Product Description
The season’s most eagerly awaited thriller has arrived.

FIRST TIME IN PAPERBACK

Knights Templar order member Sir Henry St. Clair is asked by Richard the Lionheart to join his army and free the Holy Land in a war. Sir Henry reluctantly agrees, but the many intrigues of Crusade leaders bring the St. Clair family and the Order to the edge of disaster. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

trilogy read
This is the third in the trilogy about the knights templars and i was able to buy two of these on amazon at great savings over what i paid for the first book of the trilogy elsewhere.thanks

Fantastic Read!
Excellent sequel.I was a little put off that it picks up eighty years after the first but soon got over it.Many of the plot elements from the first didn't carry over, but the sequel soon establishes itself in its own right.I love the character development, dialogue and historical precision of the sequel and can't wait for number three to come out on Kindle.

A good long read
This is a well written story. It follows the previous book and involves a descendant of the main character in the first book. The new main character goes from an estate in France to the middle east and moves up from being a simple ignorant knight to an educated Templar. The story has side tracks that go into detail about Richard the Lion Heart and his family as well as the inhabitants of the middle east.
I enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it for people that want to know about the crusades and the Templar's.

tired
This story didn't seem to go anywhere.There was such great promise with the first one and then.......

Loved it!
Great fun stuff and Whyte is excellent. Read all 3 they are rich and rewarding. ... Read more

Product Description
The new Templar novel from the USA Today bestselling author

On the morning of October 13, 1307, every Templar knight in France is arrested by the order of King Philip IV, who then seizes all the Order's assets and set the Inquisition against them. Warned of the plot, Sir William St. Clair flees from France with the Temple's treasure, several hundred knights, and the widow Lady Jessica Randolph to seek sanctuary in Scotland. There, with his men deprived of everything they valued and held dear at home, he will lead them into battle as Templar Knights one last time in defiant support of a king who is not their own, but who has earned their trust. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

saved some money
Buying the book on amazon saved me money over buying it new...i am reading the trilogy, so wanted to do that economically, thanks amazon

Boring, pedantic and terminally slow
I don't normally bother to review books but this one has earned a special exemption for being one of the worst reads I've had in a long time. While Order in Chaos starts out promisingly enough with intrigue and suspense, it soon bogs down into micro trivia about the daily lives of Templars, beard lengths, food and the completely manufactured sexual tension between the main character and his "lady". Honestly, this reads more like a cheap romance novel than anything remotely like what it promises in the first few chapters. You keep thinking, something big is going to happen but it never does. Even something like "and they all got killed by lightning" would have been a more satisfactory ending.

The ONLY reason I finished it was because we were on a long trip and I had nothing else to read. Heck, a copy of Vanity Fair would have been better than this drivel. Jack Whyte, you should be ashamed for wasting trees. So many words and so little to say.

Excellent Knightly Adventure Tale,not a history lesson.
Tremendous Templar Adventure! Not written as a History Book., September 6, 2010
ByJacamo Peterson "Blademan" (Reno NV) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Order in Chaos (Templar Trilogy Series #3) (Paperback)
I have now completed two of Bro.? Whytes books, "Knights of the Black and White" and "Order in Chaos".As a student of Templar Lore and things Masonic I often tire of would be historians trying to talk about the Templar Order and what it stood for and how it came to be the power that it was.We do know that it was founded by nine Knights from Provence,so to speak, and that it was most likely the brainchild of Bernard of Clairveaux (St.Bernard)and that, that area was close to the site of the beginings of the Merovingian Dynasty and that they may well have been of Hebrew descent. Now! That being said. I love a good adventure,I always have.I began with Ivanhoe,Tristan and Isolde,Richard the Lionheart and on and on. All of which were based loosely on history. I began reading them at ten years of age. These stories by Jack Whyte are are intended to satisfy the adventure cravings,to spark the imagination and to picque the couriosity.So untill the discovery of the real Templar Treasure and the gnosis which is contained therein. We will just have to live our Knightly adventures vicariously through this type of story telling.I am going to purchase the third book in the certain knowledge that I will enjoy it as much as I do all of Clive Cusslers books. Write on Jack,outstanding job!! Oh yes, before I forget,Sir Henry Sinclair did make a voyage to America in the late twelve hundreds or the early thirteen hundreds accompanied by Knights and a contingent of Pict warriors. They landed in Nova Scotia,lived for a time among the MicMac Indians.To this day he is talked about in legend as "Gulscap" the Warrior from the East. There are still a number of families there that carry the name "Pictou" (ring any bells?)John L.(Jacamo)Peterson Author
Blademaster of Norda
A Hard Place: A Sergeants Tale
Archaeology 501: The Field Trip

Possibly Whyte's Best!
The culmination of the Templar Trilogy doesn't disappoint!There are a few slow parts, but if you've already read the first two (if you haven't, you should) then you know the routine.Lots of cool historical references that make it seem that much more realistic.Just a great book.

A fitting third volume to the trilogy
Jack Whyte is a spell-binding author of compelling historical fiction. I first met him in his Camulod series, then followed the Templar books as they came out. Order in Chaos is the third of the series, and is a fitting third book for a trilogy or for an ongoing series. Jack Whyte performs meticulous historical research, and a student of history would find the stories accurate in their historical detail and with a premise that "fits" the period of which he writes. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I had read the first two of the series. While each book is written to be readable as a stand-alone novel, I urge readers to read them in series for the most enjoyment. Jack, you have done it again -- you have written a massive "page turner." ... Read more

Product Description
Throughout the widely praised Camulod Chronicles, Merlyn Britannicus has been driven by one sacred dream--to see Britain united under one just, powerful king. In The Sorcerer: Metamorphosis, it is time for the Sorcerer to fulfill his promise--to present the battle-proven Arthur as the Riothamus, the High King of Britain. When Arthur miraculously withdraws the Sword of Kingship from the stone in which it is set, he proves himself the true and deserving king--sworn to defend the Christian faith against invaders, and to preserve Britain as a powerful, united force.

The Sorcerer has fulfilled his promise. The King is crowned, Britain is united--and the face of history and legend is forever changed.
Amazon.com Review
Jack Whyte continues his long, thoughtful exploration of oneof our most resonant myths, the legend of Camelot. The Sorcerer:Metamorphosis is the sixth book in his Camulod Chronicles, and ittakes up the story just as Arthur makes the transition from boy toman. Whyte's focus, however, is on Caius Merlyn Britannicus. Merlyn,descended from Britain's Roman rulers, is one of the co-rulers ofCamulod, a stronghold of civilization under perpetual threat frominvading Saxons and Danes. Merlyn leads an eventful yet happy life: hehas a loving fiancjée, Tressa; a fine ward, Arthur; amagnificent black horse, Germanicus; many allies; and grand plans forCamulod's expansion and Britain's safety. Merlyn's reflections on onecampaign sum up his easy victories throughout the first half of thebook: "It was slaughter--nothing less. One pass we made, from west toeast, and scarce a living man was left to face us."

