From the earliest times, human beings have looked at the sun and the moon, and at life and death, and have imagined gods who control such things, and looked for ways to control those gods... In Stonehenge, Bernard Cornwell, famous for his novels about Rifleman Sharpe's adventures in the Napoleonic wars and for a sequence of brutally realistic Arthurian novels, considers the men and women who built Stonehenge and Avebury. These stone circles are impressive enough today; but all the more so if you imagine shifting stones from Wales to Salisbury Plain by raft and roller, dressing them with burning fat and grindstones, hauling the lintel stones up tiers of platforms.

"The oxen were goaded again, and, finger's breadth by finger's breadth, the huge stone eased forward until half of it was poised and then the oxen tugged once more and Saban was shouting at the beasts' drivers to halt the animals because the stone was tipping at last. For a heartbeat, it seemed to balance on the ramp's edge, then its leading half crashed down onto the timbers, then the great boulder slid down the ramp to lodge against the hole's face."

It is the story of Saban, made architect against his will; of his brothers Lengar, the aspiring conqueror and Camaban, the cripple-turned-magician. It is the story of Derrewynn, princess-turned-witch, and Aurenna, sacrifice-turned-priestess queen. Stonehenge is an epic tale of people as smart as us, inventing religion and mythology and forcing their wills on the world and each other. --Roz Kaveney

A Different Point of View, 15 Jan 2006
OK... so why is someone from Montana writing a review on this book? BECAUSE I LIKED IT! I became a Bernard Cornwell fan listening to (I like audiobooks) the aribdged versions of the Grail Series ... {Archer's Tale, Vagabond, Heretic} ... I then listened to Winter King, Enemy of God, & Excalibur ... and Gallows Thief, and The Last Kindom .... ok this is one of my favorite authors now however I think his best series is the Grail Series .....
That said, I also looked forward to the publication Stonehenge ..... and as I'm an audiobook fiend I listened to Tom Sellwood's reading .... (as a personal matter I think Cornwell should get himself a better reader ... as this one didn't do the book justice I didn't think)
From the viewpoint of a native of Montana who has never been to Stonehenge (and probably never will be) ... This was a great story about how the historical place of Stonehenge came into existence ..... VERY WELL TOLD ... demonstrating again why this writer has become one of my favorites ....
While I do not agree with the critics who said this was a big let down after Excalibur ..... I do agree with those who say that it takes awhile to get into this story and that it became drawn out at certain points .... I think because of Cornwell's dedication to good research and not wanting to waste any of it by not including it in some way ... leading to extended descriptive sections as the method of insertion into the story ... (not a sin ... ) ... Despite these minor problems this is a GREAT STORY .... I was not disappointed!!!!!!!!!!

While I am not a Sharpe series fan, nor a fan of Cornwell's US history stories generally (except for Gallows Thief) ..... I am a great fan of his more ancient history stories about England and Europe ... these are GREAT STORIES.... with rich and engaging characters ... and with well researched and truly ingeneous and unique story telling ability ...Stonehenge is not an exception, but another GREAT example of this writer's ability ... well that's my opinion anyway.

Interesting and clever in places, 24 Jul 2005
I'm a big fan of Bernard Cornwell so bought this book as soon as it was released. I found it to be his worst book, but don't let that make you think it's poor, because it ain't. Set in Neolithic times, the book tells the story of brothers, sons of the tribal king, battling it out for supremacy over the tribe. One, slightly mad, is driven away from the village and wonders the country looking for his religious message. He finds it in Wales and thus begins the building of Stonehenge.
The time frame is too short for considered actual events, merely a few years, but it is an interesting idea and who knows; it might be somewhere near the truth!?
I haven't re read it unlike other Cornwell novels but is a cherished part of my collection of his books.
If you are new to Cornwell, try one of the Sharpe stories or better still his Arthurian trilogy first, they'll grip you far more.

A Neolithic swashbuckler!, 12 Jun 2005
The only thing harder to research than a historical novel is a pre-historical one. Cornwell has made a serious effort to understand the how the Neolithic looked in southern Britain, then fit plot and characters into that landscape. It's an exciting story, full of duplicity, heroics, deeply held feelings and almost convincing people.

Centred, as the title suggests, on the great stone monument on Salisbury Plain, he builds a narrative suggesting the motivation and labour involved in building this ancient site. He uses two trinities to develop his story. One trinity is comprised of brothers who represent material, mysticism and morality. The other is three who, by stretching your imagination, might be Mother, Maiden and Crone of the slassical witchcraft Sisterhood, although those identities shift drastically as the story progresses. The clash of greedy warlords with messianic figures is like something out of Sir Walter Scott. Cornwell's technique makes thrilling reading while upholding modern standards of justice and rewards for the good. The good, of course, don't come through unblemished or painlessly, but they survive. All the excitement and maneuvering raise this book a step above the modern fantasy novel, but the step is a small one.

If you're looking for adventure with an unusual twist, this is the book for you. You will be taken back in time, through some spatial adjustment, but most importantly, view a society very different from the one you know. Prepare yourself for a harsh existence while remembering that "progress" is a word with many definitions. Perhaps there's some benefit in reading the "Historical note" at the back first, then delving into Cornwell's sources, before returning to this fictional account. All of his resources are at least as readable as this book, and infinitely more informative, if not as imaginative. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

History brought to life, 30 Mar 2005
Another typical good read. Characters are believable and the scene that is set is good. If you are a Cornwell fan this will keep you happy.

Stonehenge, 16 Feb 2005
This was the first book I read by Bernard Cornwell, after this it most definitely won't be the last!

This story tells the story of the construction of the world famous Stonehenge. This of course does not promise to be the true story, but will we ever know the true story of Stonehenge?

This is a very strong story, superbly written and although many have not liked this book the most important thing to remember is this is a work of fiction, having said that Bernard is such a wonderful author it is very hard to remember while reading this book that it is indeed fiction.

This gives you such a feel that you can almost imagine what it was like to live on those beautiful hills in Salisbury at the time when Stonehenge was constructed.

Emerging from the dissident calibrations of literary voices joined together in the culture of protest against the apartheid regime, the distinctive writing of novelist, critic and academic J M Coetzee has become identified as one of the most finely tuned among contemporary Southern African writers. From the local recognition accorded his earliest novel Dusklands to the international acclaim with which his rewriting of Defoe's Robinson Crusoe story, Foe was received, Coetzee has dedicated himself to transforming South African writing from a blunt weapon of struggle to a delicate and incisive instrument of reflective liberation.

Disgrace takes as its complex central character 52-year-old English professor David Lurie whose preoccupation with Romantic poetry--and romancing his students--threatens to turn him into a "a moral dinosaur". Called to account by the University for a passionate but brief affair with a student who is ambivalent about his embraces, David refuses to apologise, drawing on poetry before what he regards as political correctness in his claim that his "case rests on the rights of desire." Seeking refuge with his quietly progressive daughter Lucie on her isolated small holding, David finds that the violent dilemmas of the new South Africa are inescapable when the tentative emotional truce between errant father and daughter is ripped apart by a traumatic event that forces Lucie to an appalling disgrace. Pitching the moral code of political correctness against the values of Romantic poetry in its evocation of personal relationships, this novel is skillful--almost cunning--in its exploration of David's refusal to be accountable and his daughter's determination to make her entire life a process of accountability. Their personal dilemmas cast increasingly foreshortened shadows against the rising concerns of the emancipated community, and become a subtle metaphor for the historical unaccountability of one culture to another.

The ecstatic critical reception with which Disgrace has been received has insisted that its excellence lies in its ability to encompass the universality of the human condition. Nothing could be farther from the truth, or do the novel--and its author--a greater disservice. The real brilliance of this stylish book lies in its ability to capture and render accountable--without preaching--the specific universality of the condition of whiteness and white consciousness. Disgrace is foremost a confrontation with history that few writers would have the resources to sustain. Coetzee's vision is unforgiving--but not bleak. Against the self-piteous complaints of all declining cultures and communities who bemoan the loss of privileges that were never theirs to take, Coetzee's vision of an unredeemed white consciousness holds out--to those who reach towards an understanding of their position in history by starting again, with nothing--the possibility of "a moderate bliss." --Rachel Holmes

A Different Point of View, 15 Jan 2006
OK... so why is someone from Montana writing a review on this book? BECAUSE I LIKED IT! I became a Bernard Cornwell fan listening to (I like audiobooks) the aribdged versions of the Grail Series ... {Archer's Tale, Vagabond, Heretic} ... I then listened to Winter King, Enemy of God, & Excalibur ... and Gallows Thief, and The Last Kindom .... ok this is one of my favorite authors now however I think his best series is the Grail Series .....
That said, I also looked forward to the publication Stonehenge ..... and as I'm an audiobook fiend I listened to Tom Sellwood's reading .... (as a personal matter I think Cornwell should get himself a better reader ... as this one didn't do the book justice I didn't think)
From the viewpoint of a native of Montana who has never been to Stonehenge (and probably never will be) ... This was a great story about how the historical place of Stonehenge came into existence ..... VERY WELL TOLD ... demonstrating again why this writer has become one of my favorites ....
While I do not agree with the critics who said this was a big let down after Excalibur ..... I do agree with those who say that it takes awhile to get into this story and that it became drawn out at certain points .... I think because of Cornwell's dedication to good research and not wanting to waste any of it by not including it in some way ... leading to extended descriptive sections as the method of insertion into the story ... (not a sin ... ) ... Despite these minor problems this is a GREAT STORY .... I was not disappointed!!!!!!!!!!

