This book is a prize winner. I do plenty of Norse research, and nobody has it as right on the mark as Bernard Cornwell. And such fun.

Can you just picture those Saxon's and those Norse pledging their oaths? King Alfred and his priests with their totems: the feather of a dove that Noah released from the ark, a glove that belonged to Saint Cedd revered for reversing the disaster of Babel, and most sacred of all the toe ring of Mary Magdalene. And then the Viking, Guthrum, forcing King Alfred to pledge on his mother's bone he wears in his hair. All of these medieval guys now bound by oath to uphold the peace---which none of them intend to do anyway. So very lovely.

The shield walls, the oar walking, the catholics and the pagans--Cornwell has is all perfectly.

I have read a lot of work from this author, and really enjoyed this novel. His characters are better developed than in some of his books, and the story is more compelling, I think...

Bernard Cornwell, known mainly for the Sharpe series about the Napoleonic period, shows in this book that he's equally at home with the time of King Alfred the Great. The author overcomes many difficult problems in dealing with this period for an English-speaking, modern audience. For most of us moderns the issues of Christian English vs. pagan Vikings does not get us very excited, or even leads us to show more interest in the latter. Worse, the notion that the Danes were the "bad guys" because they were the aggressors likewise does not excite us because their foes, the Anglo-Saxons, were also recent invaders.

Cornwell's hero, therefore, lives among the Danes, and admires them, for a substantial time and changes sides because of circumstances beyond his control. Like Napoleonic soldier Sharpe, Lord Uhtred, hero of this book, is a soldier's soldier: he revels in being the biggest, meanest hombre' of the bunch, actually enjoying fighting and killing. Of course this goes readily with our modern notions (or is it stereotypes?) of that period (even more than with the Napoleonic age), and the author somehow manages to make this ring true even though for most writers and readers of today, that psychology is totally unlike us.

The author has done enough research that the work rings true to the times in other ways; he uses place names and titles in the languages current in the period, which gives us the impression we're even learning the languages (Middle English, or Old Norse). This might be a bit harder for British readers who would recognize the locations; for Americans it's no problem since we mostly wouldn't recognize the places anyway.

The book is fast paced, keeps you eagerly waiting for more, and that's a good thing because it's the first in a series! I'm going to read the others.

Really enjoyed the mix of fiction and historical fact in this novel. I am now reading the entire series.

This is the first book in the Saxon Chronicles series, definately worth reading. These books are really entertaining. If you like historical fiction, definately pick them up. This series is his second best after the Warlord Chronicles.

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 characters.

As the story wears on it weakens somewhat, the protaganist hardly seems to barely react to massive changes in their situation (switching between English and Danish positions) and we start to loose tract of who characters are and what their importance is.

The most annoying part is however, that all the tensions initially built are not to be resolved in this novel, and we'll have to read later books to see the confrontation of the protaganist's nemesis and discover why he hates Alfred.

Overall the book is a worthwhile read, but I wouldn't say brilliant, maybe just buyable. especially if you like medieval battle scenes.

I went to quite a good English school but it occurs to me that I have probably learnt more about British history via the pen of Bernard Cornwell then through any other source. Obviously more well known for the Sharpe series set in the Napoleonic Wars, Cornwall has also written about Agincourt, the Hundred Years War and Arthurian times.

The Last Kingdom is the first of his series set in Saxon times and deals with Alfred The Great. Alfred's story is told from the perspective of a fictional character, Uthred, taken by the Danes as a young boy who is caught between his admiration for the lifestyle of the Danes and his English heritage.

This book deals with Uthred's early years and gently introduces us to the Saxon landscape and the emergence of Alfred at a time when all of England nearly fell to the Danes. As with all of Cornwell's books, this is easy and absorbing reading. His use of Uthred as a participant in the various Danish campaigns is a slightly convenient vehicle to allow the reader to be dragged through every event and location of those times, travelling between Northumberland, York, Reading, London, Winchester, Cirencester, Bath and various other locations with very little sense of distance or difficulty. But that is a very minor quibble as it gives us perspective on a range of events, battles and key meetings. It also allows us to see the growth of Alfred from a young regional ruler to someone who would eventually become the only British monarch to be commonly known as "Great".