But even themightiest ship must one day be tested on the shoals. The suspensegains momentum when Whyte breaks Merlyn free of his brooding, reactiverole and propels him and his companions into danger. In despair,Merlyn takes a new, subtler tack against his archenemies Ironhair andCarthac ("And then I truly saw the size of him. He towered overeveryone about him, hulking and huge, his shoulders leviathan and hisgreat, deep, hairless chest unarmoured").

Whyte shines atinterpreting the mythos of Camelot in a surprising yet believableway. He can squeeze a sword out of a stone without opting for the glibexplanations of fantasy-land magic. The Camulod Chronicles, and TheSorcerer: Metamorphosis in particular, provide an engaging take onthe chivalric world of knights and High Kings. --Blaise Selby ... Read more

Customer Reviews (39)

The Scorcerer Metamophosis
This Book brings the Camulod Chronicles to almost a conclusion. As I have read all the previous Camulod Chronicles, I was a little disapointed in the coronation of Aurther. I feel Mr. Whyte was a bit rushed here. Over all it was an excellent read, well woth the money and time. I'm now a big fan of Mr. Whyte.

The Sixth in the Camulod Series

Jack Whyte was born and raised in Scotland, but has lived in Canada for the last forty odd years. He is the author of the Camulod series of books and has just had published the first in a trilogy about probably the most famous Order of knights,ever to come through the pages of history, the Knights Templar.

This is the sixth book in what has turned out to be a terrific series. Yes there are some reader's who do not like the approach of the author to the subject of Arthur and they have every right to voice their opinion. Personally I feel that the time frame he has placed Arthur in sits well in my own mind but if the truth be told none of us know whether Arthur actually existed never mind the period he lived in, so it is all pure conjecture. He certainly did not ride around in tournament armour, as Hollywood would have us believe. That type of armour was perfected several hundred years after the time that he may have lived.. He is much more likely to have lived at the time that Jack Whyte places him.

In this, the sixth book, Merlin, Arthur's guardian and mentor has realized that the time is right for his dream to come to fruition. He has groomed young Arthur away from prying eyes, there is nothing more than can be done. It is time to present Arthur as the High King of Britain, a role that he was born for. Merlin cannot protect the boy from his destiny any longer . . .

spectacular!
"A gigantic ball of flame roared from the pit with a concussive, deafening sound that sucked all the air in the room, it seemed, into its heart, then belched it out again in a terrifying rain of sparks and embers and great, whirling clouds of choking smoke."

The Sorcerer Metamorphosis is an ingenius fiction of the Arthurian legend by Jack Whyte and it is the fifth book in the Camulod Chronicles series.It is about how Merlyn and Arthur return to their stronghold of Camulod but instead of peace and prosperity, they find themselves in the middle of a desperate war with their longtime neighbor and ally, the now distrought, Cambria!While Merlyn loses everything he ever cared about and morphs into a powerful sorcerer, Arthur fights in the war to learn how to become a man, a soldier, and a leader.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the previous books in the series and anyone who likes books on the Arthurian legend or just books about medieval warfare.

the Sorcere: Metamorphosis
book is great and most impressed with ordering and delivery, actually received in under 3 weeks

Book review
The book, The Sorcerer Metamorphosis, by Jack Whyte, is another adventure tale of King Arthur.With the ageing of Arthur, he is welcomed back to his home, Camulod.Arthur's arrival has been one step closer to his crowning of High King of Briton.Merlin has gone lengths to ensure the crowning of the true king, Arthur.The close families encounter troubles, and some friends don't make it.This book is a thrilling tale that is worth every star in gets. ... Read more

Product Description
A brother of the Order-a medieval secret society uniting noble families in a sacred bond-Sir Hugh de Payens has emerged from the First Crusade a broken man seeking to dedicate his life to God. But the Order has other plans for him: to uncover a deadly secret that could shatter the very might of the Church itself. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (49)

Exquisite Journey
Mr Whyte is one of today's premiere artist of the word. He guides you on a journey and as an accompaniment he intices you to become involved his characters whom are colorful and deep; but he also makes you feel involved in the evolution of history and life.
This book is part 1 of a trilogy and I strongly reccomend that you read all 3 books as you will feel quite satisfied after doing so.
It is a series that you will read again in the not too distant future as it is that good!
This is my second time and this purchase was to replace my first copt that was damaged in an accident.
You will also enjoy his other books, especially if you like the Arthurian legends. He makes history come alive thru his fiction by utilizing the essential facts of reality. He uses reality to clothe and fill the voids of ignorance making quasi-history and history come alive, causing investigative enquiry to the facts of the issues he writes about.
There is no finer writer of this type alive today.

Tremendous Templar Adventure! Not written as a Histry Book.
I have now completed two of Bro.? Whytes books, "Knights of the Black and White" and "Order in Chaos".As a student of Templar Lore and things Masonic I often tire of would be historians trying to talk about the Templar Order and what it stood for and how it came to be the power that it was.We do know that it was founded by nine Knights from Provence,so to speak, and that it was most likely the brainchild of Bernard of Clairveaux (St.Bernard)and that, that area was close to the site of the beginings of the Merovingian Dynasty and that they may well have been of Hebrew descent. Now! That being said. I love a good adventure,I always have.I began with Ivanhoe,Tristan and Isolde,Richard the Lionheart and on and on. All of which were based loosely on history. I began reading them at ten years of age. These stories by Jack Whyte are are intended to satisfy the adventure cravings,to spark the imagination and to picque the couriosity.So untill the discovery of the real Templar Treasure and the gnosis which is contained therein. We will just have to live our Knightly adventures vicariously through this type of story telling.I am going to purchase the third book in the certain knowledge that I will enjoy it as much as I do all of Clive Cusslers books. Write on Jack,outstanding job!! Oh yes, before I forget,Sir Henry Sinclair did make a voyage to America in the late twelve hundreds or the early thirteen hundreds accompanied by Knights and a contingent of Pict warriors. They landed in Nova Scotia,lived for a time among the MicMac Indians.To this day he is talked about in legend as "Gulscap" the Warrior from the East. There are still a number of families there that carry the name "Pictou" (ring any bells?)John L.(Jacamo)Peterson Author
Blademaster of Norda
A Hard Place: A Sergeants Tale
Archaeology 501: The Field Trip

axe grinding
I am very open minded but obviously this guy has an ax to grind with Christians....exactly as the title describes; there is not ONE decent christian in the book(black);ALL of the Jewish characters are model citizens NONE of them ever do anything remotely base(white) what a JOKE...don't bother even if you are tempted! why not just write this book: Jewish people are good, Christians are evil...at least you would be giving an accurate portrayal of the contents of the book.

