The Sword of Truth, Boxed Set I, Books 1-3: Wizard's First Rule, Blood of the Fold ,Stone of Tears

Book Description

The Sword of Truth, Boxed Set I, Books 1-3 Wizard's First Rule, Stone of Tears, and Blood of the FoldThe Sword of Truth, Boxed Set I, Books 1-3 Wizard's First Rule, Stone of Tears, and Blood of the FoldBook 1: Wizards First Rule The masterpiece that started The New York Times bestselling epic Sword of TruthIn the aftermath of the brutal murder of his father, a mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell, appears in Richard Cypher's forest sanctuary seeking help . . . and more. His world, his very beliefs, are shattered when ancient debts come due with thundering violence.In a dark age it takes courage to live, and more than mere courage to challenge those who hold dominion, Richard and Kahlan must take up that challenge or become the next victims. Beyond awaits a bewitching land where even the best of their hearts could betray them. Yet, Richard fears nothing so much as what secrets his sword might reveal about his own soul. Falling in love would destroy them--for reasons Richard can't imagine and Kahlan dare not say. In their darkest hour, hunted relentlessly, tormented by treachery and loss, Kahlan calls upon Richard to reach beyond his sword--to invoke within himself something more noble. Neither knows that the rules of battle have just changed . . . or that their time has run out. This is the beginning. One book. One Rule. Witness the birth of a legend.Book 2: Stone of Tears An Epic of Awesome PowerKahlan has at last gained the one goal she had always thought was beyond her grasp .... love. Against all odds, the ancient bonds of secret oaths, and the dark talents of men long dead, Richard has won her heart.Amid sudden and disastrous events, Richard's life is called due to satisfy those treacherous oaths. To save his life, Kahlan must forsake Richard's love and cast him into the chains of slavery, knowing there could be no sin worse than such a betrayal.Richard is determined to unlock the secrets bound in the magic of ancient oaths and to again be free. Kahlan, alone with the terrible truth of what she has done, must set about altering the course of a world thrown into war. But even that may be easier than ever winning back the heart of the only man she will ever love.Book 3: Blood of the Fold An Epic of Two WorldsIn a world as rich and real as our own, Richard Rahl and Kahlan Amnell stand against the ancient forces which besiege the New World-- forces so terrible that when last they threatened, they could only be withstood by sealing off the Old World from whence they came. Now the barrier has been breached, and the New World is again beset by their evil power.War and treachery plague the world, and only Richard and Kahlan can save it from an armageddon of unimaginable savagery and destruction.Terry Goodkind, author of the brilliant bestsellers Wizard's First Rule and Stone of Tears, has created his most masterful epic yet, a sumptuous feast of magic and excitement replete with the wonders of his unique fantasy vision.

Customer Reviews:

wizard set.......2007-09-12

great to get a set like this. When you finish the 1st book 2nd one is right there.

Great style, substance and themes........2007-09-11

Goodkind's writing seems to mature with each book, adding nuance and layer to his seemingly simple themes and characters, leaving the reader to wonder to themselves about what "good and evil" really are.

The stories come alive with great characters, plenty of action, and the wonderment that magical concepts add to the stories. All the fun of being a kid again, but with the adult themes that will keep you reading far into the night.

Have fun!

Sword of Truth.......2007-09-01

Very fast transaction and accurate description of the item, so I would recommend this Seller.

Fantasy at its best!.......2007-08-16

I recommend the first 3-4 volumes of this serie to every fan of good fantasy-literature.
Very creative story, fascinating characters, a lot of suspense, a lot original ideas!
It`s too bad that after "Temple of winds" the whole story started to lose its grip, logic and tended to repeat itself.
Nevertheless, as said before, the first 3-4 volumes are excellent!

Don't Buy This Set.......2007-08-05

Unless you've already read the series and just want to replace your copies, don't buy this set. I made the enormous error of purchasing this set without reading any of Goodkind's novels first. I forced my way through Wizard's First Rule and realized that I wasted my money. I have no intention of ever reading Blood of the Fold or Stone of Tears.

I have very, very few positive things to say about the Wizard's First Rule. So I'll just get the positives out of the way now. Zedd is a very likable character. Not very original, certainly, but he's kooky and funny and hard not to like. The character Giller, too, is likable after a fashion.

Well, that's about all I can say thats positive about the novel. So lets get to the negatives.

