Rating: 
Summary: A Neolithic swashbuckler!
Review: The only thing harder to research than a historical novel is a pre-historical one. Cornwell has made a serious effort to understand the how the Neolithic looked in southern Britain, then fit plot and characters into that landscape. It's an exciting story, full of duplicity, heroics, deeply held feelings and almost convincing people. Centred, as the title suggests, on the great stone monument on Salisbury Plain, he builds a narrative suggesting the motivation and labour involved in building this ancient site. He uses two trinities to develop his story. One trinity is comprised of brothers who represent material, mysticism and morality. The other is three who, by stretching your imagination, might be Mother, Maiden and Crone of the slassical witchcraft Sisterhood, although those identities shift drastically as the story progresses. The clash of greedy warlords with messianic figures is like something out of Sir Walter Scott. Cornwell's technique makes thrilling reading while upholding modern standards of justice and rewards for the good. The good, of course, don't come through unblemished or painlessly, but they survive. All the excitement and maneuvering raise this book a step above the modern fantasy novel, but the step is a small one. If you're looking for adventure with an unusual twist, this is the book for you. You will be taken back in time, through some spatial adjustment, but most importantly, view a society very different from the one you know. Prepare yourself for a harsh existence while remembering that "progress" is a word with many definitions. Perhaps there's some benefit in reading the "Historical note" at the back first, then delving into Cornwell's sources, before returning to this fictional account. All of his resources are at least as readable as this book, and infinitely more informative, if not as imaginative. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
Rating:
Summary: intersting historical/fiction perspective
Review: Thoroughly enjoyed this fictional view of how/why/when/who Stonehenge was created. Slow at times, yet rich in detail and it almost reads like a true story (keep the fiction part in mind while reading it though). Tunred me on to Cornwell's literature- although this one is very different from the norm!
Rating: 
Summary: Tiring, boring....
Review: .... uninteresting, repetitive. This book has been a huge disappointment. The themes of the story were repeated again and again, the characters were superficial, flat and simplistic, and the only really interesting part of the book was the depiction of the techniques used to move the stones & build Stonehenge and the afterword, where the author spoke a little about the era and his research. But then, if I wanted a construction manual, I would have bought one. I wanted also a story, and there was none. Don't buy this book, if you absolutely want to read it borrow it from a library. And can someone who has read Cornwell's Arthurian trilogy inform me if it is similar to Stonehenge before I go ahead and buy it despite my misgivings?
Rating: 
Summary: PAGE AFTER PAGE OF THE SAME
Review: The story of early Bronze Age tribes and their obsessive goals to appease their gods - again, again, and again. There are moments in the story which really catch your attention, but... not one single page passes without the mention of their god(s) - you'll be sick to death of Slaol, the Sun God, by the end of the reading. Granted, the early population probably didn't leave their huts without a good omen or sacrifice..., but in terms of a narrative it really gums up the works.
What works is the valiant attempt at getting the language right. Too many Historical Fiction novels drop the ball with dialog and words that simply are out of date/time/place. Cornwell had to take a wild stab in the dark, and allowances had to be made in order to drive the story, and he does a commendable job.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent introduction to the topic, wonderful mythology
Review: As with all of Cornwell's books, he has a wonderful spare writing style, and some really wonderful cliffhangers at the end of each chapter of the book.
Superb writing has a rhythm all of its own, and fans of the Sharpe and Warlord and his most recent novels will see it here again. Saban is a wonderful character, while Camaban is both hero and villain. His women are equally complex, and though I have noticed a tendency for the female characters to get a really rough and violent time of it in his most recent works (esp The Archer's Tale) it is believable given the odiousness of Lenegar and the violence of the pre-historic society he is trying to depict. A bit less gore might help gain more of a female readership, but then gore is all around us on the TV, so I am not going to diminish my rating because of that. I admired Saban enormously, and as with all of his characters, they go through hell, but do get a sort of happy ending. The details on the construction of the monument are terrific and the whole book is action packed and has a remarkably eerie atmosphere sustained throughout. Any reader who has ever been to the great stones will know what I mean. For those who have not, enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: not all audio books are equal
Review: Listeners should be aware that there are 3 unabridged versions of this book. "Stonehenge" is by an English writer, and about the quintessential English icon. The choice of Reader counts! Audiophiles know a poor reader can sink a top-notch story, but a great reader can save one that is mediocre.
Chivers Audio (the version offered here), is a never-fail when it comes to matching reader with novel, and here produces the best and most pleasurable version. The skilled English voice of Sean Barrett brings alive the might-have-been time of the story, with never a stumble or slip.
Recorded Books is an excellent American company with an excellent cadre of readers, but for some reason, gave this book to an American voice, George Guidall. Of great renown, but still an American voice. For me, the dissonance was too jarring to bear listening. But, if you prefer an American voice, this is the one to get.
Books-on-Tape's version? It is the cheapest, but don't buy unless you prefer the flat, mono-tone style of reading. I find it quite deadly.
Rating:
Summary: A fresh take on the mystery of how and why it was built
Review: Aside from the feeling that the last 10 chapters were written with a time limit the way they crash together, this is a enjoyable read. A good winter read.
Rating: 
Summary: Stonehenge
Review: Three brothers--a conqueror, a mad shaman and a regular guy turned builder--work both together and against each other to create the temple that we now call Stonehenge. Although I normally enjoy Cornwell's books, this one did not work for me. The primary reason was the shallow characterization. I never cared about the characters' fates or felt a sense of tension or excitement. They lack depth and none engaged my sympathies. The society Cornwell portrays seems somehow limp and tired to me, with little to make a reader sit up and take notice. There are some interesting bits, but overall I just couldn't find it engaging. A strength, and a place where Cornwell's research did show, was the depiction of the building of the temple itself; the backbreaking work as well as the artistry. The illustrations are invaluable. Having seen Stonehenge, I know it's astonishingly beautiful, and that does come through here.
Rating:
Summary: tiring
Review: This work is not among Cornwell's strongest. I am not quite sure what he was trying to accomplish, but he explored the same issues and descriptions, relentlessly. While I expect that in a series, it just became tiresome. The plot was somewhat transparent and not to his usual mark. I would recommend that you reread any of the Sharpe novels before reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: More like 3 and 1/2
Review: This book tells the imaginary story of the creation of the famous british monument around 3000 B.C. It follows the lives of 3 brother, Saban, Lengar and Camabin. All three have various problems. Saban is a coward and both Camabin and Lengar(to varying degrees) are nuts. The story goes very well untill half way through the book. Then it seems to suffer from Steven King syndrom and rush the rest of the way through, so in the end what you get is a really lackluster book. However that does not take away from the good battles you can always count on Cornwell to give you.
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