WOW so much FUN!!
This Trilogy is one of my favorites along side Robyn Young's Trilogy. Jack Whyte is absolutely marvelous and I read all three. I even ordered the third one directly from the UK so I could get it for Christmas as I did Young's third book in her trilogy of the Templars. I just checked Whytes web site today hoping for more but nothing yet. Highly reccomended. I loved this.

Truly an enjoyable read
I picked this up at a Barnes and Noble discount table, started reading, and found it fascinating.No complaints about the book.I confess to not being a Templar historian, but this sure was a great yarn.Jack Whyte's efforts to explain some little known historical facts, yet weave them into a novel were fine.Accuracy?I don't know, but then I enjoyed the book... and that's the bottom line. ... Read more

Product Description
With Uther, Jack Whyte, author of the richly praised Camulod Chronicles, has given us a portrait of Uther Pendragon, Merlyn's shadow--his boyhood companion and closest friend. And the man who would sire the King of the Britons.

From the trials of boyhood to the new cloak of adult responsibility, we see Uther with fresh eyes. He will travel the length of the land, have adventures, and, through fate or tragedy, fall in love with the one woman he must not have. Uther is a compelling love story and, like the other books in the Camulod Chronicles, a version of the legend that is more realistic than anything that has been available to readers before.
Amazon.com Review
The seventh book in Jack Whyte's Camulod Chronicles, Uther is a parallel novel to The Eagle's Brood. It fills in some gaps about another major character in the Arthurian legend, Uther Pendragon, who is Merlyn's cousin and King Arthur's father.

Uther tells the tale of a young man torn between his love for hisadopted Camulod and for the land of his birth, Cambria. Born to be one ofthe seven Chiefs of the Pendragon federation of Cambria, with thepossibility of becoming its king one day, Uther goes from being a carefree boy to a seasoned leader of his people who must wage war to protect his land. Along the way, Uther loses his friendship with Merlyn and falls in love with the wife of his enemy, thereby forging a union that will lead to the birth of Arthur, King of the Britons.

Once again Whyte weaves a tale of intrigue, betrayal, love, and war in agritty and realistic tale that continues to explore the legend of Camelot.With Uther, Whyte is at his best--he takes his time telling thestory and allows his main characters to be both flawed and heroic. Fans ofthe Camulod Chronicles will be familiar with the inevitable ending of this book, but Uther is a worthwhile addition to the series. For those new to the series, Uther can stand alone as an entry to the story, but it might be best to start with The Skystone, where Whyte's tale truly begins. --Kathie Huddleston ... Read more

Customer Reviews (37)

Read 'Uther' first
I happened on a copy of "Uther" by Jack Whyte in an 80% off bookstore. Not knowing it was written following the Camulod Chronicles I dove in and found it riveting, mesmerizing and satisfying. I was engrossed in the characterizations and the realness of Mr. Whyte's storytelling style. After "Uther" I sought out the rest of the series. I know many folks found "Uther" less than great. For me, reading it first, gave me a feeling of liking it best and feeling that perhaps the others were not as well written, (like the Skystone), however, and it is a big HOWEVER, the Camulod Chronicles is probably one of the finest series ever written on Arthurian legend and certainly one of the most engrossing you'll ever read, ever!So don't be put off by poor reviews. It is a stellar story told with such realism that it seems a misnomer to list it as Fantasy and would be more appropriately catagorized as historical fiction. And yes you will stay up all night reading it and any other of Jack Whyte's Camulod Chronicles! It has been several years since I read the series and last winter I reread them all. And yes, I stayed up until the wee hours with each and every one. They were every bit as good if not better the second time.

Jack Whyte is an INCREDIBLE author
For fantasy novel readers, Jack Whyte could be the greatest author ever.His Camulod series is remarkable.It is fiction with a touch of factual history.Completely captivating.I couldn't wait til the next one came out.I am giving them all to my nephew so that he can enjoy every one of them as much as I did!I pre-ordered his last 2 books and waiting for them was torture.These are amazing!

Stuff that's already been said....
As a whole, this series is by far the most fascinating I have ever read on the subject. Comparisons to Cromwell and Stewart are inevitable, but these nine books stand alone. For starters, the magic is missing. And the obvious attempt at historical accuracy, particularly in regards to countless aspects of late-Roman Britain, make the books supurb.

UTHER, however, did not need to be written. EAGLE'S BROOD had a mystique about it, because the reader had so many unanswered, and because of the narrator in Merlin - unanswerable, questions.

Whyte's fans begged for answers. Eventually, he relented in his initial refusal to. He should not have. After reading UTHER, it is obvious his heart was not in it.

1) The editing was awful. Spelling mistakes throughout; sentences that just end abruptly. But of course this is more than just the author's fault.

2) A dead mother who was very much alive at the same period in EAGLE'S BROOD.

3) A character contrived SIMPLY TO BE the answer to all of those unanswerable questions. There was no fun in that whatsoever.

I wish I had not read UTHER, and if you have not yet, skip it. The mystique in EAGLE'S BROOD is better left as it is.

haunting
I am a medievalist with a concentration in Arthurian legend, so I'm always interested to find a new interpretation of the legend.In most versions of the tales, the character of Uther has not been developed extensively, so I was particularly fascinated by Whyte's book.It was the first of Whyte's books that I've read, and it has stayed in my mind in a haunting and bittersweet way.I feel for Whyte's characters and care about them.And I like to think that Uther had some good qualities hidden behind that tough exterior.

Uther was hard for me to put down.I must say, however, that the editing was not impressive.There were numerous mechanical errors plus a couple serious errors in names that should have been caught.Even so, it inspired me to want to read the whole Camulod series.I think I'm in for a rare treat!

Not too bad
I absolutely love the series and how they provide the legend of Arthur as a real person. In that this book provides insight into the man who becomes Arthur's father.

But I was very disappointed with the editing of this book. There are many instances of grammatical and spelling errors along with contextual errors. For me it was hard getting past all these errors and when 3-5 of them would appear on one page I came very close putting the book down altogether.

I did finish the book and once past all the errors it has a good story and fits in well with the other books in the series. It provides the missing links to The Eagles Brood and events leading up to The Saxon Shore as told by Merlyn. ... Read more

Product Description
We know the legends: Arthur brought justice to a land that had known only cruelty and force; his father, Uther, carved a kingdom out of the chaos of the fallen Roman Empire; the sword Excalibur, drawn from stone by England's greatest king.

But legends do not tell the whole tale. Legends do not tell of the despairing Roman soldiers, abandoned by their empire, faced with the choice of fleeing back to Rome, or struggling to create a last stronghold against the barbarian onslaughts from the north and east. Legends do not tell of Arthur's great-grandfather, Publius Varrus, the warrior who marked the boundaries of a reborn empire with his own shed blood; they do not tell of Publius's wife, Luceiia, British-born and Roman-raised, whose fierce beauty burned pale next to her passion for law and honor.

