Lincoln's Sword: The Presidency and the Power of Words

Lincoln's Sword: The Presidency and the Power of Words
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Words that moved a nation

First-rate work

A Scholarly Analysis readable by Anyone

insightful

A wonderful read, and contains important material on what Lincoln actually wrote and said and why.

Lincoln's Sword: The Presidency and the Power of Words
Douglas L. Wilson
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Presidents & Heads of State | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1400040396
Release Date: 2006-11-14

Book Description

Abraham Lincoln now occupies an unparalleled place in American history, but when he was first elected president, a skeptical writer asked, “Who will write this ignorant man’s state papers?” Literary ability was, indeed, the last thing the public expected from the folksy, self-educated “rail-splitter,” but the forceful qualities of Lincoln’s writing eventually surprised his supporters and confounded his many critics. Since his assassination in 1865, no American’s words have become more familiar or more admired, and their enduring power has established him as one of our greatest writers. Now, in a groundbreaking study, the distinguished Lincoln scholar Douglas L. Wilson demonstrates that exploring Lincoln’s presidential writing provides a window onto his presidency and a key to his accomplishments.

Lincoln’s Sword tells the story of how Lincoln developed his writing skills, how they served him for a time as a hidden presidential asset, how it gradually became clear that he possessed a formidable literary talent, and it reveals how writing came to play an increasingly important role in his presidency. “By the time he came to write the Gettysburg Address,” Wilson says, “Lincoln was attempting to help put the horrific carnage of the Civil War in a positive light, and at the same time to do it in a way that would have constructive implications for the future. By the time he came to write the Second Inaugural Address, fifteen months later, he was quite consciously in the business of interpreting the war and its deeper meaning, not just for his contemporaries but for what he elsewhere called the ‘vast future.’ ”

Illustrated with reproductions of Lincoln’s original manuscripts, Lincoln’s Sword affords an unprecedented look at a distinctively American writer.

Customer Reviews:

Words that moved a nation.......2007-08-05

Author Douglas L. Wilson once again hits the bull's-eye, this time with a painstaking study of Lincoln's rhetoric (the President's personal "sword"). This book should appeal not only to persons interested in the Great Emancipator, but to those interested in the craft of writing. Wilson takes us step-by-step through the process Lincoln used to hone some of his most famous statements, a journey revealing principles of clear writing. Wilson shows that Lincoln's clarity of expression wasn't effortless, but resulted from hard work.

First-rate work.......2007-06-02

Bold in concept and careful in execution, this work is a gem. Lincoln's constant revising, his sense of what was appropriate in given situations, and his surging command of the language over decades impress the reader. Wilson's understanding of the context of Lincoln's deployment of language is impressive. Cautiously revisionist.

A Scholarly Analysis readable by Anyone.......2007-05-30

Lincoln's Sword illuminates the power and clarity of Lincoln's words. Even if the reader is not a Lincoln devotee or scholar, this book's treatment of Lincoln's speeches are clear, concise and pleasureable. This is a book that anyone would enjoy reading.

insightful.......2007-05-07

well worth the read to gain insight into an often little understood man. the depth of the writing gives testimony to the depth of the man. read it and learn - not just about lincoln - but also how to use communications to move people towards your goals.

A wonderful read, and contains important material on what Lincoln actually wrote and said and why........2007-02-09

Lincoln has become one of those tests where someone can tell you their thoughts about him and you can often tell where they are on any number of issues. The problem is that much of what people think they know about Lincoln is only a bumper sticker or sound byte version of what went on. We try to judge Lincoln (and most of our great historical figures) by our lights rather than seeing him in the context of his own time. Of course, it takes some work to learn what happened and why rather than wringing our hands over, say, the suspension of habeas corpus.

This excellent book can be a great contribution to your education about the real Abraham Lincoln and how he conducted himself as President. He came into office with the elite dismissing him as crude and hopelessly unsophisticated. This book shows us how carefully he worked on his public speeches and the letters and articles that were published during his time in office.

Sometimes we forget that by the time Lincoln took office on March 4, 1861 that the movement for secession was well underway and the firing on Fort Sumter was on April 12, 1861, just a few weeks later. His second inaugural address was given on March 4, 1865, Lee's Surrender at Appomattox was on April 9th, and Lincoln was shot by Booth on April 14th. He died the next day. So, his entire service as President was bounded by that terrible war.

Douglas Wilson takes several of the addresses and letters central to Lincoln's Presidency and shows us what the extant drafts reveal to us about Lincoln's purposes, approach, and the political realities he faced. He also brings in testimony by those who were involved with those documents, worked with Lincoln, and contemporaries who wrote about them. It is all quite fascinating, especially because it is focused on what was happening and what was thought at the time rather than imposing anachronistic views from our day on those events. However, Wilson does spend some time examining what some contemporary critics have said about these documents and events. For example, he uses a few apt quotes from Garry Wills' wonderful book (one you may want to read) on the Gettysburg address because they are among the best things said about it in our time.

