Rating: 
Summary: This work of Cornwell lacks the same quality as Sharpe.
Review: After having read all of Cornwell's Sharpe series including the recent book "Triumph", I was eager to begin the Starbuck series. I was somewhat dissapointed in the story and the main character. Starbuck lacks the conquering hero qualities of Sharpe. Starbuck comes from a good background and becomes corrupted in the novel. What appealed to me about the Sharpe series was how the hero triumphed over odds and in the course of the stories became a better person from his experiences. Although he was still a flawed hero, Sharpe was coming out of the dirty pit he had lived in so long. Starbuck is the exact opposite and seems to edge further into the gutter as the book progresses. The book begins very slowly and can quickly lose the readers interest. I was fortunate and did not give up reading this book and was eventually rewarded by a large battle at the end that truly showed Cornwell's tallent for detailing a battle. The book was a bit longer than most of Co! ! rnwell's other works. I will probably read the rest of the series in a vain attempt to satisfy my Sharpe withdrawls but will not nearly enjoy them as Cornwell's other work. I am hoping that the rerelease of redcoat will give me what I am looking for.
Rating: 
Summary: CORNWELL FANS, LET'S BE ARROGANT!
Review: Bernard Cornwell can write a scene of battle better than anyone on this planet. Sharpe, Thomas of Hookton, and Nathanial starbuck have all slugged through horrendous tours of duty and we've all intimately felt it thanks to the "in the trench" writing of Cornwell. Despite some sentiment that Cornwell has developed a recipe for his novels and have unjustly hacked stars from the ranking, they should look at other novelists who have remotely produced a body of quality work such as Cornwell. That being said, Rebel is the first in the great Starbuck Chronicles(Chronicles is to Legion as Series is to Brigade). The quote on my copy says, "The best thing to hit Civil War fiction since Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels." - Washington Post. The Killer Angels is the Gold Standard of Civil War writing. Fairly said, Rebel alone is no Killer Angels, but the series certainly is and Nathanial Starbuck is a character that you want to get to know. As with Sharpe and Thomas (of Hookton), his courage, knowledge, and confidence grow with time and experience and as a reader, you grow with them. For readers who are Civil War reenactors you'll find no "farby" writing here. The Zouaves (between the cracks Federal & Reb uniform nuance) and artillery are represented and for the Rebs in the crowd you'll be happy to see the Tigers at Manassas.
One questions Bernard, "Whatcha got against the horses?" That's the point; Cornwell pulls no punch when the men are at war. I encourage all Cornwell fans to read (ya already have I suppose) - fans of Civil War, Yanks or Rebs and fans of top shelf historical fiction - climb on board this caisson!
Enjoy,
23rdPA "Birney's Zouaves!"
Rating: 
Summary: Sharpe in the American Civil War?
Review: Cornwell is a gifted writer and story teller. When I first became addicted to the Sharpe books I devoured them at the rate of about one every couple of days. I have just recently begun to read the Starbuck books. (I wish Cornwell could have thought of a better name for the main character. Every time I see the name "Starbuck" I think about Dirk Benedict's character in the old "Battlestar Galactica" television show!). Although this book was very enjoyable, I am afraid that Starbuck is nothing but Sharpe in the American Civil War. It appears that Sergeant Truslow is the Confederate version of Sergeant Harper. Even the plot appears to some extent to be merely a re-working of "Sharpe's Eagle." Just as Sharpe and Harper killed the obnoxious Lt. Gibbons in battle in "Sharpe's Eagle," so Starbuck kills the obnoxious Captain Ridley during the heat of the First Battle of Bull Run. Mr. Cornwell's command of 19th century military history is excellent except for one error which irritated me and hindered, to some extent, my enjoyment of the book. At several points in the novel Cornwell refers to General P.G.T. Beauregard's army at Manassas as "The Army of Northern Virginia." In reality, this force was called, at this early point in the war, "The Army of the Potomac," which, of course, later became the name for the principle Union Army in the East. (The Southern forces under the command of General J.E. Johnston which arrived in the nick of time at the Battle of First Bull Run was styled "The Army of the Shenandoah.") The Confederate Army in Virginia is not properly known as the "Army of Northern Virginia" until after Robert E. Lee took command of the force in June, 1862. Mr. Cornwell does not usually make errors of this magnitude in his works, and I wonder if this error was merely an oversight or was it intentional? In closing, although "Rebel" is not "great literature" by any stretch of the imag! ination, it is great entertainment and, like the Sharpe novels, a painless history lesson.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining!
