Literary theme analysis, by a book like {foo}
Books about Glory
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
by Daniel James Brown
An inspiring story of a rowing crew battling against the odds to win gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
This novel is about the University of Washington eight-oared crew that represented the United States in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, and narrowly beat out Italy and Germany to win the gold medal. The ... (Wikipedia)
The Last Olympian
by Rick Riordan
The Olympians must unite forces to prevent the destruction of Olympus and the world.
While Percy Jackson is on a drive with Rachel Dare , he is approached by Charles Beckendorf , and the two head off to attack Luke's ship, The Princess Andromeda . Kronos , hosted in the mortal body ... (Wikipedia)
A Clash of Kings
by George R.R. Martin
Set in the fictional land of Westeros, a political struggle for control of the Seven Kingdoms ensues.
A Clash of Kings depicts the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros in civil war , while the Night's Watch mounts a reconnaissance to investigate the mysterious people known as wildlings . Meanwhile, Daenerys ... (Wikipedia)
A Dance with Dragons
by George R.R. Martin
Epic fantasy tale of political intrigue and war with a wide cast of characters.
Stannis Baratheon , a claimant to the Iron Throne of Westeros , occupies the Wall at the realm's northern border, having helped to repel an invasion of wildlings from the northern wilderness. Stannis ... (Wikipedia)
The Return of the King
by J.R.R. Tolkien
Epic story of a heroic quest to save Middle-earth from an evil force.
In the third volume of The Lord of the Rings trilogy the good and evil forces join battle, and we see that the triumph of good is not absolute. The Third Age of Middle-earth ends, and the age of the ... (Goodreads)
The Thousand Names
by Django Wexler
A military campaign in a desert land, led by a new commander with a mysterious past, against a rebellion that threatens the empire.
Enter an epic fantasy world that echoes with the thunder of muskets and the clang of steel—but where the real battle is against a subtle and sinister magic.... Captain Marcus d’Ivoire, commander of ... (Goodreads)
The Poem of My Cid
by Anonymous
Epic tale of a noble Castilian knight's exploits, loyalty, and heroism.
Poema épico, se trata del texto más representativo del arte de los juglares españoles de la Edad Media. El poema fue probablemente compuesto entre 1110-1140, no mucho después de los hechos a los que ... (Goodreads)
Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph
by T.E. Lawrence
A first-hand account of the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during WWI.
Seven Pillars of Wisdom is an unusual and rich work. It encompasses an account of the Arab Revolt against the Turks during the First World War alongside general Middle Eastern and military history, ... (Goodreads)
The Blade Itself
by Joe Abercrombie
Epic fantasy saga of an unlikely band of misfits and their struggle against an oppressive empire.
Logen Ninefingers, infamous barbarian, has finally run out of luck. Caught in one feud too many, he’s on the verge of becoming a dead barbarian – leaving nothing behind him but bad songs, dead ... (Goodreads)
The Flame Bearer
by Bernard Cornwell
A Saxon warrior embarks on a quest to reclaim his homeland from Viking invaders.
Uhtred fails again to capture Bebbanburg. His son-in-law, the pagan warlord Sigtryggr, king of Northumbria, asks for help against invading West Saxons who seem intent on breaking the recent truce ... (Wikipedia)
The Swords of Night and Day
by David Gemmell
A tale of two swords, one of light and one of darkness, and the warriors who wield them in a battle for the fate of the world.
Even in death, Skilgannon the Damned's name lives on. Now, as an ancient evil threatens to flood the Drenai heartlands in a tide of blood, he returns... A thousand years after they fell in battle, ... (Goodreads)
The Field of Swords
by Conn Iggulden
A thrilling tale of medieval warfare, set in the English civil war.
From the author of the bestselling, The Dangerous Book for Boys, With his acclaimed Emperor novels, author Conn Iggulden brings a dazzling world to life–the rich, complex world of ancient Rome as ... (Goodreads)
The Song of Roland
by Unknown
Epic poem of a knight's heroic battle against a powerful enemy.
On 15 August 778, Charlemagne’s army was returning from a successful expedition against Saracen Spain when its rearguard was ambushed in a remote Pyrenean pass. Out of this skirmish arose a stirring ... (Goodreads)
The Long Ships
by Frans G. Bengtsson
A Viking warrior embarks on a journey of adventure and conquest, encountering battles, love, and treasure along the way.
The first book covers the years 982 to 990. While still a youth, Orm is abducted by a Viking party led by Krok and they sail south. They fall captive to Andalusian Muslims and serve as galley slaves ... (Wikipedia)
Half a King
by Joe Abercrombie
A young prince's struggle to reclaim his rightful throne and avenge his father's death.