While I am not a Sharpe series fan, nor a fan of Cornwell's US history stories generally (except for Gallows Thief) ..... I am a great fan of his more ancient history stories about England and Europe ... these are GREAT STORIES.... with rich and engaging characters ... and with well researched and truly ingeneous and unique story telling ability ...Stonehenge is not an exception, but another GREAT example of this writer's ability ... well that's my opinion anyway.

Interesting and clever in places, 24 Jul 2005
I'm a big fan of Bernard Cornwell so bought this book as soon as it was released. I found it to be his worst book, but don't let that make you think it's poor, because it ain't. Set in Neolithic times, the book tells the story of brothers, sons of the tribal king, battling it out for supremacy over the tribe. One, slightly mad, is driven away from the village and wonders the country looking for his religious message. He finds it in Wales and thus begins the building of Stonehenge.
The time frame is too short for considered actual events, merely a few years, but it is an interesting idea and who knows; it might be somewhere near the truth!?
I haven't re read it unlike other Cornwell novels but is a cherished part of my collection of his books.
If you are new to Cornwell, try one of the Sharpe stories or better still his Arthurian trilogy first, they'll grip you far more.

A Neolithic swashbuckler!, 12 Jun 2005
The only thing harder to research than a historical novel is a pre-historical one. Cornwell has made a serious effort to understand the how the Neolithic looked in southern Britain, then fit plot and characters into that landscape. It's an exciting story, full of duplicity, heroics, deeply held feelings and almost convincing people.

Centred, as the title suggests, on the great stone monument on Salisbury Plain, he builds a narrative suggesting the motivation and labour involved in building this ancient site. He uses two trinities to develop his story. One trinity is comprised of brothers who represent material, mysticism and morality. The other is three who, by stretching your imagination, might be Mother, Maiden and Crone of the slassical witchcraft Sisterhood, although those identities shift drastically as the story progresses. The clash of greedy warlords with messianic figures is like something out of Sir Walter Scott. Cornwell's technique makes thrilling reading while upholding modern standards of justice and rewards for the good. The good, of course, don't come through unblemished or painlessly, but they survive. All the excitement and maneuvering raise this book a step above the modern fantasy novel, but the step is a small one.

If you're looking for adventure with an unusual twist, this is the book for you. You will be taken back in time, through some spatial adjustment, but most importantly, view a society very different from the one you know. Prepare yourself for a harsh existence while remembering that "progress" is a word with many definitions. Perhaps there's some benefit in reading the "Historical note" at the back first, then delving into Cornwell's sources, before returning to this fictional account. All of his resources are at least as readable as this book, and infinitely more informative, if not as imaginative. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

History brought to life, 30 Mar 2005
Another typical good read. Characters are believable and the scene that is set is good. If you are a Cornwell fan this will keep you happy.

Stonehenge, 16 Feb 2005
This was the first book I read by Bernard Cornwell, after this it most definitely won't be the last!

This story tells the story of the construction of the world famous Stonehenge. This of course does not promise to be the true story, but will we ever know the true story of Stonehenge?

This is a very strong story, superbly written and although many have not liked this book the most important thing to remember is this is a work of fiction, having said that Bernard is such a wonderful author it is very hard to remember while reading this book that it is indeed fiction.

This gives you such a feel that you can almost imagine what it was like to live on those beautiful hills in Salisbury at the time when Stonehenge was constructed.

Brave and contextual writing., 13 Nov 2008
J.M. Coetzee has managed, as many good authors do, to completely immerse the reader in what goes on in the book and its often uncomfortable surroundings. The characters have depth and are well described and the main character, although potentially unlikeable, seemed to grow ever dearer to my heart the more I read.

Set in a time of unrest and uncertainty, the book deals with many themes that may often not be the most easy to explore. We go deep into David Lurie's (the main character) sense of self and intimate thoughts, and true to life, they are not always easy to accept.

I was both interested and moved by this novel, as one always should be. The writing style, although eloquent, is not over-complicated and therefore will appeal to a wider audience. The settings are atmospheric and lucid, which serves to create a reality in which the reader is ensconced.

Impressive and haunting - shame about the opera, 21 Oct 2008
This is an impressive book, although not an easy read - it tackles uncomfortable subjects, contains some disturbing scenes and the characters are frustrating.
Coetzee portrays the problems of a changing south Africa, where blacks and whites are supposedly equal but clearly still very much divided, living respectively in poverty and fear, with little faith in the government or justice system to put things right. The rules have changed and no one is quite sure where they stand.
The central character, David Lurie, is a frustrated academic seeking satisfaction in the arms of a string of younger women, having failed to find it in his lecturing career. Now, disgraced, friendless and out of a job, he is starting to come to terms with his own ageing and the associated fears of loneliness, weakness and death. Coetzee also explores the tensions of father-daughter relationships - Lurie can no longer ignore his 'little girl''s sexuality knowing that she has been raped, and after himself sleeping with students younger than her - and the difficulty of letting go of your children even when you don't agree with their choices. Although the characters themselves can be hard to relate to, their behaviour often selfish and unreasonable, the relationships between them are intriguing, and elegantly captured in Coetzee's spare, ruthless prose.
This is definitely a book that will stay with me. I would have given it five stars were it not for the passages towards the end describing Lurie's (Coetzee's?) self-indulgent opera about Byron - I had no interest in this and the book began to lose its momentum.

Thought-provoking study of accountability and blame, 13 Jul 2008
Not an uplifting book, this one. But one that hits deep, and makes you think hard. In the end, I suppose it's all about accountability and blame - not comfortable things to think about at any time, but in post-apartheid South Africa, particularly difficult. How does one define and/or justify exploitation? I don't know. I shall have to read the book again, now that I know the questions I want to ask.

Thought provoking but largely frustrating, 27 May 2008
I have just finished reading Disgrace and I am in two minds about whether or not I liked it. The style of writing is undoubtedly superb and the author clearly scholarly. However, like the previous reviewer, I found myself increasingly irritated with Lurie's daughter and her unfathomable refusal to deal with her horrifying ordeal. She would neither lay down and die or get up and walk, which, after any life changing trauma, one ultimately has to do. Her perpetual inertia became wearing and in fact, in the end, really quite boring. Having said this, the interplay between Lucy and Petrus was very thought-provoking. Although Petrus was a shadowy character, his inexorable rise to dominance over Lucy was marked and profound. Perhaps a typical post-apartheid role reversal? However, what did the affair between Lurie and the student have to do with anything, other than perhaps be a weak attempt to force Lurie to look at himself. Also, why did Lurie sleep with Bev Shaw? I didn't think it made much sense (but then I'm not a man)! My overall impression was that this novel was interesting, beautifully written and thought-provoking, which are all good things of course, but I found it stumbled over the obstacles of tedium and a distinct lack of apparent adequate motivating factors in the characters.

Limited sympathies, 23 May 2008
Lurie is a hard character to like or to sympathise with, who often acts willfuly without seeming to care for or consider the consequences of his actions. Nor does he have the humour or self effacement to let him get away with it. And yet there is something there that means he is not wholly repellent. He cares for his daughter, who is determined to shut him out emotionally.

The characters are complex and it is not always easy to follow what is driving them. The relationship, if there is one, between Lurie's daughter and Petrus is ambiguous.

I enjoyed reading the book and the writing is pacy, but I was left confused by the ending and unsure of what it all meant.

A Different Point of View, 15 Jan 2006
OK... so why is someone from Montana writing a review on this book? BECAUSE I LIKED IT! I became a Bernard Cornwell fan listening to (I like audiobooks) the aribdged versions of the Grail Series ... {Archer's Tale, Vagabond, Heretic} ... I then listened to Winter King, Enemy of God, & Excalibur ... and Gallows Thief, and The Last Kindom .... ok this is one of my favorite authors now however I think his best series is the Grail Series .....
That said, I also looked forward to the publication Stonehenge ..... and as I'm an audiobook fiend I listened to Tom Sellwood's reading .... (as a personal matter I think Cornwell should get himself a better reader ... as this one didn't do the book justice I didn't think)
From the viewpoint of a native of Montana who has never been to Stonehenge (and probably never will be) ... This was a great story about how the historical place of Stonehenge came into existence ..... VERY WELL TOLD ... demonstrating again why this writer has become one of my favorites ....
While I do not agree with the critics who said this was a big let down after Excalibur ..... I do agree with those who say that it takes awhile to get into this story and that it became drawn out at certain points .... I think because of Cornwell's dedication to good research and not wanting to waste any of it by not including it in some way ... leading to extended descriptive sections as the method of insertion into the story ... (not a sin ... ) ... Despite these minor problems this is a GREAT STORY .... I was not disappointed!!!!!!!!!!

While I am not a Sharpe series fan, nor a fan of Cornwell's US history stories generally (except for Gallows Thief) ..... I am a great fan of his more ancient history stories about England and Europe ... these are GREAT STORIES.... with rich and engaging characters ... and with well researched and truly ingeneous and unique story telling ability ...Stonehenge is not an exception, but another GREAT example of this writer's ability ... well that's my opinion anyway.

Interesting and clever in places, 24 Jul 2005
I'm a big fan of Bernard Cornwell so bought this book as soon as it was released. I found it to be his worst book, but don't let that make you think it's poor, because it ain't. Set in Neolithic times, the book tells the story of brothers, sons of the tribal king, battling it out for supremacy over the tribe. One, slightly mad, is driven away from the village and wonders the country looking for his religious message. He finds it in Wales and thus begins the building of Stonehenge.
The time frame is too short for considered actual events, merely a few years, but it is an interesting idea and who knows; it might be somewhere near the truth!?
I haven't re read it unlike other Cornwell novels but is a cherished part of my collection of his books.
If you are new to Cornwell, try one of the Sharpe stories or better still his Arthurian trilogy first, they'll grip you far more.

