Love-at-Arms [Hardcover]

Rafael Sabatini (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2002

There was no question to any patriotic man of Babbiano that Caesar Borgia meant to invade; he meant to make the tiny nation innto a province of his growing empire. And who had the stomach for that? Gian Maria, Babbiano's playboy Duke, was no match for the crisis. And so when the people of Babbiano foresaw the war they called for Count Aquila. But Aquila was having none of it. "I tell you, Fanfulla, that were I at present in my cousin's shoes, I would cast crown and purple at whomsoever had a fancy for them ere they crushed the life out of me and left me a poor puppet. Sooner than endure that hollow mockery of a life I would become a peasant or a vassal; I would delve the earth and lead a humble life, but lead it in my own way, and thank God for the freedom of it; choose my own comrades; live as I list, where I list; love as I list, where I list, and die when God pleases with the knowledge that my life had not been altogether barren. And that poor girl, Fanfulla! Think of her. She is to be joined in loveless union to such a gross, unfeeling clod as Gian Maria. Have you no pity for her?" Fanfulla sighed, his brow clouded. "I am not so dull but that I can see why you should reason thus today," said he. "These thoughts have come to you since you have seen her." Franceseo sighed deeply. "Who knows?" he made answer wistfully. "In the few moments that we talked together, in the little time that I beheld her, it may be that she dealt me a wound far deeper than the one to which she so mercifully sought to minister." (Jacketless library hardcover.)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: Borgo Press (July 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592249744
• ISBN-13: 978-1592249749
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,403,832 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great as a free adventure for your Kindle, August 20, 2011

By 

Patrick S Lasswell - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Love-at-Arms (Kindle Edition)

This novel made me lose several hours of sleep, an experience I frequently pay good money for in an adventure story, but I got the deprivation for free in this very nice Kindle edition. This copy is flawed in a number of places, but not frustratingly so, considering the price. The adventure shines through.

Set in Italy during the the Borgia ascendance, "Love-at-Arms" explores the era well in ways that aren't presented much today, so it feels fresh over a century after it was first published. The pious fraud of Sforza, his nonpareil condottieri cousin (the hero), the bully with a loyal heart condottieri, and the tremendous self-deception of the courtier all feel much fresher today than they once did.

It is also interesting to note the differences in emphasis between this work, which was written before Sabatini's wartime service, and later works like "Captain Blood". The depiction of revolutions is a common theme in Sabatini's work, and how he approaches usurping unjust authority is worth more examination than is available in this review.

"Love-at-Arms" does touch on the price paid by people of integrity when they decide to take charge, and it is worth noting how that reflects a number of conditions today. Of course it has probably always been true that duty is heavier than mountains and unscrupulous behavior is lighter than a feather.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars One of the best of Sabatini's early works., March 10, 2008

By 

volodyovsky "volodyovsky" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love-at-Arms (Dodo Press) (Paperback)

Even within his lifetime Sabatini was criticized by the literati for his stilted prose and melodramatic plots. The general public, however, paid little attention to the critics and soon made the author a household name. As a writer, however, Sabatini matured as he grew older; his prose grew more sophisticated and his plots more intricate. As a result he became somewhat abashed over the works of his "literary nonage."

Having been forewarned that his early novels lack both the polish and sparkle of his later works, I approached Love-at-Arms (1907) with a charitable mind. I was surprised, however, to find it much more polished and sophisticated than I imagined. His somewhat stilted prose suits well his subject matter, and even makes it a bit of a romp. The plot is tight and well-constructed, replete with those Sabatiniesque twists and turns.

In short, while it cannot be compared to later works of the author at his height, Love-at-Arms is still an enjoyable read, and fans of the author will find much to delight in.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sabatini romance and intrigue, September 25, 2007

By 

Vic (Issaquah, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love at Arms (Paperback)

This is another great Rafael Sabatini book. Full of romance, witty dialog, clever plot and thrilling adventure. If you've never read Sabatini before, try some of his stories.