Cornwell always writes well and does his usual fine job here with a fast moving, educational and interesting story. The style (told in the first person) felt very different to the Sharpe books but demonstrated Cornwell's knowledge, research while continuing to demonstrate his significant writing ability.

Recommended and, as usual, I now know a little more about my country's history.

One major reason The Saxon Chronicles are so enjoyable is the main character, Uthred. Put simply, Uthred rules. He might possibly be the coolest narrator to every grace the pages of a book. Cornwell is an expert on religions of the time, and the Saxon Chronicles has a heavy dose of religious history and the growing domination of Christianity. Cornwell doesn't hide the fact that he's a fan of paganism, and I really like that aspect of his writing.

Descriptions of battles just don't get any better. These aren't Braveheart-style free-for-alls, but true to history 9th century battles. Men fought in shield walls, slipped over blood and guts, moved the enemy's shield a fraction so you could get a sword in to cut at his ankles. Not romantic by any means, but realistic and absolutely thrilling. Cornwell's blow-by-blow descriptions put you smack dab in the middle of the action.

Some of you may think a historical fiction book would read like a textbook. You couldn't be more wrong. I'm not sure I've ever read as fast-paced a book as these Saxon Chronicles. You can't read four pages without action. If you're looking for some very entertaining medieval historical fiction, look no farther than the Saxon Chronicles.

I would give all these books 4.5 stars out of 5 and I'm really having a hard time deciding whether to give them 4 or 5. I just can't put much fantasy on the same level as George R. R. Martin, but this gets close.

Getting first-person to sound this true is a real achievement: you just want him to keep on talking and never stop. The distinctions between heathen and Christian outlooks are portrayed brilliantly, and the character's divided loyalties pervade the story with no trace of maudlin whimpering. If you're accustomed to a diet of passable entertainment, this is far above the usual fare.

This is a perfect novel about the perfect childhood of a Saxon warrior, adopted and raised by the Vikings during what we have called the dark ages, the 9th century, the time that the Pagan Norsmen and the Christian Saxons struggled for control of the country we call England. The author illuminates these times that must have, even then, seemed cinematic in scope. If you managed to live at all, what a whoop of an adventurous life you could live!

Cornwell has created a marvelous protagonist, Utred Utredson (or, eventually, Ragnarson) the son of a Saxon Earl of Northumberland. He is adopted by a Norse earl, Ragnar Ravenson, and we get to follow Utred's raising, from learning how to fight and survive in the shield wall, to steer a Viking ship, and to celebrate a proper Yule, (with singing and drinking and storytelling, and lots of warriors out vomiting in the snow.) It is positively swashbuckling; it is enormous fun! But also, as we follow young Utred's growing up, we absorb the myths, stories and beliefs that were at the heart of the Viking life and worldview.

Go with it. I guarantee you'll have a rollicking good time! (And, once you start these chronicles, you'll want to read them all. They're that good.)

I'm not going to review the story, plot, or history; those reviews always annoy me. I'm going to tell you why you need to read this book. First off, if you're a fan of "Viking" history then this is a must-read. Cornwell's story really brings all those pages of history you read to life. The characters that Cornwell creates and borrows from history are very well done. I instantly fell in love with Ragnar. Leofric would make me laugh out loud almost each time he showed up. This is a very easy book to read as it isn't frightfully long and the story flows very well.

If you've been wanting to start reading some historical novels or have been looking for a good "medieval" one, then just buy this one already. You will read through it quicker than you thought you would, because the story really sucks you in.

I picked this book up at my local bookstore because I wanted to read something different, and written by a guy since nearly all my historical fiction books I've read have been written by females, I can say that I wasn't disappointed.

The writing style of the book is was got me at first. I'm not a big grammar person but at first the long sentences, the many and's and the rambling got on my nerves. I had to wonder what happened in editing that let this go through. But the more I read the more it actually made sense to the overall style of the book. The main character, Uthred wasn't highly educated and this book was written as if he were writing it himself. Therefore the rambling, many and's and long sentences fit the personality of the character.

