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Sword Song (Alfred the Great 4)

Author: Bernard Cornwell
Publisher: Harper
Category: Book

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

7 reviews
Sales Rank: 252

Media: Paperback
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5 x 1.1

ISBN: 0007219733
EAN: 9780007219735
ASIN: 0007219733

Publication Date: May 6, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
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Also Available In:

•	Hardcover - Sword Song: The Battle for London (Saxon Tales)
•	Paperback - Sword Song: The Battle for London

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Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

History lessons you don't fall asleep during! July 5, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Well I'll get all the negative stuff out of the way first! Uhtred really is just a dark ages 'Sharpe' he even has an Irish side kick now and whilst Sharpe was loathed as a commoner amongst upper class twit fellow officers, Uhtred is loathed because he is a pagan amongst pious preachy christians!

That said for many years I loved Sharpe! and likewise I am loving Uhtred and the Saxons, a major part of our national history largely ignored till now! Romans and vikings by the score, Saxons, hardly any!.

Back to the book it's architypical Cornwell. Our hero is unloved by his masters, out numbered by his foe's but backed up by his savage comrades. Yes we've seen it a hundred times before from Cornwell but it is such a winning formula and he does it probably better than anyone. Also I like the stories being told from the first person perspective by Uhtred himself as you really feel like you are in the heart of the action.

This book starts with the re-taking of London from the Danes an actual event but then takes a sharp left down imagination lane to put Uhtred in a daring rescue bid. As with most Cornwell stories the action is compelling gritty and believable, the book is fast paced though perhaps a hundred pages short of what we normally expect of him.

We are promised more Uhtred action shortley by the author and I'll no doubt be there with my credit card though I hope he doesn't over do it as I felt he did with Sharpe as there are so many other great bits of history he can take us to but I have not quite had enough of Uhtred yet! So I'll be sharpening my battle axe for next time.

5 out of 5 stars

Sword Song (Alfred the Great 4) July 2, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

I do agree with Barks. When is the next one going to be published? This series of books throws some light on the Dark Ages amidst high adventure. Plenty of blood and gore and a superb story with some twists to keep the reader page turning.

3 out of 5 stars

Great series - not a great book June 25, 2008
I was really looking forward to this book after the first 2 complete belters in the series and a good 3rd. However, im sad to say i was let down. Uhtred is an awesome character but this story does drag on. Im sure this is not the case but i feel the book was released too quickly to continue the story and not as much care and attention went into it as in the first 2 books in the series. There are some cool bits dont get me wrong - the last battle to release the river blockade is pretty cool and Uhtred beating up a few power hungry king boot lickers (along with a few priests!! :) but the rest is a bit boring. Too much emphasis on religion. I know religion was important during this period but this is historic fiction so mention religion a bit but put in more battles, please. I started The Winter King for the 2nd time(the awesome arthur book by the great Cornwell) after and that is the sort of quality this book is missing. Shame - the series is getting worse book by book - lets hope the 5th gets back to the standard of the 1st 2.

5 out of 5 stars

yet another great book June 12, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

number 4 in the series, but they just get better and better. I even bought the same book again, when I forgot to bring my copy on my travels - I just could not wait to continue the reading. look forward to the next one!

5 out of 5 stars

Quality action June 8, 2008
Cornwell does it again, if you've been following the Uthred series and like what you've read then this will not disappoint, written with Cornwells usual flare for historic fiction and battle scenes it is well worth picking up a copy.