While other documents are considered in passing, the central documents examined in this book are: Lincoln's farewell from Springfield for Washington, his First Inaugural, the July 4, 1861 address, the Emancipation Proclamation (and its antecedents), a letter to Greeley, the Corning letter, the Gettysburg Address, and the Second Inaugural.

I would suggest that you get a copy of Lincoln's addresses or get them from the Web and read the documents along with the book (most are not provided in the book because of their length and their wide availability). I recommend the two volume set of Lincoln's "Speeches and Writings" from the Library of America (only the second volume is needed for this book). Reading what Lincoln actually wrote and said is quite edifying because one learns first hand what he said and did rather than being the prisoner of what others selectively provide you to promote their own agenda.

This is a great read, is very informative, and I strongly recommend it to you as part of your self education on what American History really is.

Official Nintendo the Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Player's Guide

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Official Nintendo the Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Player's Guide
Nintendo Power
Manufacturer: Nintendo of America Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
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ASIN: 1930206496

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The Official Guide for Nintendo Gamecube

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WILBUR SMITHS #1 FAN!!

Power of the Sword
Wilbur Smith
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0312940815
Release Date: 2007-02-06

Book Description

Sasha Courtney was groomed by his French-born mother to take control of the Courtney Mining and Finance Company, whose font of wealth was sown deep beneath African soil. But Sasha’s brother, Manfred, had been trained by his renegade father to be a hunter—of lions, and of men.

As the two boys became men, they took on the extraordinary powers of each parent: Sasha, a man in tune with his continent and its people; Manfred who, like his father, was willing to shape his world with a gun. So when the winds of World War II reached Africa, each brother chose a side…

Now, the future of a young nation is being forged amidst a clash of civilizations, ideals, and blood feuds. And as Sasha and Manfred rise to power, a land of beauty and suffering will be remade—for better or for worse—in an image of their own.

Customer Reviews:

WILBUR SMITHS #1 FAN!!.......2007-04-06

I HAVE EVERY SINGLE BOOK HE HAS WRITTEN STARTING WITH "WHEN LIONS FEED" AND I'VE BEEN HOOKED SINCE. WE MOVED TO SO. AFRICA '79-'80 TO WORK ON SASOL PROJECT AND WHILE TRAVELING SAW MANY OF THE PLACES IN WHICH HIS STORIES TAKE PLACE, IT WAS JUST LIKE I'D BEEN THERE BEFORE.THIS IS NOT A REVIEW OF A SINGLE BOOK IT'S A REVIEW OF ALL HIS BOOKS THEY ARE A MUST READ, BE SURE TO GET THEM IN SEQUENCE AS HE HAS WRITTEN 4 TRILIGES AND BE PREPARED TO STAY UP TO ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT BECAUSE YOU SIMPLY CAN NOT PUT HIS BOOKS DOWN.

The Abacus and the Sword: The Japanese Penetration of Korea, 1895-1910 (Twentieth-Century Japan - the Emergence of a World Power, 4)

Average customer rating:

An interesting examination from the Japanese point of view
good one
important work but biased and boring
Excellent Book
A Demanding, but Honorable Account

The Abacus and the Sword: The Japanese Penetration of Korea, 1895-1910 (Twentieth-Century Japan - the Emergence of a World Power, 4)
Peter Duus
Manufacturer: University of California Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0520213610

Book Description

What forces were behind Japan's emergence as the first non-Western colonial power at the turn of the twentieth century? Peter Duus brings a new perspective to Meiji expansionism in this pathbreaking study of Japan's acquisition of Korea, the largest of its colonial possessions. He shows how Japan's drive for empire was part of a larger goal to become the economic, diplomatic, and strategic equal of the Western countries who had imposed a humiliating treaty settlement on the country in the 1850s.
Duus maintains that two separate but interlinked processes, one political/military and the other economic, propelled Japan's imperialism. Every attempt at increasing Japanese political influence licensed new opportunities for trade, and each new push for Japanese economic interests buttressed, and sometimes justified, further political advances. The sword was the servant of the abacus, the abacus the agent of the sword.
While suggesting that Meiji imperialism shared much with the Western colonial expansion that provided both model and context, Duus also argues that it was "backward imperialism" shaped by a sense of inferiority vis-à-vis the West. Along with his detailed diplomatic and economic history, Duus offers a unique social history that illuminates the motivations and lifestyles of the overseas Japanese of the time, as well as the views that contemporary Japanese had of themselves and their fellow Asians.

Customer Reviews:

An interesting examination from the Japanese point of view.......2007-06-01

I wrote a thesis in college about the Japanese seizure of Korea, and my main argument was that there was no nefarious plot to take over Korea; rather, the annexation was the result of conflicting elements within the Japanese government. (The annexation was, of course, a victory for the reactionary elements.)

This book illustrates that there WERE elements within the Japanese government who wanted to help Korea reform. They certainly had ulterior (read: self-centered) motives in doing so, namely economic/financial gain. But there was, at least according to this book, a noted absence of imperialistic/expansionist attitudes by Meiji Japan towards Yi Choson Korea, at least for a time.

