What do You think about Battle Flag (2001)?
The third of the Nathaniel Sharp...errr...Starbuck's exploits is another enjoyable battle yarn. As before, Starbuck's motivations for fighting for the South despite being the son of a prominent abolitionist preacher are never explained and every time Cornwell brings it up, he's basically written himself into a corner that he can't satisfactorily get out of. The final battle is Second Manassas and Cornwell as always does a fine job with it. But the campground maneuvering and staff politics is a little lacking. It seems also that Cornwell felt the need to address Starbuck's lack of conflict over fighting for the South by basically thrusting his friend, Adam Faulconer, into service with the Union Army. Adam at least has some stated motivations for switching sides. Starbuck adamantly refuses to answer should anyone ask why he fights for the South. It's a dodge and a cheap one.
—Christopher
Battle Flag is the third novel in Bernard Cornwell’s epic Starbuck Chronicles. Following on from Copperhead, this book focuses on the battle of Richmond as the Confederate army is put on the defensive to defend their capital city. In amongst the defence of Richmond is the promising, if a little rag-tag, infantry Captain Nathanial Starbuck. After fighting his way through the first battles of the war and distinguishing himself as a brave and loyal soldier, Nate becomes noticed by quite a few of his superiors as a possible leader. However, Nate’s commander Washington Faulconer is jealous of Nate, as he is getting all the praise because of his superior leadership skills whereas Faulconer is not. To spite Nate and to stop his rise in the army, Faulconer again puts him into situations that makes Nate risk his life and his honour to further help the Confederate cause. But Nate’s talents once again shine through as he returns to the second Battle of Bull Run.Another brilliant book that only adds to this series. As usual the detail of the book is exceptional, really bringing the history to life and sticking to the historical facts as close as possible. I can’t wait to start the next book, The Bloody Ground! I would suggest this book to any fan of Bernard Cornwell, or of his work such as Sharpe because I always think of Nate as the American version of Sharpe! Also if you have an interest in the Civil War period you would love this book. For me I thought it was good because it tells the military side of the war. Whereas at university we only really learnt about the political side e.g. slavery and states’ rights. It was nice to finally get hold of what happened in the war and battles which Cornwell does perfectly.For more book reviews check out http://adam-p-reviews.blogspot.co.uk/
—adam-p-reviews
I've read other books and series by Bernard Cornwell. His books are always well-researched and exciting. I like the way the fictional characters interact with the historic characters. The fictional Nate Starbuck meets with General Stonewall Jackson. As the reader, you get a view of Jackson that wasn't given in most history classes. The battles feel real because they are carefully researches but because this is fiction some details can be omitted. It doesn't take away the impact of the history. I must admit that I wish history classes in high schools were taught with more "life" to them. So many courses "beat" the story part of history to death. Most people don't like learniing unrelated dates and obscure facts. We forget that History is really about people.
—Michele
