Battle Flag: Starbuck Chronicles, Vol. 3 (The Nathaniel Starbuck Chronicles)

Order was received promptly in excellent condition.

I thought I was a student of the Civil War, but I got such a different perspective of the Civil War. I never understood the motivation for non slaveholders to fight for the Confederates cause. I also did not fully appreciate how the South was able to be so successful in the early years of the War when they effectively had no established military system of supply or support for their soldiers. He does not gloss over, or apologize for the slavery, he portrays it for what it was, brutal and beyond civilized.This may be a novel but I think that Cornwell used the facts to give a fairly accurate portrayal of the South's actions in the War Between the States. So much of the book intertwines both the North's and South's motivations and actions.Ok, I do have one major complaint about the Starbuck Chronicles; Cornwell stopped after only four books. I could not, or my wife, put them down.This may be a novel but I think that Cornwell used the facts to give a fairly accurate portrayal of the South's actions in the War Between the States. So much of the book intertwines both the North's and South's motivations and actions.Ok, I do have one major complaint about the Starbuck Chronicles; Cornwell stopped after only four books. I could not, or my wife, put them down.

Some reviews of this book have criticised the historical content - I am not qualified to comment, but I do say that - for me at least - Bernard Cornwell has made history come to life. This 3rd episode in the Starbuck Chronicles is as captivating as the first two, and I am absolutely as a result going to buy book 4 and continue the journey with Nate.If I were to comment on the writing style I would say, apart from envy at the skills Cornwell displays, that I particularly appreciated two devices he uses in this novel. Firstly, a third party perspective is gained when he uses Nate's father, as he roams the battlefields on his own quixotic search for justification. Secondly, the blossoming friendship between erstwhile foes (Nate and Swynyard) brings life and contrast into the novel. It works admirably.Descriptive action is the hallmark of Bernard Cornwell at war, and in this novel there is plenty of such action. If you would take my recommendation, then I suggest that you search out photographs of the actual battlefields where the depicted action is set. It has greatly enhanced my imagination of the scenes, and will encourage you to look more closely at the actual history.Great book, and looking forward to more.

Bernard Cornwell is the best writer of historical fiction around, and although his Starbuck Chronicles aren't necessarily his best, they are really excellent. I highly recommend them. Definitely read them in order. Hopefully someday he'll finish the series, but each novel is basically a standalone.

Nate becomes a true scalliwag in this enjoyable read. As with all his books, 80% is history with the story wrapped around a fictional character.

Another well written historical war fiction set in the US Civil War (or War of Yankee Aggression). The descriptions are riveting and the characters well rounded. I actually stopped reading this book for a while when I was upset by the poor decisions of a main character that I liked. I did not want to read about the probable bad results of their decision, because I cared for that fictional individual! Naturally, the plot helped them evade the logical bad results and all was well (Whew!). Bottom line is that I found the story engaging and enjoyable. The only quibble is that at times the directions seem to be incorrect so that someone that I thought should be in one place was actually in another, which is a little disorienting.

I have been a huge fan of Bernard Cornwell ever since i picked up the Archer's Tale book in Barns and Noble. Every time I finish a series I am looking for the next no matter what the subject. I am not that into our Civil War history for reasons I do not know., but this series has made me more interested and I am almost Sad to say I have only one Nathaniel Starbuck book left to read. This book was the hardest in the series for me to put down. I read it in three days. I would have finished it sooner but work got in the way. I did not know historical fiction existed until I found this author but now I am hooked for life. I HIGHLY recommend this book and any other book from this author.

I must admit that the Starbuck series doesn't grab me quite the way that some of the other Cornwell books do, but they are still very good in their own right. Cornwell manages to create suspense and great battle scenes as usual. He also finds a few great historical details to give a real period flavor to his descriptions. The way that the fog of war and the shock of violence are portrayed are stock Cornwell and they still always hit home. One of the uneven things about this series is that the character development is slightly uneven, on the other hand the characters are all interesting and have very realistic elements.Highly recommended for Cornwell fans and Civil War buffs. Others will still enjoy it but for your first Cornwell book it might be better to start with something else.

NoConcerns with the bookHowever your customer service is abysmal your can’t get through and they cancel orders without informing you honestly if I wasn’t a prime member I would sack the lot

I am about half way through the book and it’s real page turner, one of Bernard Cornwells best.as well as enjoying the book you learn about the American Civil War.Highly recommended.

Happy to have it but it is only in fair condition. Very yellowed and much thumbed, but still very welcome.

Read and reread all the Sharpe books and thought I would try this series. Love them all and will add them to my reread collection. For well ticks all my boxes for a great read.

I have always enjoyed Bernard Cornwall's way of describing history in a novel form and have read all of his books this series is no exception a well written narrative which keeps you wanting more