Sword Song (The Saxon Chronicles, Book 4) Reviews

• "Doom [Judge] very evenly! Do not doom one doom to the rich; another to the poor....,

  
  By A37GRFP6VMUXKT on 2008-01-27
  
  "...Nor doom one doom to your friend; another to your foe!" King Alfred in the Doom Book or Code of Alfred.
  
  Bernard Cornwell has given us another smashing tale of war and love from 9th century "England". The year is 885 CE and King Alfred of Wessex struggles to consolidate his control of the Saxon lands as defined in the treaty with Guthrum that divided the island between Saxon and the Danelaw.
  
  Cornwell's once again uses the narrative voice of Lord Uhtred of Bebbanburg as he reflects on his life in extreme old age (probably around 940 CE). Uhtred, now 25, is a Saxon raised as a Dane, pagan serving a most Christian king. Uhtred worships the old Norse gods and looks forward to long days of battle and nights of song, drink, and women at Odin's Death Hall (Valhalla). In Uhtred's eyes, Alfred worships the `Christian nailed god', a god who fences men in with laws and rules so limiting that a man is not allowed to lust after his neighbor's wife!
  
  Alfred needs Uhtred because as Lincoln said of Grant, `he fights' and exceedingly well. Alfred seeks to reclaim Mercian Lundene (London) and that battle forms the centerpiece of the first half of the book. The latter half centers on battles on the lower Temes (Thames) at Beamfleot (Benfleet), including some crashing marine assaults. Sword Song does not lack for ringing swords, shield walls, smashed skulls, splintered oars, battle fear and death - and also broken hearts.
  
  Uhtred requires assistance and Cornwell supplies with him familiar friends from earlier volumes: Steapa, the warrior priest Pyrlig, and most necessary of all, Uhtred's wife Gisela.
  
  Uhtred is a simple man, violent in battle, bound by his sense of honor, an esteemed and rightly feared warrior, and a loving and loved husband. Gisela and Uhtred have a relationship that struck this reader as perhaps a bit too modern in its mutual respect.
  
  Uhtred never seems to be fighting for his own interests. He longs to return and take Bebbanburg in Northumbria, but cannot or will not break his oath to Alfred. (One hopes that Cornwell will keep the Saxon stories going until Uhtred fights that battle.) The heroic Uhtred is offset by Alfred's son-in-law Aethelred, a cowering and grasping little weasel who Alfred elevates to Earl of Mercia precisely because he wants a weak ruler there - Alfred's aim is to be King of the Anglo-Saxons, King of `England', a place that doesn't even exist yet. Aethelred also turns out to be a vicious husband. (By the way, Cornwell's Aethlered is based on an historical figure, but is not to be confused with the later Aethelred unfairly tagged the Unready.)
  
  Uhthred's worthy battle opponents are Danes with their pagan amulets (like his own), their shields and battle axes. He understands these Danes, respects them, is comfortable with them. Some of the Danes do prove to be a bit treacherous, but what do you expect from a bunch of 9th century pagan warriors?!
  
  Cornwell's historical note admits that he has probably been very unfair to Aethelred. The fact is the historical record for this era is thin indeed. Cornwell's telling captures a plausible feel for the era, mostly limited to the perspective of a warrior lord. A small quibble: The image on the book cover shows warriors heaving lighted spears from a broken stone bridge over the Temes, an image unsupported by the historical record in at least one detail. The first stone bridge over the Thames at London was not completed until the early 14th century.
  
  Cornwell might have explored why the Christian god with all his rules and restrictions had broader appeal than the free-spirited Norse gods. Indeed, Alfred's Christian religion eventually prevailed more effectively than warfare in uniting England. Why? Was this because the nailed god's church offered some salvation to every man whereas the Norse gods really only appealed to the warrior class? Or that the Christian church had organized proselytizers? The nailed god seems to have not only demanded more, but also offered more and to more people than Odin.
  