The story follows the exploits of Yarvi, a young prince of Gettland with a disabled hand. When his father dies Yarvi is elevated to the throne but faces a struggle to keep it as others conspire to ... (Wikipedia)
Storm of Steel
by Ernst Jünger
An autobiographical account of World War I, exploring the horrors of war.
Storm of Steel begins with Jünger as a private entering the line with the 73rd Hanoverian Regiment in Champagne . His first taste of combat came at Les Éparges in April 1915 where he was first ... (Wikipedia)
Avempartha
by Michael J. Sullivan
The second book in the Riyria Revelations series follows Royce and Hadrian as they are hired to steal a powerful sword from an impregnable tower.
THE SECRET IS IN THE TOWER. THE PROBLEM IS THE BEAST. THE ANSWER IS TWO THIEVES. When a destitute young woman hires two thieves to help save her remote village from nocturnal attacks, they are drawn ... (Goodreads)
Midnight Tides
by Steven Erikson
Epic fantasy of a world on the brink of war, as two unlikely heroes seek to restore balance.
The novel begins with the aftermath of a massive battle between an alliance of Tiste Edur , led by Scabandari Bloodeye, and Tiste Andii , led by Silchas Ruin, against some K'Chain Che'Malle . The ... (Wikipedia)
The Iliad/The Odyssey
by Homer
Epic tale of courage, honor, and revenge in the Trojan War followed by a hero's journey home.
Gripping listeners and readers for more than 2,700 years, 'The Iliad' is the story of the Trojan War and the rage of Achilles. Combining the skills of a poet and scholar, Robert Fagles brings the ... (Goodreads)
Theft of Swords
by Michael J. Sullivan
Epic fantasy tale of two brothers on a quest to free a kingdom from an evil tyrant.
After a successful raid, Royce and Hadrian (together known as Riyria) are approached by a man offering much gold to steal a sword owned by Count Pickering, from the royal palace in Medford, the ... (Wikipedia)
Ramses: The Son of Light
by Christian Jacq
The life of Ramses II, the pharaoh who ruled Egypt for 67 years, is chronicled in this historical novel.
Historical fiction meets mythology as ancient Egypt comes alive in this monumental epic with over 2 million copies sold around the world. At fourteen, Ramses, the second son of the Pharaoh Seth, must ... (Goodreads)
The Runelords
by David Farland
Epic fantasy adventure of a young man's quest to restore order to a kingdom.
Young Prince Gaborn Val Orden of Mystarria is traveling in disguise on a journey to ask for the hand of the lovely Princess Iome of Sylvarresta when he and his warrior bodyguard spot a pair of ... (Goodreads)
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
by George R.R. Martin
A gritty fantasy tale of knights and dragons, set in a time of chaos and war.
A century before A GAME OF THRONES, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS compiles the first three official prequel novellas to George R.R. Martin’s ongoing ... (Goodreads)
King of the Murgos
by David Eddings
A young man's quest to save a kingdom from destruction, aided by allies from unexpected places.
In this second book of The Malloreon, Garion and Ce'nedra continue the quest begun in Guardians of the West. In their party travel the immortal Belgarath the Sorcerer, his daughter Polgara the ... (Goodreads)
The Gates of Rome
by Conn Iggulden
Epic tale of the rise of Rome, weaving together history, adventure, and warfare.
Rarely, if ever, does a new writer dazzle us with such a vivid imagination and storytelling, flawlessly capturing the essence of a land, a people, a legend. Conn Iggulden is just such a writer, ... (Goodreads)
The King of Attolia
by Megan Whalen Turner
A young king's quest to reclaim his throne, aided by a mysterious thief.
Eugenides, the one-handed former Thief of Eddis, has married the Queen of Attolia, bringing peace to the two countries and becoming king. He appears to sleep during important briefings, makes snide ... (Wikipedia)
A Game of Thrones #1
by Daniel Abraham
Epic fantasy of power struggles in a world of knights and dragons.
A New York Times bestselling epic. A blockbuster TV series. And now, George R. R. Martin’s breathtaking fantasy masterpiece makes its powerful graphic novel debut—with all the majesty, intrigue, ... (Goodreads)
The Iron King
by Maurice Druon
Epic historical fiction of the Middle Ages, as dynasties pay the price of ambition.
Set in the 14th century during the reigns of the last five kings of the direct Capetian dynasty and the first two kings of the House of Valois , the series begins as the French King Philip the Fair , ... (Wikipedia)
Starless Night
by R.A. Salvatore
Epic adventure of a young man on a quest to save a kingdom from a powerful dark force.
In Starless Night , Drizzt decides to return to Menzoberranzan in an attempt to keep the evil drow from launching another attack on Mithral Hall. He gives Guenhwyvar to Regis and tells him not to ... (Wikipedia)
Servant of the Shard
by R.A. Salvatore
Artemis Entreri and Jarlaxle team up to steal the powerful crystal shard, but their partnership is tested by their own ambitions.
