The BEST historical military fiction since the father Shaara's THE KILLER ANGELS
353701
I have read all of Jeff Shaara's historical military fiction.  THE FROZEN HOURS in my opinion ranks in the top two of my favorites, along with  GONE FOR SOLDIERS, Shaara's novel of the Mexican War.  This is historically very accurate, and really makes this history of the "Forgotten War" come alive.  This books definitely makes clear the dysfunction of marines fighting under army commanders who didn't have a clue.  Fortunately, the Joint operations of present day operations are indeed better coordinated.  But this incredible story of one of the coldest winters ever for US fighting men (even worse than the Argonne forest of WWII Battle of the Bulge) should be read by ALL of our current serving military who might have to follow in the snow prints of these incredible Korean War veterans.  And Shaara is very skilled in describing the effects of the EXTREME cold on the infantry, the physicians, the medics, the engineers, and helicopter pilots and flight mechanics.  I have talked to at least five triple veterans - WWII, Korea, and Vietnam during my early career as a military physician, and they ALL uniformly said that they didn't think that they would "make it home" from Korea.  This certainly could claim the prize as the best historical fiction of the Korean War ever.  The story of Fox company and also Chesty Puller's trip "down from the Chosin reservoir - completely surrounded, he is quoted as saying:  Great. Now we can shoot at those bastards from every direction.  This is a MUST READ for all military history buffs, and for everyone who had a father or uncle who served in Korea.
614258
Roberta Gellis is a master at writing historical fiction. I am reading her "Roselynde Chronicles" now, and each book is better than the next. "The Sword And The Swan," the prequel to the chronicles, is an excellent account of a turbulent time in English history, but it is more history than novel. The focus here is on the action and the politics of the period. The only character who is really developed is the warrior Rannulf, or the "Sword," of the title. Ms. Gellis' research is meticulous, as always, and she makes sense and clarity of a very confusing period in history. This is a book worth reading for the historic content alone. She also gives a most accurate, non-romanticized picture of medieval life in England.
Henry Beauclerc was King Henry I, of England, and succeeded his brother William II, in 1100. After the Conquest, in 1066, William the Conqueror, and the two sons that followed him, worked to unite the Saxons and their Norman conquerors. King Henry I forced his barons to swear an oath of fealty to him, to accept his daughter, Empress Matilda, as his successor and future Queen of England, after his death. The majority of the Norman, (English), nobility repudiated their oath when Henry died, and seated Stephen of Blois, (a grandson of the first King William) on the throne. Henry had been an absolute monarch and ceded little power to the barons. They hoped that Stephen would be a weaker feudal king, more suited to their own needs.
Stephen proved to be weak, indeed, and unable to control the barons, their armies, and struggles for power and more land. The kingdom was reduced to anarchy. Another claimant to the English throne arose from Anjou - Henry, son of Matilda. Many of the aristocracy, who had previously supported Stephen against Matilda, wanted Henry to take the throne from Stephen. Other nobles, who had never supported Stephen, and had remained loyal to their original oath, now supported Matilda's son. Stephen also had his armies, loyal followers and an ambitious, ruthless son, Eustace, who wanted to be king.
I am sorry if I bored you with all the historic details. I assure you that Ms. Gellis does a much better job than I. However, this is exactly what the book is about - the last power struggle between Stephen of Blois and Henry of Anjou, who finally became King Henry II of England, a strong feudal king.
Rannulf, the warrior knight, is loyal to Stephen, and much of the novel is about his relationship with the King and the reasons for his loyalty. Catherine, is Rannulf's third wife, and while Rannulf and Catherine's story gives the readers a clear portrait of a woman's place in this medieval world, it is not a traditional romance. More time is spent in battle and than in the bedroom. There is more talk of war and politics than talk of love. I do recommend reading "The Sword And The Swan," if only to familiarize yourself with English medieval history. This period and struggle is the framework for so much of England's later history.
232493
This is an absolutely FANTASTIC piece of military/political historical fiction! I cannot recommend it enough!
4581035
"If God dropped the sky on our heads, we would maintain it with the tops of our lances!" declaration of the French knights at the crusade's military council.

I will not go into great detail as to the accepted excellence of Dr. David Nicolle's work, or that of the near god-like credibility of David G. Chandler, THE leading authority on Medieval Warfare in our lifetime. That has been covered by far more intelligent people than myself, and in truth, what are we reviewing; the authors or their material? What I will discuss is the book itself.

Osprey Military Books has been putting out an amazing, reliable, and entertaining line of material for more years than I can remember.  The books are well-researched and written, with wonderful coloured templates, original etchings, and pictures of relics and historical sites and places of import.

NICOPOLIS 1396 is one of the CAMPAIGN Series in the Osprey collection, and it is in a word - Amazing!  There are 96 pages covering everything from: The Origins of the Campaign, The Opposing Commanders & their forces, their battle plans, and then coverage of the Campaign itself.  It goes on to discuss the Aftermath and Reckoning of the battle, as well as what the battlefield looks like today.  It provides information for 'Further Reading', and for the die-hards out there, it also furnishes how to Play Nicopolis as a War-Game.

The text is well written and easy and enjoyable to follow.  The book is ripe with illustrations, both ancient and contemporary, as well as maps, a three dimensional diagram of the battlefield, and illustrations all throughout.

This book is perfect for both the experienced and well-versed, and the interested first timer approaching the subject.  NICOPOLIS 1396: THE LAST CRUSADE is just one more superior piece of military literature that Osprey can claim as their own - and should - with pride.
2145543
The third book of the WW II Europe/Africa series I have read written by this arthor.  Jeff Shaara again hit the ball out of the park with this account of the war planning for, executing the Normandy landing and the drive to defeat Nazi Germany.  Well written historic novel which blends in everyday soldiers with the leaders who led the war.  I totally enjoyed every page of this novel and will now order the fourth book of WW II written by the author which takes the reader to the Pacific where my brother Marines who served before me led the fight to defeat Japan.  As a Marine officer retired I have read perhaps hundreds of books about the military and its battles.  I place this book and series among the top.
4968655
I was very impressed with this novel by Jed Mercurio. Having been an avid reader of historical fiction for quite some time, it was refreshing to see a new author's take on an era that is often overlooked in historical fiction terms. The story deals with the rise of a Russian from being raised in an orphanage at the end of the second World War to his eventual contribution to the Russian Space Program. Taking themes from similar books on the subject, Mercurio blends fictional accounts with historical ones. This is of particular note when the protagonist of the story happens upon future American astronauts on the field of battle. The book moves along at a decent pace without sacrificing too much characterization. The main character, Yefgeni Yeremin, is the central point of the story and is therefore given the most exposition. We join him on his journey and I couldn't help but compare it to the book and movie "The Blue Max" by Jack Hunter. In that story, the main character Bruno is driven to leave his humble roots behind and become the greatest pilot of the First World War. His passion and desire to be the best comes at the expense of some of his relationships with family and peers but it is what drives the character. Similarly, Yeremin is shown to be in a similar light. For readers looking for the overwhelming detail of an author such as Tom Clancy and the like, you may want to look elsewhere. I could compare it to Jeff Shaara's works as well but whereas Shaara looks to give voice to historical figures, Mercurio reserves his voice to those who are his fictional creation while giving the occasional cameo dialogue to historical figures. While the book is well written, it doesn't delve into the deeper historical aspects of what was going on during the Korean War and eventually during the Russian space program. While it is fiction, there is a bit of truth to the proceedings in that there are still so many classified and hidden stories coming from the old Soviet Union that it is quite possible though not necessarily true, that such events did occur in real life. An excellent second book by an author who I think will see much more readership in the years to come.
2662904
This book is a must read for all history fiction aficionados, set in the late sixteenth century Spain, we the readers are introduced to a land which is fraught with religious fervor, suspicion & persecution of the other as well as plain bigotry (laced by religion of course). The focus of the story is on Belamar de la Sierra, a small village/town in the Aragon province near the France-Spain border. There has been a brutal murder of an allegedly corrupt Catholic priest and all fingers point towards the moriscos or converted Moorish Muslims. Our main protagonist is Bernardo de Mendoza, a veteran soldier of the Reconquista and who now serves as a magistrate.