  Sword Song is a compact, exhilarating tale of historical adventure that entertains a lot, informs a little, and won't overtax your noggin. Stoke the fire in your hearth and settle in for a good story. A fine addition to the Saxon Stories and Cornwell promises that "Uhtred and his story will continue."
  
  
  

• ' I was death come from the morning.'

  
  By A1DYMH30TSRONY on 2008-03-20
  'Sword Song' is set in a 9th century England divided between the Saxon kingdom of Wessex in the south and the Danish kingdom of the north.
  
  As in the preceding three novels, Uhtred dominates this story. While his heroic actions are generally physical, his capacity to analyse situations and act quickly endow him with some very attractive leadership qualities. I enjoy the action in these novels and while I have a different mental picture of Alfred the Great, I can accept the picture as painted through Uhtred's eyes.
  
  These are good novels in an historical setting, and breathe life into a time long past.
  
  Highly recommended.
  
  Jennifer Cameron-Smith
  
  Note: this review was first posted for the hardcover edition on 26/11/2007
  
  
  

• The Chronicles of Uhtred

  
  By ALCTVUGB5WZG1 on 2008-01-30
  Having flown through the preceding books in this series, I was delighted to find this latest work available before leaving for a trip. No spoilers, here, but this volume continues the tale of Uhtred, the half-Saxon, half-Danish warrior who reluctantly serves at the behest of Alfred, King of Wessex, known to us as "Alfred the Great."
  
  Cornwell's command of a relatively little-known period of British history is excellent and more importantly, entirely plausible. His characterizations are rich in detail and well-drawn. Cornwell's development and exposition throughout the series of Alfred the Great is compelling, putting flesh on the bones of a monarch who is mostly the stuff of legends.
  
  Cornwell has found his personal "medium," in the character of Uhtred who, while appropriately grim for a warrior, has a certain sardonic sense of humor and a penchant for pointed social commentary. Cornwell's idea of creating Uhtred as a "pagan" instead of a Christian is brilliant and allows us a far more insightful hero than what might otherwise have been the case.
  
  The narrative is clear and concise, and we are easily able to follow what the characters are doing, where and why.
  
  Altogether an excellent novel by one of the masters of the craft.
  
  
  

• Bravo!

  
  By A3ENIIFEXFJUWZ on 2008-01-23
  Once again Cornwell proves he's the best of the historial fiction writers living today!
  
  He really brings to life the times, the places, and most of all the people.
  
  It's funny that the main characters aren't always likeable, but they are vividly real.
  
  No one else can create such vivid feelings and emotions just from reading the words as Cornwell does!
  
  Bravo!
  
  

• Uhtred is 1 of the GREATEST literary figures ever created!

  
  By A3UT4044358ZEX on 2008-02-06
  The Saxon Chronicles, panned from the outset as Cornwell trying to return to his British roots, has proven to be a juggernaut that cannot be stopped by bad and, in this case, off-base, press reviews.
  
  Book 4, 'Sword Song: The Battle for London', continues the story of Lord Uhtred, Saxon born, Dane raised, sworn man of King Alfred the great. In this installment, Uhtred fights to take London back from the invading Northemen, the Vikings. Uhtred, who loves the Vikings far more than he cares for the Christian religion of the king he is continually sworn to serve, now must fight to take back London and to save Alfred, and his family, from defeat at the hands of the Norse invaders.
  
  This book, beginning in the year 885, probably doesn't see the end of 886 before the final page is turned. Unlike the first 3 offerings in this series, this book covers a very short period of time, perhaps 6-8 months. It is a fast moving, blood-letting adventure as Uhtred overtakes Danish controlled London whilst his estranged cousin, Aethelred, marries King Alfred's daughter, Aethelflaed, in search of a kingdom of his own. Uhtred is ordered to produce that kingdom as a gift to the newly married couple. Aetheflaed, a young woman whom Uhtred has known and loved as a daughter since she was a child, marries Uhtred's cousin, Aethelred, a man who Uhtred respects little and whom Uhtred, thanks to Alfred's order, owes much; begining with the city of London.
  
  As we again hear Uhtred continue the story of his service to Alfred (All of the books in this series are told in first person), we find that a dead Dane skald (poet) is rising from his grave and announcing that Uhtred is to be King of Mercia. Uhtred witnesses this dead rising and follows the corpses instruction to meet with the Danish attackers who want to take the Saxon lands, present day England. Uhtred obeys the skald and travels to the Danish stronghold in London to meet 2 brothers, Erik and Sigefrid Thirgilson, and Haesten, a man who Uhtred once saved and who owed Uhtred an oath, which had been broken. Uhtred, if nothing else, is a man of his word, but he is tempted by the prophecy of the dead skald. He was tempted by the opportunity to fight along side the Northmen that he loved. He was desirous of seeing Alfred dethroned for he hated the pious nature of the king.
  
  Thus begins our journey with Uhtred. A journey that will lead to the battle for London, another war with the Danes, and a twist of fate (as Uhtred repeats throughout the book, 'Fate is inexorable') that will test Uhtred's oath like no other test has in his past.
  
  Uhtred is one of the greatest characters ever written. He was born a Saxon and rightfully the Lord of Bebbanburg, a county in Northumbria, a part of Saxon England. That birthright was stolen from him by his treacherous uncle earlier in the series. Uhtred longs to regain his birthright but, being a man of his word, he continues to fight for Alfred, and continually waits for his opportunity to return to Bebbanburg and avenge the loss of his birthright.
  
  This book, unlike 'Lords of the North', book 3 in the series, returns to the gory battle and grisly action of the first 2 installments ('The Last Kingdom' & 'The Pale Horseman'). 'Lords of the North' was as excellent as the other books in this series, but it lacked the battles and the carnage of the first 2 books and this latest installment; 'Lords' was still an excellent book and I recommend that each be read to truly appreciate and understand Uhtred's story.
  
  Thankfully, the end of this book is not the end of Uhtred's tale. Cornwell has promised more works about the displaced warrior. With all hope, I can only wait for the Saxon Chronicles to grow to a library the size of which Cornwell has grown his 'Sharpe' series. A continued focus on this man and his adventures in establishing England for Alfred is deserving of at least a large fraction of the number of books produced on Sharpe.
  
  If fate is inexorable, I hope against hope that Cornwell will be fated to continue to write Uhtred's tale for many years to come. There is no greater fictional warrior that I can think of that is deserving of a library of books.
  
  If you have read the first three books of this series, buy this immediately. If you haven't read the Saxon Chronicles, I strongly recommend that you start from the beginning (1}'The Last Kingdom', 2}'The Pale Horseman', 3}'Lords of the North', 4}'Sword Song') and read all of the books in this series. Cornwell is the master of historical fiction and, with this latest installment, has proven that he continues to excel. But, as great as this book is, don't skip to book 4; read the entire series. I demand that you read the entire series!
  
  Highly recommended to anyone that enjoys Viking, Anglo-Saxon, or medieval/dark ages history or historical fiction.
  
  THIS ENTIRE SERIES IS PHENOMENAL!!!
  
  
• Tame & Bland
  By A1CP75N61T0ZYY on 2008-02-23
  Having read the exciting and highly addictive "The Last Kingdom", "The Pale Horseman", and "Lords of the North", I was eager to read the next installment, the beautifully titled "Sword Song". Initially (for me and a few friends of mine) the book was difficult to get into as the author didn't seem to give much thought into drawing his reader into the story. Since he's such a good writer, I could forgive him that, but overall I found the story tame, rather on the bland side, and definately disappointing. In the first three books the story moved well taking different paths with many unexpected surprises, but "Sword Song" seemed to take one long road with few variations. And I kept looking for Lord Ragnar! So I was disappointed, but that's not to say I won't buy the next installment.
  
