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Azincourt | 
| Author: Bernard Cornwell
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Category: Book
List Price: £18.99
Buy New: £8.54
You Save: £10.45 (55%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  25 reviews
Sales Rank: 31
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 464
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.7
ISBN: 0007271212
EAN: 9780007271214
ASIN: 0007271212
Publication Date: October 1, 2008
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Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews: Read 20 more reviews...
Page turner December 1, 2008
I studied this period (and this battle in particular) during my history degree in the early 90's and decided that I would delve back in time to remind myself what this was all about. Azincourt was my companion on a return flight to Bahrain recently and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Historically interesting, full of action and detail it really had me turning pages through both flights! When I landed at Gatwick I was disappointed to have to find another book to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a passing interest in medieval history, but it's easily accessible to absolutely anyone who enjoys as good action adventure.
 Odd one out November 20, 2008
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
I have read every one of Bernard Cornwells Books,had this book on pre order and looked forward so much to the books publication. I can only say, I was so dissapionted, I couldn't wait to get to the end and put it down.
400 pages, only two battles and it really didn't hold my interest at all, I can't express my dissapointment enough.
I must be the odd one out.
 Great narrative...dreadfull dialogue... November 20, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
This pains me..... Anyone who has met Bernard Cornwell at a book signing would I am sure agree with me when I say that he is a smashing bloke. I have many of his novels personaly signed and always buy his latest hardback.
Cornwell's 'hero' Hook is like so many other Cornwell hereos, so like Sharpe in fact and also Hookton.The dialogue between characters is repetative and boring and there are only so many ways you can insult the French!
Cornwell's discriptive narrative is always good though, and he paints great landscapes of blood, gore and battle with his usual sense of flair.
Most of the novels action does not take place at Agincourt but at Harfleur and the march towards the field of battle.
This was an effort to get through, mainly because of the one dimensional characters. His slowest and dullest book since another 'stand alone' novel, 'Stonehenge'
Cornwell's historical notes at the end of the book were of more interest and more insightful than the novel itself.
And now to really upset him.... BRING BACK STARBUCK!!!
 Solid, but lacks something November 17, 2008
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
Or Agincourt as it was when I was at school!
The Battle of Agincourt was a King Henry V led English victory against a larger French army during the Hundred Years' War (1415). In addition to a great deal of luck (ground conditions, poor French tactics) this was a battle where the power of the English archer (okay, a few Welsh as well) reigned supreme.
In typical Cornwall style he gives us a character (Nicholas Hook an English archer) against which to tell the tale and politics of the events leading up to, and the battle itself.
Cornwall's skill is in the blend of character, action and history. The Sharpe novels are obviously the perfect mix, and perhaps the blend was wrong with the Starbuck novels set in the US Civil War. In this novel it `almost' works but not quite. Hook is a talented fighter who hears voices (a Saint giving him advice) but his character felt lacking. On the march to Azincourt he suffers a personal tragedy, yet seems over it by morning!
The historical elements are, as always, excellent but the rest of this novel lacks that perfect blend that we have come to expect.
Disapointment November 14, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
As a big fan of Bernard Cornwell I was disapointed with this latest work. The characters were dusted off versions from his 'Grail' series, the plotline unimaginative and unconvincing. To make it work It was necessary for the hero to start hearing the voices of saints, who would tell him what to do - hardly the convincing narrative we're used to. The only saving grace was the descriptions of the siege of Harfleur and the Battle of Agincourt itself. Well researched and excitingly told. Did Mr Cornewell succumb to the siren song of the Christmas Market and rush this one out? It certainly feels like it.
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