1. It's poorly written. The narrative is clumsy, the dialog is repetitive and unrealistic. Not only is the language poor, but Goodkind is unable to logically construct even a simple paragraph, let alone an entire chapter. He has a habit of meandering in his paragraphs so that the first sentence of the paragraph has absolutely nothing to do with the last sentence. This would be understandable were he writing in stream of consciousness, but, alas, he is not. He also has the annoying habit of changing the perspective of the narrator from paragraph to paragraph without informing the reader, making it difficult to sort out who thinks what.

2. The characters are detestable. As I already said, Zedd and Giller are good characters. But they are minor characters. The hero, Richard, is one of the most immediately dislikable protagonists I've ever seen. He's arrogant, whiny, awkward, stupid and completely intolerant of other people and their cultures. Which leads me to my third major criticism.

3. Inconsistent character development. Goodkind frequently changes the personality of his characters to suit the chapter. In one chapter, Richard throws a tantrum because he cannot use his right hand to do something because it is against the culture of a tribe he is visiting. A chapter or two later, he willingly eats the flesh of another person because the culture dictates he must. In addition, Richard (and the other characters) range from mind-bogglingly stupid to brilliant and back something within a couple paragraphs. Goodkind makes his characters smart when he needs to in order to advance the plot, then makes them stupid when he needs to. Richard, Kahlan, Zedd, etc., all do enormously stupid things, and then are brilliant the next chapter. And its not just one character, every character is in turns brilliant and stupid. And it seems that there is always one brilliant character and several stupid characters at any given time so there is always enough intelligence to advance the plot. What's the point of having 800 pages of character development if you just throw it away to advance the plot?

4. And speaking of the plot, the story of the Wizard's First Rule is pretty poorly devised and highly predictable. There are two major secrets in the novel, the first being the identity of the Wizard (which is readily apparent within the first 15 pages of the text) and the identity of the Traitor (which is apparent as soon as it is learned that Richard was betrayed). And despite how painfully obvious who these characters are, Goodkind painstakingly devotes hundreds of pages to discovering their identities. It's terribly painful clawing your way through this book when you already know how all the big secrets and how the book is going to end within the first few chapters.

5. Plot-lifting. In a lot of ways, Wizard's First Rule is a dumbed down version of Robert Jordan's the Wheel of Time. Richard is essentially Rand Al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, though he is purely a good character and destined only to help the world. Kahlan Amnell and the Confessors are utterly identical in every way to Jordan's Aes Sedai. The torture and training Richard endures is identical (and often down to the very wording) to the training Egwene Al'Vere endures. Darken Rahl is a very poor rip off of Shai'Tan, the Dark One (and, for that matter Darth Vader of Star Wars fame). There is very, very little of Goodkind's original thought in the Wizard's First Rule, and what original thought there is is very poor.

6. Convenient Writing. Goodkind is the King of making crap up as he goes. Due to his inability to write his way out of a wet paper bag, Goodkind is constantly having to make up new powers or abilities to get his characters out of a seemingly impossible situation. The best example for this is one scene in which Kahlan, Zedd and Chase are ambushed by Darken Rahl's minions. For whatever reason, Zedd and Chase are incapacitated and Kahlan, for some other stupid reason, can't use her powers and is being raped. Suddenly, Kahlan develops a new ability that 1. has never been mentioned before, 2. she admits that she had never been able to do before, 3. must be taught by an expert, as stipulation Kahlan never met. Yet somehow, Kahlan is able to use this power and miraculously defeats the enemy. Goodkind's writing in these situations is so bad that he flat out admits what the character just did is impossible, but goes with it anyway.

In truth, I could list another dozen or so criticisms of this book. But I doubt anyone is going to read that much. My advice: If you've never read Terry Goodkind before, read him before you blow the extra money on this set. If you're an intelligent, well-read reader, you will likely hate the series and regret spending the money, as I did. You are more likely to enjoy this book if you are a child, say 10-12 years old, or you have never read a fantasy book before. If you fit into either of these categories, the cliches will not seem so bad, and the new world of fantasy will blind you to the very poor writing and storytelling. But in either of those circumstances, I would still advise against buying the set. Make sure you like Goodkind before you drop the money for three of his books. Go to the library and read a chapter or two first. There's a very good chance that you will despise this novel like most other experienced readers.

I gave this set two stars, by the way, for the reasons listed in the previous paragraph. If you're an inexperienced reader or are new to the fantasy world, this series will work well for you. In addition, Mr. Goodkind CAN write, and can write well. The Wizard's First Rule features one or two chapters that are marvelously written. But this is an extreme exception to the rule. Perhaps the later books are better, but after Book I, I will work very hard to ensure that I never read another word of Goodkind's writing.

