. The language used i fresh and full, mixing description with feeling and speech really well.
My own personal feeling on this is that it should not have been written in first person, although I have a personal biased against that kind of narrative telling. The reasons for...more
My own personal feeling on this is that it should not have been written in first person, although I have a personal biased against that kind of narrative telling. The reasons for...more
This is a truly astonishing book. I'm not in the habit of ranking my favourite reads but this has to be up there at the top somewhere, and it's also my favourite Bernard Cornwell book, which is saying something as I've read dozens. Even as you start the first page, you realise the promise and sheer enjoyment of the author's Saxon stories to come (five books and counting to date), that this is the beginning of something profound.
The fact that I'm British and this is a book set in Engl...more
The fact that I'm British and this is a book set in Engl...more
I loved this book, and Conwell's Uhtred of Bebbanburg has become one of my favorite characters in historical fiction. Uhtred is a Saxon who is raised by Vikings but ends up in the service of Alfred, the Saxon King of Wessex. Uhtred’s loyalties soon become torn between his new king and the Danes he loves like a brother. Yet as war between the Saxons and Vikings threatens to determine the fate of England, Uhtred must discover where his true allegiance lies. Cornwall’s masterful storytelling has...more
Historical fiction set in ninth-century England amidst Danish invasion. Uhtred is captured by the Danish and is raised according to their ways, but never forgets his birthright.
This is a rather testosterone-filled novel, perhaps appropriate for its time period, but don't read this looking for any strong women. What got me was the visceral portrayal of a gritty life, yet emblazoned with the glory of a warrior's honor. Nothing fancy, just lots and lots of detail about how life was back t...more
This is a rather testosterone-filled novel, perhaps appropriate for its time period, but don't read this looking for any strong women. What got me was the visceral portrayal of a gritty life, yet emblazoned with the glory of a warrior's honor. Nothing fancy, just lots and lots of detail about how life was back t...more
I just finished reading The last kingdom, so my review will not be objective.
It is the third book I read by Bernard Cornwell and all three were from a different serie. The other two I liekd also and the second more than the first one but for now this is my favourite. And I really would like to read The pale horseman to know how the story goes on.
I am very curious how the path of Uthred will continue.
Uthred is an English, aristocratic boy who gets captured by the Dan...more
It is the third book I read by Bernard Cornwell and all three were from a different serie. The other two I liekd also and the second more than the first one but for now this is my favourite. And I really would like to read The pale horseman to know how the story goes on.
I am very curious how the path of Uthred will continue.
Uthred is an English, aristocratic boy who gets captured by the Dan...more
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but is captured by vikings. He comes to love his viking father and begins to appreciate their customs and battle lore, as well as becoming battle trained. At the same time, though, his roots are with England, and, in the end, he joins with Alfred the Great, showing him how to defeat the enemy. Note that the vikings are really Danes but most people put them together in one group.
STRENGTHS:
(1) Vivid details of viking spear shields. Think gritty and bloody.;
(2...more
STRENGTHS:
(1) Vivid details of viking spear shields. Think gritty and bloody.;
(2...more
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Cornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his mother's maiden name, Cornwe...more
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“Our ancestors took this land. They took it and made it and held it. We do not give up what our ancestors gave us. They came across the sea and they fought here, and they built here and they're buried here. This is our land, mixed with our blood, strengthened with our bone. Ours!”
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“Pride makes a man, it drives him, it is the shield wall around his reputation... Men die, they said, but reputation does not die.”
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