A Neolithic swashbuckler!, 12 Jun 2005
The only thing harder to research than a historical novel is a pre-historical one. Cornwell has made a serious effort to understand the how the Neolithic looked in southern Britain, then fit plot and characters into that landscape. It's an exciting story, full of duplicity, heroics, deeply held feelings and almost convincing people.

Centred, as the title suggests, on the great stone monument on Salisbury Plain, he builds a narrative suggesting the motivation and labour involved in building this ancient site. He uses two trinities to develop his story. One trinity is comprised of brothers who represent material, mysticism and morality. The other is three who, by stretching your imagination, might be Mother, Maiden and Crone of the slassical witchcraft Sisterhood, although those identities shift drastically as the story progresses. The clash of greedy warlords with messianic figures is like something out of Sir Walter Scott. Cornwell's technique makes thrilling reading while upholding modern standards of justice and rewards for the good. The good, of course, don't come through unblemished or painlessly, but they survive. All the excitement and maneuvering raise this book a step above the modern fantasy novel, but the step is a small one.

If you're looking for adventure with an unusual twist, this is the book for you. You will be taken back in time, through some spatial adjustment, but most importantly, view a society very different from the one you know. Prepare yourself for a harsh existence while remembering that "progress" is a word with many definitions. Perhaps there's some benefit in reading the "Historical note" at the back first, then delving into Cornwell's sources, before returning to this fictional account. All of his resources are at least as readable as this book, and infinitely more informative, if not as imaginative. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

History brought to life, 30 Mar 2005
Another typical good read. Characters are believable and the scene that is set is good. If you are a Cornwell fan this will keep you happy.

Stonehenge, 16 Feb 2005
This was the first book I read by Bernard Cornwell, after this it most definitely won't be the last!

This story tells the story of the construction of the world famous Stonehenge. This of course does not promise to be the true story, but will we ever know the true story of Stonehenge?

This is a very strong story, superbly written and although many have not liked this book the most important thing to remember is this is a work of fiction, having said that Bernard is such a wonderful author it is very hard to remember while reading this book that it is indeed fiction.

This gives you such a feel that you can almost imagine what it was like to live on those beautiful hills in Salisbury at the time when Stonehenge was constructed.

Brave and contextual writing., 13 Nov 2008
J.M. Coetzee has managed, as many good authors do, to completely immerse the reader in what goes on in the book and its often uncomfortable surroundings. The characters have depth and are well described and the main character, although potentially unlikeable, seemed to grow ever dearer to my heart the more I read.

Set in a time of unrest and uncertainty, the book deals with many themes that may often not be the most easy to explore. We go deep into David Lurie's (the main character) sense of self and intimate thoughts, and true to life, they are not always easy to accept.

I was both interested and moved by this novel, as one always should be. The writing style, although eloquent, is not over-complicated and therefore will appeal to a wider audience. The settings are atmospheric and lucid, which serves to create a reality in which the reader is ensconced.

Impressive and haunting - shame about the opera, 21 Oct 2008
This is an impressive book, although not an easy read - it tackles uncomfortable subjects, contains some disturbing scenes and the characters are frustrating.
Coetzee portrays the problems of a changing south Africa, where blacks and whites are supposedly equal but clearly still very much divided, living respectively in poverty and fear, with little faith in the government or justice system to put things right. The rules have changed and no one is quite sure where they stand.
The central character, David Lurie, is a frustrated academic seeking satisfaction in the arms of a string of younger women, having failed to find it in his lecturing career. Now, disgraced, friendless and out of a job, he is starting to come to terms with his own ageing and the associated fears of loneliness, weakness and death. Coetzee also explores the tensions of father-daughter relationships - Lurie can no longer ignore his 'little girl''s sexuality knowing that she has been raped, and after himself sleeping with students younger than her - and the difficulty of letting go of your children even when you don't agree with their choices. Although the characters themselves can be hard to relate to, their behaviour often selfish and unreasonable, the relationships between them are intriguing, and elegantly captured in Coetzee's spare, ruthless prose.
This is definitely a book that will stay with me. I would have given it five stars were it not for the passages towards the end describing Lurie's (Coetzee's?) self-indulgent opera about Byron - I had no interest in this and the book began to lose its momentum.

Thought-provoking study of accountability and blame, 13 Jul 2008
Not an uplifting book, this one. But one that hits deep, and makes you think hard. In the end, I suppose it's all about accountability and blame - not comfortable things to think about at any time, but in post-apartheid South Africa, particularly difficult. How does one define and/or justify exploitation? I don't know. I shall have to read the book again, now that I know the questions I want to ask.

Thought provoking but largely frustrating, 27 May 2008
I have just finished reading Disgrace and I am in two minds about whether or not I liked it. The style of writing is undoubtedly superb and the author clearly scholarly. However, like the previous reviewer, I found myself increasingly irritated with Lurie's daughter and her unfathomable refusal to deal with her horrifying ordeal. She would neither lay down and die or get up and walk, which, after any life changing trauma, one ultimately has to do. Her perpetual inertia became wearing and in fact, in the end, really quite boring. Having said this, the interplay between Lucy and Petrus was very thought-provoking. Although Petrus was a shadowy character, his inexorable rise to dominance over Lucy was marked and profound. Perhaps a typical post-apartheid role reversal? However, what did the affair between Lurie and the student have to do with anything, other than perhaps be a weak attempt to force Lurie to look at himself. Also, why did Lurie sleep with Bev Shaw? I didn't think it made much sense (but then I'm not a man)! My overall impression was that this novel was interesting, beautifully written and thought-provoking, which are all good things of course, but I found it stumbled over the obstacles of tedium and a distinct lack of apparent adequate motivating factors in the characters.

Limited sympathies, 23 May 2008
Lurie is a hard character to like or to sympathise with, who often acts willfuly without seeming to care for or consider the consequences of his actions. Nor does he have the humour or self effacement to let him get away with it. And yet there is something there that means he is not wholly repellent. He cares for his daughter, who is determined to shut him out emotionally.

The characters are complex and it is not always easy to follow what is driving them. The relationship, if there is one, between Lurie's daughter and Petrus is ambiguous.

I enjoyed reading the book and the writing is pacy, but I was left confused by the ending and unsure of what it all meant.

Id as blud, 25 Oct 2008
I used to read cornwell books when I was 14 and I thought they were amazing.

Recently I picked up this book again and had a quick look through and realised why the biggest fans of these books are 40 year old men and 13 year old boys.

His books contist of gory battles puncutated by erotica set in a different historical periods with a few dates and a bit of a plot thrown in (13 year old boys liking this formula becuase they are interested in sex and a box and 40 year old boys because perhaps dont get as much sex and excitment as they got when they were in their prime)

To be fair this book has a mildy engaging plot but there truly are better books, and authors out there.

Cornwell does it again, 22 Oct 2008
This is the second book in the Arthur series and Cornwell keeps up his amazingly consistant and high standards. This is his take on the Arthur legend, using much more of the 'real' story compared to the legend most of us know now. He has incorporated some modern additions to the legend such as Merlin, Lancelot, the Round Table and Camelot, however being Bernard Cornwell he does not deliver these in a standard way, he has his own twist! I agree a little with the other review on here, he recaps a lot of Book 1 on the assumption it may have been a long time for readers in between books, however if you read them in sequence like I did, it is a little annoying. However this is my only small critiscm, and this book is another historical fiction classic.... leaves Britain in turmoil as usual and cannot wait to finish the 3rd and final in the series....

Enemy of sleep!, 13 Jun 2008
this trilogy held my attention, this book particularly with its indepth look at battles, territory and the like. My criticism, for there is one, remains the same as my criticism of the last book and indeed the overall saga, all that spitting! Endlessly recited. He spat. OK, they did it to avert evil but one would think they spent their lives averting evil as they were spitting at every conceivable moment of their lives. It spoiled an otherwise very good series.

2nd part of the greatest Trilogy ever written, 22 Oct 2007
Continues on from The Winter King and skillfully handles many well known elements of the Arthurian legends such as Tristan, Lancelot and Guineveire's 'romance' and the Grail in a realistic well thought out way. The narrator of the story, Derfel Cadarn,friend of Arthur is on top form and brings to life a very realistic view of life in 500AD.
The use of the bitches against the war-dogs during one of the battles against the saxons was brilliant and cunning Merlin and Nimue are again on top Form here. If you can get hold of it try listening to Tim-pigott Smiths audio cassette of this trilogy, he reads it wonderfully and why its not been released on CD yet i dont understand.
Highly Recommended

Amazing continuation of a great saga, 10 Aug 2007
After the great "Winter King" here is the equally splendid second part of the trilogy. Bernard Cornwell managed to keep exactly the same very high level of storytelling and all day life and nature description. The story never gets boring and, even for people knowing the story of Saxon invasions and having some knowledge of Arthurian mythos, there are surprises in every chapter. Author's (and narrator's) dislike of Christianism is even stronger in this book that in the previous, so religious people can be somehow schocked, but still it is a great read.