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

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Calculations are only as good as your numbers
Pants on fire?
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
Very Interesting
History as Science Fiction

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621058

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

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Keep them coming!
A level-headed review
Hit or Miss: Mostly a Whiff
A great read
Even Better Than Wizard's First Rule!

Stone of Tears (Sword of Truth, Book 2)
Terry Goodkind
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312857063

Book Description

Kirkus called Wizard's First Rule, Book One of The Sword of Truth, "a wonderfully creative, seamless, and stirring epic fantasy debut." Piers Anthony lauded it as "a phenomenal fantasy, endlessly inventive, that surely marks the commencement of one of the major careers in the genre. It starts in early and keeps hitting you with new magical wonders, building into a truly gripping adventure."In Wizard's First Rule, Richard Cypher's world was turned upside down. Once a simple woods guide, Richard was forced to become the Seeker of Truth, to save the world from the vile dominance of Darken Rahl, the most viciously savage and powerful wizard the world had ever seen. He was joined on this epic quest by his beloved Kahlan, the only survivor among the Confessors, who brought a powerful but benevolent justice to the land before Rahl's evil scourge. Aided by Zedd, the last of the wizards who opposed Rahl, they were able to cast him into the underworld, saving the world from the living hell of life under Rahl.But the veil to the underworld has been torn, and Rahl, from beyond the veil, begins to summon a sinister power more dreadful than any he has wielded before. Horrifying creatures escape through the torn veil, wreaking havoc on the unsuspecting world above.If Rahl isn't stopped, he will free the Keeper itself, an evil entity whose power is so vast and foul that once freed, it can never again be contained.Richard and Kahlan must face Rahl and the Keeper's terrible minions. But first, Richard must endure the ministrations of the Sisters of the Light, or die from the pain of magic that is his birthright and his curse. While Richard undertakes the arduous journey to the forbidden city of the Sisters, Kahlan must embark upon a long and dangerous mission to Aydindril, citadel of the old wizards, where she hopes to find Zedd and the help only he can lend to their desperate cause.War, suffering, torture, and deceit lie in their paths, and nothing will save them from a destiny of violent death, unless their courage and faith are joined with luck and they find the elusive....Stone of Tears.

Customer Reviews:

Keep them coming!.......2007-09-17

For Terry Goodkind and Sword of the Truth fans, you just have to read book 2!

A level-headed review.......2007-08-15

By now you've seen reviews of this book that hype it as the best thing ever, and those that slam it for the violence and rape images. I will do neither. I give it 5 stars based on one thing: its ability to keep me turning page after page, not wanting to put the book down. The only other book in this series that accomplishes that feat for me is Faith of the Fallen. Some reviewers claim they know Fantasy. I know Fantasy Fiction myself...my library contains over 500 books in the genre, and I am a writer myself, though I have not yet sought to publish my work.

Yes, there are acts of violence and rape described in this book. It's probably overdone to drive home just how evil the enemy is, so that Richard's actions are all the more justified. Unnecessary, yes. But ultimately it has a place in my library. You see, if every book on my shelf were The Sword of Shannara, that would be incredibly boring. No knock aginst Terry Brooks, I enjoy his books and am just using this as an example. It is the diversity of the material that makes the reading worthwhile. There is nothing out there like The Sword of Truth series. Though people will claim the Sword of Truth is similar to the Wheel of Time series, the latter has child-like characters, way too many side stories and characters, does not possess the violence and graphic descriptions, and the villians are forgettable. So Goodkind sits on my shelf next to Zelazny's Amber, Moorcock's Elric, Brooks's Shannara, Hobb's Assassin, and many others...and holds its own place for what it brings to the table.

For those who choose to explore it, this book holds some fascinating elements such as the Sliph, the Mriswrath Cape, the Black and White Towers, how prophecy works and much more. No other book in the series brings out such a variety of fantastic elements.

My final thought on the entire series is that it was intended as two trilogies, with Wizard's First Rule through Blood of the Fold as the first, and the Chainfire trilogy as the second. But perhaps after the success of the first two books, someone in Goodkind's camp looked over at the bloated garbage Jordan was writing (and the money he was making) and said, "hey, we can do that too!" Every book in between the "two trilogies" I have described above does little to advance the overall plot, which explains why they are the least popular. Although, without the bloating, we would never have been gifted with the excellent Faith of the Fallen. But that is a story (or should I say review) for another day...

