Agincourt

By: Bernard Cornwell

Narrated by: Charles Keating

Agincourt is classic Cornwell...[with] attention to historical detail, well-paced action, and descriptive writing that is a pleasure to read." (Boston Globe)

Bernard Cornwell, the New York Times best-selling "reigning king of historical fiction" (USA Today), tackles his most thrilling, rich, and enthralling subject yet - the heroic tale of Agincourt. The epic battle immortalized by William Shakespeare in his classic Henry V is the background for this breathtaking tale of heroism, love, devotion, and duty from the legendary author of the Richard Sharpe novels and the Saxon Tales. This extraordinary adventure will captivate from minute one, proving once again and most powerfully, as author Lee Child attests, that "nobody in the world does this stuff better than Cornwell."

©2009 Bernard Cornwell (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"The greatest writer of historical adventures today." ( Washington Post)
"Nobody in the world does this stuff better than Cornwell. (Lee Child, author of Nothing to Lose)
"Readers who haven't discovered Bernard Cornwell don't know what they are missing....He may well be the best historical novelist writing today -- and Agincourt may well be his best novel yet. (Vince Flynn, author of Extreme Measures)

A fabulous and gruesome yarn

I don't often read historical fiction, but I will be returning to this genre soon and often in search of a work approaching the caliber of Agincourt. Cornwell does a marvelous job of fully and viscerally plunging you into life in feudal Europe. His attention to details, from the way longbows and arrows are fashioned to the unimaginable brutality of combat, makes the story utterly gripping. The reader gives an impassioned performance in his depiction of Cornwell's words. This one will really stay with you.

I felt like I was there!

Excellent story in a great historical setting. I loved the characters and shared the danger. This is the best audible book I've heard this year and will be looking for more of this author's works. The violence is graphic but I think it's good not to gloss over medieval combat. Otherwise, we fall into the danger of both romanticize it and losing the historical authenticity.

I am now a huge Bernard Cornwell fan

I've started this book 3 times, once just for me and twice to add in another family listener so we can enjoy it together. I never mind since every time I've gotten more out of the story and it's worth listening to again and again.
Characters are well formed, history is fully researched and authentic, down to the "farting" expletives.
There is plenty to make you laugh or cringe.
I love the sound of the narrator's voice. It took some time to grow accustomed to listening to his rich accent, but it lends credibility to the story and is more clear with exposure.
I had never been a fan of early-century history books but Agincourt and Mr. Cornwell have changed that!

Bloody battle, gore and death in 15th C England

Carefully researched and highly detailed fictionalized depiction of the battle at Agincourt. If you enjoy meticulously written battle scenes, and don't mind reading extremely descriptive details about the violence, blood, gore, filth, and the horrific smells of a battlefield, this is a good read. If you're offended by these things, stay away.

Assuming the fundamentals of the book to be factual, it provides a wealth of information about the politics, religion, and social structure of that time, which was fascinating.

Criticism would be the characters are wooden; even the main protagonist never engages.

Awesome story/audible listen!

I knew the basic story of Agincourt but SO enjoyed this book—the usual well-researched, historically accurate background in which the story is set, the characters who bring the story to life, the pacing of the action, the writing...just all of it is BC’s hallmark excellence. Superb narrator who does multiple voices well and sticks with them throughout a long book. Highly recommend

Flawless telling of the Agincourt story

How is it possible for 6,000 English to defeat 30,000 French? Cornwell at his best.

now, that's how it's done!

on your mark, get set, go: time for adventure! you won't be disappointed! fun!

Great

I enjoyed thouroghly. perfectly narrated by Mr. Charles Keating and i would highly recommend for all listeners.

Shimmering storytelling, impeccable research

My first Cornwell experience.

I was astounded by the unadulterated force, the complete madness of medieval warfare, and the blood-curdling relationships between characters in this book. I have incredibly tough skin but the coarseness of this narrative had me taking breaks to watch "Moana" with my 1-year-old at regular intervals.

Cornwell's finest achievement lies in the research he put into making this story as historically accurate as possible. Down to nearly every character, the names in the story are well researched historical figures from Henry V to Nick Hook. Any break from the historical research was well made and taken in small measure. This is truly historical fiction.

An Incredible Book

I can't say enough good things about Cornwell's <i>Agincourt</i>. Incredibly well-researched, vividly descriptive of the harsh realities of medieval Europe, and stirringly narrated by Cornwell's prose and Keating's voice.

Yes, it's graphic. So was live in the 1400s. Deal with it. This book is to Agincourt what <i>Pillars of the Earth</i> was to cathedrals. I'm certain I will listen to this again and again.