A Different Point of View, 15 Jan 2006
OK... so why is someone from Montana writing a review on this book? BECAUSE I LIKED IT! I became a Bernard Cornwell fan listening to (I like audiobooks) the aribdged versions of the Grail Series ... {Archer's Tale, Vagabond, Heretic} ... I then listened to Winter King, Enemy of God, & Excalibur ... and Gallows Thief, and The Last Kindom .... ok this is one of my favorite authors now however I think his best series is the Grail Series .....
That said, I also looked forward to the publication Stonehenge ..... and as I'm an audiobook fiend I listened to Tom Sellwood's reading .... (as a personal matter I think Cornwell should get himself a better reader ... as this one didn't do the book justice I didn't think)
From the viewpoint of a native of Montana who has never been to Stonehenge (and probably never will be) ... This was a great story about how the historical place of Stonehenge came into existence ..... VERY WELL TOLD ... demonstrating again why this writer has become one of my favorites ....
While I do not agree with the critics who said this was a big let down after Excalibur ..... I do agree with those who say that it takes awhile to get into this story and that it became drawn out at certain points .... I think because of Cornwell's dedication to good research and not wanting to waste any of it by not including it in some way ... leading to extended descriptive sections as the method of insertion into the story ... (not a sin ... ) ... Despite these minor problems this is a GREAT STORY .... I was not disappointed!!!!!!!!!!

While I am not a Sharpe series fan, nor a fan of Cornwell's US history stories generally (except for Gallows Thief) ..... I am a great fan of his more ancient history stories about England and Europe ... these are GREAT STORIES.... with rich and engaging characters ... and with well researched and truly ingeneous and unique story telling ability ...Stonehenge is not an exception, but another GREAT example of this writer's ability ... well that's my opinion anyway.

Interesting and clever in places, 24 Jul 2005
I'm a big fan of Bernard Cornwell so bought this book as soon as it was released. I found it to be his worst book, but don't let that make you think it's poor, because it ain't. Set in Neolithic times, the book tells the story of brothers, sons of the tribal king, battling it out for supremacy over the tribe. One, slightly mad, is driven away from the village and wonders the country looking for his religious message. He finds it in Wales and thus begins the building of Stonehenge.
The time frame is too short for considered actual events, merely a few years, but it is an interesting idea and who knows; it might be somewhere near the truth!?
I haven't re read it unlike other Cornwell novels but is a cherished part of my collection of his books.
If you are new to Cornwell, try one of the Sharpe stories or better still his Arthurian trilogy first, they'll grip you far more.

A Neolithic swashbuckler!, 12 Jun 2005
The only thing harder to research than a historical novel is a pre-historical one. Cornwell has made a serious effort to understand the how the Neolithic looked in southern Britain, then fit plot and characters into that landscape. It's an exciting story, full of duplicity, heroics, deeply held feelings and almost convincing people.

Centred, as the title suggests, on the great stone monument on Salisbury Plain, he builds a narrative suggesting the motivation and labour involved in building this ancient site. He uses two trinities to develop his story. One trinity is comprised of brothers who represent material, mysticism and morality. The other is three who, by stretching your imagination, might be Mother, Maiden and Crone of the slassical witchcraft Sisterhood, although those identities shift drastically as the story progresses. The clash of greedy warlords with messianic figures is like something out of Sir Walter Scott. Cornwell's technique makes thrilling reading while upholding modern standards of justice and rewards for the good. The good, of course, don't come through unblemished or painlessly, but they survive. All the excitement and maneuvering raise this book a step above the modern fantasy novel, but the step is a small one.

If you're looking for adventure with an unusual twist, this is the book for you. You will be taken back in time, through some spatial adjustment, but most importantly, view a society very different from the one you know. Prepare yourself for a harsh existence while remembering that "progress" is a word with many definitions. Perhaps there's some benefit in reading the "Historical note" at the back first, then delving into Cornwell's sources, before returning to this fictional account. All of his resources are at least as readable as this book, and infinitely more informative, if not as imaginative. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

History brought to life, 30 Mar 2005
Another typical good read. Characters are believable and the scene that is set is good. If you are a Cornwell fan this will keep you happy.

Stonehenge, 16 Feb 2005
This was the first book I read by Bernard Cornwell, after this it most definitely won't be the last!

This story tells the story of the construction of the world famous Stonehenge. This of course does not promise to be the true story, but will we ever know the true story of Stonehenge?

This is a very strong story, superbly written and although many have not liked this book the most important thing to remember is this is a work of fiction, having said that Bernard is such a wonderful author it is very hard to remember while reading this book that it is indeed fiction.

This gives you such a feel that you can almost imagine what it was like to live on those beautiful hills in Salisbury at the time when Stonehenge was constructed.

Brave and contextual writing., 13 Nov 2008
J.M. Coetzee has managed, as many good authors do, to completely immerse the reader in what goes on in the book and its often uncomfortable surroundings. The characters have depth and are well described and the main character, although potentially unlikeable, seemed to grow ever dearer to my heart the more I read.

Set in a time of unrest and uncertainty, the book deals with many themes that may often not be the most easy to explore. We go deep into David Lurie's (the main character) sense of self and intimate thoughts, and true to life, they are not always easy to accept.

I was both interested and moved by this novel, as one always should be. The writing style, although eloquent, is not over-complicated and therefore will appeal to a wider audience. The settings are atmospheric and lucid, which serves to create a reality in which the reader is ensconced.

Impressive and haunting - shame about the opera, 21 Oct 2008
This is an impressive book, although not an easy read - it tackles uncomfortable subjects, contains some disturbing scenes and the characters are frustrating.
Coetzee portrays the problems of a changing south Africa, where blacks and whites are supposedly equal but clearly still very much divided, living respectively in poverty and fear, with little faith in the government or justice system to put things right. The rules have changed and no one is quite sure where they stand.
The central character, David Lurie, is a frustrated academic seeking satisfaction in the arms of a string of younger women, having failed to find it in his lecturing career. Now, disgraced, friendless and out of a job, he is starting to come to terms with his own ageing and the associated fears of loneliness, weakness and death. Coetzee also explores the tensions of father-daughter relationships - Lurie can no longer ignore his 'little girl''s sexuality knowing that she has been raped, and after himself sleeping with students younger than her - and the difficulty of letting go of your children even when you don't agree with their choices. Although the characters themselves can be hard to relate to, their behaviour often selfish and unreasonable, the relationships between them are intriguing, and elegantly captured in Coetzee's spare, ruthless prose.
This is definitely a book that will stay with me. I would have given it five stars were it not for the passages towards the end describing Lurie's (Coetzee's?) self-indulgent opera about Byron - I had no interest in this and the book began to lose its momentum.

Thought-provoking study of accountability and blame, 13 Jul 2008
Not an uplifting book, this one. But one that hits deep, and makes you think hard. In the end, I suppose it's all about accountability and blame - not comfortable things to think about at any time, but in post-apartheid South Africa, particularly difficult. How does one define and/or justify exploitation? I don't know. I shall have to read the book again, now that I know the questions I want to ask.

Thought provoking but largely frustrating, 27 May 2008
I have just finished reading Disgrace and I am in two minds about whether or not I liked it. The style of writing is undoubtedly superb and the author clearly scholarly. However, like the previous reviewer, I found myself increasingly irritated with Lurie's daughter and her unfathomable refusal to deal with her horrifying ordeal. She would neither lay down and die or get up and walk, which, after any life changing trauma, one ultimately has to do. Her perpetual inertia became wearing and in fact, in the end, really quite boring. Having said this, the interplay between Lucy and Petrus was very thought-provoking. Although Petrus was a shadowy character, his inexorable rise to dominance over Lucy was marked and profound. Perhaps a typical post-apartheid role reversal? However, what did the affair between Lurie and the student have to do with anything, other than perhaps be a weak attempt to force Lurie to look at himself. Also, why did Lurie sleep with Bev Shaw? I didn't think it made much sense (but then I'm not a man)! My overall impression was that this novel was interesting, beautifully written and thought-provoking, which are all good things of course, but I found it stumbled over the obstacles of tedium and a distinct lack of apparent adequate motivating factors in the characters.

Limited sympathies, 23 May 2008
Lurie is a hard character to like or to sympathise with, who often acts willfuly without seeming to care for or consider the consequences of his actions. Nor does he have the humour or self effacement to let him get away with it. And yet there is something there that means he is not wholly repellent. He cares for his daughter, who is determined to shut him out emotionally.

The characters are complex and it is not always easy to follow what is driving them. The relationship, if there is one, between Lurie's daughter and Petrus is ambiguous.

I enjoyed reading the book and the writing is pacy, but I was left confused by the ending and unsure of what it all meant.

Id as blud, 25 Oct 2008
I used to read cornwell books when I was 14 and I thought they were amazing.

Recently I picked up this book again and had a quick look through and realised why the biggest fans of these books are 40 year old men and 13 year old boys.

His books contist of gory battles puncutated by erotica set in a different historical periods with a few dates and a bit of a plot thrown in (13 year old boys liking this formula becuase they are interested in sex and a box and 40 year old boys because perhaps dont get as much sex and excitment as they got when they were in their prime)

To be fair this book has a mildy engaging plot but there truly are better books, and authors out there.

Cornwell does it again, 22 Oct 2008
This is the second book in the Arthur series and Cornwell keeps up his amazingly consistant and high standards. This is his take on the Arthur legend, using much more of the 'real' story compared to the legend most of us know now. He has incorporated some modern additions to the legend such as Merlin, Lancelot, the Round Table and Camelot, however being Bernard Cornwell he does not deliver these in a standard way, he has his own twist! I agree a little with the other review on here, he recaps a lot of Book 1 on the assumption it may have been a long time for readers in between books, however if you read them in sequence like I did, it is a little annoying. However this is my only small critiscm, and this book is another historical fiction classic.... leaves Britain in turmoil as usual and cannot wait to finish the 3rd and final in the series....