He gets tasked by King Philip II of Castile to investigate this murder and find out the killer(s). Mendoza sets out with a small company consisting of his page Gabriel, his cousin Luis de Ventura, and three other soldiers. When they arrive, they find the place to be rife with sectarian tensions and potential violence for the death of the priest who himself was involved in the death of a Morisco family.

 This story sets upon explaining the details of the Spanish Reconquista and what exactly does Morisco mean (Muslim Moors forcibly converted to Catholicism)? I loved the in-depth detail to the surroundings and history afforded by the author. The story is a murder mystery which reads very much like a thriller and theres the usual cast of characters to help propagate the plot and tropes. While the main character is very nicely developed and will be great if we get a series about him. The surrounding character cast needs to be better developed.

The author puts into play several plot threads which neatly come together in the end to make up a satisfying tapestry. I loved how neatly everything fell into place and didn't seem contrived at all. The best part part about the book is the authors love and detailed descriptions of Spain in the sixteenth century. Get ready to immerse yourself in a land that seems very much like any troubled piece to be found in recent times. Theres bigotry, xenophobia, violence but also bravery, honesty and simple good folk who are trying to survive these brutal times. This was one historical debut that I cant recommend enough and Matthew Carr seems to be an author whose books I will not be missing out in the foreseeable future.
2898315
I almost never write reviews, but the excellence of the William Gold series and the pleasure I have gotten from these books demands recognition.  Cameron's historical fiction is meticulously researched yet full of memorable characters and well-described action.  His discussion of medieval protective gear, weapons, and tactics is impressive. Likewise, the comprehensive explanation of political and military developments in Europe and the Middle East informs the reader without detracting from the pace of the story. Cameron is worthy to be mentioned in the same sentence with Patrick O'Brian - highest praise I can give - if perhaps still a half-step lower as a prose stylist. By far the best historical fiction I have read in the last few years.
4864664
I am a huge fan of historical, military fiction and this entire series is as good as it gets.  The characters are deep and well developed and the plot is never trite or predictable (other than the historical aspects of course).  My favorite parts of all the books in this series is the camaraderie between the soldiers.  With 4 out of 5 brothers serving, 2 marines, I have some idea of what passes for humor among soldiers and Peake nails it.  I especially love the way he has connected 3 generations. Battle scenes are well written and believable.  Would recommend this series to EVERYONE, not just historical fiction fans!  For a phenomenal experience, start the series from the beginning, although each book would stand on its own.
301193
Being a military and an American history buff I have read many of Jeff Shaara's books and "To the Last Man" is a shining example of the excellence to detail that Mr. Shaara places in everything he writes.  I wish I had read this book many years ago
when it first came out, but once I  began reading it, I had trouble putting it down.  For anyone, wanting to learn more about America
and our involvement in World War I this book is a great place to start.  By focusing on certain characters, history is brought to life
in the pages of the book.  Shaara makes you feel like you are there with his vivid  interpretations of the landscape and the environment.  I wish I could give the book 6 or 7 stars.
4338409
Steven Pressfield has made a cottage industry of the historical novel in much the same way as Michael Shaara.  Historical fiction offers wondrous advantages to the writer---after all, who needs to generate story ideas when the lives of our forbears offers all the triumph and tragedy we need?
Pressfield debuted in the genre with the marvelous "Gates of Fire", his account of Spartan King Leonidas' last stand at Thermopylae.  With "Tides of War", he returns to ancient Greek history, this time relating the story of Alcibiades, the most accomplished politician, rhetorician, and commander of his day.