With The Camulod Chronicles, Jack Whyte tells us what legend has forgotten: the history of blood and violence, passion and steel, out of which was forged a great sword, and a great nation. The Singing Sword continues the gripping epic begun in The Skystone: As the great night of the Dark Ages falls over Roman Britain, a lone man and woman fight to build a last stronghold of law and learning--a crude hill-fort, which one day, long after their deaths, will become a great city . . . known as Camelot.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (44)

Great historical fantasy series!
#2 Camulod Chronicles historical Arthurian fantasy. It's 360's A.D. and Publius Varrus, the co-leader of the Colony in the western part of what is now England, faces new challenges as ever-bolder Saxon (and other!) raiders threaten his peaceful home. Together with Caius Britannicus, his brother-in-law, who leads the self-sufficient group with him, he steps up to meet those challenges, which include strengthening their defenses and learning a new way to fight with heavy cavalry.

Publius, a blacksmith by trade, begins to attempt to forge a new type of weapon that will serve as sword and spear to soldiers mounted on large warhorses. And always at the back of his mind is the sword he wants to forge, made of the special 'skystone' that fell from the sky in the previous book, the perfect weapon that would be his life's work. Meanwhile, his daughters are growing up and their friend and neighbor to the north, Ullic Pendragon, comes calling asking for an unheard-of allegiance between his Celts and the Roman Britons, forged in a marriage between Veronica, Publius' daughter, and Uric, Ullic's son.

Throughout this time, the Colony sets out building a large hill fort to keep their people safe in the face of increasing raids and violence, which is completed and christened Camulod. Spanning several years, this book in the series sets things up for the actual time of Arthur--at the end of this book, Uther Pendragon (Veronica and Uric's son) and Caius Merlyn Brittanicus (son of Ullic's sister Enid and Picus Britannicus, Caius' son) are mere infants, having been born at exactly the same time.

Wonderful book, enjoyable story--not all pleasant as there is plenty of violence and death which was appropriate for the times--and with interesting historical detail. I'm looking forward to the next one very much.

The Singing Sword (The CAmulod Chronicles, Book 2)
I am very pelased with the purchase and rapid receipt of this book.I am currently reading the book and am thrilled with the contents and text of the story.Thank You Jack W.

epic historical fiction!
This is the 2nd in a truly amazing series. The writing is great and the historical setting behind the book is well researched and very interesting. Be warned that this series is very long and dense to read. Make sure you have a lot of time on your hands for it! The only thing that bothers me about the books or the way they're written is that they are extremely graphic in gore and sex. If you can tolerate that, it makes for a great read.

The Singing Sword Book 2
The book arrived shorly after we ordered it in very good condition. A pleasure doing business with you.Thank you.

Continuing the epic Skystone saga
The is the second fascinating chapter of Jack Whyte's Camulod Chronicles.While I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as I did the first installment, it's still a very addicting and enjoyable read.At times it seemed a little overly verbose in the discussion of Roman military tactics, which to me killed the pacing a little bit.In the end I understand why Jack Whyte did this.This book primarily focusses on the development of the colony set up towards the end of the Skystone.In order to give the reader the true breadth of changes that Caius and Publius set in motion for the colony, the explanation of the improvement of roman military tactics in order to keep up with the ever evolving world around their little colony was necessary.While it was a little drawn out at times, it gives the reader a sense of epic wheels of change the founders set in motion.

I don't want to spoil anything, but the book brings back all the characters from the first book as well as a few new characters, some of which are easily recognizeable.That's all I'll say on that!

I can't wait to get my hands on the next chapter to see where Whyte goes with this epic tale next! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (36)

"Friendship is God's gift for fortunate men to share."
CLOTHAR THE FRANK, the 6th novel in Jack Whyte's extended series THE CAMULOD CHRONICLES, steps back from Dark Ages England and moves across the channel into post-Roman Gaul to provide an imaginative, extraordinarily detailed, historical back story to the birth, education and development of Lancelot.

Many reviewers complained bitterly that this novel was long-winded and completely failed to advance the story of the King Arthur legend. In a sense, I agree totally. But I'd also suggest to these readers that, if they relaxed and simply accepted the book on its stand-alone merits, they would realize that this, far from being a weakness, is, in fact, its strength and virtue. This is a side bar to the Arthurian legend, something intended to fill in the blanks as it were. The dust flap tell it quite simply ... "Clothar's story is the story of Lancelot - his past, his loves, his loyalty and his role as King Arthur's friend and betrayer".

CLOTHAR THE FRANK is the exciting story of a wealthy family's life in Gaul. Clothar, raised and educated by a saintly Catholic bishop, learns that he is the son of a local king. An exceptionally well-rounded education allows him to step into the role of soldier, leader and a warrior and to accept his role in a bloody internecine civil war. We learn of the reasons behind Clothar's voyage to a dark ages England, besieged by the savage Saxons and Danes after the departure of the Roman legions, where Arthur has yet to be crowned as the High King. As with any good historical fiction novel, CLOTHAR THE FRANK provides plenty of realistic period atmosphere and colour.

I couldn't help but smile at the final scene in which Clothar actually meets the newly crowned King Arthur for the first time. I'm pretty sure that Jack Whyte had dreamed about Robin Hood and Little John the night before he penned the details of this particular chapter. See if you don't agree! A highly recommended addition to any historical fiction lover's library.

Paul Weiss

The Lance Thrower by Jack Whyte
All the books arrived weeks ago, in fact I read a couple already.They arrived in excellent condition.The books where cheeper than Barns and Nobles, which had to be ordered and if Barns and Nobles did have them in stock, it would of been more expensive driving there to get books.
If you like stories of the Templar's, King Arther, and a story that go into the depths of Knights of the round table you will enjoy this Jack Whyte series.

Book Eight in the Camulod Series

Jack Whyte was born and raised in Scotland, but has lived in Canada for the last forty odd years. He is the author of the Camulod series of books and has just had published the first in a trilogy about probably the most famous Order of knights, ever to come through the pages of history, the Knights Templar.

This is the eighth volume in the continuation of the Camulod Chronicles a series of novels about the Arthurian legends. But anyone expecting the conventional, or Hollywood slant on the legend of Arthur, i.e. knights riding around on destriers in full body armour, something invented several hundred years after Arthur had gone to his grave, if he ever existed at all, will be in for a sharp shock.

The books are set in the 5th century AD a much more likely time for Arthur to have existed, a time when Britain, although free of the Romans, who had gone back across the channel to Rome, was still very much influenced by their occupation.

Granted Jack Whyte's version of the Arthurian legends does not sit well with everybody, but if you forget what you have read before about Arthur and after all that is only information published earlier by Sir Thomas Mallory and has very little credibility in historical terms, and treat the books on their own merits then many will find them not only readable, but also enjoyable.