Enemy of sleep!, 13 Jun 2008
this trilogy held my attention, this book particularly with its indepth look at battles, territory and the like. My criticism, for there is one, remains the same as my criticism of the last book and indeed the overall saga, all that spitting! Endlessly recited. He spat. OK, they did it to avert evil but one would think they spent their lives averting evil as they were spitting at every conceivable moment of their lives. It spoiled an otherwise very good series.

2nd part of the greatest Trilogy ever written, 22 Oct 2007
Continues on from The Winter King and skillfully handles many well known elements of the Arthurian legends such as Tristan, Lancelot and Guineveire's 'romance' and the Grail in a realistic well thought out way. The narrator of the story, Derfel Cadarn,friend of Arthur is on top form and brings to life a very realistic view of life in 500AD.
The use of the bitches against the war-dogs during one of the battles against the saxons was brilliant and cunning Merlin and Nimue are again on top Form here. If you can get hold of it try listening to Tim-pigott Smiths audio cassette of this trilogy, he reads it wonderfully and why its not been released on CD yet i dont understand.
Highly Recommended

Amazing continuation of a great saga, 10 Aug 2007
After the great "Winter King" here is the equally splendid second part of the trilogy. Bernard Cornwell managed to keep exactly the same very high level of storytelling and all day life and nature description. The story never gets boring and, even for people knowing the story of Saxon invasions and having some knowledge of Arthurian mythos, there are surprises in every chapter. Author's (and narrator's) dislike of Christianism is even stronger in this book that in the previous, so religious people can be somehow schocked, but still it is a great read.


Glory in the Midst of Bloody Battles and Duplicity, 07 Nov 2008
If you haven't yet read Sharpe's Tiger, I recommend that you begin your reading of this exciting series with that book. The characters and story in Sharpe's Triumph will make more sense that way.

If you liked Sharpe's Tiger, you will probably enjoy Sharpe's Triumph even more. The story here is more historically accurate, the various battles are brilliantly described, and readers will find it easier to identify with Sharpe as the hero of the story.

As the book opens, Sergeant Sharpe has been sent to pick up some ammunition . . . a seemingly dull assignment that soon becomes quite meaningful. There's a rogue lieutenant from the British East India Company who has a bounty on his head, and Sharpe is soon drawn into the search for Lieutenant Dodd and the sepoys he took with him.

In the background, Sharpe has been enjoying a leisurely four years since he earned his sergeant's stripes in Sharpe's Tiger. The cushion that his wealth has brought is about to become a curse, however.

In the search for Dodd, Sharpe is presented with the opportunity to better his station in life, meets a new love interest, and has some hard choices to make.

The high point of the story comes in the detailed recounting of the Battle of Assaye which was important to defeating the Indian forces and helped establish the reputation of Sir Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington).

Those who don't want to read about the bloody side of war would do well to avoid this book.


Superb, 22 Oct 2008
I am so glad that Bernard Cornwell went back to do these. I was lucky enough to read all in date order (I got into these in the past 6 months). Reading the later books makes so much sense as they constantly refer back to previous exploits. It's really interesting to see him rising up the ranks, seems to make everything make sense. Typical rip-roaring Sharpe novel.... cant put them down!

Truimph - certainly is, 22 May 2008
The second of the Indian Trilogy and it continues in the same breathtaking read, every chapter glides along as we see Sharpe at Assaye and famously saving Wellesley during the battle. From that moment on, he is thrust into the role of officer...but he certainly ain't no gentleman.

The characters are great, Dodd is very good as is Pohlmann. Yet i never took to McCandless - he just reminded me of another Nairn. However, a great read.

Sharpe at Assaye, 06 Aug 2007
This book culminates with the battle of Assaye (September 23rd, 1803) which Wellington himself allegedly considered his finest victory. Before it gets to that however you're treated to the oh so familiar but never stale or boring ingredients of a typical Sharpe novel: colourful characters (one female too, off course), a fast-paced plot, vivid descriptions, and plenty of action.

Mindless escapism this surely is, but in that category few can rival Cornwell.

Cornwell continues his betrayal, 28 Jul 2007
I read all of the original Sharpe series in the eighties and thought that the series had come to it's natural conclusion with Sharpes Waterloo in 1990. I was very suprised to see Sharpes Devil a couple of years later and to my mind this was a book too far in the series. Cornwell was always writing other books including the excellent Redcoat as well as his nautical thrillers. When he started the Starbuck chronicles I was delighted and followed Nates adventures in the same manner as I had Sharpe's. Then, after the Sharpe series had been shown on tv Cornwell abandoned "The Starbuck Chronicles" mid-series (after four books)and resurrected Sharpe. Not to sound too cynical but the only reason for this betrayal of fans who had bought the new books and were following Starbuck could only have been money...Cornwell betrayed and sacrificed the Starbuck fans for a newer and more lucrutive market...the new Sharpe fans worldwide who came to the books after the tv series. In order to continue to cash in along came all the new books each one inserted in a different period of Sharpe's career. If you have read the original series you won't recognise Sharpe's description in the new books..because it's Sean Bean!...Thanks Bernard, how's the yacht?

A Different Point of View, 15 Jan 2006
OK... so why is someone from Montana writing a review on this book? BECAUSE I LIKED IT! I became a Bernard Cornwell fan listening to (I like audiobooks) the aribdged versions of the Grail Series ... {Archer's Tale, Vagabond, Heretic} ... I then listened to Winter King, Enemy of God, & Excalibur ... and Gallows Thief, and The Last Kindom .... ok this is one of my favorite authors now however I think his best series is the Grail Series .....
That said, I also looked forward to the publication Stonehenge ..... and as I'm an audiobook fiend I listened to Tom Sellwood's reading .... (as a personal matter I think Cornwell should get himself a better reader ... as this one didn't do the book justice I didn't think)
From the viewpoint of a native of Montana who has never been to Stonehenge (and probably never will be) ... This was a great story about how the historical place of Stonehenge came into existence ..... VERY WELL TOLD ... demonstrating again why this writer has become one of my favorites ....
While I do not agree with the critics who said this was a big let down after Excalibur ..... I do agree with those who say that it takes awhile to get into this story and that it became drawn out at certain points .... I think because of Cornwell's dedication to good research and not wanting to waste any of it by not including it in some way ... leading to extended descriptive sections as the method of insertion into the story ... (not a sin ... ) ... Despite these minor problems this is a GREAT STORY .... I was not disappointed!!!!!!!!!!

While I am not a Sharpe series fan, nor a fan of Cornwell's US history stories generally (except for Gallows Thief) ..... I am a great fan of his more ancient history stories about England and Europe ... these are GREAT STORIES.... with rich and engaging characters ... and with well researched and truly ingeneous and unique story telling ability ...Stonehenge is not an exception, but another GREAT example of this writer's ability ... well that's my opinion anyway.

Interesting and clever in places, 24 Jul 2005
I'm a big fan of Bernard Cornwell so bought this book as soon as it was released. I found it to be his worst book, but don't let that make you think it's poor, because it ain't. Set in Neolithic times, the book tells the story of brothers, sons of the tribal king, battling it out for supremacy over the tribe. One, slightly mad, is driven away from the village and wonders the country looking for his religious message. He finds it in Wales and thus begins the building of Stonehenge.
The time frame is too short for considered actual events, merely a few years, but it is an interesting idea and who knows; it might be somewhere near the truth!?
I haven't re read it unlike other Cornwell novels but is a cherished part of my collection of his books.
If you are new to Cornwell, try one of the Sharpe stories or better still his Arthurian trilogy first, they'll grip you far more.

A Neolithic swashbuckler!, 12 Jun 2005
The only thing harder to research than a historical novel is a pre-historical one. Cornwell has made a serious effort to understand the how the Neolithic looked in southern Britain, then fit plot and characters into that landscape. It's an exciting story, full of duplicity, heroics, deeply held feelings and almost convincing people.

Centred, as the title suggests, on the great stone monument on Salisbury Plain, he builds a narrative suggesting the motivation and labour involved in building this ancient site. He uses two trinities to develop his story. One trinity is comprised of brothers who represent material, mysticism and morality. The other is three who, by stretching your imagination, might be Mother, Maiden and Crone of the slassical witchcraft Sisterhood, although those identities shift drastically as the story progresses. The clash of greedy warlords with messianic figures is like something out of Sir Walter Scott. Cornwell's technique makes thrilling reading while upholding modern standards of justice and rewards for the good. The good, of course, don't come through unblemished or painlessly, but they survive. All the excitement and maneuvering raise this book a step above the modern fantasy novel, but the step is a small one.

If you're looking for adventure with an unusual twist, this is the book for you. You will be taken back in time, through some spatial adjustment, but most importantly, view a society very different from the one you know. Prepare yourself for a harsh existence while remembering that "progress" is a word with many definitions. Perhaps there's some benefit in reading the "Historical note" at the back first, then delving into Cornwell's sources, before returning to this fictional account. All of his resources are at least as readable as this book, and infinitely more informative, if not as imaginative. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

History brought to life, 30 Mar 2005
Another typical good read. Characters are believable and the scene that is set is good. If you are a Cornwell fan this will keep you happy.

Stonehenge, 16 Feb 2005
This was the first book I read by Bernard Cornwell, after this it most definitely won't be the last!

This story tells the story of the construction of the world famous Stonehenge. This of course does not promise to be the true story, but will we ever know the true story of Stonehenge?

This is a very strong story, superbly written and although many have not liked this book the most important thing to remember is this is a work of fiction, having said that Bernard is such a wonderful author it is very hard to remember while reading this book that it is indeed fiction.

