Reading Club

I assume you're here at this website because you like my books. Good. And that also means you might like the books I enjoy reading, and that all of us might enjoy the books that you read, so this is simply a place where we can exchange news of books - any books - not just historical novels. Tell us if you've read something wonderful and entertaining, and we'll post your recommendations and reviews here. And, please, let us know what you think of these recommendations!

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KING HEREAFTER

Written by: Dorothy Dunnett

Published by: Michael Joseph

Submitted By: Kjartan

The lifes of two fascinating historical men: Thorfinn of Orkney and Macbeth of Alba – blended into one. One of the most beautifully written novels I have read.

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EAGLES OVER THE ALPS

Written by: Christopher Duffy

Published by: The Emperor's Press

Submitted By: Geraint

The Russian general Suvrov was, with the possible exceptions of both Napoleon and Wellington, argubly the greatest general of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. Yet he is all but forgotten. Duffy’s excellent work helps bring to life one of…

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FAMILY WANTED: ADOPTION STORIES

Written by: Sara Holloway (Editor)

Published by: Granta Books

A powerful collection of pieces by writers on adoption, from all three sides of the issue: writers who are adopted, those who have given up children for adoption, and those who have adopted. AM Homes writes about finding her birth…

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A GAME OF THRONES

Written by: George R.R. Martin

Published by: Mass Market Paperback

Submitted By: Dan Sherman

Having considered myself quite the efficianado of high fantasy, I never expected to pick up a novel by an author I’d never heard of and be so captivated. The first book in Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series…

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OTHERLAND

Written by: Tad Williams

Published by: Orbit

Submitted By: David Wilcock

This is the first in a series of four of the biggest books I have ever seen, but do not be daunted by this, as you will soon be wishing the books to never end. The story itself is set…

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BOUDICA: DREAMING THE HOUND

Written by: Manda Scott

Published by: Bantam Press

Submitted By: Dominic Mulholland

I loved this – couldn’t put it down. The characters are familiar from the first two volumes of this tale, but there is no sense of predictability at all. The story is compelling throughout. It is heroic and brutal, but…

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IRONFIRE

Written by: David Ball

Published by: Delta

Submitted By: Scott Schiefelbein

A fantastic epic set on the island of Malta, “Ironfire” tracks the lives of several characters over the years in a tale that builds to the titanic siege of Malta. Vivid characters (some vicious, some noble, some in between), a…

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TAMMERLANE: SWORD OF ISLAM, CONQUEROR OF THE WORLD

Written by: Justin Marozzi

Published by: HarperCollins

Submitted By: Geraint

Only Ghenghis Khan ever conquered a larger Empire than Tammerlane. Yet this man has been pretty much forgotten by History. This is a brilliant account of one of history’s most fascinating characters and conquerers. Worth a read

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TOMMY

Written by: Richard Holmes

Published by: HarperCollins

Submitted By: Steven Shaw

This book provides an excellent account of the British soldier’s life on the Western Front during World War 1. This is my first encounter with Richard Holmes’ books, but I can say that I will now be adding him to…

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KNIGHT CRUSADER

Written by: George Finkel

Published by: N/A

Submitted By: Edward Waring

This book is unfortunately-to my knowledge, out of print. It is about a young norman squire in outremer- the third crusade. It is fast paced, brilliantly detailed and descriptive, and written in a style to match Cornwell’s own.

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