The Lance Thrower - Jack Whyte
A friend, who knows my taste in books put me on to Jack Whyte some time ago. I found a copy of The Skystone, read it, then went out and bought the rest of the series. The Lance Thrower continues with what I describe as a 'can't put down' book. Mr Whyte certainly knows how to capture one's attention and I love the way a jolly good yarn is woven around a little of the history of Britain. An awesome read.

A disappointment
Having devoured all Whyte's other books in the Camulod Chronicles series I looked forward to this with relish. I bought it ages ago and still have only got half way throught it.The magic has completely gone.Let's hope his latest book is back up to his earlier standards. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (22)

Great
Great book, great service.I love this series and just discovered this version.Lots of it was included in the Lance Thrower, but I was glad for the book. I like the realistic feeling of the stories. I love to see the mysteries explained.

The Eagle (The Camlod Chronicles, Book 9)
am very pleased with the purchase and rapid receipt of this book. I have not read the book yet but I am waiting patiently to get to it.I have a few more in the series to read but am thrilled with the contents and text of the stories so far. Thank You Jack W.

Jack Whyte's series (The Camulod Chronicles)
Buy all of Jack Whyte's books today regarding Knights, the Templar's and the fascinating stories of King Arther and his men.What a series, Uther is the only one not up to par, it more less recaptures the books that Jack Whyte has written about.Wish he wrote more of the series and if you read what I'm saying now, you'll feel the same way.

End of a long series
It's finally over.The first few books of the Camulod Chronicles grabbed my attention.They were well-researched in regards to history of the British Isles during and immediately after the Roman occupation.About midway through the chronicles, they started to drag on.At the end, I expected more interaction between Arthur and "Lancelot" (Clothar), but you just lose Arthur altogether.The battle that finally kills Arthur is mentioned in an offhand manner by a third party.I do like the way that Whyte tied together the Arthur/Lancelot/Guinevere triangle very neatly.

Awesome series of books
Very simply one of the best series I have ever read.Get the first book and read them all in order for the best result.Jack Whyte is an incredible author. ... Read more

Product Description
Everyone knows the story-how Arthur pulled the sword from the stone, how Camelot came to be, and about the power struggles that ultimately destroyed Arthur's dreams. But what of the time before Arthur and the forces that created him?

How did the legend really come to pass?

Before the time of Arthur and his Camelot, Britain was a dark and deadly place, savaged by warring factions of Picts, Celts, and invading Saxons. The Roman citizens who had lived there for generations were suddenly faced with a deadly choice: Should they leave and take up residence in a corrupt Roman world that was utterly foreign, or should they stay and face the madness that would ensue when Britain's last bastion of safety for the civilized, the Roman legions, left?

For two Romans, Publius Varrus and his friend Caius Britannicus, there can be only one answer. They will stay, to preserve what is best of Roman life, and will create a new culture out of the wreckage. In doing so, they will unknowingly plant the seeds of legend-for these two men are Arthur's great-grandfathers, and their actions will shape a nation . . . and forge a sword known as Excalibur.
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Customer Reviews (113)

Poorly written, poorly researched, and mean-spirited
This book was a complete disappointment. Like others, I am stunned by the overall positive reviews. Whyte's writing is tedious and flat, over-reliant on stiff, expository dialogue and adjective laden descriptions that lack any sense of place or atmosphere. Even by the lax standards of historical fiction his research is weak: anachronisms abound and simple facts are needlessly ignored ("-chester" is a Saxon place name, not Celtic.) But sadly, the biggest weakness in this book is the author's mean-spiritedness. There's nothing new about speculative or fantastic writers using novels to also expound their political views. But Whyte is clearly more interested in living out some fantasy of macho he-men slaughtering depraved homosexuals and smelly peasants than he is in telling a story. Cornwell and others have shown that you can write about the violence, brutality, and harsh hierarchy of the Dark Ages while still creating sympathetic characters. This kind of complexity is obviously beyond Whyte's abilities but I'm not even sure he would want to try: Rarely have I encountered a book in which the most vivid acts of torture and violence are carried out, not by the villain, but by the protagonist.

INCREDIBLESERIES !!!!!!!!
After years of the same Arthurian books, movies, musicals ,remakes, interpratations of the same boring story , this series is a great entrance to a world that is more than the tired love story angle of the past works and takes us on a historical and whirlwind ride through real history where we learn how people perceived the world then and how and why we came to be what is happening to our culture today. I started with UTHER not knowing it was part of this series. Truly one of the best books i have ever read realizing this was a special approach to this old "myth". Be better for it and treat yourself to the CAMULOD CHRONICLES and be amazed!

Not for me
I chose this book because it was outside my comfort zone of what I usually read and it didn't work out too well. There was too much fighting, battling and military strategy in it for me - most of it went over my head. I think that someone who likes that sort of thing would probably like this book though.

The Skystone by Jack Whyte
The Skystone (The Camulod Chronicles, Book 1)


The Skystone (A Dream of Eagles: Book 1)
by Jack Whyte
Penguin Canada, 1993
620 pages
ISBN: 0-14-017050-2
Mass Market Paperback
Historical Fiction

Centurion Publius Varrus and his General, Caius Britannicus, are on the verge of retirement from the finest fighting unit in the Roman Legion. Publius returns to the trade of his father as a smithy, and then joins Caius to build a defendable and self-sufficient colony in the heart of Britain. Hadrian's wall has been overrun and the Roman Empire is quickly sliding into ruin. Knowing Rome will eventually be forced to withdraw her legions from their island home, both men want to be prepared for the end of the world as they know it. Between the two of them they unknowingly set the stage for an independent Britain and one of the greatest legends of all time: Arthur and his sword Excalibur.

The Skystone is the first of the Camulod Chronicles, now known as A Dream of Eagles. Canadian author, Jack Whyte creates a cast of strong characters whom we meet through the eyes of an aged Publius, who is looking back over a lifetime of unprecedented change during the 5th century A.D.

This fabulous pre-Arthurian tale presents the first plausible explanation of the origins of the Arthurian legend I've ever come across. The names and places and people are all laid out for us in a fascinating depiction of a tumultuous time that made way for the world we know today. From an explanation as to the origins of the Lady of the Lake and the Pendragons, to a foreshadowing of the forging of Excalibur and, amidst it all, the vivid description of the end of an age, Whyte has written an entertaining, moving and unique novel that begins what may come to be accepted as the true story of that time-shrouded figure we all know as King Arthur.

The entire series of A Dream of Eagles is sitting on my shelf, and I can't wait to read each and every book.

