Reading Recommendation

[kevininpdx]

Hey all, I just wanted to alert any fans of historical fiction that I read a fantastic book.

Son of Blood: Crusades book 1 by Jack Ludlow.

The best piece of medieval historical fiction I've ever read.

It's about Bohemond de Hauteville. I highly recommend it. Especially if you have knowledge of Norman activity in the Mediterranean and the events leading up to the first crusade.

 

[peedee]

Hi Kevin,
I agree they are great,

Try the earlier books that start with William d'Hautville,

These cover the earlier conquest of Naples and Sicily the Duke of Padua's disputes with the Holy Roman Emperor and how they grew to such power that Bohemond led the Crusade, terrific narrative.

I love this sort of book where true history is novelised
it should have it's own category or genre as 'Faction'

Paul

 

[kevininpdx]

Good look peedee . I'm going to finish this series and go on to the one you recommend. Finished book 1 in two days...couldn't put it down.

 

[peedee]

Me same !
Enjoy
Paul

 

[ChaosCossack]

I've read this series as well. Fantastic!!!! Not even my usual period of interest but I flew through the series in one week of afternoon shifts


If I may throw in a recommendation of my own... Iain Gale's series starring the character Captain Jack Steel (and his faithful Sgt Jacob Slaughter). Cheesy names aside, these are pretty entertaining books from the author of "Four Days in June". Capt Steel leads a British (Scots) Grenadier company through the campaigns of Marlborough's Allied army. The first two I read cover the battles of Blenhiem and Rameilles and the siege of Ostend.

If you like the Sharpe series, you'll like these books.

Just my thoughts

Colin

 

[MalcC]

Kevin

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll be downloading on my kindle.

Malc

 

[billyturnip]

Cheers for those, I can't get enough book recommendations.

Not military but great historical detective fiction are the Viennese mysteries by J Sydney Jones set in Vienna c.1900. In a similar vein are the books by Frank Tallis.

 

[peedee]

Kevin you may be sorry/delighted you began this thread.....

Allan Mallinson's series of Matthew Hervey Light Dragoon, stating in the Peninsular and on through Burma indian etc through a series of 12 novels so far, list link:-
https://www.goodreads.com/series/41962-matthew-hervey

The adventures of Simon Fonthil and Jenkins 352 from Rorkes drift through the African Wars in 10 books
List link:-
https://www.goodreads.com/series/42756-simon-fonthill

Bernard Cornwells pagan series of Utred of Beramburgh, stories of the Dark ages, from Alfred the great on through Canute and Ethelred.
The warrior chronicles
List link:-
http://www.bernardcornwell.net/series/the-saxon-stories/
He's also done an Arthurian trilogy.
Enjoy.
Paul

 

[chippy]

Hi kevininpdk I totally agree with peedee about reading the earlier books about the d'Hautville . they are truly worth the time reading . The best book I have ever read is The Religion by Tim Willocks about the siege of Malta in 1565 when 700 knights of St. John plus around 8,000 locals help out against over 45,000 troops of the Turkish Empire . The battle scenes are so well written that they leave you as exhausted as the characters in the book . Something you can't put down until you read the final page .
If your into Greek history I would highly recommend the Trojan trilogy by Glynn Iliffe starting with The King of Ithaca . Greece is a country in turmoil, divided by feuding kingdoms desiring wealth, power and revenge.

When Eperitus, a young exiled soldier, comes to the aid of a group of warriors in battle, little does he know that it will be the start of an incredible adventure. For he is about to join the charismatic Odysseus, Prince of Ithaca, on a vital quest to save his homeland.

Odysseus travels to Sparta to join the most famous heroes of the time in paying suit to the sensuous Helen. Armed with nothing but his wits and intelligence, he must enter a treacherous world of warfare and politics to compete for the greatest prize in Greece. But few care for the problems of an impoverished prince when war with Troy is beckoning . . .