Review: For a different type of Civil War story I recommend "Rebel" by Bernard Cornwell. "Rebel" is the story of a lackluster seminary college student from Boston, MA finding his true calling in life as a soldier. Part of a four book series set, "Rebel" is book one of the Nathaniel Starbuck Chronicles. The story is set in ante-bellum Virginia right before the Civil War is in full swing. The hero Nate Starbuck is a northerner who decides to fight for the Confederacy. His reasons are not specifically stated but we can infer that he is rejecting his family's way of life and rebelling against both his nation and his repressive father. Starbuck decides to join his friend's father's legion as a second lieutenant. Prior to the war, Starbuck has shown little aptitude for any other trade and he hopes that soldiering is his true calling. The battle of Manassas (or the first battle of Bull Run) is Starbuck's proving ground where he shows his budding talent. Very much like Cornwell's Sharpe series, Starbuck is a little too good to be real and that's what makes "Rebel" so fun to read. Interestingly enough Cornwell gives lots background about Starbuck, more than he has shared about Sharpe in any of his Sharpe stories. I think it is unusual that Cornwell's hero Starbuck selected the South to pledge his allegiance, he is after all a northerner born and bred. Perhaps It is Cornwell's way of illustrating how far Starbuck is rejecting his old way of life. Nevertheless, I found the novel very entertaining and recommend it to readers who look for high adventure and exciting stories. It is hard to find fault with any novel by Bernard Cornwell. He is an excellent story-teller and he can write. I would recommend "Rebel" to readers who enjoy wars/battles and don't mind a few facts getting lost along the way.
Rating:
Summary: A decent fictional civil war account
Review: I agree with the other reviewers. Cornwell can write a battle story like no other. His accounts are detailed, believable, and factual.
Rebel was a very good book. It was not on the same level as the King Arthur books, but it was interesting and the story was good. You will find Nate Starbuck in a similar role as Derfel and Thomas of Hookton.
I recommend this book to fans of Bernard Cornwell.
Rating:
Summary: Introducing a Hero
Review: I cannot rate this book without talking about the brilliance of the whole series. Cornwell takes you from your reading room, and teleports you back to a simpler time. And you find out that it's not so simple. Set against the backdrop of the Eastern Theatre in the American Civil War, he portrays the massive carnage and greatest bravery in minute detail. You actually hear the cannons, and smell the rotting flesh of the wounded. Yet, the main plot does not take place amongst the gunfire outside. But, rather, within. It is a story of a soul, and his struggle with God, man, who he is, and what he stands for. Amidst the shouting, crying, blasting, and dieing...is a poor heart, searching for peace. I found Cornwell's protrayal of Nate Starbuck to be no less than perfect. I found myself rooting, questioning, hoping, and praying for this fictional character. For, I saw myself in Nate. The same questions, fears, and desires. When done, I walked away from this story with a different outlook on life, liberty, and what's truly important. As will you.
Rating:
Summary: down to the smallest detail
Review: I find it interesting that Cornwell chose to write his story from the Confederate standpoint...nowadays many stories are told from the northern perspective. Being a current student of history, I think that it's important (even if the main character and some of those he interacts with are fictitious) that people acquaint themselves with truths from both sides. We should not be afraid of the past...however awful some events may have been, they nevertheless happened and are now part of our history. I enjoyed this book not only for looking at the "other" side, but because of Cornwell's descriptive ability...his account of the Battle at Manassas is about 80+ pages long and captures the smallest details. A very worthwhile read.
Rating:
Summary: A great remembrance
Review: I have not had the opportunity to read any of Bernard Cornwell's other books but I can assure you that I will start after I finished this novel. Cornwell creates a story that is truly believable while not sacrificing the true historical happenings of the Battle of Bull Run. Although, at times, I was lost trying to figure out how much time had passed between certain scenes, I thought it did lend a bit of fluidity to the confusing aspect that war is. This is a particularly good book if you are looking to learn about the Civil War while enjoying an well woven tale.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best Historical Fictions I have ever read.
Review: I have spent a great deal of time reading and studying civil war history. It is a passion of mine and I would have to say I am sceptical of fictional work on the subject. But this book is an excellent story written inside historical fact. I found it to be extraordinary, as is the whole series.
Rating:
Summary: Got here backwards, but had a good time!
Review: I was hopping that this fictional account of the civil war will have the same riveting battle scenes and in-depth account of the human struggle as the war escalated, but it was quite disappointing. Starbuck and all the other characters are two-dimensional. Also the future of how each characters turn out by the end of the novel is quite predictable. Therefore, I know I wouldn't be reading the second book.
|
