Rating: 
Summary: Arthur - The Real Story
Review: If you honestly believe that there is truth to the Arthur legends, then this book is a must read. After you finish it (and read the other books in the series) you will be amazed at how true to life the story sounds, and wonder if the author found a time machine and went back to see what really happened. We all know that history is written (and distorted by) the winner. This tale is narrated by Derfel, who started out life as a Saxon, escaped death at the hands of a really nasty Druid, became Merlin's slave and later... well, you'll have to read the book to see what happens next. No spoilers here! I always thought that Arthur was a bit dimwitted, Guinevere completely unlikable, and Lancelot was a real hero until I read this book. Now, I think that Arthur is wonderfully misunderstood, Guinevere is not so bad, and Lancelot... well, as I said, no spoilers here! Read this book and you'll become addicted to Cornwell's stories. I just finished "Stonehenge" (another must-read) and all of his stories leave you with the same feeling: where is that time machine that he's using to see what really happened, and would he let me borrow it for just a little while?!
Rating: 
Summary: The Likely Legend of King Arthur
Review: Having just finished this first of a triogy on the story of Arthur, I am most impressed with the tale. THe story has a historical note at the end that states the facts avaiable are sketchy at best. Bernard Cornwell has put his usual historical thoroughness to his reserch and this gives the tale a lot of believability. I don't think Arthur will be the same to me again. And as for Lancelot! well I recommend that you read this tale. Mr Cornhill is moving from his well trodden path of Napolionic saga's to an area of much less historical fact, yet he pulls this off with absolute conviction. To myself he is moving in on the time much covered by the likes of Nigel Tranter but on a different part of the British Isles. I will now have to read Mr. Tranters very early era novels to compare. The conflicts that are portrayed in this tale between Briton and Saxon, Pagan and Christian give an excellent backdrop to the political intrigue that the story revolves around. This makes everything very belevable. The colour given to the daily lives of 4th century Britain make the story even more a tale that draws you further and further in. You can almost smell it! The main intrigue that the Arthurian legend has is the power of Merlin. This is covered admarably by Mr Cornhill's grasp of history. Put in the way that this rendering portray's, Merlin becomes very real and, in this way the whole "Legend" ca much more easily be considered based on fact. The addition of Mr Cornhill's storytelling makes this an excellent read. Highly Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Superb - nothing less.
Review: I have just read this amazing book for the second time and my first impression of three years ago remains firm. I have read many Arthurian novels and even more historical dramas. This is (along with the remainder of the 'Warlard Chronicles' trilogy), by far the best - on both counts. If you only read one dark-ages set historical novel, make it this one. However, if having done so, you are tempted to try more of the same, complete the trilogy by reading 'Enemy Of God' and 'Excalibur.'
Rating:
Summary: This is what the Dark Ages must've been like.
Review: This was a fascinating time in history. The Winter King, narrated by the monk Derfel, who in his younger days was once a loyal soldier to Arthur, really sets the mood of this shrouded and violent time. The tide of invading Saxons threatens to overwhelm the feuding tribes and kingdoms of post-Roman England. While in the background of Arthur's, and Merlin's, dream for a united and just Britain, is the clash between the old pagan religions and the relatively new Christianity. Cornwell doesn't choose sides with this religious conflict. Many of the Christians have their own agendas for power. On the other side of the coin, the feats of the Druids and their priestesses are revealed as little more then hocus-pocus used to influence the masses. Arthur faces enemies on all fronts and struggles to pay the price of a decision made in the heat of passion. No knights in shining armor here, just warriors and their leaders trying to survive and protect their own as honorably as possible. The Winter King really seems like what the story of Arthur must have been like. It pulls you into a wild country on the brink of anarchy, whose all but unknown culture left its marks on our civilization from Halloween and some of our Christmas traditions, to carrying a rabbit's foot for luck. Any fan of the Arthurian legends, should give this book a read. You won't find any sorcery but you'll be rewarded with insights of forgotten or misrepresented heroes.