  
  
  
• Cornwell continues mastery
  By A2XCM3TUQ0FWXI on 2008-01-23
  Uhtred's continued tale is exceptional in the writing world. Cornwell definitely comes through with this fourth installment in the Saxon Chronicles. Overall probably a 4.5/5. Read immediately if you are by any means a fan of Cornwell and especially if you are a fan of Uhtred.
  
  
• The series is beginning to get irritating
  By A2FWC4WGAZ9Z78 on 2008-04-24
  I read all of the previous books in this series. I enjoyed the first one, the second one less and so on. As an optimist, I had hopes for this one.
  
  I am used to the formulas in this genre (e.g. all prophecies are true) but not when they are overdone as they are in this series. Of course all of the villains are disreputable with no redeeming qualities.
  
  The main character is a bit of a dim bulb. The difficulty is that he does not appear to learn as he ages from book to book.
  
  
  
  
• Another WINNER by Bernard Cornwell!!
  By A1V8P4OJ3N637L on 2008-02-19
  This fourth in the "Saxon Chronicles" series by Mr. Cornwell is outstanding! As are all of his books in this series. I wish there were more writers out there who could take us back to little known periods in the past and bring them to life in historical fiction with the skill that Mr. Cornwell puts into each book in this series. I've read all four of his books (The Last Kingdom, The Pale Horseman, The Lords of the North, and Sword Song) TWICE! These books are just wonderfully entertaining and captures the very essence of life (and death) during the period as the "Dark Ages" come to an end. I anxiously await Mr. Cornwell's next book in this series! In a word, I'm hooked. You will be too, if you like exciting, true to life historical fiction!
  
  
• Uthred, go your own way
  By A1YNOYRG1GFCEZ on 2008-02-26
  I've read - of course - all previous parts of the Saxon Chronicles. And hardly I've ever read a more exciting story. The history of Uthred goes up and down like no one can imagine. And so this brave and smart warrior, which has sworn an oath to King Alfred, is getting behind his expectations - and is frustrated by Alfreds decisions again and again. Although the book is written in the same exciting way like the other three, it is hard to believe why Uthred just not runs away from Alfred and does his business at Bebbanburg, with Ragnars help. Maybe in Book 4 (but please, then!!)
  Result: still a good book, but the weakiest of the 4.
  
  
• Uhtred is Inexorable
  By A265NE6H6LYX87 on 2008-03-20
  Fate is Inexorable. Cornwell repeats this phrase throughout this novel; it's one of the driving themes behind all the tales in the series. And if Fate is indeed inexorable, then our hero, Uhtred, is a perfect example of a man who could easily be described in the same terms. Uhtred follows his own conscience, and he refuses to give in in the face of defeat. He is a force of nature, exasperating and determined, and always ready for a fight.
  
  The fourth novel in the series, Sword Song follows Uhtred as he renews his oath to King Alfred, thus ensuring that Uhtred will defend Lundene (London) from the Vikings. Uhtred is definitely torn in his loyalties, but ultimately he realizes that his word is binding and he must help his baleful cousin Ethelred secure the city. Meanwhile, Uhtred worries over both his wife, Gisela, who is pregnant, and Ethelflaed, the young daughter of Alfred who has married the arrogant Ethelred. The fight scenes are plentiful and gory, and the story is enlivened with the elderly Uhtred's ruminations on the events that took place long ago.
  
  While not quite as intense or thrilling as the previous two novels, Sword Song is a well-built action novel that ultimately has a humanistic core. Uhtred is one of the better heroes in historical fiction today; always true to himself and his ideals, sarcastic and hot-headed, a man to be counted on. I will be eagerly awaiting the next entry in this excellent series.
  
