Fiction Book Recommendations

[vaalen]

Actually "The Sword Btothers" by Peter Darman is the first of six novels (rather than a trilogy) of the Baltic Crusades and the Sword Brothers. I have read the first three and like Vaalen, can recommend them. I would also very highly recommend "Lionheart" by Anthony Riches who is well known for his excellent novels set in the Roman period. As the title suggests, this novel is set in the time of Richard 1, well researched and written, and definitely a page turner.

Yes, it is six novels, not three. I was misinformed by a description at Amazon that described the first novel as the first of three, but a later description clarified that it was the first of six. I have just purchased the other five.

I have since visited the author's website. He had a career in a British intelligence agency, where he wrote classified documents. He also has written a number of non fiction books on military history, which may explain why he covers warfare so well. He has also written several other series, including another set in medieval times, the Catalan Chronicles, which centers on a group of Catalan mercenaries in Byzantium. I have not read that yet, but expect to.

Thanks for the recommendation of "Lionheart", which sounds very interesting.

[Captainwaltersavage]

Christian Cameron's Longsword series ( set mid late 1300's) is really good. Fiction but real personages are featured as characters ( including Fiore dei Liberi , one of the earliest known authors of a "fighting manual")

I echo this recommendation. Lots of fun and adventure, history, and geography, even if a bit later than the game covers so far, everything by this author has been excellent.

[Gator007]

Peter Darman has written a series of books about the Catalan Great Company as well!! Pretty interesting work, he has done some research about the almogovars.

[vaalen]

Peter Darman has written a series of books about the Catalan Great Company as well!! Pretty interesting work, he has done some research about the almogovars.

Sounds very interesting. Thanks for the details!

I will try this series once I finish the Sword Brothers series.

[KaydenSanders]

I am a big fan of the late prolific historic novelist Nigel Tranter and have enjoyed many of his Scottish themed novels. Tranter never disappoints. Here are the titles within the time period of FOG2M as it is so far:

*Margaret the Queen 1069–1093 The story of Saint Margaret of Scotland and her husband, Malcolm III (Canmore).
David the Prince 1100–1153 The story of Queen Margaret's sons Alexander I and David I.
*Lord of the Isles 1135–1164 Somerled
Tapestry of the Boar 1160–1166 Focusses on Hugh de Swinton and his relationship with Malcolm IV
Sword of State 1214–1249 Follows Patrick II, Earl of Dunbar in his dealings with Alexander II.
Envoy Extraordinary 1249–1286 Continues the tale of the Cospatricks, by following the life of Patrick III, Earl of Dunbar and Alexander III.
Crusader 1248–1264 Alexander III and David de Lindsay
True Thomas 1265–1292 Based on Thomas the Rhymer, it follows the life of Alexander III, and the turmoil of the kingdom following his death.
The Isleman 1306-29 The central character is Angus Og of Islay.
*The Wallace 1296–1305 The central character is William Wallace.
*The Steps to the Empty Throne 1296–1306 This book follows the life of Robert, Earl of Carrick as he begins to understand his destiny. It begins with John Balliol humiliated and stripped of his crown by Edward I of England. A shocked witness, Robert Bruce has to consider his own loyalties. As Scotland suffers an English invasion and occupation, Bruce begins his struggle to establish a new order in Scotland. He both collaborates, and clashes with his contemporary William Wallace; he forms alliances and friendships with, amongst others, James Douglas and William de Lamberton, and becomes a deadly rival of John Comyn. Bruce and Comyn's argument in Greyfriars Church, which resulted in Comyn's death, occasions Bruce's hasty crowning as King of Scotland. The story ends with his loss at the Battle of Methven, and escape. By telling the story from Bruce's point of view, Tranter shows clearly how Scotland's turbulent politics and Bruce's own mixed loyalties informed his actions, providing credible motives for his apparent "switching sides" (as he had supported Edward I at one time) and his murder of Comyn.
*The Path of the Hero King 1306–1314 Takes the Bruce story up to and including the Battle of Bannockburn.
*The Price of the King's Peace 1314–1329 Takes the story to Bruce's death, it covers the Bruce Campaign in Ireland in more detail than some accounts.

* Own and read.

I read Steps to an Empty Throne, I really liked it.

[Badger73]

There is also a Swedish film based on the series, "The Knights Templar" which is very good.

Yes, very good indeed.
Arn The Knight Templar --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EAqu28Dd-M

[Gator007]

I have read a couple of Tranter novels and Shipway's the Paladin, all worthwhile!!

[QuentrellLee]

I have read a couple of Tranter novels and Shipway's the Paladin, all worthwhile!!

Which can you advise to start?

[rbodleyscott]

I have read a couple of Tranter novels and Shipway's the Paladin, all worthwhile!!

Which can you advise to start?

The Paladin

[QuentrellLee]

I have read a couple of Tranter novels and Shipway's the Paladin, all worthwhile!!

Which can you advise to start?

The Paladin

thanks! and what about Tranter novels?

[rbodleyscott]

Which can you advise to start?

The Paladin

thanks! and what about Tranter novels?

All good if you like Scottish history.

[companion]

Any good ones on Hussites or Swiss?

[vaalen]

Any good ones on Hussites or Swiss?

Peter Darman is writing a series on the Swiss. The first two books, Outcast, and the Wolf of Rimini, are excellent.

Darman describes his battles in great detail, in a way that really helps to understand why the early Swiss were so successful, and there is a lot of action, and interesting characters.

Darman used to work for British intelligence, and actually wrote briefings for politicians. This skill serves him well in his books. While the books are fiction, they describe anumber of real events and battles, and are accurate in that regard.

I highly recommend these books, as well as his series on the Sword Brothers, and the Catalans.

I consider him to be the very best writer of historical fiction, in terms of describing battles, tactical systems, and the soldeirs.

[kronenblatt]

The Walking Drum by Louis L’Amour.
Baudolino by Umberto Eco.