Copyright © Clayton Clifford Bye 2009

The Skystone Book 1
The book arrived shorly after we ordered it in very good condition. A pleasure doing business with you.Thank you. ... Read more

Product Description
The Eagles’ Brood continues the saga of the Colony known as Camulod, and the tale of the descendants of those brave Romans who forged a new way of life for the Celt and Roman peoples when the Roman legions departed Britain.

Most know the new leader of the Colony as Merlyn; all call him Commander. Cauis Merlyn Britannicus is responsible for their safety, and all look to him for guidance, leadership, justice, and salvation. It is a harsh life but a good community, and Merlyn is dedicated to spreading the influence of Roman culture beyond the Colony’s borders.

Uther Pendragon, the man who will father the legendary Arthur, is the cousin Merlyn has known and loved since they were birthed, four hours apart on the same day, the year the legions left Britain. He is the tireless warrior--the red dragon to Merlyn’s great silver bear--and between the two of them, the Colony knows few enemies.

As different as they can be, they are inseparable: two faces of the same coin. In a world torn apart by warfare and upheaval, each is the other’s certainty and guarantee of the survival of the Colony . . . until a vicious crime, one that strikes at the roots of Merlyn’s life, drives a wedge between them. A wedge that threatens the fate of a nation . . . .
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Customer Reviews (35)

the next generation
Once again, Whyte digs deeper into the mythos of king Arthur.This chapter focuses primarily on Merlyn as well as Uther, Varrus's son and Merlyn's Cousin.

Jack Whyte can get a little wordy when it comes to describing some things, especially battle scenes and military tactics so at times, the book seems like it may drag a little bit.That's pretty much my only complaint about this installment and his style in general.

It's still a great chapter in an extremely epic tale of the forging of a country and a legend.

My Brother Loved It
This is one of my brother's favorite authors. He was thrilled that we got this for him. He gave the book a ten.

Perverted sex and graphic violence for the history buff
The third book in a series that puts the myth of Camelot in a real historical context. Plenty of action and a very clever interweaving of myth and reality. The violence of the times is graphically described with lots of blood and guts being spilled. This volume includes descriptions of violent sexual perversions that you may consider unsuitable for younger readers - a thought to keep in mind if you are thinking of buying this as a gift. For adults that want an all action historical novel this will probably not disappoint. Very similar to the Bernard Cornwell series of King Alfred novels but with rather more explicit sex.

Good ideas, tiresome writing
I like what this guy is trying to do: like Tolkien, he is trying to revive a world of epic meaning. Unlike Tolkien, he writes with constant dramatics, thinly disguised allegories as characters, and frequently rambles on for dozens of pages on completely irrelevant points. The author's asides contain plenty of great information, as does the character of Merlyn, but this is often painful to read from the sheer repetition of technique and emotion...

The Eagles' Brood
Jack Whyte is a master at imparting historical data in gut-gripping fiction, even if you're not a fan of King Arthur. I loved this entire series, and have purchased it for several of my family members and friends. The whole series is an "I can't put it down" one. You'll be captivated! ... Read more

Product Description
Merlyn Britannicus and Uther Pendragon---the Silver Bear and the Red Dragon---are the leaders of the Colony, lifeblood to the community from which will come the fabled Camulod.
But soon their tranquillity is in ruins, Uther lies dead from treachery, and all that is left of the dream is the orphaned babe Arthur.Heir to the Colony of Camulod, born with Roman heritage as well as the blood of the Hibernians and the Celts, Arthur is the living incarnation of the sacred dream of his ancestors: independent survival in Britain amidst the ruins of the Roman Empire.
When Arthur is adopted by Merlyn Britannicus, an enormous responsibility is placed on Merlyn's shoulders. Now he must prepare young Arthur to unify the clans of Britain and guard the mighty sword Excalibur.
And, above all, Merlyn must see that Arthur survives to achieve the rest of his ancestors' dreams, in spite of the deadly threats rumbling from the Saxon Shore.
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Customer Reviews (32)

Camulod Chronicle Series
Both my husband and i are greatly enjoying this series.Well written and highly entertaining.

I love these books; and yes, I'm a woman
A few years ago my son accidentally left The Lance Thrower behind after one of his visits home.I picked it up and couldn't put it down.'
Of course, then I had to begin with the first book, which I also loved.Well, then I started giving them away and of course never getting them back. So, I probably have bought the entire set at least four times. (Your welcome Mr. Whyte) The Saxon Shore truly is one of my favorites.I wish the books would just continue.What a great way to teach history!
Has anyone approached you about a movie?

JACK WHYTE


A GOOD ADDITION TO A GREAT SERIES IN A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FORMAT

Most tedious so far
I'm sorry...the previous books in the series were interesting history, had me curious as to how Whyte would work the Arthurian legend in, and were exciting...while still leaving me with the impression that this was an author in serious need of an editor (the loss of 100 or so pages from each wouldn't have been missed).

Sadly, at over 700 pages, this one could lose about 500. Every time the action and plot seem to be about to catch their groove, instead we get...nothing. Lots of ideas that lead nowhere in particular. And I know Whyte is keeping it readable, but do we really need Arthurian characters approaching each other with a "What's up?" Bleh.

This one was certainly the dullest by far, with little payoff. I'll probably give another one in the series a try, but it will be awhile.

The Saxon Shore
"The Saxon Shore" is the fourth book in "The Camolud Chronicles" series, an historical-fiction book dealing with the events leading up to and covering the possible roots, life, and times of the King Arthur legends.

The series starts with "The Skystone" and ends with "The Eagle". This is a very good attempt by the author, Jack Whyte, to describe the possible ancestors, characters, and relationships involved in this enduring story.

"The Saxon Shore" covers the the time period shortly after the birth of Arthur and up to the time when he was approximately 10 years old. The era of history covered by the books has been throughly researched by the author and retains a tone of authenticity as regards the daily life and times of it's many and varied characters. The characters are carefully fleshed-out and if the 'legends' were actually real, this series does a great job in it's speculations as to how and why this story continues to fascinate readers 1,500 years after it's time period.

I highly recommend both the series and this particular installment of it to anyone who enjoys a good historical-fiction read. Perhaps the best treatment of the subject that I have read. Should King Arthur have been a 'real' historical figure, this series, IMHO, covers the subject in a very believeable fashion. ... Read more

Product Description
Merlyn Britannicus, leader of the colony known as Camulod, is faced with the task of educating his young charge, Arthur, future King of the Britons. Fearing for the life of his nephew when an assassination attempt is thwarted, Merlyn takes Arthur and his boyhood companions Gwin, Ghilleadh, and Bedwyr, to the ruins of a long-abandoned Roman fort far from Camulod. Once there, Merlyn realizes it's time for Arthur to become worthy of the sword he is destined to wield later in his life-the mighty Excalibur.

But beyond their idyllic hiding place, forces threaten the tenuous peace of Camulod.In Cambria, the death of Arthur's father Uther has left his people leaderless, and in Cornwall, Merlyn's enemy Peter Ironhair is gathering forces to destroy all Merlyn holds dear.