Undefeated in battle, Alcibiades dominated the scene during the Pelopponesian War.  He commanded and counseled leaders on both the Athenian and Spartan sides in the conflict, earning considerable enmity and admiration in both camps.  He trucked with the Persians as well, making him almost unique in the annals of history in his ability to play the political chameleon.
"Tides of War" is told from the perspective of Polymides, Alcibiades' assassin, and his legal counsel.  Pressfield succeeds wildly in bringing Thucydides' account of the cataclysmic, 27-year long conflict to life.  We recognize these long-dead characters in all their complexity---their loves, hates, and follies.  When Polymides is betrayed by his wife, we sympathize; when he is swayed by the charismatic Alcibiades, we empathize.  Pressfield makes us care about these characters with his brilliant pacing and dialogue.
If you're a student of history or a fan of historical drama, drink deeply from "Tides of War."
360086
Generally speaking I dislike historical novels because there were no taperecorders getting the exact phrases, but "Killer Angels" does a splendid job of putting you on the Gettysburg battlefield and listening to the generals from both sides planning their attacks. A much better than average approach to history and just how backwards the mods of warfare were in the 1860s.
986534
I kind of picked this book as a fluke - wanting something new of history to read, of which I knew little about. The naval war between Hapsburg Spain and the Ottoman Empire in the Mediterranean Sea during the 16th century certainly fit that bill for me. Boy, was I pleased with my selection. This book was outstanding! I've heard many interesting tales of these times - of Barbarossa, the Sieges of Rhodes, Malta and Cyprus, and the Battle of Lepanto - but the details of these conflicts contained in this book were fantastic. I knew little about this topic, but now feel enlightened. Crowley's writing style is easy to read and energetic. The Siege of Malta is the most shining portion of the book, making up nearly half the read. Crowley goes a long way toward explaining why Europe took a Christian, versus and Islamic, course of history during the 16th century. At the beginning of the century, that course was not at all guaranteed. The Ottoman's completely dominated the Med. Through the unlikely joining of forces between Spain, Venice and the Vatican, the Islamic tide retreated from the Central Mediterranean back to the east. I cannot adequately describe how much fun this book was to read - just read it!
1941915
This was the sixth war novel by Jeff Shaara that I've read, the first three being his trilogy on WW2 -- "The Rising Tide", "The Steel Wave" and  "No Less Than Victory". That was followed by his two novels about the American Revolution, "Rise to Rebellion" and "The Glorious Cause". Before those, I had long ago read "The Killer Angels", his late father Michael's novel about the battle of Gettysburg. All are written in the same roman  clef style - a style that Jeff Shaara, following in his father's footsteps, has truly perfected. You must continually remind yourself that these are works of fiction about real people and events, that the author is fabricating a great deal of the material (from the dramatis personae's thoughts to their dialogue, all of which he freely acknowledges in the introductions), but that he's talking about people and things that really happened and probably in very much the way that he describes. It is a remarkable achievement and Jeff Shaara's work in this venue is truly prodigious. His research appears to be nothing less than profound, making the basis for all his "speculation" about what people said, did or thought -- from the great generals to the lowly privates -- both broad and credible. These are not Hollywood war "epics" or romanticized pot-boiler novels of the Frank Yerby genre; they are fictionalized history of a unique and genuinely impressive, thoroughly believable kind.

For this work, about the battle of Shiloh (about which I once wrote a college term paper), you can refer to the unabridged "Battles and Leaders of the Civil War", which contains voluminous memoirs and recollections by the people who fought it, and not emerge with any better understanding of the events than you'll get from reading this novel -- and it will be a lot heavier going. The controversy surrounding this particular battle, which took place early in the war, continues to this day and will likely never be fully resolved, but it is universally acknowledged to have been a watershed event in the contest between the North and South -- one on which the course and outcome of that contest, had it gone another way, might well have been quite different.

