Battle Flag

The Nathaniel Starbuck Chronicles: Book Three

De: Bernard Cornwell

Narrado por: Andrew Cullum

From New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell, the third installment in The Starbuck Chronicles.

The epic battle for control of the Confederate capital continues through the hot summer of 1862.

It’s a battle that Captain Nate Starbuck, a Yankee fighting for the Southern cause, has to survive and win. He must lead his ragged company in a bitter struggle, not only against the formidable Northern army, but against his own superiors who would like nothing better than to see Nate Starbuck dead.

Good news and bad news

The good news is that one learns about the disasrous beginning of the US effort to subdue the secessionist rebellion in Virginia. It's clear that McClellan, Pope, and others were out of their league in 1861 and 1862, it is easier to remember batttle history if there is a narrative and the descriptions of warfare at that time are graphic, gripping, and in all likelihood, realistic.

However, my "bad news" concern is that the author overly emphasizes crazed northern abolitionists and Yankee raiders who rape and pillage, while underplaying the horrific treatment of slaves by the Confererate Army and others during this period and before. Cornwell does reference such treatment but he saves his incredibly detailed and highly charged writing for the abolitionist preacher and the Yankee raider who deliberately rapes and murders civilians.

The Confederates are primarily portrayed as loyal Virigians who are bravely taking on a highly equipped and much larger Yankee army and fighting bravely to the end as they experience a limited victory in the second battle around Manasas.

He largely ignores the complicated fact that many of those fighting on the Union side believed that the war was about preserving what their grandfathers had fought so diligently for - the United States of America. A more balanced approached showing this along wtih atrocities on both stides, which undsoubtedly happened as they do in all wars, would have made Battle Flag a far more enjoyable read/listen.

Another wonderful story from BC

I continue to be entertained with Bernard Cornwell’s wonderful books. I believe this is the fourth time I’ve either read or listened to all of them. Thank you Mr. C!

Narrator not so good

I have the first 2 books in this series and they were read by Tom Parker. His reading made the story come alive, but this guy …… Not so good. I wish audible still offered the choice to purchase the Tom Parker versions of this series.

Horrible accents

The English performer, while I'm sure would do well with Shakespeare, was absolutely terrible trying to mimic southern accents. it truly affected the story...

not great narrator

a brit who breaths far too heavily into his mic is the narrator and has no business reading a book about Americans when he can't do a southern accent to save his life.