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Essex Dogs

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Essex Dogs

By: Dan Jones
Narrated by: Ben Miles
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About this listen

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 Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Medieval Military Mystery Thriller & Suspense War & Military Fiction Middle Ages War Royalty

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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)
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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.

Great narrator, middling story

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

Outstanding

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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.

Superb historical fiction

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

Essex Dogs

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You know that with Dan Jones you are in safe hands as far as historical detail goes. It is the minutiae of life on the battle fields and in travel that held my interest. As a group of men encounter the enemy in a strange land, I could imagine this as being a group of men at the local nowadays, helping each other out, knowing each others faults and weaknesses but never the less loving each other (yes really).
My favourite character was the appalling Friar (father) who’s moral fibre departed years ago. I could not believe what he did to the East Anglian. It was awful but I had to laugh anyway.
What was especially good was that my husband was also interested and listened with me. I can’t wait for the next book to come out (The Winter Wolves) but I’m afraid I have to wait until October.

In safe hands

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A fantastic fictional story from a traditionally great non fiction writer. A few minutes into the audiobook, I was sceptical, 10 minutes in, I was hooked. One of the few books I have wanted to stay in my car listening to as the excitement in each of the chapters just keeps building and building. I would put Dan's character development right up there with Dan Abnett and that is high praise indeed.
Great work Dan, I can't wait for the next one.

Left me very excited for the next installment

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Full of history and interesting characters. All in all a very good purchase. Would recommend.

Very interesting book

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Wonderful characterisation, narration and story. The battle scenes are horrific, believable and tense. Being a mercenary is a terrible way to make a living.

Profane, violent, brilliant

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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)...

What an adventure!

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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.

Enjoyable historical fiction set against real events

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