Rating: 
Summary: interesting, but historically questionable
Review: the largest benefit of these books is the 'ground level' view of things. we've all heard some variant of the arthurian legends, but few of them give any glimpse whatsoever into the day-to-day runnings of life in those times. here we have something that gives a sense of how it might have been, from the practical up to the intricately political. an especially nice touch is the author's insistence on grounding political manoevers in economic realities- something heartily glossed over in other tellings.though attempting to be historically 'accurate', these tales completely disregard current theories on the real history of king arthur, which present a far more strongly welsh story than celtic. please remember that the 'celts' were a primarily continental set of tribes while the welsh can trace their lineage and heritage back well beyond 2000 years to phonecian traders and settlers (presumably in search of metals, notably tin). indications are that there were two welsh kings named arthur, separated by 1-200 years, and that their exploits were amalgamated into the nationalistic legend, finally coalescing into the 'king arthur thing'- mutated beyond recognition into a justification for current (ie windsor) domination of the islands. the simplistic distinctions of 'roman', 'celtic' and 'saxon' exist primarily for story focus. the 'skystone' is a nice touch, as non-english documentation and the geological record have indeed suggested a meteorite devastated britain in that era, wiping out populations and generally creating mayhem in the political realm.
Rating: 
Summary: This is one heck of a book
Review: I loved this book. Jack Whyte brilliantly portrays the beginning of the great Aurthur. I can't wait to read the rest of the Camulod Chronicles.
Rating:
Summary: Whyte has himself the beginning of a series...
Review: ...just like Children of the Lion. The main player comes off a little 'know it all' at times. This could put some readers off their feed. Whyte's research is right on the money. Is Whyte a Brit ? I'll have to ask Amazon what else he has written. Out of the blue, his work is now right next to the Cornwell and Frazer in my library. The story is about Excalibur and Arthur, but, wow, what a different view point. It never came to my mind, where did it come from, or who made it. Until recently everyone thought Arthur was related to Santa, and Excalibur as real as Batman's Belt. Thanks to Whyte and other fine authors, we are now much better informed. If you want to get a real buzz on, try reading Jack Whyte's book at the same time as you read Bernard Cornwell and Stephen Lawhead, also on the same subject. If I'm not carefull, I'll end up a Turtledove... That a 30.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Premise, Lackluster Execution
Review: I was intrigued by the concept of a historically-based retelling of the Arthur legend, but found this book disappointing. The beginning is promising enough, with a terrific action sequence, but the rest of the book is hampered by stilted dialogue and explicit but stilted sex scenes. Also, the narrator, Varrus, is an expert soldier in the Roman military, but his Christian conscience fills him with guilt after killing. The result: He slaughters scores, then pukes his guts out in self-revulsion. Not the most subtle way to portray a conflicted character.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating re-telling of pre-Arthur time
Review: The idea behind this book is marvelous. Mr. Whyte has created unforgettable characters. One is Publius Varrus, the narrator, but the most fascinating character is Caius Britannicus. A man of sound moral, a man straight as an arrow, a bright, clever man with a magnetic personality. It is so beautiful that his name is Britannicus. The idea of the forming of the future Camelot is masterful. I loved this book. It is among my very favorites.
Rating:
Summary: This maybe the greatest Aurthurian novel ever.
Review: I have never read a Arthurian book this good ever! It has excellent combat and the characters are very realistic. The main characters Publius Varrus and Caius Brittancius are so real that you come to know them like friends. Throughout the book there enemy Seneca has seemed to become my enemy too! This 1st book in the Camulod Chronicles or the Dream of Eagles in Canada is very well intertwined with historical fact from the perioud they live in roughly around the time just before the Roman legions leave Britain.
Rating: 
Summary: Quite good, but with some unnecessary parts
Review: I enjoyed the story very much. I am a big fan of Arthurian legend, and I feel this is a worthy addition. The focus on political and military background was well done, and the main characters were drawn well enough to feel you knew them. I also liked the characters, which I feel is important in a book. The friendship between Varrus and Caius was well developed. However, I was troubled by one aspect of the book. The main character several times mentions that he is a Christian, and he quotes the commandment "Thou shalt not kill" numerous times to explain his aversion (in most cases) to taking life (which, of course, is a mistranslation - actually it's "Thou shalt not murder"). However, he has no compunction about enjoying intimate relationships (described in rather graphic detail - another part I felt was unnecessary) with women to which he's not married, which, if I remember correctly, falls right after "Thou shalt not kill." It appears that his mother (his spiritual trainer, according to him) missed a couple of points (including the ones about forgiving enemies), or that he has a sieve-like conscience. Perhaps it's too much to expect in this day and age that a hero have a consistent moral code. However, in a story about the Arthurian legend, it would have been nice.
Rating:
Summary: A seat at the round table, a tour of Camelot!
Review: Knowing the man behind the book, Jack Whyte is charming and intelligent in his quest to unite history and heroism. This book has amazing characters who are fully developed, highly intertwined events, great fighting sequences. A must read for history buffs, and those who love Camelot!
Rating: 
Summary: The man knows naught.
Review: I love history. I love the Arthurian legends. I rarely love them together and this man is a reason why. He has little understanding of the legends, the era, the Saxons, the Romans, or even techniques of sword making, no matter how much he pretends. I find this sort of writing an embarrasment to historical fiction -- O'Brien can do excellently, Cornwell and Forester decently, and Whyte not at all. His characters moan for a Roman Republic over 400 years dead without the least understanding of its mechanics. In many ways this is merely a poorly written Libertarian fantasy, a pointless anti-government tract posing as historical fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book Ever!!!!
Review: This book is realistic, has a lot of action,, has some mystery, it can be funny, or sad, and even some great love scenes (had to say it) . I've read plenty of books and met many characters, but Publius Varrus is the most vivid one yet. Jack Whyte gave all the character lots of personality. Also, the battle scenes are explained very well.
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