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1450s France. A young Englishman, Tom Swan, is kneeling in the dirt, waiting to be killed by the French who've taken him captive. He's not a professional soldier. He's really a merchant and a scholar looking for remnants of Ancient Greece and Rome - temples, graves, pottery, fabulous animals, unicorn horns. But he also has a real talent for ending up in the midst of violence when he didn't mean to. Having used his wits to escape execution, he begins a series of adventures that take him to street duels in Italy, meetings with remarkable men - from Leonardo Da Vinci to Vlad Dracula - and from the intrigues of the War of the Roses to the fall of Constantinople.
95 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2012
75 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Christian Cameron
81 books1,109 followersAka Miles Cameron. Also publishes as Gordon Kent with his father Kenneth M. Cameron.
Christian Cameron was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1962. He grew up in Rockport, Massachusetts, Iowa City, Iowa,Christian Cameron and Rochester, New York, where he attended McQuaid Jesuit High School and later graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in history.
After the longest undergraduate degree on record (1980-87), he joined the United States Navy, where he served as an intelligence officer and as a backseater in S-3 Vikings in the First Gulf War, in Somalia, and elsewhere. After a dozen years of service, he became a full time writer in 2000. He lives in Toronto (that’s Ontario, in Canada) with his wife Sarah and their daughter Beatrice, currently age four. And a half.
Christian Cameron was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1962. He grew up in Rockport, Massachusetts, Iowa City, Iowa,Christian Cameron and Rochester, New York, where he attended McQuaid Jesuit High School and later graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in history.
After the longest undergraduate degree on record (1980-87), he joined the United States Navy, where he served as an intelligence officer and as a backseater in S-3 Vikings in the First Gulf War, in Somalia, and elsewhere. After a dozen years of service, he became a full time writer in 2000. He lives in Toronto (that’s Ontario, in Canada) with his wife Sarah and their daughter Beatrice, currently age four. And a half.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 5, 2020
As I said earlier, you cannot beat 15th c. Italy. And now on to Constantinople! Bring it on.
October 21, 2012
Published today, bought it and read it on the spot; slightly longer then the first installment, but with less set-up, all action so even a faster read; Rome, Venice, the sea and Constantinople 6 months after the fall, nasty noblemen, Jewish teachers, daring (or foolish) acts, pirates, Turkish warlords and of course the inaccessible (and highly inadvisable to fall for) girl...
All in a superb adventure that ends on a cliffhanger for once so volume 3 is another asap
FBC Rv:
The land of France becoming somewhat inhospitable after the first volume and anyway with business beckoning in Italy, there we go with the Cardinal and his party, now including our hero as newest member.
"Italy was a different world. The air was different. Farms were different. Food was delicious, women were beautiful, they flirted harder and they hit harder when offended. Men were quick to make friends and quick to draw knives.
Swan liked it.
They paused for a week in Florence, where Bessarion had relatives. Swan was enough part of the cardinal’s household that he had come to understand that the cardinal had an extensive network of informants and special friends who provided him with the essential information that allowed him to remain important and powerful – while impoverished."
The book is slightly longer then the first installment at close to 80 pages, but with less set-up it is almost all action so it is even a faster read. We see Rome, Venice, the sea and Constantinople 6 months after the fall, nasty noblemen, Jewish teachers, daring (or foolish) acts, pirates, Turkish warlords and of course the inaccessible and highly inadvisable to fall for girl...
With a cliffhanger ending, this installment is the best of the three - maybe the length, maybe the varied locations, maybe the new characters introduced - and it established the series as a top class one.
All in a superb adventure that ends on a cliffhanger for once so volume 3 is another asap
FBC Rv:
The land of France becoming somewhat inhospitable after the first volume and anyway with business beckoning in Italy, there we go with the Cardinal and his party, now including our hero as newest member.
"Italy was a different world. The air was different. Farms were different. Food was delicious, women were beautiful, they flirted harder and they hit harder when offended. Men were quick to make friends and quick to draw knives.
Swan liked it.
They paused for a week in Florence, where Bessarion had relatives. Swan was enough part of the cardinal’s household that he had come to understand that the cardinal had an extensive network of informants and special friends who provided him with the essential information that allowed him to remain important and powerful – while impoverished."