And Merlyn himself is struggling, because in order to make his dream of a united Britain real, he must put the person he loves most in the world in mortal danger-he and Arthur must return to Camulod.
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Customer Reviews (33)

Another great book!
There's not that much to say. If you've read the first 4 books of this series I'm sure you can guess this is another great Jack Whyte book. It is, this guy is a great writer. His books really bring you into the story.

One of the best
Jack Whyte does an amazing job bringing to life the Author tales. Mixing fact and legend gives this version of the tale great color and depth I havn't found in any other books about this topic. While this is the 5th book in the series and talks about the raising of young Author it takes us deeper into the story by using real places in history. I have really enjoyed this book and the series as a whole.

A little slow
I felt like this book, even compared to the rest of the copious series, had a little more sitting and waiting and talking about what we're going to do than I could handle.
Still, it's an integral part of the series, as it sets up events in later books.

Fifth book in the Series

Jack Whyte was born and raised in Scotland, but has lived in Canada for the last forty odd years. He is the author of the Camulod series of books and has just had published the first in a trilogy about probably the most famous Order of knights,ever to come through the pages of history, the Knights Templar.

This is the fifth volume in the continuation of the Camulod Chronicles a series of novels about the Arthurian legends. But anyone expecting the conventional, or a Hollywood slant on the legend of Arthur, i.e. knights riding aroundon destriers in full body armour, something that was invented several hundred years after Arthur had gone to his grave, if he ever existed in the first place, will be in for a sharp shock.

The books are set in the 5th century AD a much more likely time for Arthur to have existed, a time when Britain, although free of the Romans, who had gone back across the channel to Rome, was still very much influenced by their occupation. Because of their different interpretation of the Arthurian legend some reader's may not take to the series. Personally I found the books a refreshing change and much more in line with my own feelings on Arthur and whether he ever existed or not. I certainly found the author's approach to the subject more plausible than many.

The title of this book makes it sound like a Western novel, but in fact is the name of the place, a ruined fort, where Merlyn has taken Arthur and his boyhood companions after a failed attempt on Arthur's life. Merlyn is faced with the task of educating Arthur, the young man whose destiny is to be the future king of the Britons.

This is only the first half
It's worth knowing that this is only the first half of the novel called The Sorcerer as it was written by Jack Whyte.It was split into two parts (this one and Metamorphosis) and renamed by marketers. So, if the book doesn't seem to have a satisfying resolution for some, that should explain it.I got this information from an FAQ on the author's website. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (26)

Dissapointed
I read 258 of 495 pages.
The endless run on over descriptive sentences were relentless.
I fell on my sword to end the misery.

Best historical treatment of King Arthur EVER!
I first read this novel when I was in high school, and I was absolutely blown away by it.It portrays King Arthur, the figure of medieval romance and legend, as he might have been in historical reality.There has been much speculation and debate on the real man behind the legend, if there was one.The real Arthur may have been a single man, or conversely, the legendary Arthur may, in origin, be an amalgamation of several real figures; we will likely never know.All that it seems safe to say is that, like nearly all legends, this one probably has a seed of truth from which all the stories later grew.In "The Sword at Sunset" Rosemary Sutcliff tells a story of what the real Arthur might have been like.As such, it is a very, very different tale than the one with which most people are familiar.There is no Camelot, and no round table.There is no Merlin, for this is not the mythical, magical Arthurian story.There is no Grail Quest.And there is no Lancelot du Lac (who, after all, wasn't introduced until the 12th century by French writer Chrétien de Troyes).No, this is the story of Artos, a Romano-British war leader.His men, called "the companions" or "the brotherhood," not "knights" as that term would be anachronistic in early 6th century Britain, are basically late Roman cavalry troopers.The weapons, armor, and warfare are all those of late antiquity, not the high middle ages, which is the setting for the legends.Ms. Sutcliffe does such an outstanding job in portraying the world in which Artos lives, the daily life of his men, the hardships they faced on campaign, and the world in which they lived -- a combination of Roman civilization and British Celtic culture -- that the novel really transports the reader back to the 6th century.It's a fascinating time, not least because records from Britain of that period are so sparse, and also because it was the end of Romano-Celtic Britain, and the beginning of Anglo-Saxon England.

The story follows Artos' life from the time he first sets out on his own as a war-leader, to the time of his death in old age.Many features of the legend were retained -- the unfaithful wife whose infidelity breaks the brotherhood and the kingdom, the right-hand man (Bedwyr [i.e. Bedivere] here, not Lancelot) who betrays his king with the unfaithful queen, the brotherhood of peerless warriors, and most of all, the classic, Arthurian idea of a brief, finite, realm, whose end is seen, doomed to collapse because nothing, lasts forever, and the only constant in this world is change.All these things are there, and lend weight to the story, giving it a resonance that every reader will feel deeply.The historical detail is incredible also, and also serves to tease the reader with a sense of what's lost -- not only Artos' long-vanished realm, but all the scope of history.In this book, we see four distinct cultures sharing the island of Britain in this time: the Romanized people of the cities and towns, the unassimilated British Celts of the mountains, fens, and other remote areas, the "little dark people" (presumably the remnants of the pre-Celtic inhabitants of Britain), distinct from either of these other native groups, and the invading Anglo-Saxons.Each culture is richly portrayed with its own traditions, customs, songs, attitudes, and history.This novel is so well written, and so evocative of the period it portrays that it reminds the reader just how rich a cultural tapestry this world, even small portion of it like this little north Atlantic island, actually is, and how brief and transitory every culture is.These four occupy this particular place, and this particular time, and all have long since faded into history, leaving behind only the faintest, most tantalizing traces of what they were.That indeed is part of the story.From the very first chapter, it's made clear that Artos and his men are fighting to preserve their civilization, with the full awareness that it is a futile struggle, doomed to failure, but still they fight, because if they hold out just that little bit longer, more of what they are will survive and be carried forward in those that come after.

This is a beautiful story, full of tragedy and pathos, and yet also filled with a sense of hope.In this the author perfectly captured the spirit of the Arthurian myth, and put it back in its historical setting, which makes it far more authentic and far easier to place in the real world.Books just don't get much better than this.

unexpected intimate descriptions
We have enjoyed several historical books by Rosemary Sutcliff, so were a bit jolted by scenes and thoughts that seem inappropriate and unnecessary.If certain events are deemedcritical to the telling of the story, perhaps they can be conveyed in a more circumspect description.Those who have experienced sexual intimacy will understand well enough.Those who have not could be spared, such as teenagers whose don't need to be thinking about such things until they are married.

