Customer Reviews

High-Tech Knight (Adventures of Conrad Stargard, Book 2)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read all 5 of the "original" books at least ten times and had to put them down for years and hope to forget them. They have been, by far, some of the best science fiction I have ever read. Being an engineer myself I find his methods of getting things done and especially the way they get "Polishly" done hilarious. I have made the mistake of lending these books to people over the years and thought I was doomed when I found they were out of print and my books had never been returned. But joy of joys, Mr. Frankowski has finally re-emerged and with a sequel. Now it's time to start over and read the entire series. Except for the fact that Book 2 is not being reprinted and unavailable. Please beseech the powers that be to find it wihin their scaly hearts to reprint and allow me to move forward again! They really are the kind of book/s you just can't put down once you get started. Give number 1 a try!

In this book and it's three companions (The Radiant Warrior, The Flying Warlord, and Lord Conrad's Lady) Frankowski takes us on a wonderfull tale of a young, modern-day engineering student accidently(sp?) returned to midevil (sp?!) Poland where he attempts to reconstruct modern civilization before the mongol hordes arrive to wipe everybody out. This book really appealed to my "engineer's" side but with few exceptions, kept very realistic. Good mixture of real history and plausible science. The story is one part SF (time travel), 40 parts history, 50 parts hard science (engineering), 5 parts wenching, drinking, and generally being a normal guy in those days, and 2 parts court intrigue. (lost a part or two in there somewhere). All in all- an excellant read!

This is the single greatest book I have ever read. And the great part is, that anybody who enjoys a good book can sit down and enjoy reading this. I am only 16 years old, and I read this book my first time when I was only 13. It may seem slightly advanced for a teenager through most people's perspectives, but we know the score just as well as anyone.

Conrad is a heroic man, throughout this entire book, whether its Conrad or Vlad telling the story, this novel holds you attention in an iron grip. Leo Frankowski is a fantastic writer, and I would recommend this book to anybody and everybody. I cant seem to get enough of it, and I hope that nobody can either! Its truly a spectacular book!

I have read this book multiple times, probably averaging once-a-month for about 3 years and 2 months now. (about 30-40 times, and Im reading it right now again.) and I love it every time I read it!

I would like to have the rest of the series, but I have no means of finding them. I have scoured bookstores all over Southern Alberta and I have not seen a single book, nor a place that could order one.

If you could help me in the respects of finding one of these books, please e-mail me at koitiz@hotmail.com with any information (no credit cards please)

If you took the time to read this, I thank-you for hearing me out, despite my age.

This is the best time travel series in a realistic timeline ever written. Before these books, L. Sprague De Camp had held that title for decades with his "Lest Darkness Fall", but it was too short. Mark Twain may be the most famous with his "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court", but that is more light hearted than serious, and disappointing at the end. The Conrad series delivers on all the promise, and even after 5 books, it still leaves you wanting more. (There is a sixth book now, but Conrad is a minor character, and I've reviewed it separately.)

I say realistic timeline, because Conrad isn't really from our timeline. I was a little suspicious right from the start, but it wasn't until Conrad reminisced about the Mongols invading France that I thought "Hey, wait a minute". It turns out that it didn't happen to us (even without Conrad). But the historians I read agree that it would have, except the great Khan died and the Mongols had a war of succession which they never recovered from. This is often used as an example of the actions of one person changing history. I never even heard the story, until Conrad got me to look it up. Go figure.

This is an action story, with fighting and sex, where Conrad overcomes insurmountable obstacles, and usually has a good time along the way. The author doesn't just ignore the time travel though. He writes a science fiction sub-plot about that too. In fact, the author is obviously an engineer, not just because it takes an engineer for Conrad to build the things he does, but also from the way the books were planned out and crafted. Obviously the author planned the Mongol invasion and built the series around it, but he also foreshadows romantic sub-plots 3 books in advance.

I love these books, and share other reviewers disbelief that they haven't been reprinted since 1993. If you've already read them, and love them too, you might want to try "The Misplaced Legion (Videssos Cycle, Book 1)" by Harry Turtledove, about elements of one of Caesar's legions travelling into Rome's future of the Byzantine Empire. Only it's not the real Byzantine Empire, it's a parallel universe where magic works. Aside from that, it's Byzantium during the 1100's written by a Byzantine historian. And of course you'll want to read the "Island in the Sea of Time" series by S. M. Stirling, about modern day Nantucket going back in time to the Trojan War. These works are different, but also 5 stars.

I have read all 5 books in this series many times. I find Conrad Stargard an entirely sympathetic character. In following his adventures so often I find myself thinking "if only I were him".

I have searched in vain for more books by Leo Frankowski other than Copernick's Rebellion and would really appreaciate it if anyone out there can direct me to more of his enjoyable work.

I read a lot of different things and must rate these books among my all-time favourites.

I have read books 1-5 atleast 5 times and I enjoy them each time as much as the first time. I don't know what it is but this is one of the best series that I have read and I have read alot in recent years. I've been waiting for the 6th book for the last 5 years since I've discovered the series. My books are very well worn from their use.

This series is a real favorite of mine. Great story line, great characters, and unique ideas. Now (as of Summer 2005) the latest Conrad book, "Conrad's Crusade" is now available from Leo Frankowski, on line! It is solid action on par with the best in the series. An e-copy is available at X(...), and I recommend it highly.

Where the Cross-time Engineer basically had our hero Conrad as the outsider trying to convince the nobility, this book has the well-established Sir Conrad being pulled in all different directions....and then there is the matter of the duel........highly recommended!

I have read all 5 books of this series dozens of times. I can honestly say that I am deeply upset with Mr. Frankowski, for NOT continuing his fabulous chronicles of Conrad Stargard. I have introduced many a friend to the SF genre, via my poor page worn sets.

I am an engineer myself, and Conrad kept me up on my toes to find out if I could have done it in his place. Good logic, and plausible plot.