Essex Dogs

A Novel

By: Dan Jones

Narrated by: Ben Miles

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2023

The New York Times bestselling historian makes his historical fiction debut with an explosive novel set during the Hundred Years' War.

July 1346. Ten men land on the beaches of Normandy. They call themselves the Essex Dogs: an unruly platoon of archers and men-at-arms led by a battle-scarred captain whose best days are behind him. The fight for the throne of the largest kingdom in Western Europe has begun.

Heading ever deeper into enemy territory toward Crécy, this band of brothers knows they are off to fight a battle that will forge nations, and shape the very fabric of human lives. But first they must survive a bloody war in which rules are abandoned and chivalry itself is slaughtered.

Rooted in historical accuracy and told through an unforgettable cast, Essex Dogs delivers the stark reality of medieval war on the ground – and shines a light on the fighters and ordinary people caught in the storm.

Wonderfully written

Very much enjoyed this tale and becoming friends with the characters. Looking forward to book in the series.

Realistic portrayal of the harsh times

I loved this book’s take on the historical time period and how the ordinary soldiers would have experienced them.

Raw and Real

Enigmatic chunk of history brought to life with wonderful description, dialogue and details and anchored in firsthand sources. Real -feeling men. Felt I was there with all the hard asses in the raw and oddly ordered chaos. Fabulous delivery.

Swashbuckling

Swashbuckling entertainment, unfettered by character development. I would’ve appreciated had historical characters been identified as this does make a difference in how one appreciates a novel. Also, it was not clear that this is part one of an intended trilogy, which I would have not begun until the entire series had been released.

Took 6 months but worth it

It is quite an intense listen. It took me 6 months of on and off listening (I’m a painter and can easily finish a book this length in 2-3 days), but I am so so so glad I hung in for the whole of it. It was a lot and I needed breaks but I appreciated the attention to detail and historical accuracy Dan Jones brought to his (first?) novel. Throughly worth it.