It is a challenging examination of that time from the Japanese point of view, and it certainly merits a reading from the serious historian.

good one.......2006-07-19

Somebody says that it was biased because it was written by Japanese documents. But his remark is questionable because there should be books written by various sources, not only by Korean scholars. On the contrary to his opinion, books based only on Korean information sometimes look distorted because of the Korean governments' anti-Japan propaganda.
Viewed from both sides, truth can be seen.

important work but biased and boring.......2003-11-16

This is a scholarly work and not "popular history." I say the book is important because this is really not a covered subject. Aside from being a bit boring and confusing for people not an expert in Japanese political hisotry during Meiji, I found it disturbing that the author cited only Japanese and English sources. And the majority of English sources are old (1960s). In the intro, the author freely admits he neither speaks or reads Korean (!)

So, this is a one sided version of history (from the imperialist side). We will have to wait for some of the very good Korean accounts to be written or translated into English. In the meantime, try Bruce Cumming's work on Korean modern history.

Excellent Book.......2003-06-10

This is an excellent book. I appreciate the sharp research and insightful interpretation of this period of East Asian History. My only criticism would be that I wish the thesis of Archaic, medieval-millitaristic form of imperialism as practiced by Japan and Russia in their colonial expansion was elaborated upon. Otherwise, I do buy into Professor Duus apologetic of defensive mechanism turned into opportunism (and eventually tyranny and abuse). This is not an easy book to read however, and requires an ability to read history in a objective manner. It is written from a selective point of view, and as Professor Duus explains in the introduction, it is a book wiha an emphasis on the Japanese experience (ie. primarily Japanese documents, testimony, statistics, etc). In my opinion, it makes for interesting reading when a book is relative to an unpopular perspective (another book in that vein would be "Redcoats and Rebels: An English Perspective of The American Revolution")and there should be dissension in interpretation if one is to have a decent historical dialogue. One should remember as one reads the book that the period between the Meiji restoration and Korean annexation was a period in which Japan was in the process of becoming a wester-style imperialist power. What I find facinating is that Japan conscioussly decided to play the European colonial/economic game; but ancient Confucian reverberations unconscioussly dictated how the game was to be played by the Japanese. The "onne-san" idea regarding sibling relationships, (ie. older brother/youger brother), as a basis political and economic relationship that led a struggling-to-become-western Japan to intervene "on behalf" of a reticent-Yangban-entrenched Korea is credible and, if one is familiar with the hierachial nature of Japanese society, logical. Finally, as an asian-american who was brought up despise Japanese imperal expanision in East Asia, (and the cultural smothering, tyranny and brutallity that went with it), it was hard for me too to swallow the possibility that Japan inacted in its expansion as a defense mechanism, but the evidence as disscussed in this book is compelling.

A Demanding, but Honorable Account.......2001-03-17

One of the many aspects of East Asian relations insufficiently appreciated in Western nations is the troubled history of Japan and its neighbors, specifically Korea. Peter Duus' The Abacus and the Sword: The Japanese Penetration of Korea, 1893-1910 is a an economic analysis of the relationship between Japan and Choson Korea before the Japanese Occupation. A very demanding book by a reputable Japan scholar, Abacus and the Sword requires a beginner's acquaintance with Japanese and Korean history, and a knowledge of international relations in the nineteenth century is also helpful

For those living outside of Korea, the reasons for Meiji Japan's occupation of Korea may seem unimportant, but, in all the countries of Northeast Asia, Japanese responsibility for many actions committed in the 20th Century are highly controversial and relevant. Debates concerning North Korean policy, Japanese militarization, Japanese war guilt, comfort women, Japan's economic recession and endemic corruption are all subjects affected by the histories of Japan and Korea. But this book also contributes to the discussion concerning colonialism and imperialism.

Why did an isolationist victim of Western imperialism become a conqueror itself? Instead of championing the rights of weaker nations, Japan determined to imitate it's American transgressors and build an empire of it's own, to compete with the West. This is Duus' starting point, which he painstakingly traces in its political and economic history. Duus argues, that industrialization was the condition for Japanese imperialism, not the reason. Furthermore, British, French, and American government support for empire-building affected how the Japanese government policies worked.

Although he admits so himself, I would prefer if Duus had used more Korean sources, especially when discussing the Korean resistance armies (uibyong-gun), but he uncovers the Japanese players and popular Japanese attitudes without bias. The other side of the equation is important, though, namely how Korea fell so easily to foreign domination. Duus also discusses the other international players, Russia and China. And the last chapter on Japanese cultural domination invaluably narrates how Japan obliterated a nascent Korean identity. Still, the Japanese accounts of Korean conditions are insightful, since Korean accounts are sparse and suspect.

Given the politicized nature of the two countries' relationship, the reader must be skeptical of any history. Undisputed data is sparse and analysis, particularly on the Korean sides, has progressed little from conspiracy theories. Any amount of sober analysis is welcome, and Duus delivers.

