Jack Whyte has written a lyrical epic, retelling the myths behind the boy who would become the Man Who Would Be King--Arthur Pendragon. He has shown us, as Diana Gabaldon said, "the bone beneath the flesh of legend." In his last book in this series, we witnessed the young king pull the sword from the stone and begin his journey to greatness. Now we reach the tale itself-how the most shining court in history was made. Clothar is a young man of promise. He has been sent from the wreckage of Gaul to one of the few schools remaining, where logic and rhetoric are taught along with battle techniques that will allow him to survive in the cruel new world where the veneer of civilization is held together by barbarism. He is sent by his mentor on a journey to aid another young man: Arthur Pendragon. He is a man who wants to replace barbarism with law, and keep those who work only for destruction at bay. He is seen, as the last great hope for all that is good. Clothar is drawn to this man, and together they build a dream too perfect to last--and, with a special woman, they share a love that will nearly destroy them all... The name of Clothar may be unknown to modern readers, for tales change in the telling through centuries. But any reader will surely know this heroic young man as well as they know the man who became his king. Hundreds of years later, chronicles call Clothar, the Lance Thrower, by a much more common name. That of Lancelot.
A friend, who knows my taste in books put me on to Jack Whyte some time ago. I found a copy of The Skystone, read it, then went out and bought the rest of the series. The Lance Thrower continues with what I describe as a 'can't put down' book. Mr Whyte certainly knows how to capture one's attention and I love the way a jolly good yarn is woven around a little of the history of Britain. An awesome read.
Enthralling
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
The continuance of Jack Whyte's "Camulod Chronicles" which combines great historical detail with fictional and nonfictional characters. A truly epic saga of the fifth century set in what is now modern Switzerland and France. A great portrayal of the desperate struggles against anarchy as Europe's kingdoms emerge in the turmoil of the declining Roman Empire. This series would make a great series of movies.
The Lance Thrower
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
Very exciting and thrilling. Very well painted portrait of many historical and "mythical" people. Jack's description and behavior of His Excellency Bishop Germanus was exactly what I have long thought it to be. In all of his books Jack manages to transport us back to a legendary time and place and stand among the great heroes of our past. Jack Whyte, like Geoffrey Ashe, writes what most scholars are afraid to say. This is the same book as "Clothar the Frank" the Canadian title. Anyone who reads Jack's books knows that his series has two titles, one for Canada and one for the US, but that the books are the same.
Another great one!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
I've read all of Mr. Whyte's book, and this is one of the best. It isn't really a sequel because it primarily deals with new characters, but it does mention some events and characters from past books. It's a stand alone book though, so you don't have to read all of the other books before you read this one. The book introduces us to Lancelot (before his fame), and we also run into Merlyn (dead and alive) and a young King Arthur. The backgrounds of their lives are fascinating and really help to make them even more real. A must-read for all King Arthur fans!
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