This gives you such a feel that you can almost imagine what it was like to live on those beautiful hills in Salisbury at the time when Stonehenge was constructed.

Brave and contextual writing., 13 Nov 2008
J.M. Coetzee has managed, as many good authors do, to completely immerse the reader in what goes on in the book and its often uncomfortable surroundings. The characters have depth and are well described and the main character, although potentially unlikeable, seemed to grow ever dearer to my heart the more I read.

Set in a time of unrest and uncertainty, the book deals with many themes that may often not be the most easy to explore. We go deep into David Lurie's (the main character) sense of self and intimate thoughts, and true to life, they are not always easy to accept.

I was both interested and moved by this novel, as one always should be. The writing style, although eloquent, is not over-complicated and therefore will appeal to a wider audience. The settings are atmospheric and lucid, which serves to create a reality in which the reader is ensconced.

Impressive and haunting - shame about the opera, 21 Oct 2008
This is an impressive book, although not an easy read - it tackles uncomfortable subjects, contains some disturbing scenes and the characters are frustrating.
Coetzee portrays the problems of a changing south Africa, where blacks and whites are supposedly equal but clearly still very much divided, living respectively in poverty and fear, with little faith in the government or justice system to put things right. The rules have changed and no one is quite sure where they stand.
The central character, David Lurie, is a frustrated academic seeking satisfaction in the arms of a string of younger women, having failed to find it in his lecturing career. Now, disgraced, friendless and out of a job, he is starting to come to terms with his own ageing and the associated fears of loneliness, weakness and death. Coetzee also explores the tensions of father-daughter relationships - Lurie can no longer ignore his 'little girl''s sexuality knowing that she has been raped, and after himself sleeping with students younger than her - and the difficulty of letting go of your children even when you don't agree with their choices. Although the characters themselves can be hard to relate to, their behaviour often selfish and unreasonable, the relationships between them are intriguing, and elegantly captured in Coetzee's spare, ruthless prose.
This is definitely a book that will stay with me. I would have given it five stars were it not for the passages towards the end describing Lurie's (Coetzee's?) self-indulgent opera about Byron - I had no interest in this and the book began to lose its momentum.

Thought-provoking study of accountability and blame, 13 Jul 2008
Not an uplifting book, this one. But one that hits deep, and makes you think hard. In the end, I suppose it's all about accountability and blame - not comfortable things to think about at any time, but in post-apartheid South Africa, particularly difficult. How does one define and/or justify exploitation? I don't know. I shall have to read the book again, now that I know the questions I want to ask.

Thought provoking but largely frustrating, 27 May 2008
I have just finished reading Disgrace and I am in two minds about whether or not I liked it. The style of writing is undoubtedly superb and the author clearly scholarly. However, like the previous reviewer, I found myself increasingly irritated with Lurie's daughter and her unfathomable refusal to deal with her horrifying ordeal. She would neither lay down and die or get up and walk, which, after any life changing trauma, one ultimately has to do. Her perpetual inertia became wearing and in fact, in the end, really quite boring. Having said this, the interplay between Lucy and Petrus was very thought-provoking. Although Petrus was a shadowy character, his inexorable rise to dominance over Lucy was marked and profound. Perhaps a typical post-apartheid role reversal? However, what did the affair between Lurie and the student have to do with anything, other than perhaps be a weak attempt to force Lurie to look at himself. Also, why did Lurie sleep with Bev Shaw? I didn't think it made much sense (but then I'm not a man)! My overall impression was that this novel was interesting, beautifully written and thought-provoking, which are all good things of course, but I found it stumbled over the obstacles of tedium and a distinct lack of apparent adequate motivating factors in the characters.

Limited sympathies, 23 May 2008
Lurie is a hard character to like or to sympathise with, who often acts willfuly without seeming to care for or consider the consequences of his actions. Nor does he have the humour or self effacement to let him get away with it. And yet there is something there that means he is not wholly repellent. He cares for his daughter, who is determined to shut him out emotionally.

The characters are complex and it is not always easy to follow what is driving them. The relationship, if there is one, between Lurie's daughter and Petrus is ambiguous.

I enjoyed reading the book and the writing is pacy, but I was left confused by the ending and unsure of what it all meant.

Id as blud, 25 Oct 2008
I used to read cornwell books when I was 14 and I thought they were amazing.

Recently I picked up this book again and had a quick look through and realised why the biggest fans of these books are 40 year old men and 13 year old boys.

His books contist of gory battles puncutated by erotica set in a different historical periods with a few dates and a bit of a plot thrown in (13 year old boys liking this formula becuase they are interested in sex and a box and 40 year old boys because perhaps dont get as much sex and excitment as they got when they were in their prime)

To be fair this book has a mildy engaging plot but there truly are better books, and authors out there.

Cornwell does it again, 22 Oct 2008
This is the second book in the Arthur series and Cornwell keeps up his amazingly consistant and high standards. This is his take on the Arthur legend, using much more of the 'real' story compared to the legend most of us know now. He has incorporated some modern additions to the legend such as Merlin, Lancelot, the Round Table and Camelot, however being Bernard Cornwell he does not deliver these in a standard way, he has his own twist! I agree a little with the other review on here, he recaps a lot of Book 1 on the assumption it may have been a long time for readers in between books, however if you read them in sequence like I did, it is a little annoying. However this is my only small critiscm, and this book is another historical fiction classic.... leaves Britain in turmoil as usual and cannot wait to finish the 3rd and final in the series....

Enemy of sleep!, 13 Jun 2008
this trilogy held my attention, this book particularly with its indepth look at battles, territory and the like. My criticism, for there is one, remains the same as my criticism of the last book and indeed the overall saga, all that spitting! Endlessly recited. He spat. OK, they did it to avert evil but one would think they spent their lives averting evil as they were spitting at every conceivable moment of their lives. It spoiled an otherwise very good series.

2nd part of the greatest Trilogy ever written, 22 Oct 2007
Continues on from The Winter King and skillfully handles many well known elements of the Arthurian legends such as Tristan, Lancelot and Guineveire's 'romance' and the Grail in a realistic well thought out way. The narrator of the story, Derfel Cadarn,friend of Arthur is on top form and brings to life a very realistic view of life in 500AD.
The use of the bitches against the war-dogs during one of the battles against the saxons was brilliant and cunning Merlin and Nimue are again on top Form here. If you can get hold of it try listening to Tim-pigott Smiths audio cassette of this trilogy, he reads it wonderfully and why its not been released on CD yet i dont understand.
Highly Recommended

Amazing continuation of a great saga, 10 Aug 2007
After the great "Winter King" here is the equally splendid second part of the trilogy. Bernard Cornwell managed to keep exactly the same very high level of storytelling and all day life and nature description. The story never gets boring and, even for people knowing the story of Saxon invasions and having some knowledge of Arthurian mythos, there are surprises in every chapter. Author's (and narrator's) dislike of Christianism is even stronger in this book that in the previous, so religious people can be somehow schocked, but still it is a great read.


Glory in the Midst of Bloody Battles and Duplicity, 07 Nov 2008
If you haven't yet read Sharpe's Tiger, I recommend that you begin your reading of this exciting series with that book. The characters and story in Sharpe's Triumph will make more sense that way.

If you liked Sharpe's Tiger, you will probably enjoy Sharpe's Triumph even more. The story here is more historically accurate, the various battles are brilliantly described, and readers will find it easier to identify with Sharpe as the hero of the story.

As the book opens, Sergeant Sharpe has been sent to pick up some ammunition . . . a seemingly dull assignment that soon becomes quite meaningful. There's a rogue lieutenant from the British East India Company who has a bounty on his head, and Sharpe is soon drawn into the search for Lieutenant Dodd and the sepoys he took with him.

In the background, Sharpe has been enjoying a leisurely four years since he earned his sergeant's stripes in Sharpe's Tiger. The cushion that his wealth has brought is about to become a curse, however.

In the search for Dodd, Sharpe is presented with the opportunity to better his station in life, meets a new love interest, and has some hard choices to make.

The high point of the story comes in the detailed recounting of the Battle of Assaye which was important to defeating the Indian forces and helped establish the reputation of Sir Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington).

Those who don't want to read about the bloody side of war would do well to avoid this book.


Superb, 22 Oct 2008
I am so glad that Bernard Cornwell went back to do these. I was lucky enough to read all in date order (I got into these in the past 6 months). Reading the later books makes so much sense as they constantly refer back to previous exploits. It's really interesting to see him rising up the ranks, seems to make everything make sense. Typical rip-roaring Sharpe novel.... cant put them down!

Truimph - certainly is, 22 May 2008
The second of the Indian Trilogy and it continues in the same breathtaking read, every chapter glides along as we see Sharpe at Assaye and famously saving Wellesley during the battle. From that moment on, he is thrust into the role of officer...but he certainly ain't no gentleman.

The characters are great, Dodd is very good as is Pohlmann. Yet i never took to McCandless - he just reminded me of another Nairn. However, a great read.

Sharpe at Assaye, 06 Aug 2007
This book culminates with the battle of Assaye (September 23rd, 1803) which Wellington himself allegedly considered his finest victory. Before it gets to that however you're treated to the oh so familiar but never stale or boring ingredients of a typical Sharpe novel: colourful characters (one female too, off course), a fast-paced plot, vivid descriptions, and plenty of action.

Mindless escapism this surely is, but in that category few can rival Cornwell.