Last Sword of Power (Stones of Power)
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Super Reader

Fantastic work

Could not put the book down. Neither will you.

The practical and emotional of book 2

A different vision of Arthur (Part II)

Last Sword of Power (Stones of Power)
David Gemmell
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Gemmell, David | ( G ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0345379012
Release Date: 1996-07-31

Book Description

BLOOD KING
The Goths followed a bloodthirsty new leader, one who sought to open the Gates of Hell: Wotan. His immortal power stemmed from human sacrifice and dark sorcery, and no sword could touch him. He rode the winds on a leather-winged steed, while his armies cut a deadly swath across the northern kingdoms. Even death's icy hand could not stop them.
Only Uther Pendragon could save Britannia. To do so he must wield his birthright--Cunobelin's blade, the legendary Sword of Power.
But Uther was chained in Hell, the sword lost in swirling Chaos. All hope lay with the warrior known as Revelation, with the magic of the Sipstrassi Stones, and with Anduine, a blind girl possessed of arcane powers. Only if these unlikely allies united could they hope to stop the invincible foe before the world plunged into darkness.

Customer Reviews:

Super Reader.......2007-08-26

Uther Pendragon needs to move, being stuck in hell and all. In the mortal world, more than one person has dabbled too much in the magic of the stones.

Culain must aid Revelation the warrior, and help him find Uther's son, so that something can be done about the situation. They will also need the Lost Sword of Power, and not let the whole Uther-Laitha-Culain love triangle get in the way.

Fantastic work.......2007-05-07

David Gemmell was a master of the fantasy art. His books are a must read if you are into the genre.

Could not put the book down. Neither will you........2006-12-25

Book Two is great in it's own right as is Book One. Interpreting Arthurian legend, this story focuses on Cormac, son of the Blood King, Uther Pendragon. Cormac grows to manhood and becomes a warrior under the tutalage of the Lance Lord. He seeks life and love even to the extend of traveling Hell itself. A new "god" seeks to conquor Britain and it's up to Cormac and the heroes, much older now, from the first book to stop the horror and blood. As with other Gemmell stories, some of the characters you've grown to respect and love (or hate) will die in an attempt to stand on the side of good....and they might not succeed. Unlike the Drenai series, this story claims roots in Earth's history and legends of ancient Western culture.

One of Gemmell's gifts is telling a story of adventure and fantasy while exploring shades of good and evil within a person. Good people will do terrible things in fits of anger or perceived need for the greater good, and bad people will inexplicably or deliberately do an act of kindness that makes a difference.

Someday a movie director will turn one or all of David Gemmell's books into a movie series that will rivial LOTR and Harry Potter. This book will be a smashing hit! Read it and you'll find it satisfying, while hungering for more of D.G. books.

The practical and emotional of book 2.......2006-11-16

First, a bit of a practical review: in this book we learn of the future of King Uthur, named the Blood king as his reign has been a bloody battle with various enemies. We learn of the fate of his wife, of his friends, and of his friend Prasamaccus (who, coincidentally, was my favorite character in the first two books).

But now let me tell you how I really felt about it. Book 2 in the "Stones of Power" series impressed the heck out of me. Don't get me wrong - I loved book one; I thought it was tremendously well done fantasy. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this novel... and once I started reading it I couldn't help but get a little more emotionally involved than I normally do. I felt myself grieving over the debilitating marriage of the King - I was furious at him, then at her, then both of them. I grieved for characters that lost loved ones, and rejoiced when men and women realize the truth inside of them.

Gemmell continues to impress me with fantasy that strays from the expected. He's created a great set of characters, and I would love to see some books that talk in more detail about everything that happened between Ghost King and Last Sword of Power. Some of the new characters include Uthur's long lost son, and a blind girl who can see better than most of us. You get attached to them as easily as you do the Blood King and Revelation, and by the end cheering for their victory. Probably my favorite book out of the series.

A different vision of Arthur (Part II).......2006-08-03

This is a companion review to the review I wrote for "Ghost King".
Last Sword of Power is the sequel to Ghost King and is the second of the Stones of Power Cycle.
David Gemmell's novel Last Sword of Power takes us back to the Arthurian-type world of Uther Pendragon and Britannia. We are now many years past the events described in Ghost King. The heroic characters that loved and lost are now living legends, late in their years, and spoken of in respect and/or fear by the people we now meet in the land of Britannia.
We have new bad guys. This time it is the Goths, led by an ancient immortal returned from death and hell to wreak, well, death and hell on the Britons. You see, there are certain things in Briton that this demigod needs to further his dark purposes. Which is where our heroes come in. Someone has to make a stand against this evil afterall.
Our main hero is the orphan boy Cormac. Raised by the Saxons, yet an outcast due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding his birth, Cormac grows up despised by all except his protector, a kindly old warrior Gysstha. Grysstha instills in Cormac self respect and worth and also fighting abilities that will be crucial in the near future.
It seems that events seem to be pulling Cormac into a certain direction and towards certain key players. Eventually, all the characters the reader grew to empathise with in Ghost King will make their appearance and their respective stands against evil, whether in their own hearts or more conventially against the invading force of savage Goths.
Last Sword of Power is a tale of the Sipstrassi, it is a tale of revenge, and of redemption. There are some extended passages dealing with spiritual matters like the nature of hell and limbo. Last Sword of Power is a much deeper book on a number of levels than what the title or action-packed paperback covers would indicate.
I can tell you that the book has a satisfying conclusion that will also tie together some key questions for the reader about David Gemmell's sipstrassi mythology, like "what happened to the stones of power after Ghost King, and how did they reappear in Wolf in Shadow?"
A must read book if you have read Ghost King. You will love this novel if you enjoyed Lion of Macedon.

