Reading Club

I assume you're here at this website because you like my books. Good. And that also means you might like the books I enjoy reading, and that all of us might enjoy the books that you read, so this is simply a place where we can exchange news of books - any books - not just historical novels. Tell us if you've read something wonderful and entertaining, and we'll post your recommendations and reviews here. And, please, let us know what you think of these recommendations!

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BADGE OF GLORY

Written by: Douglas Reeman

Published by: Arrow Books Ltd.

Submitted By: Jack Powell

Great book. Fast and action packed. It is part of a series on slaving and Crimea.

FUSILIERS

Written by: Mark Urban

Published by: Faber and Faber

Submitted By: Tony

After a brilliant book on the 95th, Mark Urban comes back again with a an equally excellent work on the 23rd Royal Welsh fusiliers and the American Revolution. The 23rd fought in pretty much all of the major engagements from…

BRETHREN

Written by: Robyn Young

Published by: Hodder & Stoughton

Submitted By: Robert Shore

This book is a marvel to any fan of historical fiction. Set during the Crusades under King Henry III (c.1260) It is the story of the Knights Templar and a secret society to save humanity and bring about peace during…

THE MARK OF THE HORSE LORD

Written by: Rosemary Sutcliffe

Published by: Front Street

Submitted By: Peter Keen

I found this in a second hand bookshop, and because I Love stories about Arthur, I bought it. It cost 10p. What a wonderful book. It’s supposed to be for children, but it was riveting. I read it in one…

THE MEETING OF THE WATERS

Written by: Caiseal Mor

Published by: Earthlight

Submitted By: Kestrel

This book is the first in a series called “The Watchers”. This fantasy is based on the pre-history of Ireland, and the story of the Tuatha de Danaan. The 2nd and 3rd books are: “The King of Sleep” and “The…

IN THE NAME OF ROME

Written by: Adrian Goldsworthy

Published by: Phoenix

Submitted By: Geraint

This is a brilliant book on some of the top Roman commanders that made it the empire it was. Goldsworthys clear conscise and entertaining style makes it a non put down book and shows some of the fascinating commanders Starting…

THE HOUSE OF STRIFE

Written by: Maurice Shadbolt

Published by: Bloombsury Publishing

Submitted By: Eugene Becconsall

Shadbolt presents his readers with wonderful and humorous images of colonial New Zealand, and in particular the New Zealand Wars fought between the native Maori and the English “Red Tribe”. The House of Strife follows the fictional story of Ferdinand…

THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH

Written by: Ken Follett

Published by: Pan Books

Submitted By: Andrew Moore

An historical novel set amidst the turmoil of the Stephen/Maude civil war in 12th Century England. “The Pillars of the Earth” tells the story of Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic…

THE SPANISH ULCER- a history of the Peninsular War

Written by: David Gates

Published by: Da Capo Press

Submitted By: Will McMahon

I write short stories about the Peninsular war (all the while hoping not to emulate Cornwell to closely) and have relied on this book as both a reference and as a source of things to write about. For someone truly…

THE DEVIL'S OWN

Written by: Garry Douglas Kilworth

Published by: Constable and Robinson

Submitted By: Andrew

Ok – this is an old book printed in 1997 but I’ve only just found it. This book is good – plain and simple. It’s the first in a series that follows the story of Sgt. Jack (Fancy Jack) Crossman…