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The Forest

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About this listen

A magnificent, sweeping history in which Rutherfurd captures the essence of the English heartland, from the author of Paris, London and New York.

Few places lie closer to the heart of the nation's heritage than the New Forest. Now, Edward Rutherfurd weaves its history and legends into compelling fiction. From the mysterious killing of King William Rufus, treachery and witchcraft, smuggling and poaching run through this epic tale of well-born ladies, lowly woodsmen, sailors, merchants and Cistercian monks.

The feuds, wars, loyalties and passions of generations reach their climax in a crime that shatters the decorous society of Jane Austen's Bath and whose ramifications continue through the age of the Victorian railway builders to the ecologists of the present day.

©2000 Edward Rutherford (P)2019 Audible, Ltd Historical Fiction Fiction
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A combination of nature, history and family soap opera through generations. It has everything.

BEST BOOK EVER

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This is another excellent book by Edward Rutherford. It leads us through the history of the New Forest from the time of William II (Rufus), skilfully weaving in some very entertaining stories with fascinating factual information concerning the region.

The only addition I would have found useful would have been a comment at the beginning stating which characters were real historical figures and which ones were the inventions of the author. I have had to do a lot of "Googling" to ascertain which stories were fact and which were pure fiction.

Other than that, this is one of the best book of its kind, and I do believe Edward Rutherford is in a class of his own in that regard.

Another very important aspect of an audio book is the narration, and I can truly say I found Roger Davis' work here to be flawless. A perfect reading of an excellent book.

I recommend it without reservation.

Superb

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This was a delightful and engaging history of the new forest read superbly. I feel I have lived it.

Discover the Forest

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If you love meaty, detailed historical dramas, you'll love this. I loved every moment. I read New York years ago because I was interested in the settlement of America. The Forest was a gamble because, although I enjoy the format of Rutherford's stories, I was concerned that by comparison to New York, The Forest might seem a little provincial.

I needn't have worried. In fact, despite its seemingly closed off status from the rest of the world, throughout the book we see the New Forest playing its part in many of the defining moments in British history, even as the modest lives of the book's central characters and their families evolve.

Great book. It was a shame to finish.

An Epic Jaunt Through a Sweeping Historic Panorama

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This is a brilliant listen. Well researched, thoughtful, full of historical facts and beautifully narrated

Excellent

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