Rating:
Summary: A new way to look at a classic tale
Review: Most of us have read at least one story of King Arthur in our lifetimes. Many of us have read quite a few versions of this classic tale. So it was with some trepidation that I began this trilogy. I have not read Cornwell's well-received Sharpe novels but know of them, and so thought it a bit presumptious of him to tackle the story of Arthur. In fact, Cornwell, himself, says much the same thing. Afterall, hasn't it all been said? Not at all! We catch a quick glimpse of Cornwell's approach, right from the start, with the title. This is "The Warlord Chronicles". And, indeed, it is. Arthur is the son of uther and therefore not in line to become King. Instead, he is a warlord, assigned as Mordred's protector. His main goal, however, is to unite all of Briton's divisive tribes against the common enemy: the soon-to-invade saxons. If you are looking for a traditional approach to the telling of the tale of Arthur, look elsewhere. This rendition is brutal, realistic, and fascinating. As Cornwell, himself, says, "There is a sword and there is a stone, but one is not in the other." In fact many of the popular elements that we have come to expect are simply not there. In fact, most of the familial relationships are different than I had expected. i.e. Mordered, Uther, Morgan, Igraine, Guinivere, Arthur, etc. Cornwell takes them all and comes up with a plausible course for his characters to take. The story is told from the point of view of a young warrior who moves from Merlin's protection to serve with Arthur's Army. He tells the story from a down-to-earth blood and guts perspective. While Arthur is a warlord, (not the King), don't expect Lancelot to ride in on a shining horse to save the day. Cornwell uses the plausible and traditional Welsh names for his places and characters which may make it a bit more difficult for some readers to "get into" the story. I found myself often referring to the lists provided at the beginning of the books, to keep places and people straight in my head. By the way, don't look for Camelot here, either. Small portions of the story, I felt, dragged just a little. Not enough to bring down my rating though. And there is a lot of realistic up close and authentic fighting to wade through. But always, it leads to a better understanding of the numerous character interactions that take place. All in all, I really enjoyed this novel. I have since read the other two volumes in the Warlord Chronicles and firmly believe that they are even better than this one. If you come to this one with an open mind, then I think you'll be happy you did.
Rating:
Summary: Arthur meets Braveheart
Review: This version of Arthur probably appeals more to men than women. Bernard Cornwell, reknown for the Sharpe series, loves battles and military history. His research is always thorough. His books pull no punches describing battles and acts of violence (how Nimue gets her wisdom is a graphic scene, for example.) If you loved Braveheart, this novel reads a bit like it in style. No flowery prose here, instead, we have a gritty description of life as it must have been in Arthur's time, nasty, brutish and short as Hobbes accurately described times when man is enemy to man.
Rating:
Summary: top and well researched
Review: great read if interested in the period of arthur, very well researched. wonderful fiction the way it could have been. once you start you will not stop.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, But Not For Those Who Like Quality Writing
Review: Cornwell's King Arthur books have the same strengths and weaknesses as do his Sharpe's books. These can be a fun read, the action is good, and the research is good. But what eventually causes me to grind to a halt with Cornwell is his prose. His writing is like reading hurried jornalism -- flat, undistinguished, and monotonous. The editorial review suggests that this is American diction, but Cornwell is, in fact, English. It's just language without music. For myself, I need better prose to stick with someone, and for popular ficton that means someone such as P.D. James or John Le Carre, who have the ability both to engage you with their style and to entertain you with the story. Cornwell is okay reading, but eventually I just look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: strongly recommended...
Review: Arthur, the great warlord and the hero who fought against impossible odds to temporarily check the invading Saxons sometime during the early years of the sixth century AD. This is what is generally believed to be the base facts surrounding the Arthurian legends. And over the years, drawing from ancient folk-tales, Welsh mythology, and fertile imaginations from such minds as Chretien de Troyes and Sir Thomas Mallory, Arthur has become a romantic hero and embodiment of strength, honor, and all things pure. But how far was the man separated from the legends? This is the question Bernard Cornwall, author of "The Winter King" had to ask himself. Could he merge a man into the myth without veering to far away from the conventions laid out and passed down over the centuries. well, yes and no. Some would say that Cornwall takes on the legend of King Arthur and the myths surrounding him, and turns them upside-down. which could be considered true, but how many times do you want to read the same story? Cornwall has gone for realism, both in characters and environments. he has fleshed out the paper-thin cut-out that was Arthur and made him into a 3-dimensional character, who is still a powerful man full of integrity, longing for a unified country, but human enough to make foolish mistakes. this book is up there with my favourites and i strongly recommend anyone to pick up a copy for themselves.
Rating:
Summary: Winter King is terrific
Review: For anyone that enjoys a good story without alot of silliness, this book is for you. I can't believe it's not more popular.
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