1356

A Novel

De: Bernard Cornwell

Narrado por: Jack Hawkins

Bernard Cornwell, the "master of martial fiction" (Booklist), brings Thomas of Hookton from the popular Grail Quest series into a new adventure in 1356, a thrilling stand-alone novel. On September 19, 1356, a heavily outnumbered English army faced off against the French in the historic Battle of Poitiers.

In 1356, Cornwell resurrects this dramatic and bloody struggle - one that would turn out to be the most decisive and improbable victory of the Hundred Years' War, a clash where the underdog English not only the captured the strategic site of Poitiers, but the French King John II as well.

In the vein of Cornwell's best-selling Agincourt, 1356 is an action-packed story of danger and conquest, rich with military strategy and remarkable characters - both villainous and heroic - transporting readers to the front lines of war while painting a vivid picture of courage, treachery, and combat.

©2012 Bernard Cornwell (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Amazing and Captiving from the first minute!

I was not sure I would like this book since it's not my usual genre, but the story seemed to have so many facets, that I was willing to take a chance. Especially since the last 4 or 5 books I downloaded were adequate at best. The narrator is the best I have ever heard. His tone is smooth and voice changes for different characters is unique and makes it much easier to follow this incredible and exciting story. I didn't want the 11 hours to be over and was constantly surprised and amazed at the detail and touching stories of each characters life that the author had a never ending supply of. You would feel like you were at the edge of story being told watching it unfold. I can't wait to see what other fabulous books this author has and I hope he uses the same narrator for all of them.

good story but rather short

Basically a good story and interesting historical fiction, but it kinda wrapped up and ended just as I was getting into it. A little hard to keep the characters straight with the narration, but I recommend it as a worthwhile listen.

Another Most Excellent Book from Cornwell!

If you could sum up 1356 in three words, what would they be?

I love how the story builds and all the plots and sub plots come together. Plus it is fun learning about another time and place. Would recommend this to anyone that loves historical fiction. wonderful performance also by reader.

Great Action Story

What made the experience of listening to 1356 the most enjoyable?

A very easy book to read. There is a lot action running thru out the story line.

What did you like best about this story?

Full of detail explaining how people lived in 1356..

great read!!!

best of the series. the author was a little weird at first to get used to because the other first three books had a gruff narrator, but this guy does perfect accents for every character

Excellent revisit of Thomas and the Gang

Back in the saddle with your favorite archer to tie up some loose arrows from the grail trilogy that crescendos into the epic, and historically accurate, telling of the battle of Poitier

Wonderfully Written

Yet another excellent historical novel by Cornwell, a stand-alone novel featuring characters from the Grail Quest series. I really enjoyed this book although the narration left a little to be desired when compared to Andrew Cullam who narrated the previous three books. Highly recommend for great historical fiction during the Hundred Years War between England and France.

The brutality of medieval warfare

The story was very good, but it took some time to get used to the narrator. I believe he improved as the story went on. 

boring narration

the narration was boring and monotone though his voices for characters were superb. the narration itself was fast and without much inflection aside from the dialogue. really easy to stop paying attention to unfortunately. probably should've read it instead of listening bc the story was fantastic but the narrator left a lot to be desired especially after listening to the warlord trilogy and the first three of this series. the narrators for those were miles better (esp the warlord trilogy!).

The end of the 100 years war

I am a great fan of Bernard Cornwell. This is book 5 in The Grail Quest series. I have read them in order but each book can stand alone. This book covers the weeks before the September 19, 1356 Battle of Poitiers and the battle itself and the capture of King John II of France. Cornwell builds the character of each of the key people in the story. Our hero is Thomas of Hookton head of the Helleguin. He and his wife Genevieve have a run in with the evil Count of Labrouillade and a church cardinal. The story is full of pomp and passion, action, suspense and great battle scenes. Cornwell is the master of writing battle scenes that come alive to the reader. Can not wait for the next book in the series, I hope there is more but with the ending of the war maybe not. Jack Hawkins did an excellent job narrating the story.