Hit or Miss: Mostly a Whiff.......2007-08-11

Pros:
--Richard
--Seamless fantasy world building
--Individual scenes of excellent prose

As a lover of fantasy, I appreciate Terry Goodkind's world building skills. He does a phenomenal job creating a world where magic is part of Nature's balance both in the world of the living (The Creator) and the dead (The Keeper). His prose, in varying stretches of the novel, leads me to forgetting that I'm reading as I become immersed in individual scenes.

So why 2 stars?
Con:
--Overwritten scenes that become tired melodrama
--Characters with conflicting behaviors and actions
--Overkill of author's drama for anti-woman sentiment
--Simplistic and overdose of rape (This book is NC17)

The characters are far too inconsistent in their behaviors and actions, and storytelling is overdone. Let me say first that Richard is consistent in his personality and actions. He's the only one. The rest of the main characters, especially Kahlan succumb to the Wizard's First Rule, that people will believe in something out of fear or ignorance. One might argue that even the wise fall prey. That's potential good drama. Bad drama is when the characters you've been led to believe are wise, assertive, and make good decisions under great stress, "repeatedly" act like they have no sense in the world. Because I respect Kahlan's character and the others like Zed, I found the unusual behaviors contrived by the author just to magnify some "dramatic" moment. The result consistently fell flat and largely unimaginative.

It's Goodkind's prerogative to create a world where misogyny breeds under the surface ready to explode. In Stone of Tears, readers are beaten over the head with it. Several rape scenes (implied to uncomfortably graphic) are used at pivotal moments in the story where a modestly skillful writer could have created horror and sympathy in less "in your face" detail. From villains spouting their views to getting into a woman's head while she is being raped did not help those story moments move forward, NOR did they serve any moral point of reflection that might have remotely support the content.

When the story focused on Richard and his struggles, there was drama, character complexity, and, yes, moments of "ahas" for the reader as Richard grows into accepting himself (minus the melodramatic hint of a Romeo and Juliet suicide). The rest can be skipped over unless one has a voyeur desire for bad soap opera. If you read only Richard's story, you will have a great journey. Terry Goodkind understands his main character and Richard's story.

Or perhaps, check out a book by David Gemmell, David Duncan, or Jennifer Roberson.

A great read.......2007-07-22

Since I bought the MP3/CD edition, I have two things to comment on, the book itself and the cd production and format.

Goodkind reminds me of Herman Wouk, in both the good and not so good ways. Reading Winds of War, by Wouk, I thought "I wish a better writer could have written this story," as I read on avidly, page after page. He had a way of telling you the same thing three times, or using clunky language. But, then I realized: No other writer thought of this story, it didn't exist before Wouk created it. And I couldn't stop reading the book. Sometimes, a great storyteller is a great stylist, but the most important thing is that he or she tells a great, compelling story. And Terry Goodkind does that. Sometimes, he spends way too many pages telling us something he could have told us in one, but, ultimately, it is well worth the read. It's a powerfully imagined world.

The MP3/CD format worked fine in Media Player and iTunes, once it was imported, but wouldn't play on the car CD player, nor directly off the CD on any other CD Player I tried.

Jim Bond, the narrator, does a consistently good job, giving distinctly different voices for each of the characters. The sound quality is excellent.

Even Better Than Wizard's First Rule!.......2007-06-09

Goodkind seems to have solved some of the kinks in found in the first book of the series in Stone of Tears. This book just seems to flow better, without the stops in action found in the first one.

This one will keep you reading throughout. Don't pick it up unless you have a day or two to finish it!

Average customer rating:

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

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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.

The Sword in the Stone and Other Children's Adventure Stories Audio Book On CD (19 of 24)

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The Sword in the Stone and Other Children's Adventure Stories Audio Book On CD (19 of 24)
PC Treasures Inc.
Manufacturer: PC Treasures Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