There is a lot of detail and action in this book. You're not bogged down with too much killing or too much court life, there's enough spread around that you're not wishing someone was killed off earlier or who's doing what. This book is also very irreverent and even something very funny. I also like that Cornwell chose to use the Old English versions of many place names to lend a sort of old feeling to the book.

I'm reading the second book now and I can't wait to finish them all. I'm hooked.

The Last Kingdom, a historical novel, is the first in a series of sagas about Alfred the Great of England, 886-867 A.D. In this volume we are introduced to Uhtred, a young boy who resides in Bebbanburg, a castle in the kingdom of Northumbria on the northern part of the English island.

Uhtred becomes of captive of Danish invaders who are attempting to conquer and rule Northumbria and most of the kingdoms on the island.
Ragnar, a Danish warlord, decides to adopt Uhtred as one of his sons. Ragnar and his wife Sigrid teach Uhtred their language, customs, and the skills necessary to be a warrior. Uhtred begins to respect and accept Danish customs and becomes an excellent soldier.

The Last Kingdom is not so much about Alfred the Great as it is about the Danes who invade England. Cornwell pictures Danish culture in great detail, especially their methods of war. I was especially intrigued about the tactics involved in the "shield wall" where warriors link their shields and fight as a unit. Shield wall skills and strength often make the difference between victory and defeat in battle.

If you like historical fiction, if you enjoy viewing brutal battles, and if you appreciate learning about the roots of the English culture, you will enjoy this book.

I have always been curious about the early history of the British Isles and this book makes it all the more easier to learn something while reading. The main character is a Northumbrian who is captured by the Danes and is raised in the ways of a "Pagan". The characterization is very well done. I can just imagine the dark times of this saga as I read it - war was definitely a disgusting thing in this time period and it is written as such. Religion was such a powerful tool in both the Danes and the Saxons that it essentially was the driving force between both sides. This is my first read of Bernard Cornwell and though it is a novelization of actual events, it didn't read as such - I can't wait to read the next book.

I've already read the entire Sharpe series and a good few of his other stand-alone novels. These shorter series I haven't waded into yet, so I was anxious to give it a whirl. This first book in the series was a compulsive page turner and a great read. I have proceeded to order the remaining novels in this series. Cornwell is very good at what he does. I have been and remain a fan.

It's not literature in the usual sense of the word, but this book sure is fun. It's the most enjoyable of the Saxon Tales, but once you're hooked, you'll want to read them all. Great use of foreshadowing by the author keeps this a page-turner. Characters are well-developed. Terrific summer reading!

In the first novel of the Saxon Chronicles, we are introduced to a ten year old boy named Uhtred of Bebbanburg who is swept up in the endless raiding and shifting politics of northern England during the Viking age. We see a decade of the lads life transpire and glimpse life during that age.

This is my first Bernard Cornwell read. It is engaging and informative. It helps paint a picture of Saxon England from both Dannish and Saxon perspective. Uhtred is an interesting character.

This is my first Bernard Cornwall novel and I have already ordered the second in the series and started it. Others have described the story but it is about a fictional character living during the time of Saxon king Alfred the Great. The era is harsh and there is evidence all around the characters of the decline in life since the Romans left 500 years before. The Saxons invaded, expelling the Britons to Wales and Cornwall. Now the Danes are raiding from the sea, then settling in the eastern parts of England after killing or expelling the Saxon inhabitants. The character is captured by the Danes as a boy of 10 after his father is killed. His captor takes a liking to the boy after he tries to attack the Danes with a boy's small sword. He lives with the Danes and becomes a warrior with them. His captor, Ragnar, eventually names him his second son.

Eventually, he returns as a young man of 20 to the Saxons but does not like Alfred and is disliked and encounters treachery far worse than the life he has led with the Danes. The battle scenes and, indeed the whole tone of the novel, resemble the novels of Steven Pressfield. There is some similarity to Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae, Pressfield's best novel. This is as good and is a new area of history that I know less about than the Greeks. I look forward to reading more of Cornwall's books.

I read this on Kindle which is satisfactory although it would be nice to be able to flip back to the pages with place names to check the Saxon name against the modern name (London is Lundene, for example). I recommend the book and will continue reading the series.

