Sword Song

The Battle for London: The Saxon Chronicles, Book 4

By: Bernard Cornwell

Narrated by: Jamie Glover

Length: 5 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

The year is 885, and England is at peace, divided between the Danish kingdom to the north and the Saxon kingdom of Wessex in the south. Uhtred, the dispossessed son of a Northumbrian lord, warrior by instinct, Viking by nature, has finally settled down. He has land, a wife, and two children, and a duty given to him by King Alfred to hold the frontier on the Thames. But then trouble stirs: a dead man has risen, and new Vikings have arrived to occupy the decayed Roman city of London. Their dream is to conquer Wessex, and to do it they need Uhtred's help.

Alfred has other ideas. He wants Uhtred to expel the Viking raiders from London. Uhtred must weigh his oath to the king against the dangerous turning tide of shifting allegiances and deadly power struggles. And other storm clouds are gathering: Aetheleflaed, Alfred's daughter, is newly married, but by a cruel twist of fate, her very existence now threatens Alfred's kingdom. It is Uhtred, half Saxon, half Dane, whose uncertain loyalties must now decide England's future.

A gripping story of love, deceit, and violence, Sword Song is set in an England of tremendous turmoil and strife - yet one galvanized by the hope that Alfred may prove an enduring force. Uhtred, his lord of war and greatest warrior, has become his sword: a man feared and respected the length and breadth of Britain.

Ready for battle? Don't miss the rest of the Saxon Chronicles Series, including The Last Kingdom (Book 1), The Pale Horseman (Book 2), and Lords of the North (Book 3).

©2008 Bernard Cornwell (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers

Another Great

I could not stop listening to the first three books in this series, and went into this with high expectations. I was not disappointed. If you liked the early books, you will like this one. Sure, nothing of real consequence happens, but it is a great story.

Don't Buy This Version Seriously Abridged!

I am calling Audible tomorrow and requesting a return and credit for another book. I love Cornwell's Saxon Chronicles. The first three books had about 13 chapters. This one which is gutted (not abridged) Is just 5!

Five chapters! This was a poor idea by someone at the publishers.

Do Not Buy This Version!

This series is my mind candy!

Cornwell is a fine author and historian! He makes 9th and 10th century Britain accessible to his readers through research and a well crafted story.

Short and full of battle!!

Out of all four books this ranks number four not the best but still good.Uhtred is back at it again!!! King Alfred ask Uhtred to take the oath again and be at his side!! Uhtred is tested by King,daughter and by his people "both sides" in the end he does what he knows best,he kills everybody!!!!! Because that is what the best Warrior does he fights and lets his sword do the talking...

Sord Song

I found this story quite interesting as I know little of English history of this period. Cornwell's battle scene are super, he places you right into the battle. The description of the country side, cities and the smells bring the story to life. Look forward to more books by him. The reader was great.

The last Kingdom

The show led me to this book series and I am now a full on raving fan of this series and each book has been spectacular. Jamie Glover is a very soothing voice to hear as you drive to work or whenever you choose to listen.

Abridged Books Should be OUTLAWED

It's so unfortunate that all five books in this series are not available in unabridged format. Book 4 follows the main character UTRED through more battles including the ultimate defense of Lundin (London) in the times of Alfred the Great, whom he is betrothed to serve.

While the story is very good, as are all the stories in this Bernard Cornwell series (The Saxon Series), this one, like all abridged audiobooks, is choppy and lacks the flow and feel that his unabridged books maintain. I can't believe or understand how or why these publishing companies release abridged versions of these books - especially when the author and series are so well established.

WHO IS IT OUT THERE WHO WOULD ACTUALLY PREFERS AN ABRIDGED BOOK??? I just don't get it ;)

Anyway, I give it 4-stars simply because it's part of a great series. Audible, please pass on our demand for the UNABRIDGED audiobook!!

I hope Cornwell continues this series!! This and the Nathaniel Starbuck, American Civil War, series are by far my favorites. I heard he didn't want to continue Starbuck as he is similar to his Sharp character and series. I am surprised people like the Sharp character and series more than these two. I find these two far better than the Sharp series. I guess its the English versus American taste difference at work.

SouthlakeTx

Fantastic book! This series is amazing. Bernard Cornwell writes the 4th in th series and it is the best of his historically-based Viking saga. Jamie Glover truly makes the characters come alive.

Wait for the unabridged version

The flavor of the book was lost in the abridgement. The story is cut to the battle scenes, good stuff -- but not enough. Wait for the unabridged version.
The reading performance was excellent. The story great. I just missed the sauce that goes with the meat. Oh, and the abridged version is edited down from the unabridged version. You can hear audio glitches where the butchery was performed.

Great listen

If Jamie Glover read the unabridged...I would listen to it again...Good stuff...Glover is top notch and Cornwell is fun to listen to...with a good reader effortlessly saying the tongue twister names.