Cornwell continues his betrayal, 28 Jul 2007
I read all of the original Sharpe series in the eighties and thought that the series had come to it's natural conclusion with Sharpes Waterloo in 1990. I was very suprised to see Sharpes Devil a couple of years later and to my mind this was a book too far in the series. Cornwell was always writing other books including the excellent Redcoat as well as his nautical thrillers. When he started the Starbuck chronicles I was delighted and followed Nates adventures in the same manner as I had Sharpe's. Then, after the Sharpe series had been shown on tv Cornwell abandoned "The Starbuck Chronicles" mid-series (after four books)and resurrected Sharpe. Not to sound too cynical but the only reason for this betrayal of fans who had bought the new books and were following Starbuck could only have been money...Cornwell betrayed and sacrificed the Starbuck fans for a newer and more lucrutive market...the new Sharpe fans worldwide who came to the books after the tv series. In order to continue to cash in along came all the new books each one inserted in a different period of Sharpe's career. If you have read the original series you won't recognise Sharpe's description in the new books..because it's Sean Bean!...Thanks Bernard, how's the yacht?

Very well done., 27 Apr 2000
This is not my favourite Coupland, but it's not my least favourite. Somewhere in the middle, then. Which makes it pretty good. I think the story suits Matthew Perry's narration very well. His perky, quirky, clever-nerdy tone is nice to listen to, emphasising the bouncy lightness of the novel. . .

A Different Point of View, 15 Jan 2006
OK... so why is someone from Montana writing a review on this book? BECAUSE I LIKED IT! I became a Bernard Cornwell fan listening to (I like audiobooks) the aribdged versions of the Grail Series ... {Archer's Tale, Vagabond, Heretic} ... I then listened to Winter King, Enemy of God, & Excalibur ... and Gallows Thief, and The Last Kindom .... ok this is one of my favorite authors now however I think his best series is the Grail Series .....
That said, I also looked forward to the publication Stonehenge ..... and as I'm an audiobook fiend I listened to Tom Sellwood's reading .... (as a personal matter I think Cornwell should get himself a better reader ... as this one didn't do the book justice I didn't think)
From the viewpoint of a native of Montana who has never been to Stonehenge (and probably never will be) ... This was a great story about how the historical place of Stonehenge came into existence ..... VERY WELL TOLD ... demonstrating again why this writer has become one of my favorites ....
While I do not agree with the critics who said this was a big let down after Excalibur ..... I do agree with those who say that it takes awhile to get into this story and that it became drawn out at certain points .... I think because of Cornwell's dedication to good research and not wanting to waste any of it by not including it in some way ... leading to extended descriptive sections as the method of insertion into the story ... (not a sin ... ) ... Despite these minor problems this is a GREAT STORY .... I was not disappointed!!!!!!!!!!

While I am not a Sharpe series fan, nor a fan of Cornwell's US history stories generally (except for Gallows Thief) ..... I am a great fan of his more ancient history stories about England and Europe ... these are GREAT STORIES.... with rich and engaging characters ... and with well researched and truly ingeneous and unique story telling ability ...Stonehenge is not an exception, but another GREAT example of this writer's ability ... well that's my opinion anyway.

Interesting and clever in places, 24 Jul 2005
I'm a big fan of Bernard Cornwell so bought this book as soon as it was released. I found it to be his worst book, but don't let that make you think it's poor, because it ain't. Set in Neolithic times, the book tells the story of brothers, sons of the tribal king, battling it out for supremacy over the tribe. One, slightly mad, is driven away from the village and wonders the country looking for his religious message. He finds it in Wales and thus begins the building of Stonehenge.
The time frame is too short for considered actual events, merely a few years, but it is an interesting idea and who knows; it might be somewhere near the truth!?
I haven't re read it unlike other Cornwell novels but is a cherished part of my collection of his books.
If you are new to Cornwell, try one of the Sharpe stories or better still his Arthurian trilogy first, they'll grip you far more.

A Neolithic swashbuckler!, 12 Jun 2005
The only thing harder to research than a historical novel is a pre-historical one. Cornwell has made a serious effort to understand the how the Neolithic looked in southern Britain, then fit plot and characters into that landscape. It's an exciting story, full of duplicity, heroics, deeply held feelings and almost convincing people.

Centred, as the title suggests, on the great stone monument on Salisbury Plain, he builds a narrative suggesting the motivation and labour involved in building this ancient site. He uses two trinities to develop his story. One trinity is comprised of brothers who represent material, mysticism and morality. The other is three who, by stretching your imagination, might be Mother, Maiden and Crone of the slassical witchcraft Sisterhood, although those identities shift drastically as the story progresses. The clash of greedy warlords with messianic figures is like something out of Sir Walter Scott. Cornwell's technique makes thrilling reading while upholding modern standards of justice and rewards for the good. The good, of course, don't come through unblemished or painlessly, but they survive. All the excitement and maneuvering raise this book a step above the modern fantasy novel, but the step is a small one.

If you're looking for adventure with an unusual twist, this is the book for you. You will be taken back in time, through some spatial adjustment, but most importantly, view a society very different from the one you know. Prepare yourself for a harsh existence while remembering that "progress" is a word with many definitions. Perhaps there's some benefit in reading the "Historical note" at the back first, then delving into Cornwell's sources, before returning to this fictional account. All of his resources are at least as readable as this book, and infinitely more informative, if not as imaginative. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

History brought to life, 30 Mar 2005
Another typical good read. Characters are believable and the scene that is set is good. If you are a Cornwell fan this will keep you happy.

Stonehenge, 16 Feb 2005
This was the first book I read by Bernard Cornwell, after this it most definitely won't be the last!

This story tells the story of the construction of the world famous Stonehenge. This of course does not promise to be the true story, but will we ever know the true story of Stonehenge?

This is a very strong story, superbly written and although many have not liked this book the most important thing to remember is this is a work of fiction, having said that Bernard is such a wonderful author it is very hard to remember while reading this book that it is indeed fiction.

This gives you such a feel that you can almost imagine what it was like to live on those beautiful hills in Salisbury at the time when Stonehenge was constructed.

Brave and contextual writing., 13 Nov 2008
J.M. Coetzee has managed, as many good authors do, to completely immerse the reader in what goes on in the book and its often uncomfortable surroundings. The characters have depth and are well described and the main character, although potentially unlikeable, seemed to grow ever dearer to my heart the more I read.

Set in a time of unrest and uncertainty, the book deals with many themes that may often not be the most easy to explore. We go deep into David Lurie's (the main character) sense of self and intimate thoughts, and true to life, they are not always easy to accept.

I was both interested and moved by this novel, as one always should be. The writing style, although eloquent, is not over-complicated and therefore will appeal to a wider audience. The settings are atmospheric and lucid, which serves to create a reality in which the reader is ensconced.

Impressive and haunting - shame about the opera, 21 Oct 2008
This is an impressive book, although not an easy read - it tackles uncomfortable subjects, contains some disturbing scenes and the characters are frustrating.
Coetzee portrays the problems of a changing south Africa, where blacks and whites are supposedly equal but clearly still very much divided, living respectively in poverty and fear, with little faith in the government or justice system to put things right. The rules have changed and no one is quite sure where they stand.
The central character, David Lurie, is a frustrated academic seeking satisfaction in the arms of a string of younger women, having failed to find it in his lecturing career. Now, disgraced, friendless and out of a job, he is starting to come to terms with his own ageing and the associated fears of loneliness, weakness and death. Coetzee also explores the tensions of father-daughter relationships - Lurie can no longer ignore his 'little girl''s sexuality knowing that she has been raped, and after himself sleeping with students younger than her - and the difficulty of letting go of your children even when you don't agree with their choices. Although the characters themselves can be hard to relate to, their behaviour often selfish and unreasonable, the relationships between them are intriguing, and elegantly captured in Coetzee's spare, ruthless prose.
This is definitely a book that will stay with me. I would have given it five stars were it not for the passages towards the end describing Lurie's (Coetzee's?) self-indulgent opera about Byron - I had no interest in this and the book began to lose its momentum.

Thought-provoking study of accountability and blame, 13 Jul 2008
Not an uplifting book, this one. But one that hits deep, and makes you think hard. In the end, I suppose it's all about accountability and blame - not comfortable things to think about at any time, but in post-apartheid South Africa, particularly difficult. How does one define and/or justify exploitation? I don't know. I shall have to read the book again, now that I know the questions I want to ask.

Thought provoking but largely frustrating, 27 May 2008
I have just finished reading Disgrace and I am in two minds about whether or not I liked it. The style of writing is undoubtedly superb and the author clearly scholarly. However, like the previous reviewer, I found myself increasingly irritated with Lurie's daughter and her unfathomable refusal to deal with her horrifying ordeal. She would neither lay down and die or get up and walk, which, after any life changing trauma, one ultimately has to do. Her perpetual inertia became wearing and in fact, in the end, really quite boring. Having said this, the interplay between Lucy and Petrus was very thought-provoking. Although Petrus was a shadowy character, his inexorable rise to dominance over Lucy was marked and profound. Perhaps a typical post-apartheid role reversal? However, what did the affair between Lurie and the student have to do with anything, other than perhaps be a weak attempt to force Lurie to look at himself. Also, why did Lurie sleep with Bev Shaw? I didn't think it made much sense (but then I'm not a man)! My overall impression was that this novel was interesting, beautifully written and thought-provoking, which are all good things of course, but I found it stumbled over the obstacles of tedium and a distinct lack of apparent adequate motivating factors in the characters.

Limited sympathies, 23 May 2008
Lurie is a hard character to like or to sympathise with, who often acts willfuly without seeming to care for or consider the consequences of his actions. Nor does he have the humour or self effacement to let him get away with it. And yet there is something there that means he is not wholly repellent. He cares for his daughter, who is determined to shut him out emotionally.

