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  • Essex Dogs

  • By: Dan Jones
  • Narrated by: Ben Miles
  • Length: 13 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (392 ratings)

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Essex Dogs

By: Dan Jones
Narrated by: Ben Miles
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Summary

Globally bestselling historian Dan Jones makes his historical fiction debut with Essex Dogs, the explosive first instalment in an epic new trilogy set during the Hundred Years War.

July 1346. The Hundred Years' War has begun, and King Edward and his lords are on the march through France. But this war belongs to the men on the ground.

Swept up in the bloody chaos, a tight-knit company from Essex must stay alive long enough to see their home again. With sword, mace and longbow, the Essex Dogs will fight, from the landing beaches of Normandy to the bloodsoaked field of Crécy.

There's Pismire, small enough to infiltrate enemy camps. Scotsman, strong enough to tear down a wall. Millstone, a stonemason who'll do anything to protect his men. Father, a priest turned devilish by the horrors of war. Romford, a talented young archer on the run from his past. And Loveday Fitztalbot, their battle-scarred captain, who just wants to get his boys home safe.

Some men fight for glory. Others fight for coin. The Essex Dogs? They fight for each other.

©2022 Dan Jones (P)2022 Head of Zeus
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Critic reviews

"Jones is certainly an entertainer, but also a fine historian." (The Times)

"When it comes to rip-roaring medieval narratives, Jones has few peers." (Sunday Times)

"Dan Jones writes with pace, wit and insight." (Helen Castor)

What listeners say about Essex Dogs

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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What an adventure!

loved every minute of this book. Ben Miles is superb at narration - Dan Jones is fabulous at facts, a great combination, so let's listen again, shall we? lol (3rd time)...

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable historical fiction set against real events

I’ve listened to factual historical books by the author and decided to try this. It was a very well read and enjoyable yarn from the start of the 100 years war. Everything leads up to the battle of Crecy. I’d love to know how accurate the portrayal of real characters actually is since there is a real earthiness to many of them. I presume the book is set up for more stories of our group of heroes. It was a great way to learn about history since the underlying facts are based on true history. And the descriptions of the brutality and hardship of a campaign are fascinating. I am sure despite the book being fictional that the writing is well based in fact.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Listening

I really did not want this book to finish. The characters were brilliant, especially Northampton and the Scotsman and the narration too. I know the language was rather foul-mouthed some of the time, but it was probably true to life for soldiers on campaign. I can't wait to list to the next book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A phenomenal, funny, sad and exhilarating book

As good as The Last Kingdom, this book hooked me in from the start and kept me entered. I didn’t want it to end! Fantastic work!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good performance but story not great.

Having read this after the wolf Hall trilogy I was disappointed in it. Not gripping. Average. Great performance from Ben Miles.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Most enjoyable

The narrator is superb throughout this book, made for a very good listen with all the different accents done with ease.
An interesting story woven into facts of the time, looking forward to the next one already.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Great narrator, middling story

Unfortunately this feels like one of those novels that was written by a committee. Full of visceral action scenes but little character development or plot. Not terrible, just forgettable. However, the narrator is excellent. His mastery of accents is superb and he does his very best with the mediocre material. If you want similar, but better historical fiction of this type, I recommend pretty much anything by Cornwell or Iggulden.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Essex Dogs

Didn’t know whether I would enjoy this. But I did. Looking forward to second book. Was Edward of Woodstock really that whiney?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding

Outstanding in every way. Can’t wait for the next instalment and only hope there is one

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Superb historical fiction

Excellent story by Dan Jones, lit up by the reader and his various voices. Story sheds a (gory and violent) insight to warfare in the Middle Ages, whilst maintaining a fast and furious pace.

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