The Burning Land: 5 (Last Kingdom (Formerly Saxon Tales)) - Softcover

Cornwell, Bernard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060888768 ISBN 13: 9780060888763

Publisher: Harper Paperbacks, 2010

Synopsis

The fifth installment of Bernard Cornwell's New York Times bestselling Saxon Tales 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 television series.

At the end of the ninth century, with King Alfred of Wessex in ill health and his heir still an untested youth, it falls to Alfred's reluctant warlord Uhtred to outwit and outbattle the invading enemy Danes, led by the sword of savage warrior Harald Bloodhair. But the sweetness of Uhtred's victory is soured by tragedy, forcing him to break with the Saxon king. Joining the Vikings, allied with his old friend Ragnar--and his old foe Haesten--Uhtred devises a strategy to invade and conquer Wessex itself. But fate has very different plans.

Bernard Cornwell's The Burning Land is an irresistible new chapter in his epic story of the birth of England and the legendary king who made it possible.

About this title

Review:

"Slathered in blood and gore, Saxon warlord Uhtred of Bebbanburg hacks his way through the ninth century in the exciting fifth installment to bestseller Cornwell's Saxon Tales series. . . . Vivid descriptions of merciless battlefield slaughter, rape, and destruction are artfully related by a masterful storyteller."--Publishers Weekly

"Cornwell (Agincourt) has been described as a master of historical fiction, but that may be an understatement. Cornwell makes his subject material come alive. Better, his major protagonist is totally believable and human."--Robert Conroy, Library Journal

"Cornwell, a master of martial fiction, makes history come alive with his rousing battlefield scenes."--Margaret Flanagan, Booklist

From the Back Cover:

The fifth installment of Bernard Cornwell's bestselling Saxon Tales 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.

At the end of the ninth century, King Alfred of Wessex is in ill health; his heir, an untested youth. His enemy, the Danes, having failed to conquer Wessex, now see their chance for victory. Led by the sword of savage warrior Harald Bloodhair, the Viking hordes attack. But Uhtred, Alfred's reluctant warlord, proves his worth, outwitting Harald and handing the Vikings one of their greatest defeats.

For Uhtred, the sweetness of victory is soon overshadowed by tragedy. Breaking with Alfred, he joins the Vikings, swearing never again to serve the Saxon king. Instead, he will reclaim his ancestral fortress on the Northumbrian coast. Allied with his old friend Ragnar-and his old foe Haesten-he aims to invade and conquer Wessex itself. But fate has different plans . . .

In The Burning Land, Bernard Cornwell, "the reigning king of historical fiction" (USA Today), delivers a rousing saga of Anglo-Saxon England-an irresistible new chapter in his thrilling Saxon Tales, the epic story of the birth of England and the legendary king who made it possible.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0060888768
• ISBN 13: 9780060888763
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368