Can Scarrow pull this off?
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I'd devoured Scarrow's Eagle series some time before picking this up, and I have to say I was somewhat sceptical as to how good this book would be. Well that was pretty dumb, because this is a brilliantly written and structured account of how the lives of 2 of the greatest Generals we have seen came to be. Well worth a read. Enjoy, I did.
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Young Wellington & Young Napoleon (Part 1 of 4)
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This is a real page turner from a great author, Simon Scarrow, whose Roman Eagle's series continues to be a massive success. The challenge in producing an interesting historical drama about 2 of the most famous military figures in history is no mean undertaking.
In the 1780's Europe was simmering into the first period of peasant revolutions that transformed not only the political structures of some countries but also the map of Europe. England managed to avoid the fate of France and other countries due to the slow and measured reforms introduced over many years. But France imploded into cultural chaos. And out of this zealot drive for Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity was born Napoleon - The Son of the Revolution. In this book we are drawn into the world of Napoleon as he grows up in France, a Corsican noble, an outsider, a soldier with a great tactical and strategic brain, but with no real career prospects. We are also awakened to the world of Wellington, the younger son in a noble family, who seems to be drifting with no real ambition or career.
Taking some license with facts Simon Scarrow produces a facinating look into the lives of 2 young nobles growing up in the 1780s and 1790s. What surprised me was the need at the end of each chapter to read on to the next chapter, absolutely gripping. Napoleon and Wellington are growing up in and age of tremendous change and Simon Scarrow captures the essence of both men and delivers a cracking read.
Tremendous!
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Brilliant...buy it
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This is the first Simon Scarrow book I have read and it most certainly won't be the last.
Very informative, well written and exciting. I literally couldn't put it down and when I had to I couldn't wait to pick it up again.
This book gives a fantastic account of the early lives of Wellington and Napoleon and shows how similar their early lives and careers were.
However, people must remember this is a novel and not a biography and with that in mind should be able to accept certain obvious 'faults'. For example the two meeting each other in France when young. Scarrow justifies this in his Authors Note at the end successfully in my opinion.
I am glad to hear that this is the first of a series of four and am looking forward to the next instalment.
My advice to anyone toying with the idea of buying this book is....stop dithering and buy it. You will not be disappointed.
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My first Simon Scarrow book.
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I really enjoyed this book. It was a genuine page turner, well written, good pace and never boring. I found the characters believable and they fitted well into the events which were very well described. I cannot make any comment on historical accuracy but I thoroughly enjoyed this first part of what I believe is a four book series. I intend getting the Generals and hope it is as interesting and enjoyable read.
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Gripping from start to finish, a must read!
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I have just recently got into Historical non-fiction and i must say what an introduction to the genre. Young bloods is compelling, tense and exciting. The book keeps you hooked, i found it hard to put down and found myself reading into the early hours of the morning. If this book has one downside i would have to say if you are a busy person you will struggle with the lack of sleep this book allows you. I as a GCSE student found it hard to cope with school life while reading this book, but don't let this stp you. Unless you are a swat, you will not mind messing up your school life for this epic. 5 stars, I am definitely going to buy more historical fiction books. I think i will try Wolf of the plains, after the praise Iggulden recieved for the Emperor series i find it hard to ignore the new Genghis series.
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