Mr Cornwell writes a credible, interesting story, putting the reader in the time and context of his novel. Very entertaining!

I thought reading this book (The Last Kingdom) by Bernard Cornwell would be a waste of time. It was not the type book I usually read. Wrong. I couldn not put it down. I have continued to read the the "Saxon Chronicles" that followed, and can hardly wait for the next one; "The Burning Land" due out Oct. 1st, 2009.

Bernard is my favorite author and this is one of his best. This book is about the Danes invading Britain. This is the adventures of Uhtred. Fantastic read.

I can't say how much I enjoyed this novel to me Cornewll is a master of the Historical action adventure and this series promises to be no different. This series is based in the time of one of England's greatest Kings, Alfred The Great and his struggle to rid his country of the Danes and Vikings who have been pillaging his land for years. Cornwell goes into great detail about the time period, the clothes, weapons and the politics of the time, this is what promises to make this series a truly great one.

As with most of Cornwell's novels the main character is an ordinary guy in this case Uhtred who is the son of an English noble who at the age of nine is captured by the Danes and raised by one of their finest warriors. After many years and many lessons in the ways of war he has grown into a strong and fierce warrior, but after the murder of his adopted father he turns his back of the Dane way of life and joins the armies of Alfred The Great who is the last surviving King of England to batter and destroy the Dane threat for good, but also to get revenge for the murder of his adopted father.

For those who like history mixed with action this series is for you, a brilliant read.

I liked the author's style when I read the sample chapter, and the reviews were promising. So I purchased the book anticipating a story worthy of the potentially rich backdrop of Vikings and early English ancestors. But the story droned on in a seemingly mindlessly bloody recounting of a petulent boy. Half way through the book, I couldn't take it any more and I finally quit reading it -- the first time I did this with a book I purchased from Kindle.

This is Book One of a series about how England was saved from complete Danish conquest in the 800s.

It is definitely a book about the Dark Ages; and they are supremely Dark.

Nasty, brutish, and short describes the life of almost everyone, from King Alfred (the Great) on down to slaves and serfs.

The book is very good on the details of life in the period: hunting, farming, building (chimneys had not been invented, so in winter everyone chokes on open fires), killing, killing, and killing.

Also very good on the difference between Norse Paganism and Dark Age Christianity.

Also interesting on the socioeconomics of the time: the Danes' obsession with precious metals and (understandably) ships; the Anglo-Saxons' obsession with day-to-day survival.

The characters are interesting; although the main character, Uhtred the younger, vacillates an awful lot in his loyalties. Mostly, however, he is a believable character, given how young he is: 10 to 20.

The book is like a slightly raunchier version of Robert Louis Stevenson.

The writing is uncluttered; the action sequences good; Cornwell's devotion to "the idea of England" (whatever that may be) puzzling.

I came to Cornwell's "Saxon Chronicles" series through his latest novel, Agincourt, which was a thrilling recreation in fiction of a pivotal moment in medieval history. If The Last Kingdom is any indication, the Saxon Chronicles are even better than Agincourt.

The Last Kingdom begins with the narrator, Uhtred, as a young boy. He is the son of an ealdorman in Northumbria, and as a child is captured by the invading Danes and raised in the Viking culture. There he learns the Viking way of life and comes to love his captor, Ragnar, who comes to love him like a second son. There he also meets Brida, an English girl captured during another raid and on track to become a sorceress. When he accompanies his new Danish family to war against the titular last English kingdom, Wessex, Uhtred meets King Alfred the Great, who is trying to ward off the Danes long enough to preserve his kingdom. He also meets Beocca, an enthusiastic priest who used to serve Uhtred's family in Northumbria, but now forms part of Alfred's entourage. When Beocca arranges for Uhtred to be "saved"--that is, kidnapped--from the Danes, Uhtred and Brida escape and return to their life with Ragnar.

I could tell more of the story, but to do so would be to give too much away. Suffice it to say that Uhtred, who believes that fate rules all, finds himself again and again in contact with Alfred, and in the end leads an English army against the Danes.

The plot leaves lots of threads hanging, but as this is clearly intended to be the first of a series (so far of four, though Cornwell has a fifth due out this fall) that's not a problem--ending on a cliffhanger is a sure way to get me to return to the series.

But Cornwell does have one huge problem--Christians. He hates them, and it shows. I found out later that Cornwell was raised in a puritanical sect known as the "Peculiar People," and his rejection of their extreme beliefs has poisoned his opinion of Christians of all stripes. He's entitled to his opinion, but it gets progressively more annoying as he paints each and every Christian that Uhtred encounters as a sniveling, hypocritical dipstick. No insult is spared them--Alfred is a user, Beocca is ugly, Alfred's queen doesn't like dogs, and Kind Edmund, who was tortured and executed by the Danes, is even subjected to jokes about the size of his manhood. It's childish and irritating, and hopefully he'll tone it down in the next book.

That's the only problem with Cornwell's book, but since it pervades nearly the entire story it's annoying enough to drop my rating a star. Most of his research is good and his grasp of the period--other than the obvious religion thing--is great. I was thrilled at the recreation of Viking culture, with its set-piece duels, longships, and hall-burnings. Cornwell has done his homework and the reader profits by it.

Recommended.

The actual book was fine-in good working conditions The draw back for us was how long it took for us to receive the book. In the future I may need to shop somewhere else when a required reading book is needed in a timely manner. Thank You

This is the first time I have read any of Bernard Cornwell. I find his ability to combine his fictional characters with actual historic events and personalities quite captivating. Being an avid historic reader this is quite refreshing to find someone who does not have to rewrite history in order to write an historic novel. His story line and pace are very exciting and make an excellent read. His fictional characters are believable and in keeping with the period.

I enjoy being recommeded to books simular to the ones I have already purchased. These come in exactly the condition that they said they were. Thank you

England in the Dark Ages is a tough subject to make entertaining, but once again Cornwell has shown his strength at matching historical research and obscure parts of history with excellent storytelling and pacing. Besides the constant critiques on organized religion, there was a larger message to the book as well. Cornwall establishes a sense of a larger epic unravelling as the story progresses without compromising the current storyline. You really feel for the main character, Uhtred, and I look forward to reading more about the Saxon chronicles soon.

Oh please Mister Cornwell, why do you insist on portraying my Viking Ancestors as cynical, battle scarred, insensitive savage heathens? Oh, wait a minute...that's right, they were. But then, that was just our women! The men? Well, they did provide the English world with the word 'berserk.'
As a die-hard Cornwell fan I am in awe of the range of historical eras that he writes so well about. As a hack writer I'm a little jealous as well. Okay, more than a little.
His research and attention to historical battle detail makes for interesting reading. His characters are always interesting, always memorable and occasionally more dark and frightening than any of the latest vampire yarns and yawns. Vampires aren't real. Cornwell's dark blood lusting characters are very much entrenched in fact.
Is THE LAST KINGDOM a good book? Yes. Do you sometime stumble over the names and tongue-twisting ancient places? Yes. But will you be highly entertained and historically enlightened? Viking-A!
Bernard Cornwell brings history alive and in the process of entertainment he teaches us more about what we should have learned in school, if only we had remained awake then, or say, were beaten more.
Go through all of his series when you get the chance. Cornwell is a treat!

Although it wasn't as electric as The Archer's Tale or some of the stunning historical fiction of Steven Pressfield (Hot Gates, esp.), this book was a fun read. I am looking forward to continuing the series of a young Northumbrian warrior's upward trajectory within the realm of King Alfred, who looks to fight back the Danish worde seeking to envelop the whole land. Only Sussex survives and Uhtred, raised by Hagnar the Dane, the man who killed his brother and led the Danish army against Northumbria, crushing the army his dad was helping to lead, straddles both worlds.

What a tale! Cornwell is a master of historical fiction and did a great job bringing to life AD 866 England with its awkward place names, though he has a listing of the place names to help, and the vivid names.

Pagan England--newly Christianized in many parts--lives and breathes in this novel. I couldn't help but root for the pagans, though. Ouch! Like the Huron Indians in the New World, once a people go Christian, they go soft, making them a ripe target for the still-pagan Iroquois. Or Danes.

