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The Pale Horseman (Abridged) Audiobook
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(4.00) - 7,771 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The second installment of Bernard Cornwell’s bestselling series chronicling the epic saga of the making of England, “like Game of Thrones, but real” (The Observer, London)—the basis for The Last Kingdom, the hit BBC America television series.
This is the exciting—yet little known—story of the making of England in the 9th and 10th centuries, the years in which King Alfred the Great, his son and grandson defeated the Danish Vikings who had invaded and occupied three of England’s four kingdoms.
At the end of The Last Kingdom, The Danes had been defeated at Cynuit, but the triumph of the English is not fated to last long. The Danish Vikings quickly invade and occupy three of England’s four kingdoms—and all that remains of the once proud country is a small piece of marshland, where Alfred and his family live with a few soldiers and retainers, including Uhtred, the dispossessed English nobleman who was raised by the Danes. Uhtred has always been a Dane at heart, and has always believed that given the chance, he would fight for the men who raised him and taught him the Viking ways. But when Iseult, a powerful sorceress, enters Uhtred’s life, he is forced to consider feelings he’s never confronted before—and Uhtred discovers, in his moment of greatest peril, a new-found loyalty and love for his native country and ruler.
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"So, I've decided that I have to read this series very slowly. The sheer enjoyment I get from the setting and the narrative is a thing to be savored and I have a very hard time savoring books as I tend to plow through one after another. This book picked up right where the last left off and was full of the same stuff I had come to expect from The Last Kingdom. I love to see how the various relationshpis change with circumstances that are forced upon Uhtred. Cornwell and O'brien have officially made me a histroical fiction fan for life."
— Marcus (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Filled with bawdy humor, bloodlust, treachery and valor, this stirring tale will leave readers eager for the next volume in this Alfred the Great series.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Jamie Glover narrates the historical fiction with solemnity, capturing tones of fear and exhilaration in battle and bedroom…His scholarly British voice fits the text, imparting historical veracity and fictional gravity.”
— AudioFile -
“Cornwell, the author of the excellent Sharpe series, displays his usual flair for providing action-packed martial history populated by a diverse array of realistically drawn characters. A crackerjack adventure tale from a master of the craft.”
— Booklist -
“Swords, shields, mud and blood. Great stuff, as always, from the master.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
The Pale Horseman Listener Reviews
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" This book had a very strong storyline. Great action. "
— Ryan, 2/19/2014 -
" A wonderful historic fiction. High recommend! "
— Ty, 2/19/2014 -
" The Saxon series is my favorite of all Cornwell's series. If you like vikings and war, you'll love this. If not, you soon will. "
— Brad, 2/12/2014 -
" Historical Fiction at its best "
— Jeff, 1/21/2014 -
" Read within the past two years. Not sure of completion date. "
— Gary, 1/8/2014 -
" Loving the series .......... "
— Tania, 1/8/2014 -
" I just read it again and still love it! "
— Dee, 12/23/2013 -
" I personally got bored toward the end of this one. The first book is better. The rest of tye series after this one are well written as well. "
— Olga, 11/25/2013 -
" Just finished, enjoying the series and moving thru it with great enjoyment. "
— Victoria, 11/18/2013 -
" Good third installment of Cornwell's Last Kingdom series. Excellent evocation of ninth century England. "
— Ron, 10/27/2013 -
" This is the second book in the Saxon series. Excellent! Couldn't put it down. "
— Olivia, 10/21/2013 -
" This is an entertaining way to learn bits and pieces of British/Saxon/Danish history, but is largely made up of pillaging, revenge, & more violence than I'm used to in a book. But is was a fun read between other books that are more 'typical' for me. "
— Molly, 10/3/2013 -
" An Entertaining read...lots of fluff, decent character development. I enjoyed it. "
— Ted, 4/28/2013 -
" In book 1 - a boy becomes a man, this book he becomes a warrior. One that becomes very skilled in battle strategies. With wins and losses both as a warrior and a man - the journey brings you closer to the glory that is rightfully his. "
— Mary, 11/14/2012 -
" England gets a little close to unification. Lots of blood and guts. Quite rousing. "
— Richard, 11/9/2012 -
" Too many names that start with "Al...." fun story nevertheless... "
— Ninon, 11/5/2012 -
" Great way to pick up some 9th century English history and be entertained at the same time. Make me want to be a viking! "
— Flavio, 11/2/2012 -
" It's hard to describe this book. It is interesting with the history. If accurate, the people of the time, including the King were not nice. Breaking contracts, not rewarding loyalty, etc. Pretty much like now. There is a lot of fighting and it is graphic. "
— Lynne, 10/20/2012 -
" It's a continuation of the Last Kingdom so there isn't much different to say about this one. It's a good book, worth 3.5 stars. The main character is a hard man. He's been treated harshly and this must have been how it was during that time period so one can understand it at least. "
— Coy, 4/16/2012 -
" A good historic read "
— daniel, 11/15/2011 -
" Mindless violence, historical mayhem, Vikings and ancient Britons. A perfect read for a wet Sunday (or any other day). "
— J.T., 5/22/2011 -
" Tenth century Wessex with King Alfred reigning. "Realism" is overrated. No redeeming qualities in the characters, blood, gore, rape and pillage just don't make enjoyable reading for me. Plus, this reader was WAY over the top. "
— Pat, 4/24/2011 -
" Read within the past two years. Not sure of completion date. "
— Gary, 3/12/2011 -
" Enjoyable read, with perhaps some insight into the way things might have been. Follows the usual storyline pattern we expect from Cornwall. "
— Ice, 3/9/2011 -
" Unusual for me to proceed straight on to the next in a series-I normally like to have a break. But thhis is such a promising and exciting saga, that I'm keen to follow Uhtred of bamburgh's quest! Some fabulous characters-good to learn more of Alfred the Great (who may not have been so great....) "
— Elaine, 2/16/2011 -
" Great follow up on the first book, again a very honest story with a very good person in the lead, one who is torn between the to kingdoms, which is great because noone really gets to be THE enemy. "
— Ida, 2/2/2011 -
" Can't get enough of these. Psyched to move on to the Arthur books n' stuff. "
— Peter, 1/30/2011 -
" More of Uhtred's portrait of Alfred. "
— Dick, 1/24/2011 -
" Awesome! Bernard Cornwell is brilliant! His books have constant action and are very well researched. His main character is a total stud. The storyline is captivating! "
— Malena, 1/21/2011 -
" An enjoyable second in this series, a time in history I don't read a lot about. "
— Bob, 1/13/2011 -
" Great way to pick up some 9th century English history and be entertained at the same time. Make me want to be a viking! "
— Flavio, 1/10/2011 -
" Love a good historical fiction. Give me Danes and Saxons and some battles and victories in a book anyday. "
— Robyn, 1/9/2011
About Bernard Cornwell
Bernard Cornwell, born in London, worked for the BBC and Thames Television before coming to the United States to write full time. His sweeping historical novels, including the acclaimed Richard Sharpe series and many more, make him a number one bestselling author in the United Kingdom and around the world. He is the author of the acclaimed New York Times bestselling Saxon Tales series, which serves as the basis for the hit television series The Last Kingdom.
About Jamie Glover
Jamie Glover was trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. He has appeared on stage in productions of The Cherry Orchard and Mother Tongue. His many radio credits include Ben Hur and Sherlock Holmes, and on television he has had roles in Brother Cadfael, The Broker’s Man, and Breaking Up. His film work includes Age of Treason, which was directed by Kevin Connor.