Official Nintendo The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Player's Choice Player's Guide

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Official Nintendo The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Player's Choice Player's Guide
Nintendo Power
Manufacturer: Nintendo of America Inc.
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1598120158

Product Description

THE ONLY OFFICIAL GUIDE FROM THE INSIDERS AT NINTENDO!! Four fight as one! The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures is a quest too big for one hero to handle, even if that hero's name is Link. With the power of four Links behind you and Nintendo's Official Player's Guide in front of you, you'll win the day! Complete walk-through of the entire adventure, with both single-player and multiplayer strategy! Gameplay-tested strategies to help you wallop your friends in every minigame and Shadow Battle! Full color maps of every world and dungeon - including maps of all the Game Boy Advance areas! Map callouts for every treasure chest, Force Gem stash and secret so you won't miss anything! Complete strategy for the Nintendo GameCube Player's Choice game - The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures!

Average customer rating:

History, fiction & fact
Another winner in the Courtney saga....
Power of The Sword is Powerful
It is a good book but something is missing
Part 2 of a 5 part set - Good Book!

Power of the Sword
Wilbur Smith
Manufacturer: Fawcett
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Rage
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Burning Shore

ASIN: 0449214141
Release Date: 1987-09-12

Book Description

In the harsh and beautiful land of South Africa, races clash in an unequal struggle for justice that divides a family and inflames a whole continent. Manfred De La Rey, hard and lean as a desert lion, allows a blind, raging anger to catapult him to a dangerous success. While Shasa Courtney, his brother, strives to give meaning to his country's uncertain future, he is trapped in the inevitable rush of history.

Customer Reviews:

History, fiction & fact.......2005-11-28

Wilbur Smith, whom I'm sure in his later years has fond memories of his Homeland, relevant to his writings.
His series of books inflect the hard times of personal tragedy of his characters, and invokes an expression of reality;
in spite of a fictional writing, there is a hidden truth that prevails, a sense of real history.

Quite emotive, with a sense of reality. It's easily imaginable to place the integrity of forethought into the readings he offers.
It will be a very sad day when Wilbur Smith writes, no more. He has an excellent fortitude of reality in past times.
Related to the Africikana's personified, life. A Country that roiled under oppression and few hero's prevailed.

Wilbur has the gift of moving people, into a realm of conjecture and gives credence to the humanity of the underdog.
Riches and poverty abound in all his excellent writings. Moving from riches to poverty in a blink of an eye.

The small fact that Wilbur personified, a reality, few could appreciate in todays World, his works dates back some time
[was it 1976]! And his 'Thick' and elegant works have entraped me into a World, I have known; on a different continent.
Few may be able to relate to the hardships, then there are those that can.

Because not all, of this fictional work, is in fact fictional. One can or could, read between the lines.

My most favoured author. Life should not be so easy, as it these days. Life for many, is a sweet path of ignorance.

Life for those that have battled in life, will most definitely appreciate Wilburs works.

Cheers

Another winner in the Courtney saga...........2005-04-20

This has become my favorite family saga of all time and I still have 4 left in the series.....Awesome....

Power of The Sword is Powerful.......2003-01-02

As I have always said Wilbur Smith brings me the taste of Africa all the time. I am in Zimbabwe and some these things happened so close to home such that when you read his books it is like you have rewinded history. Mr. Smith's knowledge on mining, banking, firearms, politics, love, hate, the African wildlife and research is too good and accurate to be fiction. I have enjoyed the Power of The Sword such that I almost forgot about my exams. His twist and turns, plots and sub-plots are excellent and I am looking forward to the next book in the set. The Poer of The Sword is very powerful.

It is a good book but something is missing.......2001-11-14

In this book you can see how a woman can hate a man and the man can still love that woman, but the hate of these persons is because he kills her adoptive mother, but in book never say why he killed her, all the book is rolling in that hating all the time, and you don't know why he did that, you hate him and maybe he killed her in self defense. The rest of the story is full of action and courage of all the protagonists.

Part 2 of a 5 part set - Good Book!.......2001-07-04

This book was great - I plan to read all five in the series. I'm fascinated with Africa as described by Wilbur Smith.