ASIN: 1933796421

Product Description

It is a time of turmoil in Old England. King Uther has died without an heir and all the lords battle to become the next king. The Wizard Merlin convinces them to ask for a sign from above and it come in the form of a beautiful sword held fast in an anvil and stone. Whoever lifts the sword from the stone will be King of England! The classic beginning to the glorious legend of King Arthur. Twas brillig and the slithy tove did gyre and gimble in the wabe... With these words, Alice in Wonderland creator Lewis Carroll began a tale of bravery, epic adventure, and more than a little nonsense in The Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll. St. George and the Dragon by Agnes Grozier Herbertson is a tale about the ancient city of Selene which is beset by a fearsome dragon that demands a terrible tribute. Even the King's bravest knights cannot overcome the loathsome creature. Can anyone save the people of Selene? Features The Sword in the Stone by Agnes Grozier Herbertson It is a time of turmoil in Old England. King Uther has died without an heir and all the lords battle to become the next king. The Wizard Merlin convinces them to ask for a sign from above and it come in the form of a beautiful sword held fast in an anvil and stone. Whoever lifts the sword from the stone will be King of England! The classic beginning to the glorious legend of King Arthur. Performed by David DuChene. Runtime 33:24. The Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll Twas brillig and the slithy tove did gyre and gimble in the wabe... With these words, Alice in Wonderland creator Lewis Carroll began a tale of bravery, epic adventure, and more than a little nonsense. Performed by James Mio. Runtime 2:29. St. George and the Dragon by Agnes Grozier Herbertson The ancient city of Selene is beset by a fearsome dragon that demands a terrible tribute. Even the King's bravest knights cannot overcome the loathsome creature. Can anyone save the people of Selene? Performed by David DuChene. Runtime 19:57.

The Sword in the Stone (Collins Modern Classics)

Average customer rating:

Not Free SF Reader
Great, but not serious in the least
AWFUL
t.h. c.s. j.r.r, j. k.- doesn't anybody in England have a first name?
classic stuff

The Sword in the Stone (Collins Modern Classics)
T. H. White
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Classics | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 000675399X

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

This is the first part of the Once and Future King series of novels.
Wart, a young boy, initially has no idea who he really is. This is the
story of this young lad, and the events and lessons and trials that
lead to him becoming a leader. Of course, it details the bumbling and
accidents that lead him to drawing The Sword in the Stone.

Great, but not serious in the least.......2006-11-13

I enjoyed this book very much as a child but "get" much more of it now.--Funny, funny, funny, and not the least realistic or representative of the Dark Ages in which Arthur must have (may have) lived.-- White's jokes at the expense of the British upper class of the thirties is first-rate; and there are a few hints of the European conflict building at the time of publication. It is a little silly to try to find anything very profound in this one; for a wonderful and more serious treatment of the Arthurian legend, start with The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart.

AWFUL.......2006-05-30

This was the absolute WORST book that I have ever read. It the dullest, most boring thing since I learned algebra. After the first chapter, I already wanted to kill myself. But I gave it another chance. And another, and another, and another. I was continually dissapointecd. DO NOT WASTE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY ON THIS ABORATION OF A BOOK!

t.h. c.s. j.r.r, j. k.- doesn't anybody in England have a first name?.......2006-03-14

The Once and Future King, which is built upon and uses text from the Sword in the Stone, is one of my favorite books. Much like the Hobbit is a sometimes silly preamble to the Lord of the Rings, The Sword in the Stone is the less serious story of King Arthur as a boy that sets the stage for the novel, The Once and Future King. And like the Hobbit, while it can be occassionally silly- a deadly serious and powerful story is just below the surface.

White was clearly impacted by the struggle to hold views of evolution and a God-centered world view, and was also clearly impacted by the tensions of war torn Europe. He weaves some fun stories of Robin Hood, life in a hawk mew, and light-hearted jousting in with all his explaining and metaphorizing, though. I can't imagine not liking the vivid imagery and exotic story-telling, and if you are a fan of any of the other initialed British writers you'll certainly feel at home with T.H. White. Read the Sword in the Stone- it won't take much time, but then by all means read The Once and Future King one day for the real masterpiece.

classic stuff.......2005-06-24

The Swrod in the Stone is the first in a mini-series, and by far the best. The others are really flat in comparison.
I just love this book, it describes all the magic of being young and exploring the fields and rivers around your home, and talks of fights between rather nasty witches and pleasant wizards. The writing is so good I felt like I was actually lying in the grass on a summery day watching people joust! Young Wart gets up to some crazy adventures, and the book has a nice happy ending. The author certainly introduces some interesting characters, and overall, I found it a joy to read, and one of the few books I reread regularly.

Tales of King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone (Books of Wonder)

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wonderful
King Arthur - The Sword in the Stone
The Sword In The Stone Review

Tales of King Arthur: The Sword in the Stone (Books of Wonder)

Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0688094031

Book Description

Except for the dragon-shaped constellation that appeared at his birth, there was nothing that suggested Arthur was destined for greatness.