After regaining his confidence and will to live (lost in Paths of Darkness, when Drizzt Do'Urden seemed to have died without being defeated fairly by Artemis, thus apparently taking from him the ... (Wikipedia)
The Pagan Lord
by Bernard Cornwell
A tale of revenge and loyalty as a Saxon warrior fights to reclaim his birthright.
There have been ten years of relative peace on the island of Britain between the Saxons and the Danes. Uhtred disowns his elder son Uhtred because he has just taken vows to become a Christian priest. ... (Wikipedia)
Khan: Empire of Silver
by Conn Iggulden
Epic saga of Mongolian rulers and the struggles of war, power, and family.
The Great Khan is dead. His vast empire hangs in the balance, an empire he forged with raw courage, guile, tactical brilliance, unswerving dedication to his people, and the force of his own ... (Goodreads)
League of Dragons
by Naomi Novik
The final battle between dragons and humans, as the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
The final adventure in the, New York Times, bestselling Temeraire series that started with the beloved, His Majesty’s Dragon, which has won fans of Napoleonic-era military history, Anne McCaffrey’s ... (Goodreads)
Agincourt
by Bernard Cornwell
Epic tale of courage and heroism as English forces face overwhelming odds in a pivotal battle of the Hundred Years War.
Nicholas Hook, a forester and archer , feuds with Tom and Robert Perrill and their biological father, the priest Father Martin. He is compelled to participate in the hanging and burning of a ... (Wikipedia)
Chronicles of the Black Company
by Glen Cook
Epic fantasy saga of a mercenary group, their struggles and victories in a dangerous world.
The series follows an elite mercenary unit, The Black Company, last of the Free Companies of Khatovar, through roughly forty years of its approximately four-hundred-year history. Cook mixes fantasy ... (Wikipedia)
The Iron Knight
by Julie Kagawa
A brave quest to save a kingdom from a dark enemy, with magical creatures and thrilling adventure.
My name - my True Name - is Ashallayn’ darkmyr Tallyn. I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her. My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl… To cold ... (Goodreads)
Winter Warriors
by David Gemmell
A group of warriors must defend their homeland from an invading army during a harsh winter. Sacrifices are made to protect loved ones.
The Drenai army, lead by Emperor Skanda, has conquered the hostile Ventrian empire. A man of great charm and even greater ambition, Skanda has unified the two historically hostile people by marrying ... (Wikipedia)
300
by Frank Miller
Epic battle between 300 Spartan warriors against an invading Persian army.
The armies of Persia—a vast horde greater than any the world has ever known—are poised to crush Greece, an island of reason and freedom in a sea of madness and tyranny. Standing between Greece and ... (Barnes & Noble)
Gauntlgrym
by R.A. Salvatore
Drizzt and his companions embark on a perilous journey to Gauntlgrym, the ancient dwarven city, to reclaim it from the clutches of evil forces.
Drizzt joins Bruenor on his quest for the fabled dwarven kingdom of Gauntlgrym: ruins said to be rich with ancient treasure and arcane lore. But before they even get close, another drow and dwarf ... (Goodreads)
The Story of King Arthur and His Knights
by Howard Pyle
The classic tale of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table, their quests, battles, and chivalry.
The first section in Pyle's The Story of King Arthur and His Knights , "The Book of King Arthur", contains three separate stories: "The Winning of Kinghood", "The Winning of a Sword", and "The ... (Wikipedia)
Sword Song
by Bernard Cornwell
Epic saga of a Saxon warrior's struggle for survival against the invading Vikings.
Alfred, King of Wessex, has Uhtred of Bebbanburg build one of the fortified towns that make up Alfred's system of defence. After ambushing a band of raiders, Uhtred learns that two powerful Norse ... (Wikipedia)
The Sworn Sword
by George R.R. Martin
A tale of chivalry, loyalty, and honor as a knight undertakes a perilous quest.
The Sworn Sword is a novella by George R. R. Martin that first appeared in the Legends II anthology series. This is the second in the series of Dunk and Egg stories. ... (Goodreads)
False Gods
by Graham McNeill
Epic space fantasy saga filled with powerful forces of good and evil.
The human Imperium stands at its height of glory - thousands of worlds have been brought to heel by the conquering armies of mankind. At the peak of his powers, Warmaster Horus wields absolute ... (Goodreads)
Resurrection
by Paul S. Kemp
A powerful sorcerer is resurrected and seeks revenge on those who betrayed him. A tale of magic, betrayal, and redemption.
The devastating War of the Spider Queen comes to an end, giving birth to the greatest horror the Realms has ever known The Spider Queen lives again, but something is different—something her ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Road to Jerusalem
by Jan Guillou
A young man's journey from a monastery in France to Jerusalem during the Crusades, facing love, betrayal, and religious conflict.