Book Description

Time is running out. The old king is dying, and evil Lord Mordig has escaped from his stone prison. Unless the humans, Fey folk, and goblins of Lowthar can unite and forge a true blade of power, all three races will fall under Mordig's rule. And only Kenric, with his friends Linwe and Hnagi, can hope to win the goblin king's cooperation. Now the three friends must lead Lowthar's citizens in the fight that will decide their fate forever.

Customer Reviews:

Great!!!.......2007-01-04

The books in the series are short but well done. The ending was great and the whole book was action packed. If you liked lord of the rings books or movies you like these.

Wonderful conclusion to a fabulous series.......2006-04-14

In Book 1 Kenric has managed to save his father from the evil Mordig and rescue King Thorgil at the same time. In Book 2 Kenric is sent by King Thorgil to the Fey people to convince them to join their powers to those of the Human kingdom and to locate Princess Tamaril. Now in Book 3 Kenric, accompanied again by his faithful goblin Hnagi and the Fey princess Linwe, must travel into the Goblin kingdom and request the use of their fire to forge the True Blade of Power. Things are getting more and more complicated for the trio as they find themselves in the middle of a power play for the kingdoms of not only the Fey and Humans but the Goblins as well! Mordig manages to escape his stone prison and it is a race against time as Kenric must convince the wary King of the Goblins that it is in his best interest to stand with the alliance against Mordig and help make the Sword. The Goblin King Orlegg, afraid to make that stand, makes a deal with Kenric: bring him his son, Prince Durrig, who was captured by Mordig, and Orlegg will stand with the alliance.

This final book of the trilogy is wonderful! We discover that there are three kinds of goblins, and Hnagi is a finnboggi--the lowest form possible. We also find out that he was banished from the Goblin Kingdom for not saving the Prince and it takes a lot of courage for him to lead Kenric and Linwe back into the kingdom, even though he knows that he faces death just for setting foot within it's boundaries. I think Hnagi is my favorite character, because of the three he has the most to lose and yet he never stops to think of himself. He saves Kenric and Linwe throughout all three books and yet is always humble. I have a softspot in my heart for the underdog, and Hnagi touches me deeply. This story is more Hnagi's story and I love the way everything is tied up neatly at the end and he recieves his reward for his loyalty and honesty.

I have really enjoyed the Lowthar's Blade Trilogy. Again, I highly recommend this book, as well as the two previous ones. Ms. LaFevers writes a wonderful tale of courage, honesty, compassion, and trust that is geared towards the younger reader, but the older reader will enjoy it as well. My only regret is that there are no more books to be read at this time!!

What an exciting conclusion to the trilogy!.......2005-10-04

Like the other two books in the Lowthar's Blade trilogy, this story is full of twists and turns and hair-raising adventure. Hnagi the little goblin really touches my heart - revealing such unexpected strength of character! - and together Kenric, Linwe and Hnagi show the power of courage and love to unite different peoples. I shed a few happy tears at the end. Read the whole trilogy! It's just great!

The Preacher's Power and the Conditions of Obtaining it (The Sword and the Trowel)

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The Preacher's Power and the Conditions of Obtaining it (The Sword and the Trowel)
C H Spurgeon
Manufacturer: Diggory Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1846856353

Fire And Sword (Keys Of Power #2) (Keys of Power, 2)

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Fire and Sword
A powerful, surprisingly dark follow-up to Inheritance
The sceond book offers more tales of Lynan and his quest
Corruption in Grenda Lear
Exciting, enthralling and spell binding

Fire And Sword (Keys Of Power #2) (Keys of Power, 2)
Simon Brown
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Sovereign (Keys Of Powers #3) (The Keys of Power)
Inheritance (Keys Of Power 1) (Keys of Power)
Rival's Son (The Chronicles of Kydan, Book 2)
Empire's Daughter (The Chronicles of Kydan, Book 1)
Daughter of Independence (The Chronicles of Kydan, Book 3)

ASIN: 0756401755
Release Date: 2004-03-02

Book Description

In the second novel of this exciting trilogy, Lynan, the youngest prince, begins to gather an army, vowing to drive his homeland into civil war. In the meantime, his half-sister Areava has been crowned queen of Grenda Lear. The only thing they can both be certain of is that there will be a reckoning between them-one that will threaten all of Grenda Lear...

Customer Reviews:

Fire and Sword.......2005-06-27

Daw fantasy, I think, must have a whole division devoted to churning out lousy cover art and tedious jacket descriptions. "Fire and Sword" may be ugly on the outside, but it's subtlely catching on the inside. Anyone who writes a trilogy faces certain problems. The big conclusion to the series must wait until the final book, but the second volume must hold our interest so we can get there. The Keys of Power series may, at a surface level, look like a standard formula fantasy, but "Fire and Sword" proves to be full of surprises. Would you have guessed, for instance, that Jenrosa's relationship with Lynan would fall apart as she falls for Kumul instead? Or that a political power play would separate the royal couple in Kendra?

