The Last Kingdom CD (Saxon Stories) [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio CD]

Bernard Cornwell (Author), Jamie Glover (Reader)

Editorial Reviews

From AudioFile

Uhtred, an English nobleman's son, is raised by Danish chieftain Ragnar after being captured in battle. He learns the ways of the Danes and bonds with Ragnar. Then a turn in battle forces Uhtred to decide between the two sides of himself. The story is full of bloody action, yet narrator Jamie Glover keeps the emphasis on Uhtred's struggles with conflicting loyalties, shaping the characters to show both their sympathetic and violent natures. Narrating as Uhtred, Glover brings alive both the boy and the wiser man, foreshadowing without giving too much away and showing the war through the eyes of a character who sees the views of both sides. The novel might be too bloody for some, but its take on loyalty and its historical detail are fascinating. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: HarperAudio; Abridged edition (January 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060759259
• ISBN-13: 978-0060759254
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,417,028 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars HIGHLY ENTERTAINING LISTENING, February 3, 2005

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Last Kingdom CD (Saxon Stories) (Audio CD)

Having played title roles in both Hamlet and Henry V, British actor Jamie Glover is the perfect choice to read Bernard Cornwell's latest historical adventure. Glover is expressive without being overly dramatic as he takes listeners back to the 9th and 10th centuries and a young warrior, Uhtred, who discovers his allegiances are divided in the midst of a bloody war.

Appreciated for his historical authenticity and rousing battle scenes, Cornwell paints an almost vanquished King Alfred pitted against the dreaded Vikings as he strives to protect a last outpost. Uhtred, of noble blood, is captured after seeing his father slain in battle. He's but a boy of ten in A.D. 866 and is influenced by the Earl Ragnar who raises the boy with affection and trains him in Viking warfare.

Uhtred feels beholden to and loves the man who has brought him up but also knows that he is English and owes an allegiance to the King. It will take years, the love of a woman, and the loss of many lives for Uhtred to choose which path he must follow.

What a saga; what a terrifically entertaining listen!

- Gail Cooke

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, October 20, 2008

By 

jkcook "Computer Teacher" (Ansbach, Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Kingdom CD (Saxon Stories) (Audio CD)

I got this on a whim from the base library and it is great. Normally, I listen to books as I drive in the car, but this one was good enough to bring in and finish in the house instead of watching TV. The book is written in the first person and is very descriptive and draws you right into the narative. I knew nothing of the ~900s English time period, but his descriptions are so complete, that it's very real. The reader is excellent, just the right amount of emotion and a good speed for listening. I'll definitely look for more by this author and reader!

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I needed., September 2, 2011

By 

D. A. Wahl - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Last Kingdom CD (Saxon Stories) (Audio CD)

This book on CD was a condensed version of the paper book. I needed this for a British Literature class and it helped tremendously to go along with the book.