Uhtred is a Saxon, cheated of his inheritance, and adrift in a world
of fire, sword, and treachery. He has to make a choice: to fight for
the Vikings, who raised him, or for King Alfred the Great of Wessex,
who dislikes him.
In the late ninth century, Wessex is the last English kingdom. All
the rest have fallen to the Danish Vikings, and the Vikings want to
finish England. They assemble the Great Army, whose sole ambition is to
conquer Wessex. Yet fate, as Uhtred learns, has its own imperatives.
When the Vikings attack out of a wintry darkness to shatter the last
English kingdom, Uhtred finds himself on Alfred's side.
The Pale Horseman is an enthralling story, a novel of divided
loyalties and desperate heroism, featuring a range of fully realized
characters, from a king in despair to a beguiling British sorceress.
And always, beyond the spearmen and the swordsmen are the folk who
suffer as the tides of war sweep over their farmlands. The Pale
Horseman is yet another masterpiece of historical and battle
fiction that gives life to one of the most important and exciting
epochs in the history of England's people and culture.
About the Author
Bernard Cornwell is the author of the acclaimed Richard Sharpe series, set during the Napoleonic Wars; the Nathaniel Starbuck Chronicles, about American Civil War; the Warlord Trilogy, about Arthurian England; and, most recently, Stonehenge 2000 B.C.: A Novel and The Archer's Tale.
Bernard Cornwell worked for BBC TV for seven years, mostly as producer on the Nationwide programme, before taking charge of the Current Affairs department in Northern Ireland. In 1978 he became editor of Thames Television's Thames at Six. Mr. Cornwell lives with his wife on Cape Cod.
Industry Reviews
"Entertaining" -- Arizona Republic "Great stuff, as always, from the master." -- Kirkus Reviews "A suavely rendered tale . [brings] turbulent times to vivid life." -- Philadelphia Inquirer Entertaining --Arizona Republic " [A] big-bellied, bushy-bearded tale ... [Cornwell] endows the book with an unexpectedly complex, thoughtful soul."--Time Magazine "Filled with bawdy humor, bloodlust, treachery and valor, this stirring tale will leave readers eager for the next volume ."--Publishers Weekly "Entertaining"--Arizona Republic "A suavely rendered tale ... [brings] turbulent times to vivid life."--Philadelphia Inquirer "A crackerjack adventure tale from a master of the craft."--Booklist "Great stuff, as always, from the master."--Kirkus Reviews [A] big-bellied, bushy-bearded tale ... [Cornwell] endows the book with an unexpectedly complex, thoughtful soul. --Time Magazine" A suavely rendered tale [brings] turbulent times to vivid life. --Philadelphia Inquirer" Entertaining --Arizona Republic" A crackerjack adventure tale from a master of the craft. --Booklist" Filled with bawdy humor, bloodlust, treachery and valor, this stirring tale will leave readers eager for the next volume . --Publishers Weekly" Great stuff, as always, from the master. --Kirkus Reviews" Bernard Cornwell does the best battle scenes of any writer I ve ever read, past or present. --George R.R. Martin" "Bernard Cornwell does the best battle scenes of any writer I've ever read, past or present."--George R.R. Martin -Bernard Cornwell does the best battle scenes of any writer I've ever read, past or present.---George R.R. Martin -A suavely rendered tale ... [brings] turbulent times to vivid life.---Philadelphia Inquirer -Entertaining---Arizona Republic -A crackerjack adventure tale from a master of the craft.---Booklist -Filled with bawdy humor, bloodlust, treachery and valor, this stirring tale will leave readers eager for the next volume .---Publishers Weekly -Great stuff, as always, from the master.---Kirkus Reviews -A big-bellied, bushy-bearded tale of 9th century England. Our hero is Uhtred, a good-hearted lout with a pleasantly sour disposition; he's like a 9th century Han Solo....He endows the book with an unexpectedly complex, thoughtful soul.---Time -Superior entertainment that is both engaging and enlightening....Historical adventures as smart and vigorous as Cornwell's are in short supply.---Washington Post "A big-bellied, bushy-bearded tale of 9th century England. Our hero is Uhtred, a good-hearted lout with a pleasantly sour disposition; he's like a 9th century Han Solo....He endows the book with an unexpectedly complex, thoughtful soul."--Time "Superior entertainment that is both engaging and enlightening....Historical adventures as smart and vigorous as Cornwell's are in short supply."--Washington Post A big-bellied, bushy-bearded tale of 9th century England. Our hero is Uhtred, a good-hearted lout with a pleasantly sour disposition; he s like a 9th century Han Solo....He endows the book with an unexpectedly complex, thoughtful soul. --Time" Superior entertainment that is both engaging and enlightening....Historical adventures as smart and vigorous as Cornwell s are in short supply. --Washington Post"