Not content to stay with the same scope as "Inheritance", Simon Brown continuously raises the stakes in "Fire and Sword". The armies get larger, the magic more mind-blowing, the battles bigger and bloodier, and Brown doesn't pull any punches. But most importantly, the characters are growing apace with the events in the story. Everyone in the cast, major or minor role, develops and changes as they go along.

Scouring the fantasy section of the bookstore can be a tedious chore, given how much crap the companies flood us with. But here is a story where the action is hot and the fighting is fierce, the humor is funny and the romance is romantic. It's what we've all been looking for, and now that it's here we shouldn't turn away.

A powerful, surprisingly dark follow-up to Inheritance.......2004-12-12

If there is one fantasy writer who, in my opinion, is not getting the attention he is due, it is Simon Brown. Fire and Sword, the second novel in the Keys of Power series, not only advances the storyline begun in Inheritance in impressive style, it transforms it into an heroic tragedy of epic proportions. In Inheritance, young Prince Lynan was basically a kid who slowly found himself divested of his innocence. Looked down upon by virtually everyone in the halls of power of Grenda Lear - especially his half-brothers and half-sister - because his father was a commoner (albeit the greatest general the realm has ever seen), Lynan was forced to flee the land entirely after a malevolent coup framed him for the death of his brother on the very night of his coronation. Escaping with Kumul, the ex-captain of the palace guard, Ager Crookback, an old soldier who had served his father during the Slaver War, and Jenrosa Alucar, a student of magic who found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, Lynan made his way to the Sea of Grass, where he hoped to find safety - and possibly an army - among the Chetts, a people who once fought under the banner of his father.

As Fire and Sword opens, Lynan's transformation from a boy to a man reaches its completion - and more than that, for he now begins to act in the manner of a royal soldier-king. He also privately fights periodic urges of a bestial nature, a consequence of the life-saving blood of Silona, vampire of the woods, now coursing through his veins. The Chetts are nomadic tribes resistant to central rule, but they still revere the name of Lynan's father. With the help of Korigan, queen of the largest Chett tribe, and the compelling significance of the Key of Union he wears around his neck, Lynan does indeed find his army. Back in Grenda Lear, the new Queen Areava is enraged to learn that her murderous half-brother still lives, and she vows to see him dead, going so far as to hire mercenaries to undertake the deed. It is truly a time of great change in the land, for war is clearly coming to Grenda Lear. The neighboring kingdom is preparing an invasion force, and the preparations for her land's defense come amidst the time of Areava's marriage to the son of the King of Aman. Areava rules with an icy hand, never realizing that she is being manipulated every step of the way by the real killers of the king. Palace intrigue and a brewing drama surrounding Prince Olio give this story a subtly intriguing complexity few authors can handle in such a deft manner as that seen here.

Everything gets very complicated very quickly. Areava prepares her army to meet the army of neighboring Haxus, while both sides have sent forces into the Sea of Grass in hopes of either capturing or killing Lynan. Neither side's war plans allow for the possibility that Lynan has put together an army of his own, yet both must eventually face the Chett army of the young prince as he comes to reclaim Grenda Lear for himself.

Fire and Sword is a surprisingly dark novel, offering portentous revelations I for one had not anticipated. Lynan's band of friends begins to drift apart as this story progresses, although they remain loyal to one another and to Lynan's cause. A few moments of light comedy emerge here and there, but Lynan is now a very serious young man with a mission - one that will ultimately lead his friends into battle against their own people. The battle scenes are vividly described and pulse with excitement and danger. Having said all that, I must admit I was not prepared for the final two chapters of this novel, however. Not only do things take several dark, heartrending turns, events all over the different kingdoms are brought to a simultaneous crescendo of stunning tragedy and despair. You do not lay Fire and Sword aside lightly after you finish reading it. These lands and these people, especially the heroic band of Lynan's followers, are irrevocably changed by the course of events chronicled here, and I for one look upon the prospect of the third exhilarating book in this series with a real sense of trepidation as well as heartfelt excitement - peace and happiness in the fantasy world of Simon Brown's creation have never seemed farther away than they do right now. This is truly powerful stuff, and I only wish more readers would have the chance to experience the work of this master fantasist.

