The Fort

A Novel of the Revolutionary War

By: Bernard Cornwell

Narrated by: Robin Bowerman

“The most prolific and successful historical novelist in the world today.” —Wall Street Journal

“Readers who haven’t discovered Bernard Cornwell don’t know what they are missing.” —New York Times bestselling author Vince Flynn

From the New York Times bestselling author of Agincourt, the Saxon Tales, and the beloved Richard Sharpe series, Bernard Cornwell’s The Fort plunges prow-first into the largest naval clash of the Revolutionary War. Fans of the Nathaniel Starbuck Chronicles and The Burning Land will thrill to Cornwell’s triumphant return to American historical fiction in this gripping story of courage, strength and patriotism.

Outstanding Piece of Historical Fiction

Would you listen to The Fort again? Why?

Yes, the book is chock full of amazing and interesting detail in both military and period life that the reader/listener can't help but learn and develop a deeper interest and appreciation of the foundations of the U.S.

What other book might you compare The Fort to and why?

David McCullough's 1776

What about Robin Bowerman’s performance did you like?

Mr Bowerman delivered an impressive and creative performance. He added depth to each character and created a very vivid picture of the environment, people, and culture of the era.

If you could take any character from The Fort out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Peleg Wadsworth, he seemed a competent and undervalued voice to the expedition and added stability in a chaotic environment. Or Francis McLean who seemed beyond competent, stable, and common sensed while exhibiting grace and mercy in the execution of his duties.

Great Read

A great work of historical fiction by Bernard Conwell. This book details the Penobscot Expedition of 1779 launched by Massachusetts to "captivate, kill, or destroy" the force of British soldiers who had landed and built a fort in Majabigwaduce (now called Castine, Maine).

This book does a great job of capturing that attitudes of soldiers fighting on both sides of the revolutionary war, and tells the story of a military expedition taken on by Massachusetts.

As a native of Boston I am shocked that I had never heard of this tale before now, I am profoundly happy to have read this book, and plan to read many more of Mr. Cornwell's splendidly written books.

Good but not Great

I've listened to several Cornwell books on Audible. Usually they're compelling, tense and with superb narration. While this one held my interest, the tension was a little forced, the narrator simply "acceptable" and the audio quality suspect in places (at least places other than a school gymnasium).

I'm not clear on why the characters are a little more shallow than the typical Cornwell - perhaps he's trying to stick closer to the written record of the Penobscot expidition. I'd have to add that I really appreciate the "Author's Notes" Cornwell includes at the end of his novels, wherein he expands somewhat on the historical context and his departures for the purposes of narrative. That was sadly absent in this edition.

Good account of a bad time

Would you listen to The Fort again? Why?

No. I have gotten all I intended to get from it.

What did you like best about this story?

It helped me learn about a little known event in American history through the medium of an entertaining story.

Which scene was your favorite?

The discussion between Generals MacLean and Wadsworth. MacLean was my favorite character. Saltonstall and Revere were wonderful villains.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Whooops! or Uh-oh!

Any additional comments?

As a southerner, I am used to stories in which my side looses. Here, the author did a good job of gaining sympathy for both sides. The Wikipedia account of the engagement shows Cornwell did not overemphasize the superiority of the British leadership. This was a very different Cornwell book, but well worth the listen.

Excellent story

The story of the Fort has many twists and turns but clearly shows that a lack of real leadership, no matter the odds, can doom a project. Interesting that in modern times we are able to sometimes overcome poor leadership but the journey becomes much harder