Vagabond

A Novel

By: Bernard Cornwell

Narrated by: Andrew Cullum

From New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell, the sequel to The Archer's Tale—the spellbinding tale of a young man, a fearless archer, who sets out wanting to avenge his family's honor and winds up on a quest for the Holy Grail.

In 1347, a year of conflict and unrest, Thomas of Hookton returns to England to pursue the Holy Grail. Among the flames of the Hundred Years War, a sinister enemy awaits the fabled archer and mercenary soldier: a bloodthirsty Dominican Inquisitor who also seeks Christendom's most holy relic. But neither the horrors of the battlefield nor sadistic torture at the Inquisitor's hands can turn Thomas from his sworn mission. And his thirst for vengeance will never be quenched while the villainous black rider who destroyed everything he loved still lives.

""Cornwell writes the best battle scenes of any writer I've read past or present.""—George R.R. Martin

Great team

This is a stellar series and I think the pairing of author and narrator is what makes this a classic. On to the next!

Phenomenally written and narrated

Great characters and a story portrayed in a way that makes you feel like you were in the thick of the battle.

Medieval warfare at its finest!

As with the Saxon Tales, Cornwell spins an historically accurate tale of medieval warfare, complete with graphic descriptions of battle wounds and injuries, tactical maneuvers and strategy, whilst highlighting the importance of English archers and their lethal proficiency with the Welsh yew bow.

Coupled with being set during the French Inquisition with Dominican inquisitors, one realizes that Church history is as bathed in blood as that of medieval history, and man’s inhumanity towards his fellow man is the historical norm rather than the exception.

One begins to understand how Christendom paved the way for Western Civilisation that brought peace and prosperity to countless millions, worldwide, though often at the expense of the indigenous peoples who endured colonisation.

Don’t become comfortable with favourite characters as many don’t last for the next book. While sad, each fulfilled a crucial part in the story and enriched the plot by their brief inclusion.

Nothing ever turns out as you may expect, which makes the book an intensely satisfying one upon completion.

Great book by Mr Cornwell

Starts right where the last one left off. Facing ting story with great history involved.

great story

another cornwell home run. everything he writes is awesome. this is another series that I will be listening to over and over.