All wars are, of course, filled with just such events which, in retrospect, appear to have functioned as great hinges wherein fortune played a significant role and on whose result great but distant events appear to have been determined. The battle of Shiloh remains a quintessential example of that historical truth. Had Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston been anything other than who he was, he might not have died on the first day of the battle, and the second day might very well have produced an entirely different conclusion from the one it did. No one will ever know -- either that or whether a different outcome would have changed the ultimate course of the war. The latter, however you look at it, seems at best unlikely because of the vastly superior strength of the Union, but battles such as the one at Shiloh remind us on what seemingly small matters history often depends. The reductio ad absurdum of this idea is the Cleopatra's nose theory of history which holds that, had Cleo's nose been a quarter of an inch longer (or had she looked a little less like Elizabeth Taylor), Julius Caesar and Mark Antony might not have been so beguiled by her and the entire course of Western civilization thus altered. Perhaps, but however ridiculous such idle speculations might seem, there is no doubt that history does indeed often turn on whims of chance. Shaara performs one extremely vital service for those who are interested in history -- he makes it live.
1534977
CLOTHAR THE FRANK, the 6th novel in Jack Whyte's extended series THE CAMULOD CHRONICLES, steps back from Dark Ages England and moves across the channel into post-Roman Gaul to provide an imaginative, extraordinarily detailed, historical back story to the birth, education and development of Lancelot.

Many reviewers complained bitterly that this novel was long-winded and completely failed to advance the story of the King Arthur legend. In a sense, I agree totally. But I'd also suggest to these readers that, if they relaxed and simply accepted the book on its stand-alone merits, they would realize that this, far from being a weakness, is, in fact, its strength and virtue. This is a side bar to the Arthurian legend, something intended to fill in the blanks as it were. The dust flap tell it quite simply ... "Clothar's story is the story of Lancelot - his past, his loves, his loyalty and his role as King Arthur's friend and betrayer".

CLOTHAR THE FRANK is the exciting story of a wealthy family's life in Gaul. Clothar, raised and educated by a saintly Catholic bishop, learns that he is the son of a local king. An exceptionally well-rounded education allows him to step into the role of soldier, leader and a warrior and to accept his role in a bloody internecine civil war. We learn of the reasons behind Clothar's voyage to a dark ages England, besieged by the savage Saxons and Danes after the departure of the Roman legions, where Arthur has yet to be crowned as the High King. As with any good historical fiction novel, CLOTHAR THE FRANK provides plenty of realistic period atmosphere and colour.

I couldn't help but smile at the final scene in which Clothar actually meets the newly crowned King Arthur for the first time. I'm pretty sure that Jack Whyte had dreamed about Robin Hood and Little John the night before he penned the details of this particular chapter. See if you don't agree! A highly recommended addition to any historical fiction lover's library.

Paul Weiss
3357237
Bernard Cornwell is a master of historical fiction.  As with Agincourt, Warlord chronicles and the last kingdom, I could not put this book down.  This novel is not the period setting story detailed in the above mentioned books rather it follows the exploits of a great soldier in the exciting battles by the british in India.  As with all Cornwells books it is set in a wonderfully adventurous time period, relaying historically interesting periods of war hungry rulers on groups of amazingly strong people.  A little slow starting but stay with it , you will be rewarded.  Editing errors are unexcusable as noted in previous reviews.
217213
Now that I've read The Iron Lance and Avalon, I thought I'd stop in and read the reviews on Byzantium (I previously reviewed this book on July 27, 1997, but since they are now refering to me only as "a reader" I  felt entitled to say something else).  I was surprised by a few (to say the  least).  I honestly think Byzantium is Lawhead's best book ever.  I loved  Avalon, but it still didn't pass Byzantium as my all time favorite.  If you  like historical fiction or just want an excellent story with extremely well  developed characters - this is the book for you.  The important thing is to  read the book with an open heart for the powerful message that is  portrayed.  It is a true story of redemption.  I think one of the reasons I  loved the book so much is I felt a kinship with the main character, Aidan,  unlike I have with any other fictional character.  After you read this,  read the Celtic Crusade books, beginning with The Iron Lance.  These  continue the story and you'll see what happened to Byzantium a few hundred  years later.  Happy reading!