Raised by the gentle Sir Ector, Arthur spends his boyhood exploring the Welsh woodlands, until one day a messenger arrives announcing a grand tournament to be held in London. Arthur's older brother, Sir Kay, insists they must attend with Arthur as his squire. After traveling the long road to London on horseback, Kay performs brilliantly in the contest, but it's young Arthur himself who ultimately wins the day.

The first volume of the Tales of King Arthur series introduces younger readers to the classic story known for over one hundred years as "The Sword in the Stone." Hudson Talbott has faithfully retold this heroic tale with humor and warmth, showing a human side to Arthur rarely glimpsed before. His vivid, richly colored paintings capture a crowded London at Christmastime and magnificent knights jousting on the field of battle, as well as the legendary sorcerer Merlin and the magical sword that reveals Arthur's destiny.

Alive with the drama of medieval England, this book will awaken young readers' interest in the legendary king who set new ideals for knightly valor.

Customer Reviews:

wonderful.......2006-11-06

My son (7 yo) really enjoyed this book - the whole series is terrific.

King Arthur - The Sword in the Stone.......2000-07-06

Although the language is a little advanced for early readers, the story is very tellable. There are many threads to this story that come to life through the illustrations. The story is told in an interesting, dynamic way that gives pause for wonder, such as the conversation between Sir Ector and his son Sir Kay. Their personalities come through and we can appreciate the types of men they are. Another moment is when Merlin plans the timing for Arthur to draw the sword from the stone. When, asks Arthur. "After all have tried and failed, whenever that may be," replies Merlin.

A dynamic painting of a tournament with thundering hooves, flying pennants, and lances at the ready illustrates perfectly our idea of a medieval joust. The illustrations seem cinematic in that they always shift the viewpoint. Now we see the action from street level; in the next picture we view a crowd scene from above. We are comfortable with such shifts from movies and TV.

The illustrations evoke "chivalrous" ideas. The son, grieving that he has to leave his father's house, rises bravely to Merlin's bidding in a sequence that culminates in the "Youth Triumphant" painting, when the young Arthur raises the sword over his head. The idea of "chivalry", respect for one's elders, telling the truth, and being brave is well interwoven and are excellent topics to discuss with children.

The final picture, the crowned Arthur dressed in white and gold, holding the sword in his hands under the white blossoms of a tree, is such an archetype of the young, white hero that it verges on the comical. But I have to remember that this is a children's book, and mine will get enough of my cynical views when he's ready for it, later.

I recommend this book for 6 and up. The young ones will love to be read to, and the older ones will enjoy reading it.

The Sword In The Stone Review.......2000-04-03

This is a great book based on the original Arthurian legend. If i could, I'd give it more than 5 stars. Arthur is given to Merlin by Uther Pendragon and is raised by Sir Kay. When his "brother" forgets to bring his sword, Arthur...if I said anymore, it'd get carried away and I'd give away the ending.

Sword In The Stone, The (level 2) (Hello Reader)

Average customer rating:

Just right for kids who are still learning to read
A review for this edition
EXCELLENT!

Sword In The Stone, The (level 2) (Hello Reader)
Grace Maccarone
Manufacturer: Cartwheel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0590455273

Customer Reviews:

Just right for kids who are still learning to read.......2001-11-29

If you buy this book expecting to introduce your children to Arthurian myth, you will probably be disappointed. This book keeps only young Arthur, Merlin, and the barest outline of the beginning of the story of King Arthur.

If, however, you are looking for a reasonably fun, short story for a child who is past "Hop on Pop" but not ready to read anything much more complex, you will be very well pleased. The story is simple, but reasonably engaging, the vocabulary is also simple, and the illustrations are decent. This is the first "Hello Reader!" book I have bought for my 2nd grader for use in home schooling, but it will definitely not be the last.

A review for this edition.......2001-07-21

The other review on this page mistakenly refers to this edition as the novel by T. H. White. Its not. This edition is a short adapation for young children of how King Arthur became king. Maccrone's Arthur is a young boy, and he is "tricked" by Merlin into freeing the sword from the stone. Boddy's illustrations are great.

EXCELLENT!.......1999-09-24

Hey everyone out there! READ THIS BOOK! it is boring in some parts, but still good! This shows that T.H. White was an excellent author! He can spin magic with his fingers as well as J.K. Rawling and Brian Jacques! (Although they came after him!)

Stone of Tears (The Sword of Truth, Book Two)

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Stone of Tears (The Sword of Truth, Book Two)

Manufacturer: Tor
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000BO0NMU

Average customer rating:

The Sword and the Stone
T.H. White
Manufacturer: Putnam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MVR4E2

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