  
• Boyish fantasy set in dark age England...
  By A1QJZA2FF8H07P on 2008-04-25
  This book is good if you want to read about a little adventure and learn a little about the history of the beginning of England. For that purpose it serves fairly well. However, the adventure is slowed by the somewhat useless and book padding parts of the story like that of Bjorn.
  Also, the historical depiction of Vikings and Christians is laughable sometimes. I have no doubt that there were plenty of corrupt Christians in the dark ages. Actually, I have no doubt most people were corrupt back then as they are today. That is why the one point in this book that actually made me laugh out loud was with Cornwell's depiction of Vikings getting upset over a man who beats his wife. These would be the Vikings that sacrifice women on the funeral pyres of warriors which though a common ceremony considering first hand historical texts (see Eaters of the Dead) never gets mentioned by Cornwell. Hmmm, interesting. This common ceremony is never mentioned in a book (or series of four books) filled with Vikings while a little known ceremony from Numbers is included. This Numbers ceremony again has the Viking-at-heart protagonist saving the woman's honor from those evil Christians. It was laughable. And the whole story of the ceremony was another boring, clichéd, boyish, and useless fantasy. It's something that you daydream up when you are a 14 year old experiencing puppy love. I don't know, maybe Cornwell was molested by a priest as a kid and this serves as therapy where he imagines himself standing up for the innocent defenseless child against the evil priests. Certainly not the highpoint of the series.
  The battles and adventure that were found here were fun. Although the climatic battle was confused to say the least. Not quite sure how men maneuver so well on boats.
  Ultred's cousin is so typical for Cornwell. We've seen this character before with many different names and its annoying/boring to see him again.
  All in all, Cornwell has stuck to his "two major battles per book" formula from the Warlord chronicles but has trimmed the battles, kept the adventure and made up the rest with more than the usual amount of useless dialog, thoughts, and stories. I think Cornwell has cut back on the repetition that was so over the top in earlier books. Although, it may be that I simply have grown use to skipping repetitive parts without even thinking about it.
  A decent read.
  
  
• The Historic Epics Continues!
  By A64JIE58WWKAC on 2008-01-30
  "Sword Song" is the fourth book in the epic series by Bernard Cornwell telling the amazing story of King Alfred, through the eyes, deeds, and fighting of Uhtred. Sword Song opens up a few years after the "Lords of the North." The year is 885, and there has been an uneasy peace declared between the Danes of the North, and the English of the south, Wessex. The city dividing them: London. Uhtred, his desire ever so much to go home, has been given the daunting task of protecting London and the Thames from the vikings (what the Danes are called when they pillage).
  
  Sword Song is action and story packed from the first page. Alfred has great plans for the island of England, but all while new threats emerge from the north, and Alfred's daughter has been kidnapped. Uhtred has been tasked, charged with, rescuing her, all while Alfred's kingdom is on the verge of collapse.
  
  While "Sword Song" is of the 4 novels the least historically accurate, the times, the places, the people, the settings are all real, and we are given a clear picture in our heads just what it was like to live back then. The war which started as "pagans" vs the follows of the "White Christ," has begun to change as the people are now living co-existing together. Bernard Cornwell does a superb job of retelling the times. While the story mainly focuses on Uhtred and his story, Mr. Cornwell never steers far from the stories true hero, Alfred. We begin to see that Alfred does have great ambition, and starts to take on the persona that we know of him today, Alfred the Great.
  
  Sword Song is a fully packed story, and not to be put down. I am looking forward to the next installment!
  
  
• The Fourth Book in the series is another winner!
  By A2XTU4XEEA2S77 on 2008-02-02
  Should you buy the book? Will you like the book?
  
  If you've read the first three, it's a no-brainer because Bernard Cornwell delivers in Sword Song another entertaining, historically oriented adventure story. You know you're going to like it.
  
  My wife, not a reader of this genre, picked up the book as soon as I finished it and she loved it. She commented on how much she enjoyed Mr. Cornwell's writing style, the way he told the story and how he grabbed her from the first page.
  
  
  
  
• This series just keeps getting better!!!
  By A1DBEVPAHXYMQX on 2008-02-19
  Short review: Bernard Cornwell is an amazing writer. His Saxon Chronicles Series is amazingly detailed, each book being the perfect length: not too long, not too short, and enjoyable for a very broad range of ages. I am a fan of Robert Jordan and Tad Williams, so I wouldn't mind seeing them twice as long, but I understand why he leaves them the length that he does :).
  