The hero of this phenomenally successful historical trilogy is Arn Magnusson, born in 1150 to an aristocratic Swedish family. THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM covers his childhood and education at the ... (Goodreads)
The Blood of Gods
by Conn Iggulden
The epic conclusion to the Emperor series, following the rise and fall of Julius Caesar and the Roman Empire.
The fifth and final instalment of the Emperor series. Julius Caesar has been assassinated. A nation is in mourning. Revenge will be bloody. Rome’s great hero Julius Caesar has been brutally murdered ... (Goodreads)
Alexander: Child of a Dream
by Valerio Massimo Manfredi
The story of Alexander the Great, from his childhood to his ascension to the throne. A tale of ambition, conquest, and tragedy.
The story starts before the birth of Alexander at Pella , when his mother Queen Olympias dreams of a snake slithering inside her bed and thrusting its seed inside her; when she recounts her dream to ... (Wikipedia)
The Ruby Knight
by David Eddings
Epic fantasy adventure, following a young prince on a quest to save his kingdom.
Ehlana, Queen of Elenia, has been poisoned. A deep enchantment sustains her life, but it will end soon. Then Sparhawk, Pandian Knight and the Queen's Champion, learns where to get to cure for the ... (Goodreads)
Jason and the Golden Fleece
by Apollonius of Rhodes
Jason and his crew embark on a perilous journey to retrieve the Golden Fleece, facing many obstacles and challenges along the way.
The Argonautica is the dramatic story of Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece and his relations with the dangerous princess Medea. The only surviving Greek epic to bridge the gap between Homer and ... (Goodreads)
The Bane of the Black Sword
by Michael Moorcock
Elric, the albino emperor, wields his cursed sword to defeat his enemies and save his people, but at a great cost.
Stormbringer is brought Home! Elric returns to Yishana, and finds peace at last. Meanwhile, at the world's rim, dragging red horror in its wake, a horde unimaginable moves on the fabled, gentle, ... (Goodreads)
Ravenheart
by David Gemmell
A warrior seeks revenge against his former friend, now a tyrant ruling over a land of chaos and despair.
Eight hundred years have passed since King Connavar of the Rigante and his bastard son, Bane, defeated the invading army of Stone. Now the Rigante have lost the freedom and culture so many gave their ... (Goodreads)
A Thousand Sons
by Graham McNeill
A tragic tale of brotherhood, betrayal, and the corruption of power in a distant future where magic and technology collide.
Censured at the Council of Nikea for his flagrant use of sorcery, Magnus the Red and his Thousand Sons Legion retreat to their homeworld of Prospero to continue their use of the arcane arts in ... (Goodreads)
Halo: The Flood
by William C. Dietz
Novelization of the events of the video game "Halo: Combat Evolved," following the Master Chief and other soldiers as they fight to save humanity from an alien threat.
The Human-Covenant War, a desperate struggle for humankind's very survival, has reached its boiling point on the mysterious, ring world called Halo. But the fierce Covenant warriors, the mightiest ... (Goodreads)
Pegasus Bridge
by Stephen E. Ambrose
Account of the daring mission to capture Pegasus Bridge during D-Day, a pivotal moment in WWII.
In the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, a small detachment of British airborne troops stormed the German defense forces and paved the way for the Allied invasion of Europe. Pegasus Bridge was the ... (Goodreads)
Sharpe's Fury
by Bernard Cornwell
Richard Sharpe is sent to South Africa to fight in the Battle of Laings Nek during the Boer War.
In the spring of 1811, the Peninsular War appears to have been won—by the French. Cádiz is the only major Spanish town still holding out. From their overwintering strongholds in Portugal, the British ... (Wikipedia)
The Virtues of War
by Steven Pressfield
A fictionalized account of Alexander the Great's conquests, exploring the psychology of war and the virtues it demands.
I have always been a soldier. I have known no other life. So begins Alexander’s extraordinary confession on the eve of his greatest crisis of leadership. By turns heroic and calculating, ... (Goodreads)
Prospero Burns
by Dan Abnett
A warrior's journey to uncover the truth about the Space Wolves and their enigmatic leader, exploring themes of identity and loyalty.
Book fifteen in the New York Times bestselling series The Emperor is enraged. Primarch Magnus the Red, of the Thousand Sons Legion, has made a catastrophic mistake and endangered the safety of Terra. ... (Barnes & Noble)
Empire in Black and Gold
by Adrian Tchaikovsky
In a world where humans have learned to harness the power of insects, a city-state fights for survival against an invading empire.
The city states of the Lowlands have lived in peace for decades, bastions of civilization, prosperity and sophistication, protected by treaties, trade and a belief in the reasonable nature of their ... (Goodreads)
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