An epic saga set in one of the most dramatic periods of history, King of Ithaca is a voyage of discovery of one man’s journey to become a King – and a legend. Fallowed by The Gates of Troy and Armour off Achilles .
I get all my books from the local Libray ( my wife works there first dibbs on the new books ) but this is one series of books I will buy as I know I will want to read them time and time again .
I really think it's time we had a book section on this site that would include fiction and no fiction . Books are not a cheap deal anymore and it would be good to hear what other folks have to say .
chippy

 

[peedee]

Hi kevininpdk I totally agree with peedee about reading the earlier books about the d'Hautville . they are truly worth the time reading . The best book I have ever read is The Religion by Tim Willocks about the siege of Malta in 1565 when 700 knights of St. John plus around 8,000 locals help out against over 45,000 troops of the Turkish Empire . The battle scenes are so well written that they leave you as exhausted as the characters in the book....

So kind of you to agree mate.
Try also
John Harris:- 'covenant with death', fictional sheffield pals battalion from signing on to the survivors return from the somme front line in 1916.
I have just reiread 'the religion' by the way
For ancient history :-
Massimo manfredi's books 'Spartan' and 'Tyrant' stand out from his others as noteworthy.
Phillipa gregory's books of the cousins wars (wars of the roses) tell the same story from a number of perspectives.
Proving to my mind that Elizabeth woodville, margaret beauchamp the daughters of warwick have probably been far more
influential in the history of this country than have been credited with

 

[ChaosCossack]

Also good, Conn Iggulian (I probably buggered the spelling) did two great series, one set in Rome following some major players including a youthful Julius Caesar and another following the great Khan from childhood through death and on to his children and grandchildren... from the Mongolian steppe to China, Persia, and eastern Europe.

Epic reading

Colin

 

[theBaron]

I'm in the middle of William Forstchen's "Lost Regiment" series, military sci-fi. I'm finding it an entertaining series.

Prost!
Brad

 

[DEL]

Currently re-reading Burton: Sir Richard Francis Burton by Byron Farwell.
First read this about 20 years ago and have since read other less sympathetic assessments of the man. It's proving fascinating to add the additional information into the text of this book.
Whether you're a fan of him or not there can't be many lives that would make a brilliant series like his would ........ Indiana Jones an also ran.

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

When I was a teenager I read 'Fiction',.. However, once I got a taste of 'History', and factual stuff. I simply could not read 'Fiction'. This applies to the present moment. I just can't read this stuff.

I do have some good reading suggestions, however these are factual!

Regards,

Mark

 

[peedee]

When I was a teenager I read 'Fiction',.. However, once I got a taste of 'History', and factual stuff. I simply could not read 'Fiction'. This applies to the present moment. I just can't read this stuff.
I do have some good reading suggestions, however these are factual!
Regards,Mark

Thanks for 'sending me the list mark',
I know you won't mind if I post it here for the group to share.

http://www.backyardnature.net/amazon/squirrl$.htm.
Paul

 

[Tubby-Nuts2]

Paul,

Let me finish the 1995's, 7th edition of 'Razzle', and then I will catch up with things! .. One needs to fully absorb history, and comprehend the visuals that are depicted.

Otherwise this is a fantastic read, without it being overtly heavy!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Victory-East-Military-History-Crusade/dp/0521589878

Mark

 

[peedee]

Paul,

Let me finish the 1995's, 7th edition of 'Razzle', and then I will catch up with things! .. One needs to fully absorb history, and comprehend the visuals that are depicted.








Otherwise this is a fantastic read, without it being overtly heavy!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Victory-East-Military-History-Crusade/dp/0521589878Mark

P

 

[kevininpdx]

While we're on the subject of crusader history I can't say enough good things about God's War : A New History of the Crusaders by Christopher Tyerman. It's the most complete book on the subject. Very thorough. Covers all crusades including offshoots like the northern and Albigensian crusades and etc.

 

[peedee]

While we're on the subject of crusader history I can't say enough good things about God's War : A New History of the Crusaders by Christopher Tyerman. It's the most complete book on the subject. Very thorough. Covers all crusades including offshoots like the northern and Albigensian crusades and etc.

I shall look closer at that 'un Kevin
Thanks for sharing
Paul

 

[kevininpdx]

I shall look closer at that 'un Kevin
Thanks for sharing
Paul

It's a beefy good read.