  
• Good, but not his best
  By A2N7QLQ0EPKFLS on 2008-02-22
  Hey this was the fourth book in Saxon Chronicles and it was good, but not as good as the first three. Still it was worth the read, and would recomend it, but read the first three before you judge this one.
  
  
• I am Uhtred of Bebbanburg!
  By A2LH48K06V33QB on 2008-03-01
  The 4th book flows rightfully so from the last three without a miss. And Lord Uhtred continues to be the embattled hero Alfred the Great can rely on for getting things done. Pragmatic, intuitive, mature! Uhtred is a dynamic and engaging character that grows on you. He is wary of his skills and uses them intelligently. Uhtred is so plausible and convincing as a real historical figure because Cornwell has creatively devised in each book a way to take Uhtred out of the annals of history. It seems he was alive and real-just not credited!(Like the character "Forrest Gump", Lord Uhtred of Bebbanburg is everywhere partaking significantly in causing major shifts in history, however, he is never given any accolades for his facilitation or faculties!)
  
  Sword SongSword Song (The Saxon Chronicles, Book 4) is about the re-taking of London sometime in 885-6 from the grasp of some overzealous Danes. It is ripped with graphic details of war, its horrors and effects, indulgent on the specifics of tools, weapons, standards and technology of the era, and acutely effective in employing generous descriptions of the location during those past times.
  
  Cornwell is scrupulous and clever in utilizing characters. The noted emergence of AEthelflaed into the storyline is helpful in transforming her from a curious youth to a stronger more open-minded woman. AEthelred's own intertwining is resourceful and a crafty use of a little known historical entity. Haesten is back too; one of the many lives touched significantly by our unwilling Uhtred.
  
  The plot is tidy, quick-witted and smooth. Its flows fast then gentle as if to give a breather than attacks vigorously again- just like the life of Alfred and Uhtred. The story grabs and fulfills, leaving little unsaid or turned to questioning. In fact, your next action is to be curious and research these people, this era, these circumstances. Cornwell keeps getting better by delightfully enhancing his narrative to include the unanticipated (a true Romeo and Juliet type tragedy in a subplot) and by being unrestricted in his inventiveness [taking into account to remind us this is fiction and his world]. In so doing, he conquers new audiences whom he would have never imagined read his books or watch the Sharpe's series Sharpe's Complete Collectionto become one his fervent followers ready to give him an A+!!!
  
  Another supererb write and pleasing read is Lords of The North.Lords of the North (The Saxon Chronicles Series #3)
  
  
• Honing of the Series' Sword
  By A24XW89X697UQH on 2008-03-28
  This latest addition to the Saxon Chronicles presents some changes to the earlier volumes. Uhtred, the pagan protagonist caught in a rising maelstrom of Christianity, is an older, more mature, Uhtred than the Viking raider of The Last Kingdom and The Pale Horsemen. We started to see the transition at the end of Cornwell's last book, but here it comes into full bloom. The primary impetus for the change is Uhtred's beloved pagan wife, Gisela and the children she bears him. Gisela is able to gentle him in a way that his earlier, Christian, lovers could not. The result is an Uhtred who is now more interested in preserving "hearth and home" than in raiding and plundering.
  
  Although there is still plenty of limb lopping, blood-spurting action as men hack at one another with sharp instruments from behind the shield-wall, the story begins to delve more heavily into spiritual and psychological issues that were only beginning to be developed by the end of Lords of the North. Uhtred continues share most of the pagan character's contempt for Christianity, which he sees as an overly regulatory religion that celebrates and encourages weakness. This is held out in mocking comparison to the Danes' free wheeling celebration of life and strength and the virtues that make a warrior of a man. This contempt is accelerated by the obvious hypocrisy he sees in self righteous, fat clergymen who seem to occupy the highest levels of the ecclesiastical hierarchy and the important places in King Alfred's court. Simultaneously, however, he has a grudging awe for the powerful magic of this new religion that is able to capture and entrance so many Danes and transform the pathetic cripple, Father Beocca, into a champion able to gently perform a feat no warrior can match at the end of Lords of the North.
  