After All These Years, Still the Best
Finally! I am delighted to see a revival and reprinting of Rosemary Sutcliff's books and other historical novels of her contemporaries. I was overjoyed to see the reissue of this particular one -- I have been hanging on to a ratty old paperback edition of Sword at Sunset through college, graduate school, jobs both good and bad, and several long-distance moves. I've also read and enjoyed many of her other Roman Britain novels currently being reissued -- and how wonderful to have good, meaty reading material available for high school people to give them examples of fine writing, enriching language and well-developed characters instead of the politically correct dumbed-down garbage that floods the markets.

I believe Sword at Sunset was the first Arthurian novel to dispense with medieval trappings and deal with who the warlords of 5th-century Britain truly were, how they lived, and how they tried to repel the waves of invasion which threatened their existence -- but which also created the ethnic and cultural mixture which became Great Britain. Artos the Bear is the true spirit of post-Roman Britain, a war chieftain with a legacy of Roman culture but a Roman culture overlaid and tempered by exposure to parallel barbarian cultures in an untamed natural landscape.

No point in my repeating plot and story details that other reviewers have already covered eloquently -- I just want to express how good this novel is, how well it stands the test of time, and how happy I am to see it regaining its rightful place in historical fiction.

Hmmm -- I think it's time for me to reread it. Again.

Sword at Sunset
SWORD AT SUNSET BY ROSEMARY SUTCLIFF: The late Rosemary Sutcliff was a prolific writer from the 1950s through the 1970s, publishing a number of children's books, including the Eagle of the Ninth series and a series of Arthurian novels, as well as over twenty other children's books on historical subjects. She also penned nonfiction works and adult fiction, including Sword at Sunset, originally published in 1963 and re-released on May 1st of this year.

Sword at Sunset features an introduction by Canadian author Jack Whyte, writer of the successful Camulod Chronicles, a nine-book series beginning several generations before Arthur was born. Whyte freely admits that when he first discovered Sword at Sunset it changed his life, which becomes all too clear when one has read both authors. The characterization, the tone, and the painstaking attention to historical detail and accuracy are prevalent in both works, to the point where one might think Whyte owes Sutcliff more than an introduction and homage.

In Sword at Sunset, Sutcliff creates a world where the Roman legions have left Britain, yet the sense of Romanitas remains strong, especially in the noble characters of Ambrosius and Artos the Bear. They retain not just the armor, style of combat, and the Roman military organization, but a superior, almost arrogant sense of belonging to something that was once great and could be again. Sutcliff's early medieval world is not as "dark age" as normally depicted in fiction, but thriving with trade and societal infrastructure across Europe still seemingly intact. Artos the Bear spends the beginning of the book traveling to southern France where he looks to purchase strong breeds of horses to bring back to Britain to create a strong cavalry force to fight against the invading Anglo Saxons and maintain the British control and rule.

While it is not completely clear how Artos the Bear has risen to such great prominence, he nevertheless has the backing of the people, which spurs him on to defeat the Saxons in many battles. Sutcliff introduces many familiar characters from the Arthurian world, though there is no Merlin or Lancelot (the latter originally an addition made by Chrétien de Troyes in the twelfth century), but an important appearance is made by Arthur's incestuous sister Medraut (or Morgan). Sword at Sunset reads like a historical military text with its calculated and descriptive battle scenes that make the world come alive, to the point where the reader may indeed believe such events transpired in the fifth century, leaving the common storylines of romance and chivalry out of the story completely, much as they were in the original time of Arthur.

For more reviews, and writings, or to buy yourself a copy, please visit www.alexctelander.com ... Read more

Product Description
The story of the rise and fall of the powerful and mysterious Knights of the Temple: the Third Crusade under Richard the Lionheart.It is sixty years since the secret Brotherhood of Sion, founders of the Knights Templar, uncovered the treasure vouchsafed them beneath the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Now the ambitious and ruthless Plantagenet King Richard the Lionheart leads the Third Crusade against Saladin, and both the honour of the Templars and the mission of the Brotherhood are at risk.Andrew Sinclair is one of the few survivors of the Battle of Hattin in 1187. As a member of the clandestine Brotherhood he was taught Arabic before being sent to the Holy Land on a mission that neither the Order of Templars nor the leaders of the Pope's armies can know of. Sinclair's captivity following the battle led to his friendship with the infidel and threatened to divide his loyalty. One of the great secrets of the Brotherhood is that they are not Christians, unlike the Templars.Sinclair's cousin and fellow member of the Brotherhood, Sir Andre St Clair, arrives with Richard from Cyprus.The secret mission they must pursue will lead them into the desert and the lair of the fearsome Assassins. And meanwhile Saladin's clever tactics in battle, including the butchery of the magnificent destriers, the massive horses that carry armoured Frankish knights, bring reversals to the Christian cause from start of the Crusade. But it is Richard the Lionheart's treachery and deceit that convince both cousins that the Crusade is a sham, and that all men are venal and greedy, driven by the lust for power. Only their knowledge of the Order of Sion saves them from despair: their secret mission becomes more vital than ever before.This glorious epic tells the true and truly astonishing story of the Knights of the Black and White. ... Read more

Product Description
Knights of the Black and White ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

very pleased

Very pleased, Item was received in a timely period, you could not tell it from new.

This is the tenth book by Jack Whyte I have read, and he just keeps your interest high
I am a sucker for a well written historical novel. I have been reading Jack Whyte for years. First, 8 titles around the Arthurian legend, and now his 2 in the Knights Templar series ( one more to go!) which track the Crusaders. Whyte lives Kelowna and he does a first class job of research and tale telling. Plus the language! You just have to enjoy someone who uses the English language as he does. He makes Dan Brown novels look like the poor excuses for writing that they are, since now you have a real story with real characters! For me, once I pick up one of Whyte's books, I can not stop. Perfect for a long air flight, at the cabin or on a cruise! ... Read more

Product Description
Jack Whyte is known worldwide for his novels about Arthurian England. But before he was the Jack Whyte, he was a high-school English teacher, professional musician, actor, entertainer and scriptwriter for CBC national television. Next came an advertising career, which continued to introduce him to a range of fascinating people.Along the way, hisfervent preoccupation with the Arthurian legendled him to write the eight-novel series A Dream of Eagles/The Camulod Chronicles. It was followed in 2006 by Knights of the Black and White, first in Jack s new trilogy on the Knights Templar. Jack Whyte arrived in Canada in 1967 at the height of this nation s centennial celebrations. Jack Whyte: 40 Years in Canada is a memoir written from the perspective of a Scottish immigrant who embraced his new homeland with passion and ambition at a time when opportunity lay beyond all horizons. A man of strong opinions, Jack has used his command of the English language and his love affair with narrative verse to craft a unique chronicle of his past four decades in Canada. His experiences from 1967 onward are part of a journey that includes ruminations about Canada stwo solitudes,Pierre Trudeau, heroes and feet of clay, Alberta oil, multiculturalism, fast food, the military, health care, a broken education system and more. ... Read more