The sceond book offers more tales of Lynan and his quest.......2004-06-21

It has been nearly a year since the death of prince Berayma before taking the throne and becoming king. Areava has taken to the throne quite well and has become much like her mother once was except that her youngest brother the now outlaw prince Lynan has still not be captured and killed for his crimes. Lynan has done the one thing none of the other kingdoms would ever think of uniting the clans of the the Chetts in a vast army to take on his sister and clear his name. However Lynan is plauged by dreams after having the blood of the wood vampire Silona used to heal him and shows its effects with his skin almost becoming white and gaining great strenght as well. The chetts think its a sign that the white wolf has retutned and galdly march with Lynan. Back at the court of Areaya she is being courted by the young prince of the Aman Sendarous and can not help but fall for him. The nobles are at thier wits end knowing that if the queen marries outside of its noblilty they could lose any hold on her. Intruge also sets the rest of the court under Areaya as her new Constable Dejanuas is trying to get rid of the Chancelllor Orkid unlce to the Aman prince Sendarous and the head of the religoius order Primate Northman. Meanwhile the Primate Northman senior father Powl wants to become the next primate so that he will one day know the true name of there god. The kingdom is is greater peril theny anyone can see for the plans of mice and men come crahing togeather in this second book. On a personal note this second time out the book focuses on the many chacrters and the plots they lay and the plots against them in the future. A good read

Corruption in Grenda Lear.......2004-03-10

Fire and Sword is the second novel in the Keys of Power series, following Inheritance. In the previous volume, Lynan was pursued by a unit of mercenaries sent by Rendle and was grievously wounded before the Chetts arrived to drive off the attackers. Jenrosa dripped a concoction of haethu and wood vampire blood into his mouth and he regained consciousness with a scream. Areava was crowned as Queen of Grenda Lear and her betrothal to Prince Sendarus of Aman was announced. Jes Prado escaped from Rendle and headed toward Kendra to tell Areava that Lynan was still alive. Olio began to drink heavily to help him sleep after healing sessions with the Key of the Heart.

In this novel, Lynan has turned pale and is troubled by bright sunlight since drinking the vampire blood and he is also troubled by dreams of Silona. He has recovered from his wounds, but he has also gained an enormous strength when aroused, even killing a grass wolf with his bare hands. The Chetts see him as the White Wolf returned and worship him as an avatar of the god. After Ager demonstrates his proficiency with the sword before the chiefs, Lynan convinces most of the Chetts to let Kumul and Ager train them in new tactics.

One disgruntled chief, together with his wife and son, ambush Ager and Gudon and die for their efforts. Then that clan sends a delegation to tell Ager that, since he has defeated the previous chief, he is now the new clan chief. Of course, he also has to swear allegiance to Korigan as the Queen, but Korigan swears to ask nothing of him that violates his prior commitments to Lynan; when Lynan agrees to the arrangements, Ager accepts the offer and becomes chief of the Ocean clan.

King Salokan of Hakus sends Rendle with 2500 cavalrymen through little known passes into the Ocean of Grass to capture Lynan. Queen Areava send Prado with 4000 mercenaries through the Algonka Pass to kill Lynan. King Salokan takes 30,000 soldiers over his border with Hume and lays siege to Daavis. Queen Areava has already send several thousand cavalrymen to garrison Daavis and she now sends the heavy cavalry of Twenty Families with more light cavalry and thousands of heavy and light infantry to reinforce Daavis. Unknown to anyone in the east, Lynan is gathering his forces as well and they are headed east. These forces are facing a major confrontation.

Olio continues to heal the ill and wounded in the new hospice, but Magicker Prelate Edaytot and Primate Northam are greatly concerned with his exhaustion and drinking. Areava finds out about his drinking and chides him for it, but is not aware of his healings. Olio promises to quit drinking but he is troubled with dreams of being unable to heal a dying Lynan.

In this story, the looming war becomes a reality. Lynan and the Chetts confront the former slavers who have returned to capture or kill Lynan. Sendarus leads the reinforcements to Daavis, wearing the Key of the Sword. Olio finds the strength to heal on his own, but the Key starts to claim his will. The conspirators continue their machinations and even expand their treasonous activities to others who have no knowledge of the original plot.

Recommended for Brown fans and for anyone else who enjoys political intrigue and military conflict in a fantasy setting.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Exciting, enthralling and spell binding.......2004-03-03

Before she died Queen Usharna gave each of her children a Key of Power in the hope that they will work together to keep the kingdom of Grenda Lear prospering. She could not know that upon her death, conspirators would kill her successor King Berayma and make sure Prince Lynan would be wanted for the deed. The new Queen Areava declares her half-brother, who she dislikes because he has commoner blood, a traitor. Lynan escapes before he can be killed and the two masterminds behind the conspiracy hold very important posts in the Queen's government.

Lynan flees to the Chetts in the Sea of Grass and forms an alliance with Queen Korigan of the White Wolf Clan. Everyone knows for Lynan to return to Grenda Lear, he must come as a conqueror with an army at his back. He unites all the clans of the Chetts under his banner and he turns them into a fighting force second to none, but before he marches on Grenda Lear, he must defeat two mercenary armies. One wants him dead while the other wants to use him as a figurehead to conqueror his homeland.

Simon Brown's latest Sword and Sorcery novel is exciting, enthralling and spell binding. Both the queen and the prince believe they have very good motives for their actions but while the Prince freely makes his own choices the Queen is manipulated into making decisions others want her to make. Judging by the loose ends, there will be at least one more book in this epic series and anyone who tastes FIRE AND SWORD will anxiously wait for it to be published.

Harriet Klausner

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