  On the downside, Cornwell's writing style does not seem as sharp and crisp as previous volumes. Particularly, the author begins to rely on ridiculous adverbs to describe characters feelings, instead of just describing them. The writing style does however, give a good story in only 311 pages, and is very readable. Cornwell is an excellent choice, both for those looking for some light reading AND for those who don't fear being challenged in their thinking about the nature of faith, love, and hypocrisy.
  
  
• Cornwell is the best!
  By A2S8TXMO9YFPOE on 2008-07-01
  For those of you who have faithfully read the entire Sharpe series, and all the other series, you know full well that Bernard Cornwell is a master author who never fails to fully involve you in everything he writes. I've read other reviews about his books, and such carping, such trifling squabbles over insignificant details always amazes me. I have no trouble believing that any of those peole would ever read a book by anyone twice. "What for?" they would squeal. And that says it all.
  I simply want to say that I've always enjoyed anything I've ever read by Bernard Cornwell. His research is very impressive, his characters always completely credible, and as a plotter he has few equals. For those of you who enjoy finding an author who has a lot to offer, look no further. Here's to you, Bernard, may you continue to write for many years. And thank you for all the wonderful time I've spent with your books.
  
  
• Sword Song
  By A1C2ZU20WBAMIW on 2008-02-16
  Everything Bernard Cormwell writes is great. I have read all four of these books and each is better than the last.
  
  
• cornwell rocks
  By A3SE6NSFNFI0PP on 2008-02-22
  once again Bernard Cornwell transports us back in time, this book is excellent. i only wish it was longer. i can't wait til the next installment of the Saxon Chronicles
  
  
• too short
  By ASNT1WGBTMNMT on 2008-02-24
  excellent escape for history buffs, like all this series.all seem too short and too far between.
  
  
• Cornwell is still the master
  By A3MD802DW51TJ6 on 2008-02-24
  If you have read Cornwell, this is what you're used to. He brings history to life in a way that we can appreciate--soldiers making jokes before going into a battle where some of them are sure to die, etc. The only problem is that the book is too short. Read it in one day and have to wait another year or so for Cornwell to write his next book.
  
  
• Sword Song
  By A170R0N73T384M on 2008-02-25
  Another Super Saxon Tale. I can't wait for the next one... HURRY UP! :-)
  The Saxon tales are vividly writen with a warriors point of view. I will not be happy to finish this series.
  
  
• A historical action movie in print
  By A2K95GE4WQ2JWO on 2008-02-25
  Bernard does a great spin on this, and finally, like the Last Kingdom, he seems to have created more of an action movie script than just a historical fiction. Someone could actually shorten this thing and turn it into a movie Braveheart style.
  
  It starts out when a bloodthirsty attack of the Viking camp by Uhtred and shows that the Saxons have finally gotten their act together, going on an offensive rather than defensive. The kidnap of Princess Aenlaed and rather strange and ironic love affair between Aenflaed and the Viking lord (who apparently is a better dude than her own husband) is a twist in the tale I've never expected.
  
  Cornwell does an excellent job mixing actions such as a kidnap conspiracy with its strategic importance of how the Vikings could have won with ransom. Also, great to see Uhtred getting some of his dues and almost becoming king of Mercia. This is one heck of a book to read.
  
  
• Just as Uhtred's place is in the shield wall of battle, Cornwell's place is in his description of armed conflict
  By A2F6N60Z96CAJI on 2008-02-25
  I spent most of yesterday driving around central New Jersey, running a number of miscellaneous errands, and I was thinking that there isn't much place for a Viking in this modern world. None of the characters who populate Bernard Cornwell's Saxon tales --- the tireless men of the shield wall, the doughty warrior-priests, the crafty boatmasters --- would be able to do what I did that day, which was walk into Lowe's to get a new mailbox and pay for it with a Visa card. Vikings are all very well off in the pages of historical fiction, but the world of today requires a different skill set.
  
