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Gildenford
  
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Gildenford (Hardcover)

by Valerie Anand (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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1 new from CDN$ 204.06 5 used from CDN$ 98.74

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4.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A good read for those interested in Pre-Conquest England, Jan 20 2008
By Misfit (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
Ce commentaire est de: Gildenford (Hardcover)
This book is the first of a trilogy written by Anand about the Norman Conquest of England and begins in 1036 when Alfred Atheling and 600 of his party were betrayed and massacred at Gildenford by Harold Harefoot, one of the claimants for the English throne. But, did Harefoot have help in the plot to betray the Atheling and lead him to believe he would be safe entering England? His mother Emma? Godwin, the Earl of Wessex? Brand the Woodcutter is innocently drawn into the plot and thus begins his years of service to the very powerful Earl of Wessex as the story then focuses on the reign of Edward the Confessor (Alfred's older brother), Godwin's great secret about the massacre at Gildenford and the events that eventually lead England toward it's destiny with Duke William of Normandy.

Since this is the first of a trilogy, William is a very minor character until the very end and I suspect the second book will have a lot more WOW factor as the story of Duke William and the 1066 Conquest of England unfolds. The ending of this book fell a bit flat for this reader and if one is only planning on reading this book it's not the greatest stand alone book on this period, I would recommend Helen Hollick's A Hollow Crown for a more thorough look at the era. While I very much enjoyed this book, and learning more about this lesser known period, I have to call this one good but not great, and definitely not worth the exorbitant prices being asked for the used copies of this book. Four stars.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional!, April 23 2004
By S. E. Kennedy "ocinnedeagh" (Minnesota, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Ce commentaire est de: Gildenford (Hardcover)
I find it difficult to locate books on the era of English history between the 9th and 11th centuries. I've read some good ones but Gildenford was exceptional. The story is based on the ruling family of England and the changing succession during the early 11th century prior to William the Conqueror taking the throne in 1066. It also deals heavily with the rise of the Earl of Wessex and his contribution to the unease surrounding the throne. Told primarily from the view of Brand Woodcutter - a peasant pulled into the controversy by serving in the Earl's household - it also includes great glimpses into the lives of the ruling families, a local merchant family and members of the religious community. They were turbulent times where nothing was simple - a concept Brand wrestles with having come from a simple farm life and now being embroiled quite directly in the intrigues of court life and the oath of loyalty he has sworn.

I can't tell you how well-written this book is. Pick it up at your first opportunity - even decent used copies are getting harder to find. While you're at it, get the 2nd and 3rd books in the series as well - I did and have no regrets!!!

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