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  • Master of War

  • Master of War, Book 1
  • By: David Gilman
  • Narrated by: Daniel Philpott
  • Length: 16 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (786 ratings)
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Master of War cover art

Master of War

By: David Gilman
Narrated by: Daniel Philpott
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Summary

England, 1346. For Thomas Blackstone the choice is easy - dance on the end of a rope for a murder he did not commit, or join the king's invasion. As he fights his way across northern France, Blackstone learns the brutal lessons of war. Vastly outnumbered, Edward III's army will finally confront the armoured might of the French nobility on the field of Crécy. It is a battle that will change the history of warfare.

©2013 David Gilman (P)2014 W F Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"I see flashes of brilliance that surpass Bernard Cornwell" ( The BookBag)
"Page turning novel... a gritty book sparing nothing in its descriptions of the realities of Medieval warfare" ( Daily Mail)

What listeners say about Master of War

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Part one is good.

I am a History graduate (although now that is long ago) and wanted to get into this series.

Having just finished and re-listened to the Aubrey Maturin series (narrated by Ric Jerom) I would admit that is a very hard act to follow, but wanted to learn more about the Hundred Years war.

Upto Crecy the book is almost exciting, but the performance is terrible. The reader sounds as if he is reading it for the first time, the emphasis is random, sentences disjointed and the only saving grace is his skill with accents. I kept having to think "That is not how I would have read that...".

Then the book drifts into a totally boring love story with the improbable hero mixing in noble society and the war fades into the background for a dozen chapters.

I may finish this, but there is no way I will go near the second one, and that is not entirely the fault of the production.

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37 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Just a fantastic story

A real feel good cannot stop listening to adventure. Narrated wonderfully as usual. I downloaded the 2nd book in the series halfway through the first book

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

Finally got round to listen to this, fantastic first novel in undoubtedly a first class series of stories.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Not great

Any additional comments?

Not much of a plot to this, although I only got a third of the way through it before I gave up. Doesn't compare well to other historical fiction writers such as Conn Iggulden.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I BELIEVE THIS IS THE START OF SOMETHING VERY GOOD.

Initially, when the book started, I got the feeling that the narrator felt a bit like me.
A little unsure as to weather this would be a good book or not.
Then suddenly, the book gained momentum and so did the narrator.
Sir Thomas Blackstone is or was quite an phenomenon.
A big hulking lad with enough brute strength and muscle most men would only dream of.
And then we saw his character develope. We saw him learn how to fight-and I do mean fight.
Now his strength was matched by speed and skill, and yet, despite a violent streak, there is a tenderness that doesn’t go unnoticed in this beautiful story.
A blood bath is beautifully interlaced with love, compassion, happiness and sadness.
I have already purchased the 2nd instalment and can’t wait to lose myself in the entire series.
Well written David Gilman.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

No comparison to Bernard Cornwell

I have been searching for a book featuring the battle of Crecy and was delighted to find this one. having listened to the book I cannot recall any of its details right now. the story washed over me and I couldn't warm to any of the characters. Very disappointed. Gilman is no Cornwell and Philpott is no Hawkings.

Listen to Azincourt or 1356, now they are stunning

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Crecy and beyond

Good story set in a fascinating time. Blood and guts aplenty.
Not 5 stars because I failed to completely engage; may be my fault.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

I've read the book, the audio version is new to me, must say, I loved it.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good listen

Well read well paced story. The attention to detai and the characters keep this story moving along at a good pace.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

gripping

From start to finish you will be taken to another time another world entirely.
Captivated.

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3 people found this helpful