  Or so I thought. When I got home I did another un-Viking-like thing. I fired up the DVR and played the first episode of the new Ken Burns film on World War II. There was a mild-mannered gray-haired retiree explaining how he hunted Japanese soldiers on Bataan and didn't consider the day a success unless he had killed at least one. That's the appropriate Viking attitude for you, preserved down to this very day.
  
  SWORD SONG, the fourth installment in The Saxon Chronicles, finds our hero Uhtred faced with the very modern problem of a deadline. The half-ruined Roman town of Lundene has been occupied by a new wave of Danish invaders, seeking to capitalize on the divisions in the Saxon kingdoms of Britain. From Lundene, the Vikings can control trade on the Temes River and raid deep into the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia. Uhtred is --- however begrudgingly --- sworn to the service of Alfred, King of Wessex, and Alfred has decreed that his new son-in-law is to be the new ruler of Mercia. The Vikings must leave by the start of spring, or else.
  
  Although Uhtred is an utterly reliable and deadly warrior, he is ill-suited for the task at hand. For one thing, his sympathies lie toward the Danes, with whom he shares a religion and a fierce fighting spirit. The Danes have promised him the kingdom of Mercia if he will join them in overthrowing Alfred in Wessex, and they've put together a ruse to convince him that the Fates themselves are on their side. Not to mention that if Uhtred is victorious against the Danes, he is assured to get none of the credit or the spoils of battle.
  
  It would be wrong to say that SWORD SONG is a psychological novel, but it is one in which Uhtred spends a lot of time fretting --- specifically about the conflict between his oaths to Alfred and the fatalism of his philosophy. "Fate is inexorable," Uhtred reminds us --- maybe one too many times --- so how can a man bind his future conduct with an oath if fate decrees otherwise, especially if his oath binds him to a near-suicidal river-borne assault against a Viking shield wall?
  
  And, of course, there's no way that Uhtred would back down from a challenge like that, just like there's no way that Cornwell would cheat his readers out of such a battle scene. Uhtred does take his raiders pell-mell down the Thames to capture a gate from inside, and a glorious, messy, bloody battle occurs. Just as Uhtred's place is in the shield wall of battle, Cornwell's place is in his description of armed conflict, making the chaos clear, bringing all the little details to life and helping to ensure that the Viking spirit gets carried down to the next generation.
  
  --- Reviewed by Curtis Edmonds, who writes the "Northbound" blog at [...].
  
  
• Great read
  By AJ0F8971JN6RN on 2008-02-26
  I can never wait to get the next installment in this series, this book did not disappoint. Once again Bernard Cornwell has written an enjoyable and exciting book, the story kept me involved and reading until I was finished.
  
  
• Every bit as good as the 1st three.
  By ADASTH6KK4N95 on 2008-03-06
  Who would have thought the 4th book in a series could be as good as the previous ones? Cornwell is able to keep the story riveting without being predicatble...even though we know the basic history behind his work. He may be the best guy writing historical fiction today.
  
  
• Good Book
  By A2DEITQG49ER5 on 2008-03-06
  This book kisck @$$. The reader does a great job and the story falls well inline with the rest of the series.
  
  
• When is the next book being published?
  By A37ZX7O5JRYRKB on 2008-03-07
  This whole series has been a treat for those of us interested in how life was led in early "Daneland". It gives us an idea of why the Danes, Norse etc. were so eager to find a place where a living could be made, either by plunder, fishing, or farming.
  Aas always Mr. Cornwell gives us our money's worth as we now have to reread the first 3 books again.
  
  

• Lords of the North (The Saxon Chronicles Series #3)
• The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Chronicles Series #2)
• The Last Kingdom (The Saxon Chronicles Series #1)
• Genghis: Lords of the Bow
• The Winter King (The Arthur Books #1)