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Summary: Ever wondered what it was like to live in the MIddle Ages??
Review: This was one heck of a book. Cornwell did very good research on this time period even down to the weather. For anybody interested in this time period or anybody that is even just looking for a good novel to read, Get this book. Its great. Trust me, I am a Medieval studies major, and it is hard to find a novel of the period that has been researched so well. I found almost nothing wrong in the historical aspect of this book. GREAT!!!!!
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Summary: Great Historical Fiction...
Review: As always, this book has been well researched and put together. Cornwell is the master of historical military fiction and he is at his best in the battle scenes. The Archer is a great start to what I hope is a great series. I have read almost all of the Sharpe series and look forward to The Vagabond, which is by my chair at home!
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Summary: Quests for three Fathers
Review: Set in the preliminary stages of the Hundred Years War, Cornwell's novel presents grim action and ruthless adventure as England and France wreak havoc on each other's shores. Thomas of Hookton, sole survivor of a vicious attack on an English coastal hamlet, swears vengeance on the French and Genoese raiders who destroyed the entire village, stole a sacred relic and murdered his father, the priest. Trained as an archer (a profession which the English perfected to their millitary advantage but which was neglected by other nations), young Thomas spends several years in France, as the English king and his earls dispute the lands of Brittany and Normandy with the French king. Cornwell weaves a fast-paced tale despite the inclusion of details about medieval armor, castles, war machines and even the strategy of actual battles. On the romantic side, Thomas is attracted first to a strong-willed French heiress nicknamed the Blackbird, and then to the gentle, illegitimate daughter of one of his French enemies. But beneath the obvious challenges to his body and heart, a subtle war is waged in his own mind: is the stolen relic really the lance of St. George, which makes men invincible in battle? Chafing under the commission imposed upon him by his dying father, as well as a penance from the army chaplain, the young man must come to terms with his own faith. Should he credit old tales of a dark force seeking to overthow all earthly kindgoms in an heretical attempt to quench the light of Christianity? This is an enjoyable read--a delightful swashbuckler--in an age when men became butchers for their country or personal profit. I recommend this book to any student of Medieval history.
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Summary: Life and death on a medieval battlefield
Review: The historical battle detail is impeccable and as violent as the era, 1343, when the English and French clash on French soil at the beginning of The Hundred Years War. The Archer's Tale is a bloody romp through medieval battlefields strewn with slaughtered soldiers, fighting with the most primitive weapons along with the specialized skills of English archers, often unbeatable in their precision. This is a new series for Cornwell fans, with the young archer Thomas Hookton in search of the Holy Grail, a burden he assumes reluctantly, preferring the simple camp life of the English archer. As replete with minute details of ground skirmishes and the intimate brutality of hand to hand combat, Cornwell serves up another satisfying tale for his fans. That said, my purchase of this book illustrates the difficulty of choosing a book online. Over the past few years, my state, CA, has suffered the loss of some excellent and affordable bookstores. The available corporate-owned vendors are both expensive and distant. While buying online is a welcome service, I cannot really browse and choose as carefully as I would like. Although I ordinarily would not have purchased this novel, the writing is excellent and I recommend it to fans of this genre. Although not in my area of interest, The Archer's Tale is an accomplished and satisfying read.
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Summary: As always, historical fiction as it is meant to be
Review: Meticulous research, excellent details on the life of the people living in this time (the Hundred Years War,) and a fascinating hero and villain (I have to say I actaly liked the villain to start with), this looks like the start of another excellent series.
Thomas the Archer is a character with enormous potential and as always the author has a pretty sensational couple of women to keep things simmering nicely.
Pity they changed the title from Harlequin, for the original meaning in French is an apt one, but a winner no matter what it is called. No one writes accurate historical fiction better, with more verve and panache. And no patronizing the reader or offering long-winded history lessons. He just gets you straight into the action. Can't wait for the next one.
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Summary: A great read
Review: This was the first book I've read by Bernard Cornwell, and it certainly won't be the last. The quality of the writing is amazing for a novel that takes place so far in the past. This is history as it's meant to be, people and their struggles and interactions, rather than a collection of facts. The book is very descriptive and its not hard to visualize the unique locations, smell the smells, hear the sounds, etc. The characters are easy to accociate with and understand. What I liked most about this book is that it doesn't overly romantacize medieval warfare. Instead it's portrayed exactly as it was, a mad scramble of low blows, screaming horses, weary soldiers half-starved and sick praying to live it through the next few moments. Overall, a great read and I highly recommend this book, as it covers many genres-compatable with readers with many interests.
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Summary: Bullseye!
Review: I thought this was an outstanding start to a new series by Bernard Cornwell. I'd grown a little bored of Richard Sharpe, and the Civil War series never captured my attention the way this one has. He's starting from the beginning here with his eighteen year old protaganist, Thomas of Hookton. The book was filled with fascinating historical details. One review here castigated the author for not showing that the middle ages were "riddled with superstition, fear and stupidity," But I think Cornwell does clearly show the superstitions, and fears of the ordinary people, while the degree of stupidity in the middle ages is undoubtly the same as the degree of stupidity today. While Thomas is more educated and skeptical than many of his peers this is explained by his unique background.
I was a little disappointed with one of his female characters, Eleanor. She seemed bland and empty, her only use to be a foil for the other female character, the countess. Eleanor, if we judge from the Sharpe series, is also doomed, probably to die from illness (for historical accuracy) or from the hands of his enemies (to add to his hatred.)
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Summary: Historical Gore fest
Review: In the UK we had this under a different title (Harlequin) where it is currently available in paperback. I am not a dedicated fan of Mr Cornwall, I thought his US Civil War stuff was okay, but I have never got around to reading the Sharpe series...but I have to say I thought this one was very good indeed. Action packed but mainly true to British History and the 100 Years war, although there is no need to know much about English history to enjoy this.
A blood soaked rush from beginning to end.
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Summary: Cornwell turns his talents to 100 years war
Review: As the introductory novel in a series set during the Anglo French 100 years war, this one shines. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
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Summary: Death, Loot, Pillage, Plunder, and a Great Story?!?!
Review: The Archer's Tale is definitely worth your time if you are a fan of historical fiction, especially medieval historical fiction. Knights in armor, kings, castles, cavalry, swords, shields, arrows, fighting, killing, rape, pillage, plunder, and an engrossing story to match the fast, exciting action. The best part is that it follows history correctly more than most novels. At first I thought that a story about an archer would be boring because I had the uneducated view that archers fought from the rear of the cavalry like cowards, I couldn't have been more wrong. English archers are killing machines, they stand on the front lines and they kill with the enemy riding down on them. So, don't let the fact that an Archer tells the tale instead of some knight in shining armor turn you away, you'll enjoy the story from the archer Thomas just the same if not more. Therefore, you have a respectable character to follow as a great story is told of a relic that must be taken back from evil and returned to the side of God. The story starts simple enough but evolves into Biblical proportions, literally. Great story, great action, great historical fiction! Also highly recommended is Pressfield's Gates of Fire, if you like one you'll like the other!
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