Preview

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.

Sword of Honor

By: Evelyn Waugh
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $35.09

Buy for $35.09

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.

Publisher's summary

This trilogy about World War II, largely based on his own experiences as an army officer, is the crowning achievement of Evelyn Waugh's career. Its central character is Guy Crouchback, head of an ancient but decayed Catholic family, who at first discovers new purpose in the challenge to defend Christian values against Nazi barbarism, but then gradually finds the complexities and cruelties of war too much for him.

Though often somber, the Sword of Honour trilogy is also a brilliant comedy, peopled by the fantastic figures so familiar from Waugh's early satires. The deepest pleasures these novels afford come from observing a great satiric writer employ his gifts with extraordinary subtlety, delicacy, and human feeling, for purposes that are ultimately anything but satiric.

©2012 Hachette Audio (P)1966 Evelyn Waugh
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Sword of Honor

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    144
  • 4 Stars
    49
  • 3 Stars
    11
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    5
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    152
  • 4 Stars
    30
  • 3 Stars
    9
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    130
  • 4 Stars
    46
  • 3 Stars
    13
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    5

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

First rate in all respects

Waugh’s writing and Prebble’s reading are both top of the line and combine to make a great listening experience.

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

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

This is the second book I have read by Evelyn Waugh.
In some ways I think it surpasses his well known book “Brideshead Revisited. I have read many books about WWII. This book approaches that part of history in another way. I was sorry when it came to an end.
The narrator, mr. Simon Prebel is, as usual, an excellent choice for such a long book, with the many characters and voices.
My thanks to all involved in bringing this book to us, JK

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

Enjoyable Waugh tale.

I had read Brideshead Revisited some time ago and wanted another Evelyn Waugh book. This certainly hit the spot.

Adding to the enjoyment is the fact that Simon Prebble read the book very well.

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

Good performance from Simon Prebble

I rarely listen to books that I am so familiar with from repeated readings as I am with the Sword of Honour trilogy, but I am pleased that I made an exception here. Simon Prebbles performance was highly enjoyable.

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

Loved the subtle satire

Waugh’s masterful story-telling and Preble’s inimitable performance combine to make a unique take on WWII. Very different from the usual battleground heroics and sentimental swoons of other accounts. The author writes of the military personalities and snafus that elevate and frustrate the upper-class Brit who volunteers for service at the beginning of the war.

Subtle humor permeates the novel, which is based on Waugh’s personal wartime experiences. The over-20 hours of listening created a satisfying cocoon that I didn’t want to end.

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

Excellent

Loved it. Story and narration kept me happily engaged throughout. I'll listen to more by this author.

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

Superb Epic of WWII and the Journey of a Soul

Perhaps the Finest novel of WWII, intelligently and sensitively performed, capturing the bitter irony and dark comedy and stoic tragedy of Waugh’s elegant and often surprisingly stark prose. One does not think of Waugh as a writer of military tactics or geopolitical analysis or desperate battlefield reportage —but he stands equal to The 20th century’s finest in these.

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

I found it true and humorous

Anyone who has actually been in the military would recognize people they know. You wouldn’t believe how many SNAFU and BOHICA moments actually do occur.

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

Outrageously Funny; Profoundly Moving

I’m proud to say this trilogy is my favorite fiction. I don’t recall laughing so much nor appreciating a hero so deeply.

Guy Crouchback is the kind of hero that actually might exist in reality which, as they say, is stranger than fiction.

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

Wow!

Wonderful performance of a novel beyond praise. Waugh's chronicle of England at war. No drama, only honesty. I felt empty when the novel came to an end, after 25 hours. I wanted it to go on...

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful