Looking to put together a list if good historical fiction "action" books by authors like Conn Iggulden, Simon Scarrow, Sam Barone, James Mace, S.J.A Turney and others

[David]

Looking to put together a list of good historical fiction "action" books. Any time or setting us appropriate, however the main thrust if the book is the action and not necessarily the romance. Good examples would be books by Conn Iggulden, Simon Scarrow, Sam Barone, S.J.A Turney and even James Mace? Authors or specific books are welcome.

[C.P.]

Bryn Hammond's Amgalant One: The Old Ideal and Amgalant Two: Tribal Brawls deal with material similar to Conn Iggulden's books, but her history is much better.

If you like French Revolution stuff, there are Scaramouche and The Scarlet Pimpernel and the even more classic The Three Musketeers.

My books have adventure elements, but my son assures me that they are "girl books," so most likely not what you're looking for. How about 11/22/63, instead? My husband loved it, and his idea of good fiction is anything by Lee Child.

[Steven]

Well don't forget Bernard Cornwell (Napoleanic riflemen, Authurian, Alfred the Great) and Robert Low (Vikings). Like C.P. I recommend Dumas - Musketeers has several sequels. I have a love/hate with Jack Whyte's Briton books but most are good enough. Almost all the nautical fiction such as O'Brien, Kent, the Hornblower series.

'Love that action HF.

[Jonathan]

Ben Kane, Douglas Jackson (Roman era); Adrian Goldsworthy, Peter Youds (Napoleonic); Iain Gale, CC Humphreys, Patrick Mercer, Saul David (various periods).

[Prue]

David wrote: "Looking to put together a list of good historical fiction "action" books. Any time or setting us appropriate, however the main thrust if the book is the action and not necessarily the romance. Goo..."
Absolutely agree with including Turney in your list. Wonderfully sharp writing, well-researched, and character and dialogue that stays with you forever!

[R.M.F.]

Steven wrote: "Well don't forget Bernard Cornwell (Napoleanic riflemen, Authurian, Alfred the Great) and Robert Low (Vikings). Like C.P. I recommend Dumas - Musketeers has several sequels. I have a love/hate with..."

I second this post. Early Cornwell is good, but the later books in the Sharpe series tend to run out of steam.

[Kate]

If you like more action-oriented HF, try this Goodreads group below - it's their focus, and they have great discussions. You'll have a TBR of action HF in no time if you look at some of their threads. :D

http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/5...

[Geoff]

Julian Stockwin, John Stack,Dudley Pope, Richard Woodman, David Donachie,Porter Hill, Jonathan Lunn and of course there are many members of GD who write HF :-o)

[Donna]

I'd put some Jeffrey Farnol on that list too.

[Donna]

R.M.F wrote: "Steven wrote: "Well don't forget Bernard Cornwell (Napoleanic riflemen, Authurian, Alfred the Great) and Robert Low (Vikings). Like C.P. I recommend Dumas - Musketeers has several sequels. I have a..."

I really like his American books. The Fort

[Darcy]

I'm partway through a Michael Arnold book and think his Stryker series would very much fit on this list. In addition I would add Jan Guillou's Templar Knight series and Giles Kristian Viking series.

I also second Kate (#7 post) about the group she linked.

[Steven]

Donna wrote: "R.M.F wrote: "Steven wrote: "Well don't forget Bernard Cornwell (Napoleanic riflemen, Authurian, Alfred the Great) and Robert Low (Vikings). Like C.P. I recommend Dumas - Musketeers has several seq..."

Yes, I enjoyed it too. I appreciated the departure from his usual approach (which I don't dislike - it was just interesting) to characterizations.

I did not know of that event and nothing helps history come alive as much as historical fiction'

[[deleted user]]

Steven wrote: "Well don't forget Bernard Cornwell (Napoleanic riflemen, Authurian, Alfred the Great) and Robert Low (Vikings). Like C.P. I recommend Dumas - Musketeers has several sequels. I have a love/hate with..."

My first thought was Bernard Cornwell also.

[Laura]

David wrote: "Looking to put together a list of good historical fiction "action" books. Any time or setting us appropriate, however the main thrust if the book is the action and not necessarily the romance. Goo..."

Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire, about the 300 Spartans, is an action-packed read. I could never get into any of his other books, though.

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

In the book recommendation folder there was a similar thread a while back.
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9...

I would recommend books by Wilbur A. Smith. His Courtney series (doesn't need to be read in order) has a lot of adventure --- it is mostly set in Southern Africa so it's a setting that is not so common.

[Tim The Enchanter]

Jack Whyte and his books, especially The Skystone and the rest of the books in this series. It is an all-time favorite of mine.

John Jakes and his series including The Bastard and the Kent Family Chronicles.

Scott Lynch and the The Lies of Locke Lamora and the books in the Gentleman Bastard series. Although technically it may not be Historical Fiction, it feels as if it is set in a time past with some elements of fantasy. Definite must reads!

[Jennifer]

MJ Rose has some great action in her HF--The Hypnotist is about an FBI agent faced with solving a crime in his past life in ancient Greece. A great and rollicking read!

[Kim]

Saw the mention of Jeffery Farnol and second it. How about Howard Pease, Bruce Alexander, Patrick O'Brien. Anne Perry, Charles Todd. Some of these are mysteries set in the time of the Victorians or during the WWI & II.

[Thomas]

Bernard Cornwell. Also see if u think China Jewel would qualify

[C.P.]

Cornwell, definitely. He has a new one, The Pagan Lord, but the man is a writing machine. He always has a new one.

James Aitcheson's Norman Conquest series, which begins with Sworn Sword: A Novel. Also Alex Rutherford's series on the Mughal Empire, which begins with Raiders from the North.

If you haven't already found them, search for Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction, another Goodreads group. This is its strength.

[Ioana]

C.P. wrote: "If you haven't already found them, search for Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction, another Goodreads group."

Thanks, great find :)

[Janet]

James Clavell's Shogun. I see this as action - but I also see it as the greatest book ever written so I am a little biased. Regardless, it is phenomenal.

[Ian]

James, whom I knew well after meeting him in Hong Kong, would be delighted by your comment. He told me the idea for Shogun came when he was helping his daughter research the period for a school project.

[Eileen]

I'm listening to Alison Morton's , and the action in Roma Nova is non-stop. Not precisely historical fiction - alternate history - but still an exciting book.

[Janet]

Ian wrote: "James, whom I knew well after meeting him in Hong Kong, would be delighted by your comment. He told me the idea for Shogun came when he was helping his daughter research the period for a school pro..."

Thank you for sharing that!

[Ian]

Janet wrote: "Ian wrote: "James, whom I knew well after meeting him in Hong Kong, would be delighted by your comment. He told me the idea for Shogun came when he was helping his daughter research the period for ..."

You are welcome.

[Alice]

Conn Iggulden's Conqueror: A Novel of Kublai Khan (on my to-read list) could be a good addition to the list, just as Genghis: Birth of an Empire, which I loved.

Victor Hugo's Ninety-Three might also fit the list (action in the Reign of Terror in France).

Oh, and All Quiet on the Western Front - action in WW1.

[Ian]

Alice wrote: "Conn Iggulden's Conqueror: A Novel of Kublai Khan (on my to-read list) could be a good addition to the list, just as Genghis: Birth of an Empire, which I loved.

Vict..."

All Quiet on the Western Front , 1929-- an oldie but a goodie. An honest account from the German side which did not go down well witn the Nazis.

[Andrew]

I've been meaning to get to Conn Iggulden one of these days, so thanks David for remind me of that.

Anything by David Gemmell should fit on this list (his Troy series for example).

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

How about the Hornblower novels?

[Ben]

Christian Cameron's novels set in ancient Greece are absolutely outstanding. In my opinion, he's the best historical fiction author out there. Try Killer of Men - it's set during the 5th C BC, and features one of the most amazing characters I've ever enjoyed - Arimnestos the Plataean.

[Hilary]

Try Ben Kane's Roman novels, starting with Spartacus.
Also anything by Manda (MC) Scott.

[Ed]

One of the finest is Daniel Woodrell's "Woe to Live On" (which the movie RIDE WITH THE DEVIL, Ang Lee director, is based on). Woodrell also wrote "Winter's Bone" which was made into an excellent film.

[Eileen]

I can suggest Glen Craney's , about Robert the Bruce's long supporter, the Black Douglas. I felt like I was there at the Battle of Bannockburn when Edward II was defeated by the Scots.

Glen's written quite a few books, but this one is sadly the only one I've been able to find time to read.

[Elinor]

Patrick O'Brian's series, starting with Master and Commander is absolutely packed with action. I've read all of them, I think there are 19 in total.

[Loukia]

Try Alexander Lowell's books. His newest book is Blind Faith and follows detective Stavros Odysseos as he tries to help a woman find her missing son. The book takes place on Cyprus, a divided island nation in the Mediterranean, so you get action and history. Here is the buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Faith-St...

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Goodness; looks like no one on GR has read Blind Faith: A Stavros Odysseos Mystery.