My only criticism is that I wanted some sexual imagery, though the violence was apt. Spice it up, Mr. Cornwell, who, in describing a woman, never seems to go below the face. After all, this book is for guys. Not that we're looking for a Harlequin romance, but I think some occasional T & A references would fit in nicely after the swordplay. Weapons, ale, and a curvaceous woman--not much has changed in all these centuries--to make a guy happy. We're such simple creatures.

But we make history, which Bernard Cornwell very much brings to life here.

I rarely get totally obsessed with a book or a subject these days. I was so sad it was over. Good thing there are 3 more in the series! It's such an awesome way to learn history. Should be required reading in history classes.

This was the first time reading this author. His knowledge of the folklore and traditions was impressive along with the character growth. I would recommend to any historical fiction fan!

This is the first book in the series. I'm currently reading the second, the Pale Horseman. I've decided to stick with it because I am learning a lot about this period of English history and I find the books interesting enough. However, I am a bit disappointed. The book is narrated by the main character as an old man looking back on his youth. I usually find first person narratives limiting for lengthier works and definitely it is not the best for this four(?) volume series. Because the narration is first person we are limited to Uhtred's view of all the action. Because he is looking back across many years to his youth, there is a feeling of distance from the action and characters. None are truly developed. We hardly know him, let alone his friends, surrogate parents, rivals, enemies. What little we do know of Uhtred is not so very engaging or sympathetic. He appears to be loyal to no one, we see no real insights into his mercenary soul or his supposed longing to reclaim his inheritance. While there is lots of moral ambiguity, there's no corresponding exploration of human nature caught in morally ambiguous circumstances. It's a nice history lesson, but not much more.

I am a Richard Sharpe fan, I've read every one of everything ever published about Sharpe. Bernard Cornwell is a genius writer of historical novels and gives you the real history at the conclusion of his slightly fictionalized writing. I've read the Sharpe series three or four times and will read them all again. But wait! The Saxon Chronicles! Cornwell has done it again, a wonderful look at 799, that's even before the great depression. The Danes, the Saxons, the Vikings, the Northmen and Uhtred. Wonderful story, wonderfully crafted by Cornwell. An ancient page turner that leads to a rewarding trilogy. Try it..you'll like it. And if you're very lucky you'll read it on a Kindle, as I was lucky enough to do. My first Kindle experience...ah, but that was four books ago and I've had my kindle ten days. Happy reading!

My favorite author!, August 25, 2008

I can't believe I'm 38 and just discovered Bernard Cornwell and his works.
I ordered 3 more of his books, passed book one to my father for his enjoyment, and intend to order all of his works eventually. Once I started reading I could not put it down. When I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it and telling the story to people I spoke to and recomending the author to them. When I finished reading book one I did not have book 2 or the means to procure it so I read book 1 again and did not loan the book to anyone so I would have it to read a third time.

I HAD ABOUT GIVEN UP ON CORNWELL COMING UP WITH A SERIES AND A CHARACTER AS GOOD AS SHARPE, BUT I DON'T ANYMORE. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT SERIES, DONE WITH TYPICAL CORNWELL LEVEL HISTORICAL ACCURACY AND GREAT CHARACTERS. I HAVE READ THREE OF THEM SO FAR AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT ONE.

Before "The Last Kingdom", I had only read the Warlord Chronicles Trilogy from Cornwell. While I enjoyed that, I sort of felt something was lacking. I wondered if "The Last Kingdom" would be more of the same repackaged.

"The Last Kingdom" kicks off in 868, when the Danes are ravaging and invading the various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Written in the first person from the viewpoint Uhtred of Bebbanburg, the plot follows the ebb and flow of Uhtred's life, though it is a very high-paced "ebb and flow". Right from the start, Uhtred's life is thrown into chaos as he finds himself a prisoner of the Danes. This unwillingness does not last long, and soon Uhtred almost becomes one.

Alfred the Great also looms large, casting a long shadow over the plot, even when he is not directly in focus. Uhtred is relatively keen to offer his observations about Alfred, as well as a host of other things, and some elicited a good giggle from me. Uhtred and some of his companions have a great turn of phrase.

The thing that I noticed with Uhtred, as opposed to Derfal in the Warlord Chronicles, is his depth and three-dimensional substance. While I had Derfal pretty much pegged, Uhtred had me puzzled about his inner motivations until the end of the book. The major elements are discernible enough, but there are shadows in Uhtred's character that do not easily yield to prying. This aspect of Uhtred is one of his most appealing, a mark of Cornwell's growing skills in characterisation, (which I thought were excellent to begin with).

"The Last Kingdom" far surpassed the Warlord Chronicles, I am happy to say. I loved every page and was hooked right to the end. I can only hope it is not too long before volume four comes out, as I may soon be in need of it. This is some of the best fun I have had while sitting down.

This is a wonderful book, along with The Pale Horseman, and can't wait to receive The Lords of the North, the final volume in the trilogy. Although many published reviewers doubt whether women would like Cornwell's historical fiction, I have loved them all the trilogy (the Arthur retelling and The Archer's Tale set; have not read any of the Sharpe series). He has a way of inserting historical and linguistic information, details about daily life, and human frailties that is so winning and attractive.

Yeah, this is an alright book, with a main character and plot that's interesting enough to keep you turning pages. It is however a nearly complete recycling of his very successful king Arthur series. The point of view, the prejudices, many of the characters - nearly everything - are just like The Winter King, except that it isn't as good. This is quite normal, as creative inspiration hits on a certain idea once, and then you really need to move on before you get bogged down in repetition.

In addition to the lack of new ideas from the mechanics of writing (plot, characters, style, you name it, it's not new), the book is mired in post-modern skepticism that makes it popular to the modern reader, but utter trash as history. Both Derval (narrator from Winter King) and Uthred (narrator here) share an amazing doubtfulness of many core beliefs of the time period that is so close to what 'popular culture' teaches us now, that most readers don't even notice it. If you're at all familiar with the period, and the actual thinking of the period as reflected in their various sagas and writings, you'll see this as the rubbish it is.

As part of this thinking, Cornwell undermines the internal setting itself and undermines your ability to believe in it, mostly due to poor craftsmanship. His pathetic anti-Christian attitude portrays all churchmen as slimy schemers, any Christian as a feeble, guilt-ridden whiner, and most of the leaders as duplicitous persons completely uninformed by an ethical religion (even pagan). You wonder how Christianity survived the time since it is being espoused by a bunch of low-lifes who don't even have the ability to explain their own beliefs to the main character, and who generally express themselves in terms of superstitious nonsense that is really paganism, despite the religion being nearly 1000 years old at that point.

2000 years of history shows us that Christianity acted, and acts, as a civilizing influence over people's greed, narcissism, vile and violent impulses. It spreads literacy and education, encourages rule by law and not by the sword, discourages murderous blood feuds, the massacre of innocents and the oppression of the weak and vulnerable. It also has a beautiful and powerful message to deliver about humankind and it's relation to the infinite. The pagan Danes had the moral compunction of modern Mafiosi, with a gangster mentality that belongs to "The Godfather" films, the Sopranos, et al. Their own sagas reveal the endless cycle of murder, theft, exploitation and amorality that typifies their style of living, but you won't hear it from Cornwell. He makes it sound like a wild rock concert with shieldwalls. Also, he conveniently overlooks that somehow, despite the shortcomings (the _humanity_) of its adherents, Christianity succeeds in getting the Norsemen bowing their heads before any military defeat did.


All this is unmentioned in Cornwell's juvenile approach where he juxtaposes a sort of hippy 'do-what-you-like' paganism against an oppressive 'hey kid, toe the line' Christianity that is completely unbalanced. You get the feeling he just doesn't have a good grasp of history, or he just has a post-modern agenda against the only civilizing influence the Barbarian West has ever had since it destroyed Roman hegemony.

Overall, a lackluster piece of hack writing, but better than nothing for those of us who enjoy the Dark Ages and want to read it in a style that resonates with our modern, spiritually bleak, secularist lives.

In this, the first of three novels centred on Uhtred, Bernard Cornwell breathes life into 9th century Wessex and the struggle between the (West) Saxons and the Danes. Cornwell's writing style is suited to the action of combat, conflict and intrigue and the images he invokes in my imagination feel very real.

