History Books for the fantasy readers

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The Brethren series by Robyn Young ain't that bad
Crusader times

Simon Scarrows book on Wellington and Napoleon are quite good
Napoleanic Wars

The Emperor Series by Conn Iggulden
Rome

The Conquerer Series by Conn Iggulden
Genghis Khan

James Nelson has written a few series about a couple of sea captains in different times, the 18th century americas, the 19th century americas and the Civil War.

Anything by Cornwell, he's the greatest

I think both of the Iggulden series are highly entertaining, yet lack the depth of other historical fiction writers such as the previously mentioned James Clavell, or Jack Whyte(Camulod series). The Robyn young series I think is a bit better than the Jack Whyte Templar series. The second Jack Whyte book(Standard of Honor) was horrible in comparison to the first one of the series.

Along the lines of historical fiction/fantasy Dan Simmons, The Terror is a highly entertaining read a bit on the technical side if you're scared off by that though.

[algernoninc]

I've read Pompeii last year in one sitting, I couldn't start anything else before finishing it. Although it isn't as ambitious in terms of geography or cast of characters as what I had initially in mind, it is a worthy reference for what a historical fiction should be : in depth research, fast paced, romance, some humor. After the book I spent two or three hours on Wikipedia researching Vesuvius references, and almost everything was in the book also. I tried to find other books about Krakatoa, just to remain in the mood Pompeii put me in.

I stand corrected on Sienkiewicz - it's been more than 20 years since I read the books, and the time period got mixed up with the earlier book.

[algernoninc]

sorry, i've been experiencing a lot of blockages on the site lately

[Fuxxy Elf]

I recently read Dissolution by C J Sansom, I'm not usually a fan of monk murder mysteries, but this one had a real sense of history...it used the Tudor world after the death of Anne Boleyn to great effect within the plot itself, and the characters varying reactions to Henry VIII's anti-papal policies were very believable. So I guess I'd recommend that

[QuickTidal]

The second Jack Whyte book(Standard of Honor) was horrible in comparison to the first one of the series.

Agreed! I have hopes that the third in the trilogy might hold some good stuff. Who knows.

[Mithfânion]

The Jack Whyte series is pretty dire. Earlier he made a poor attempt at writing a length 'historical" Arthurian series which was not particularly engaging.

I'd not recommend the Brethren book either, partly because of the overly weepy protagonist. Feels far too modern and self-sensitive for the time period it is set in.

Generally speaking there aren't many good Crusader novels, so I stick to narrative history myself.

[DailyAlice]

Generally speaking there aren't many good Crusader novels, so I stick to narrative history myself.

In a breathtaking example of veering off-topic, I must recommend the movie Kingdom of Heaven. Crusades, we're talking about. An action flick that touches the heart, and how many of *those* are out there.

[Raule]

Speaking of the crusades, has anyone read Michael Alexander Eisner's The Crusader? It's been sitting in my TBR pile, and I have no idea whether it is any good. It seems like it would be historical fiction along the lines of Pressfield, for example. For years now, I've been wanting to try the historical fiction of Alfred Duggan. He also wrote a book about the First Crusade, Knight With Armour. He also wrote a lot set in Roman times as well, IIRC.

[QuickTidal]

The Jack Whyte series is pretty dire. Earlier he made a poor attempt at writing a length 'historical" Arthurian series which was not particularly engaging.

Sweet merciful Hood what series were you reading? Up to the end of Sorceror: Metamorphosis, it is one of the most engaging series I have ever read! The Eagle's Brood (the 3rd volume) stands alone as one of my all time favourite historical fiction books, and is always holds up to a re-read. A poor attempt? You ought to tell that to the millions of people who consider his series to be the most realistic portrayal of a historical Arthur there has ever been. I do believe that each book of the main series (not including Uther, Clothar and The Eagle) have each won awards in Canada for their international acclaim and success.

It astounds me that anyone would have found that series not engaging. What does it take for you to be engaged? Does someone have to run up to you with an adrenaline shot and jam it in your chest and then sit you in a formula 1 racer? Dude. Seriously, there is so much to that series that makes sense of the myth and makes every ounce of the magic in the myth believable, even Merlyn as a sorceror.

Just wow. Sorry. I'm not trying to be nasty....just wow.... I've never heard it described that way.

[QuickTidal]

In a breathtaking example of veering off-topic, I must recommend the movie Kingdom of Heaven. Crusades, we're talking about. An action flick that touches the heart, and how many of *those* are out there.

I will second this with only one addendum. The Directors Cut of Kingdom Of Heaven is far better than the theatrical version, if only to flesh out a few of the characters more.

Brilliant suggestion though DA.

[Werthead]

On the Crusades front, Stephen Lawhead's The Iron Lance was an above-average example of the genre.

David Gemmell's Troy Trilogy, which is what I'm reading at the moment, is excellent.

Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles is a very good take on the Arthur legend.

Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth mixes excellence (the cathedral-building stuff, some of the details of medieval life) with possibly the most badly-drawn villain ever seen in a novel.

Robert Harris' Pompeii is excellent. I need to recover my copy of Imperium and read it. Apparently he's got two more Roman books lined up as well.

Steer clear of Conn Iggulden. The guy cannot write and his Caesar books are just embarrassingly bad and ineptly-researched.

[QuickTidal]

Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth mixes excellence (the cathedral-building stuff, some of the details of medieval life) with possibly the most badly-drawn villain ever seen in a novel.

Funnily enough, I've heard this from a few other people. LOL

[Mithfânion]

QT

Jack Whyte's series is not that well-known a series, and I doubt you could find millions of readers for it. I do know that quite a few people have bounced off it ( much like with Erikson I might add ). What awards has it received outside of Canada?

However I am very big on Arthurian legends stories and because of your enthusiasm I have decided to give the series another shot.

Have you by any chance tried Cornwell's Warlord Trilogy or Sutcliffe's Sword at Sunset? They also go for Whyte's extensive historical apporach but do so wity much better writing and more engaging characters. Try them if you haven't. I think you'd like them, espeically Cornwell.

Algernon

If you have not had enough recommendations then check out this thread here:

http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showt...ght=historical

[QuickTidal]

QT

Jack Whyte's series is not that well-known a series, and I doubt you could find millions of readers for it. I do know that quite a few people have bounced off it ( much like with Erikson I might add ). What awards has it received outside of Canada?

However I am very big on Arthurian legends stories and because of your enthusiasm I have decided to give the series another shot.

Have you by any chance tried Cornwell's Warlord Trilogy or Sutcliffe's Sword at Sunset? They also go for Whyte's extensive historical apporach but do so wity much better writing and more engaging characters. Try them if you haven't. I think you'd like them, espeically Cornwell.


http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showt...ght=historical

I'll have to look up the awards they had won (not sure if they won any outside Canada, maybe in the States).

It really is worth a second shot, the middle books, once Merlyn has taken over the storytelling are amazing.

I have not read the Cornwell Arthurian series, though I do plan on it. I've heard from a friend of mine who said that while it IS good (as per the norm with Cornwell's very engaging writing), that it isn't quite as clever as Whyte's series is. I still plan to read them though, as I also like Arthurian stuff quite a bit.