The characters are complex and it is not always easy to follow what is driving them. The relationship, if there is one, between Lurie's daughter and Petrus is ambiguous.

I enjoyed reading the book and the writing is pacy, but I was left confused by the ending and unsure of what it all meant.

Id as blud, 25 Oct 2008
I used to read cornwell books when I was 14 and I thought they were amazing.

Recently I picked up this book again and had a quick look through and realised why the biggest fans of these books are 40 year old men and 13 year old boys.

His books contist of gory battles puncutated by erotica set in a different historical periods with a few dates and a bit of a plot thrown in (13 year old boys liking this formula becuase they are interested in sex and a box and 40 year old boys because perhaps dont get as much sex and excitment as they got when they were in their prime)

To be fair this book has a mildy engaging plot but there truly are better books, and authors out there.

Cornwell does it again, 22 Oct 2008
This is the second book in the Arthur series and Cornwell keeps up his amazingly consistant and high standards. This is his take on the Arthur legend, using much more of the 'real' story compared to the legend most of us know now. He has incorporated some modern additions to the legend such as Merlin, Lancelot, the Round Table and Camelot, however being Bernard Cornwell he does not deliver these in a standard way, he has his own twist! I agree a little with the other review on here, he recaps a lot of Book 1 on the assumption it may have been a long time for readers in between books, however if you read them in sequence like I did, it is a little annoying. However this is my only small critiscm, and this book is another historical fiction classic.... leaves Britain in turmoil as usual and cannot wait to finish the 3rd and final in the series....

Enemy of sleep!, 13 Jun 2008
this trilogy held my attention, this book particularly with its indepth look at battles, territory and the like. My criticism, for there is one, remains the same as my criticism of the last book and indeed the overall saga, all that spitting! Endlessly recited. He spat. OK, they did it to avert evil but one would think they spent their lives averting evil as they were spitting at every conceivable moment of their lives. It spoiled an otherwise very good series.

2nd part of the greatest Trilogy ever written, 22 Oct 2007
Continues on from The Winter King and skillfully handles many well known elements of the Arthurian legends such as Tristan, Lancelot and Guineveire's 'romance' and the Grail in a realistic well thought out way. The narrator of the story, Derfel Cadarn,friend of Arthur is on top form and brings to life a very realistic view of life in 500AD.
The use of the bitches against the war-dogs during one of the battles against the saxons was brilliant and cunning Merlin and Nimue are again on top Form here. If you can get hold of it try listening to Tim-pigott Smiths audio cassette of this trilogy, he reads it wonderfully and why its not been released on CD yet i dont understand.
Highly Recommended

Amazing continuation of a great saga, 10 Aug 2007
After the great "Winter King" here is the equally splendid second part of the trilogy. Bernard Cornwell managed to keep exactly the same very high level of storytelling and all day life and nature description. The story never gets boring and, even for people knowing the story of Saxon invasions and having some knowledge of Arthurian mythos, there are surprises in every chapter. Author's (and narrator's) dislike of Christianism is even stronger in this book that in the previous, so religious people can be somehow schocked, but still it is a great read.


Glory in the Midst of Bloody Battles and Duplicity, 07 Nov 2008
If you haven't yet read Sharpe's Tiger, I recommend that you begin your reading of this exciting series with that book. The characters and story in Sharpe's Triumph will make more sense that way.

If you liked Sharpe's Tiger, you will probably enjoy Sharpe's Triumph even more. The story here is more historically accurate, the various battles are brilliantly described, and readers will find it easier to identify with Sharpe as the hero of the story.

As the book opens, Sergeant Sharpe has been sent to pick up some ammunition . . . a seemingly dull assignment that soon becomes quite meaningful. There's a rogue lieutenant from the British East India Company who has a bounty on his head, and Sharpe is soon drawn into the search for Lieutenant Dodd and the sepoys he took with him.

In the background, Sharpe has been enjoying a leisurely four years since he earned his sergeant's stripes in Sharpe's Tiger. The cushion that his wealth has brought is about to become a curse, however.

In the search for Dodd, Sharpe is presented with the opportunity to better his station in life, meets a new love interest, and has some hard choices to make.

The high point of the story comes in the detailed recounting of the Battle of Assaye which was important to defeating the Indian forces and helped establish the reputation of Sir Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington).

Those who don't want to read about the bloody side of war would do well to avoid this book.


Superb, 22 Oct 2008
I am so glad that Bernard Cornwell went back to do these. I was lucky enough to read all in date order (I got into these in the past 6 months). Reading the later books makes so much sense as they constantly refer back to previous exploits. It's really interesting to see him rising up the ranks, seems to make everything make sense. Typical rip-roaring Sharpe novel.... cant put them down!

Truimph - certainly is, 22 May 2008
The second of the Indian Trilogy and it continues in the same breathtaking read, every chapter glides along as we see Sharpe at Assaye and famously saving Wellesley during the battle. From that moment on, he is thrust into the role of officer...but he certainly ain't no gentleman.

The characters are great, Dodd is very good as is Pohlmann. Yet i never took to McCandless - he just reminded me of another Nairn. However, a great read.

Sharpe at Assaye, 06 Aug 2007
This book culminates with the battle of Assaye (September 23rd, 1803) which Wellington himself allegedly considered his finest victory. Before it gets to that however you're treated to the oh so familiar but never stale or boring ingredients of a typical Sharpe novel: colourful characters (one female too, off course), a fast-paced plot, vivid descriptions, and plenty of action.

Mindless escapism this surely is, but in that category few can rival Cornwell.

Cornwell continues his betrayal, 28 Jul 2007
I read all of the original Sharpe series in the eighties and thought that the series had come to it's natural conclusion with Sharpes Waterloo in 1990. I was very suprised to see Sharpes Devil a couple of years later and to my mind this was a book too far in the series. Cornwell was always writing other books including the excellent Redcoat as well as his nautical thrillers. When he started the Starbuck chronicles I was delighted and followed Nates adventures in the same manner as I had Sharpe's. Then, after the Sharpe series had been shown on tv Cornwell abandoned "The Starbuck Chronicles" mid-series (after four books)and resurrected Sharpe. Not to sound too cynical but the only reason for this betrayal of fans who had bought the new books and were following Starbuck could only have been money...Cornwell betrayed and sacrificed the Starbuck fans for a newer and more lucrutive market...the new Sharpe fans worldwide who came to the books after the tv series. In order to continue to cash in along came all the new books each one inserted in a different period of Sharpe's career. If you have read the original series you won't recognise Sharpe's description in the new books..because it's Sean Bean!...Thanks Bernard, how's the yacht?

Very well done., 27 Apr 2000
This is not my favourite Coupland, but it's not my least favourite. Somewhere in the middle, then. Which makes it pretty good. I think the story suits Matthew Perry's narration very well. His perky, quirky, clever-nerdy tone is nice to listen to, emphasising the bouncy lightness of the novel. . .

The best of the Starbuck series, 10 Jul 2008
The best (and as the title suggests) most bloody of the series. Cornwell depicts one hell of a scrap in this one and leaves us wanting more from young Starbuck. A must for fans of this series.

Over before it Began, 30 Apr 2007
'The Bloody Ground' is the last in the Starbuck chronicles and describes the events that saw the start of the South's retreat. Starbuck's numerous enemies have put him in charge of a group known as the Yellowlegs, due to their cowardness. Starbuck, along with his friend Lucifer, must fight against internal corruption as well as the Northern forces if they are to reach what was to become one of the bloodiest battles of the war in time.

I feel that 'The Bloody Ground' is a well written book that suffers from a couple of large problems. Firstly, the entire second half of the book describes a battle. As a fan of Cornwell I do like reading his battle scenes, but there was far too much here. Also this book was written in 1996 so we can safely assume that Cornwell has given up on writing any more Starbuck novels. However, rather than concluding Starbuck's career we are left with a hint of his future. I found this annoying and too open ended. Despite these flaws the rest of the book is pacey and exciting. It may not be up with the best of the Sharpe novels, but fans of Cornwell should check this out all the same.


Great read!, 16 Dec 2006
I recently re-read The Bloody Ground, the last Starbuck novel before Cornwell abandoned the series to cash in on the tv popularity of Sharpe by reinventing & rehashing the series (is it really almost 10 years!).
I had almost forgotten how much I enjoyed the Starbuck novels....this one is full of twists & turns as we follow Nate & all the various colourful characters that all come to life in the pages of this great read.
If you like Historical fiction...give this series a go!
Shame on Bernard Cornwell for selling out and shafting fans of this series...Sharpe should have been left alone. If you read the original series as I did in the eighties, you won't recognise Sharpe in the new books....it's Sean Bean!

Powerful novel describing the battle of Antietam, 18 Jan 2005
Cornwell captures the thrill, brutality and horror of the American Civil War in this fine novel. The plot is not his most exciting but the characters are well drawn and the narrative moves along. The final third of the book concerns the battle of Antietam - the bloodiest day in American military history. Cornwell does it justice.

Bring 'im back., 23 Mar 2003
In spite of having rather repetitive plot-lines involving sinister types who hate our hero's insides and eventually fall by the way, these novels seem to improve as they go on. The characters, including the sinister, become more rounded. The battles are described with verve as you would expect from this author with not too much wallowing in gore. And yes you can read them at one sitting if you're not careful as they flow quite nicely. The running stories through the books are interesting and it's a great pity that the author seems to have tired of this series and they have petered out.
Perhaps you could give 'Sharpe' a rest Mr. Cornwell and have another crack at Captain Ahab?