Uhtred moves between the Christian world of Alfred the Great and the pagan world of the Danes. By belonging to neither world, and to both, Uhtred is perfectly placed to take the reader into the conflict for the last of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. The story is narrated by Uhtred in his old age and paints a quite different picture of King Alfred (the Great).

This is a struggle between different civilizations, cultures and values. Neither side has a monopoly on righteousness, or on evil. Be warned: if bloodthirsty battle makes you squeamish, this book may not be for you. For myself, I've found a new hero in Uhtred.

Read it, enjoy it - and then read the next in the series!

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

This is the first book I've read by the author, but I really liked this book. It's a highly readable, entertaining historical adventure. The tale is narrated by Uthred, a pagan Northumbrian, who's abducted by the Danes. He's a very likeable warrior and has a strong voice. I am looking forward to reading his continueing story.

I really enjoy Cornwell's books. I especially liked the Warlord series with King Arthur. That was one of my favorite reads of all time. (I even liked it better than the Fire and Ice series from Martin.) This book seems like more of the same. Uhtred and Brida = Derfel and Nimue. Are his novels becoming too formulaic? Still, I enjoyed it and have ordered the second book in the series. Good read but not spectacular.

Historical fiction at its best. Buy this book (and The Pale Horseman)!

"Wyrd bið ful aræd."
(Uthred Uthredson)

In the year AD 865 a never seen before number of dragonships, with about 2000 - 3000 northmen appears at the eastern coast of the island, that in later times will be called England. The Commanders of this armed force, which chroniclers call "The Great Heathen Army" are Ivar the Boneless, Ubbe and Halfdan, the sons of legendary Vikingsheroe Ragnar Ragnarr Loðbrók. As before, this time their activities should not confine on "Víkingr" (old nordic.: robbing, plunder, taking booty) only. Rather this time ist is the start of an invasion to colonize. After conquering Eastanglia, Northumbria with it's capital Eoferwic (Jorvik/York) and Mercia, the Danish occupying forces are finally attacking Wessex, the last remaining anglo-saxon kingdom.....

....from this historical background Bernard Cornwell develops his story about the second germanic invasion of the Britannia, that was called "Lloeggyr" (the lost Land) by the celtic-roman people, who had been driven out of it to Wales and Cornwall. The novel focusses the fate of the (fictional) Northumbrian nobleman Uthred Uthredson, who sometimes unintentional, sometimes deliberately has to change front and loyalty between his anglo-saxon relatives and his scandinavian friends. On this occasion his interests come into conflict with the intensions of King Ælfreds of Wessex, who will (as the only sovereign of the islandkingdom) get later the epithet "the Great"...

After his "Warlord Chronicles" about the Anglo-Saxon Invasion of Britain in the "Dark Age" (at the End of the 5th Century), with the trilogy "The Winterking", "Enemy of God" and "Excalibur") Bernard Cornwell with "The Last Kingdom" succeed again in a first part of a new novel series. Again a central topic is the conflict between the (meanwhile) christian "inhabitants" und pagan "invaders", who are oppositing in shieldbarriers. But some descendants of the former anglosaxon conquerers countinue worshipping the old gods. Because of the numerous battle- and other rough scenes the novel could not be recommend readers with tender natures. The same applies for the peculiar humor of the northmen, particular in relation to Christianity and it's priests, who comes "still more black" in the english way, but meets the historical background.

In his "Historical Note" Bernard Cornwell makes a clear separation between historical facts and literary fiction. With the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" und "Asser's Life of King Alfred" he reveals the important sources for his novel. Already at the beginning of the book the readers can find interesting and helpful materials, as a map of Britain at the end of the 9th century an a synops with the anglo-saxon names of towns, villages etc., as well as their danish an today designations.

The thrilling and informative novel scores 5 Amazonstars and forces the reader to purchase it's sequel "The Pale Horseman" and "The Lords of the North" immediately....

I love history, so this was an easy read for me. However, for the reader that finds themselves yawning just thinking about history, this book (and others by Cornwell) are for you. The story employs the use of a fictional protagonist (as Cornwell does in most of his books) to give a descriptive, very well informed historical account of Saxon England. Pick it up. I daresay you shall not put it down until you have flipped the last page.