Helpful Score: 3
For the Sharpe novels, Bernard Cornwell has a magically simple and effective formula. As he describes it, "If the plot is getting dull, all I have to do is wheel on forty thousand Frogs and mow them down - everyone's happy again!"
His fans will be very happy with "Agincourt", which is rarely dull and has no shortage of Frog-slaughtering. I prefer it to the Sharpe novels mainly because of his characterization of Henry V. The king's motives are more intelligible and plausible here than in the jingoistic dramas of the English playwright whose name escapes me. But the protagonist Nicholas Hook leaves something to be desired and there a few too many fetishistic descriptions of armor for my taste. All in all, this is the best Cornwell I've read.
His fans will be very happy with "Agincourt", which is rarely dull and has no shortage of Frog-slaughtering. I prefer it to the Sharpe novels mainly because of his characterization of Henry V. The king's motives are more intelligible and plausible here than in the jingoistic dramas of the English playwright whose name escapes me. But the protagonist Nicholas Hook leaves something to be desired and there a few too many fetishistic descriptions of armor for my taste. All in all, this is the best Cornwell I've read.
Helpful Score: 1
A wonderful read. One of Cornwells best books to date. This book is gripping from the first page and never lets up the whole time. I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in historical fiction!
Helpful Score: 1
"Agincourt" is one of the most famous battles in British history. Cornwell renders it as a very interesting and enjoyable story, this is a adventure, not a history book!
This is a stand-alone novel that follows the campaign of Henry V as he seeks to claim the the throne of France. It is told from the point of view of the archer and outlaw, Nicholas Hook.
The story follows Hook from his home in England, to the disaster at Soissons, to the protracted siege of Harfleur, and finally to the killing fields of Agincourt on a muddy October morning in 1415.
For a stand-alone novel by Cornwell, the character development is good, the action is typically gory, and the descriptions of armor, tactics, and weapons are sufficient almost to the point of excess. I enjoyed the portrayal of Henry V and found Hook to be a worthy character to follow on this journey.
In all, this is an easy win for fans of Cornwell and one that I would quickly recommend.
The story follows Hook from his home in England, to the disaster at Soissons, to the protracted siege of Harfleur, and finally to the killing fields of Agincourt on a muddy October morning in 1415.
For a stand-alone novel by Cornwell, the character development is good, the action is typically gory, and the descriptions of armor, tactics, and weapons are sufficient almost to the point of excess. I enjoyed the portrayal of Henry V and found Hook to be a worthy character to follow on this journey.
In all, this is an easy win for fans of Cornwell and one that I would quickly recommend.
As with all other Bernard Cornwell books this one was supremely interesting. As usual this one gave historical information to better understand the story.
excellent....fun and with enough history in it to make it an inadvertant history lesson. :)
