1356 Audiobook By Bernard Cornwell cover art

1356

A Novel

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

1356

By: Bernard Cornwell
Narrated by: Jack Hawkins
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $22.49

Buy for $22.49

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

Bernard Cornwell, the "master of martial fiction" (Booklist), brings Thomas of Hookton from the popular Grail Quest series into a new adventure in 1356, a thrilling stand-alone novel. On September 19, 1356, a heavily outnumbered English army faced off against the French in the historic Battle of Poitiers.

In 1356, Cornwell resurrects this dramatic and bloody struggle - one that would turn out to be the most decisive and improbable victory of the Hundred Years' War, a clash where the underdog English not only the captured the strategic site of Poitiers, but the French King John II as well.

In the vein of Cornwell's best-selling Agincourt, 1356 is an action-packed story of danger and conquest, rich with military strategy and remarkable characters - both villainous and heroic - transporting readers to the front lines of war while painting a vivid picture of courage, treachery, and combat.

©2012 Bernard Cornwell (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers
Action & Adventure Genre Fiction Historical Fiction War & Military Inspiring

What listeners say about 1356

Highly rated for:

Gripping Story Vivid Battle Scenes Excellent Narration Complex Hero Engaging Historical Fiction Smooth Voice
Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,104
  • 4 Stars
    423
  • 3 Stars
    102
  • 2 Stars
    16
  • 1 Stars
    15
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,032
  • 4 Stars
    336
  • 3 Stars
    86
  • 2 Stars
    18
  • 1 Stars
    17
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,022
  • 4 Stars
    340
  • 3 Stars
    107
  • 2 Stars
    13
  • 1 Stars
    10

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Classic Story Comes To Life

Any additional comments?

Overall, I loved this book. The narration was clear and distinct, and the story was well told. About my only dismay was when I realized that this actually the fourth book of the Grail Quest series, and then I was seriously annoyed to find that books 1-3 are only available as abridged versions.
I honestly don't know why publishers waste their time or effort with abridged versions, I personally won't waste time or money on abridged versions.
Maybe someday someone at Audible will realize that there is a HUGE market for unabridged books.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

53 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

First class story; first class performance

Before I review the novel, let me write something about Jack Hawkins. I don't know how many people check the "sample" audio before they decide to purchase a book, but in this case don't be fooled by the short sample. It reflects nothing of the magnificent voices of Jack Hawkins. I know the term has been used many times, but he truly brings the Cornwell characters to life. I wish he had narrated all the author's books.
"1356" despite its blood and gore, is an incredible story with Thomas of Hookton, a leader of a group of mercenary archers, "the Hellequin" as its central character. This book culminates in the Battle of Poitiers, a rather unknown English victory is the 100 years war. But it is more than a tale of war; it is a tale of love between husband and wife (Thomas and Genevieve), a tale of hate between the Count of Labrouillade, a disgusting specimen of a man and his wife who sensibly runs off with another man, and it is a tale of a demonic priest, an ambitious cardinal and other corrupted and corruptible churchmen. It is also a quest story, this time for the sword that St Peter used to cut off the ear of an enemy. In fact, for those following Cornwell's quest novels, this is the fifth.
I highly recommend this book/

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful

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

Great series, but this one got lose in the end.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The narrator did a superb job and really added an extra layer to the story.

Would you recommend 1356 to your friends? Why or why not?

Mr Cornwell is the master of historical fiction of this period in my opinion. It is well researched and has a fascinating story line.

What about Jack Hawkins’s performance did you like?

He has a voice that is very easy to listen to and you don't find yourself judging his voices of different characters.

If you could take any character from 1356 out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I don't know... given the types of people they are a night out that included a few drinks may end up in a deadly alehouse brawl.

Any additional comments?

It was a great story in a great series, But in the end it felt like the author was rushing to the conclusion. There were major characters that you were wondering about from the previous series that were explained away in a rather lackluster way and while the climatic battle was very exciting the "ride of into the sunset moment to end the series was lackluster. the last encounter with the main antagonist was very bland and major characters went away with just a few sentences that brusquely dismissed them. Perhapes there is more to come from Thomas of Hookton which would make my day, but the book reads like it is the finale and there is no mention of the fate of the heros after the end of the battle.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

As good as Argincourt

Would you consider the audio edition of 1356 to be better than the print version?

Do not know

What does Jack Hawkins bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Additional definition to the characters.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No. It was very entertaining. The detail held my attention. It seemed to be well researched.

Any additional comments?

Splendid story. I enjoyed Argincourt a few years ago. It was not a series so finding this was a treat.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Cornwell at his best!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Bernard Cornwell is one of my top two or three authors, and the Grail series is my favorite. 1356 picks up several years after the grail has been destroyed by Thomas, but it still a wonderful story, with bloody battles, evil cardinals, old friends back together. A book I hated to see end!!! I hope there will be other books with Thomas in them.

What other book might you compare 1356 to and why?

Any in the Grail series...

Have you listened to any of Jack Hawkins’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Great !!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really Fun Historical Fiction

If you like historical fiction, this is a must read. It tends towards the pulp novel at times but is still thoroughly enjoyable. The reader does a fine job of bringing the characters alive.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

SHOULD HELP GLOBAL STUDIES IN H.S.! lol

Cornwell takes a favorite character (Thomas of Hookton) & blends this historical fiction into a fantastic novel that is also well read... From the naïve, nasal voice made for the king & princess of France to the strong voices of Hookton & the Irishmen the author gets better as the book progresses, Cornwell is one of the few authors that can take a huge battle of ten thousand plus troops be astounding & add so many side stories that you wait to be resolved.

I've listened to the final battle at least a few times & its always great, In terms of 'battle vision' he does it better then HHM, few can compete with him, HHM brings the undercurrent, behind the scenes of court politics along with large scale battles, but this book is more adventure/battle then the Tudors/battle if it can be an accurate distinction. I love his stand alone books even though the grail series & Sharpe series are great as well... although it does leave me WANTING MORE lol....

I'd recommend reading some of Cornwell's other books regarding Hookton to get a better feeling for the story although you absolutely don't need to read them to enjoy this book... When you compare this to the actual history of the battle it was a GREAT fictional historical roller coaster ride

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing and Captiving from the first minute!

I was not sure I would like this book since it's not my usual genre, but the story seemed to have so many facets, that I was willing to take a chance. Especially since the last 4 or 5 books I downloaded were adequate at best. The narrator is the best I have ever heard. His tone is smooth and voice changes for different characters is unique and makes it much easier to follow this incredible and exciting story. I didn't want the 11 hours to be over and was constantly surprised and amazed at the detail and touching stories of each characters life that the author had a never ending supply of. You would feel like you were at the edge of story being told watching it unfold. I can't wait to see what other fabulous books this author has and I hope he uses the same narrator for all of them.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

good story but rather short

Basically a good story and interesting historical fiction, but it kinda wrapped up and ended just as I was getting into it. A little hard to keep the characters straight with the narration, but I recommend it as a worthwhile listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another Most Excellent Book from Cornwell!

If you could sum up 1356 in three words, what would they be?

I love how the story builds and all the plots and sub plots come together. Plus it is fun learning about another time and place. Would recommend this to anyone that loves historical fiction. wonderful performance also by reader.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful