Excalibur

By: Bernard Cornwell

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble

With Excalibur, Bernard Cornwell draws his Arthurian trilogy to an exciting close that will have listeners gripping their headphones.

If Arthur existed (and I am quite certain he did), then he was probably the great British war leader who won the battle of Mount Badon. No one knows where it was fought, or how it was fought, but we do know that the battle took place and it was the one great defeat inflicted on the English invaders of Britain. In Excalibur, we follow Arthur and Derfel to that enormous struggle and incredible victory. It not only throws the Saxons back, but reunites Arthur and Guinevere. He might hope now to be left alone, to have a time of peace after gaining a great victory, but new enemies arise to destroy all he has achieved. First is Mordred himself, the crippled king who owes everything to Arthur and now tries to kill his benefactor. Mordred's ally is Nimue who has come to hate her mentor, Merlin. And so the story ends as it has always ended, at Camlann... "and so my lord was gone. And no one has seen him since."

©1999 Bernard Cornwell (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

all a story of Arthur should be

Great and thrilling! Will listen more than once again. Cornwell knows how to pull you into the story and addict you to the characters.

Very different view on Arthurian Legend

What did you love best about Excalibur?

The whole series was well done. This was a non-traditional view of the generally accepted version of the legend of King Arthur, which was refreshing if a little startling at first. I like how the author used a narrator to guide the reader through the events that transpired. Jonathan Keeble is my absolute favorite narrator and does justice to this series. Bernard Cornwell's descriptions of battle are so vivid, you almost feel as though you are part of the action. I highly recommend this series as well as any of his books.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is Derfel, who is the narrator and loyal friend of Arthur. The story of Arthur is told through the eyes of Derfel and you grow to care for many of the characters including Arthur, Derfel, Ceinwyn, etc.

Which scene was your favorite?

Ceinwyn jumps off the ship that is taking an injured, possibly dying Arthur to safety in order to stay with her great love, Derfel.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Amazing

I sincerely doubt I'll ever hear a better account of the Author Tales. Cornwell coupled with Keeble is nothing short of amazing. I laughed, I cried and I felt my verse pulse with each character. truly amazing.

warlord series

I loved all three books in the series. Amazing story lines. The narrator was fabulous

Marvelous!

Keebles brings BC's incredible stories to life! So filled with love and respect. And incredible battles! I LOVE these books!

incredible end to a 3 part saga

I've read the book and listened to the audible and both are worth the time. but you need ro listen or read the first 2 installments first. those are equally worth the time.

Can’t express how much I enjoyed this

The Warlord Chronicles is amazing. All three books are great, and Excalibur finishes the series on such an amazing note.

wonderful and mesmerizing

Bernad Cornwall is a gifted writer and he can tell a story like no other.

great series but the end for real

it was a great series but the ending left me mad as hell why would u do that to the end of this series please tell me why end it like that please

Had to end

Johnathan Keeble was great narrator for this series and I will especially miss the inspiring, forthright voice of Arthur and the occassional comic relief he brought.
Dervil's history is a refreshing take on the story and maybe my favorite perspective. While I really enjoyed the series, I thought this final book a little bit weaker than Enemy of God, which was my favorite. Arthur had to end somehow and maybe it is disappointing no matter the author or series.
If you love Arthurian tales, this is a must read and maybe even a more realistic perspective, while Lawhead's was, for me, more inspirational. Others have lamented that he gives Christianity such a hard time, but I don't see that. He calls out the hypocracy and abuse of it by weak men and laments how much we kill in the name of religion and use it for our own ends.
We strive to do good and clever people lie and take advantage. Yet we are as we do and fate is inexorable.