The Pale Horseman cover art

The Pale Horseman

The Last Kingdom Series, Book 2

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The Pale Horseman

By: Bernard Cornwell
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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About this listen

The second book in the epic and bestselling series that has gripped millions.

A hero will be forged from this broken land.

As seen on Netflix and BBC around the world.

A Saxon raised by Vikings. A pagan fighting for a Christian King. The conflict at the heart of a hero will be played out in the fight for England.

It is 877. Across the kingdoms of Britain the Danes are gaining strength. Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a pagan warrior, must decide who he will align with: the Vikings who raised him or Alfred, King of the West Saxons.

As the Danes make for Wessex and threaten to destroy the kingdom, Uhtred will forge an uneasy alliance with the king, to lead the last remaining Saxon army in a battle that will be a fight for the very existence of England.

©2005 Bernard Cornwell (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Action & Adventure Genre Fiction Historical Literary Fiction Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Royalty Thriller & Suspense War & Military World Literature Fiction England

Critic Reviews

‘Bernard Cornwell is a literary miracle. Year after year, hail, rain, snow, war and political upheavals fail to prevent him from producing the most entertaining and readable historical novels of his generation.' Daily Mail

'Cornwell's narration is quite masterly and supremely well-researched.' Observer

‘It is stirring stuff, and few writers are better qualified than Cornwell to do justice to the excitement of the times…Ninth-century Britain and a master of storytelling – it is a marriage made in heaven.’ Sunday Telegraph

‘Cornwell’s mastery of historical sources and his aptitude for battle scenes is well established…the language, and particularly the dialogue, is raw and unarchaic, rich in insults and Anglo-Saxon expletives.’ Times Literary Supplement
All stars
Most relevant  
Excellent audio book. The author really draws you into the book. And the narrater does a great job backing that.

Mind gets taken back to the dark ages

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Bernard Cornwell is without a doubt a fantastic author. However, credit also has to go to Jonathan Keeble for his superb narration, particularly his dramatic depiction of the final battle.

All-round fantastic story.

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This was as enjoyable as an audio book as it was on paper. Emotive without being overly dramatic.

Well read

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I have listen to the 1st 4 books and i must say Johnthan keeble makes it

Fantastic Master Johnathan Keeble

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Jonathan Keeble brings this story to life, enhances, and builds on the solid foundation left by Cornwell. His ability to mimic the vast array of tones and accents amazed me to the last chapter.
Great story, which only makes me want to read the history books. Fantastic.

For Odin

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The second book of the series following Utred in Wessex and his love hate relationship with Alfred. On the scant bones of the Anglo Saxon Chronicles and Esser’s life of Alfred Cornwall has woven a richly satisfying tale of 9th century Britain.
Full marks to Jonathan Keeble for his wonderfully varied voice - a complete listening pleasure

The story of Alfred & the Danes he conquered

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Both the first and now the second books in the series have kept me totally enthralled. Bernard Cornwall brings a time long ago alive and you can’t help but grief for them when their story ends.
Jonathon Keeble is legend! I could listen to him all day!…which is pretty much what I have been doing ;)

I’m loving this series!

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This is great. Nothing like the TV series. Well, they have clearly cherry picked that which they wanted and left the rest, and there is lost. Talk about details and complete plotlines and charactors you've never heard of. I am just about to start the next one... WELL WORTH IT!

Two down and eleven to go...!

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Great story, looking forward to the next book already. What an intriguing series this is.

Great story!

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Again The narrator has excelled himself in this book two of the series,
I think I’ve become a great fan of Jonathan Keeble he does a brilliant job and keeps you totally intrigued and enthralled in the book with his tones, pauses and changes of voices, accents fir each different characters,
It was well written and I cannot wait to listen to the rest in the series.
After watching The last Kingdom it has been very interesting listening to the books of this series, again there is always more in a book.
Bring on the next one

Superbly done again

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