The book is slightly longer then the first installment at close to 80 pages, but with less set-up it is almost all action so it is even a faster read. We see Rome, Venice, the sea and Constantinople 6 months after the fall, nasty noblemen, Jewish teachers, daring (or foolish) acts, pirates, Turkish warlords and of course the inaccessible and highly inadvisable to fall for girl...
With a cliffhanger ending, this installment is the best of the three - maybe the length, maybe the varied locations, maybe the new characters introduced - and it established the series as a top class one.
January 5, 2018
Venice and Constantinople! By the end, Tom Swan got more than he bargained for. Onwards!
‘Let me tell you something about age, my young friend. When you are thirty-five, you still have the eighteen-year-old inside you. You are the same man –you just weigh more.’
‘Let me tell you something about age, my young friend. When you are thirty-five, you still have the eighteen-year-old inside you. You are the same man –you just weigh more.’
October 28, 2012
Another wonderful and entertaining tale of historical adventure by Christian Cameron. With each chapter in this engrossing saga, it just gets better and better. The characters come alive in this richly detailed and colorful first person view of late medieval Venice and Constantinople. Tom Swan, a young Englishman struggling to make his way in a dangerous world of swordsmen, archers, nobles, mercenaries, churchmen, spies and merchant princes, leads us on an adventure through unexpected places and twisting plots. A very enjoyable story, told superbly... I highly recommend it!
September 1, 2012
For the sake of up front honesty i have to post that I'm a HUGE fan of Christian Cameron's books.
The reason for this is that he is the best writer in the historical fiction genre, probably the finest writer i have ever read.
There was a comment recently where it was said he writes for re-enactors, I disagree, i think he writes with the knowledge of a historian and the experience of a re-enactor.
This brings the story to life in a much more real fashion... don't take my word for it, ask all the historical fiction authors who also read his books and cast jealous glances at them.
I never thought anyone would match let alone beat the simple elegance of David Gemmell's writing, but ...well Christian Cameron's books have me totally immersed in another world after just a few paragraphs, by the end of the book I'm utterly lost in another time.
Tom Swan is no exception. A character so real and so complex you are riding along his journey, not at his shoulder, but in his skin. Christian Cameron's tireless search for knowledge and perfection of his understanding of every period he writes in, just makes the world as vivid fr me the reader as i suspect it is when the characters talk to him during the writing of the story.
I love the fact that these adventures will be coming out monthly
Book 3 Tom Swan and the Head of St George Part Three: Constantinople
but i lament the fact that there will not be a full blown series. As once again the writing astounds me.
Very Very Highly recommended
(Parm)
The reason for this is that he is the best writer in the historical fiction genre, probably the finest writer i have ever read.
There was a comment recently where it was said he writes for re-enactors, I disagree, i think he writes with the knowledge of a historian and the experience of a re-enactor.
This brings the story to life in a much more real fashion... don't take my word for it, ask all the historical fiction authors who also read his books and cast jealous glances at them.
I never thought anyone would match let alone beat the simple elegance of David Gemmell's writing, but ...well Christian Cameron's books have me totally immersed in another world after just a few paragraphs, by the end of the book I'm utterly lost in another time.
Tom Swan is no exception. A character so real and so complex you are riding along his journey, not at his shoulder, but in his skin. Christian Cameron's tireless search for knowledge and perfection of his understanding of every period he writes in, just makes the world as vivid fr me the reader as i suspect it is when the characters talk to him during the writing of the story.
I love the fact that these adventures will be coming out monthly
Book 3 Tom Swan and the Head of St George Part Three: Constantinople
but i lament the fact that there will not be a full blown series. As once again the writing astounds me.
Very Very Highly recommended
(Parm)
October 14, 2012
I was hit by the freshness and difference of the first Tom Swan installment after the general available array of somewhat serious, dark historical fiction. I had wondered whether a second installment might not live up to the first as it would lose something of that 'new' feeling. I was wrong.
After a brief mental dragging through my memory to do a quick 'Last week on Tom Swan..." I launched straight into it and started thoroughly enjoying it straight away. What the second part loses in novelty, it gains in immediacy. There is no need to introduce the characters or their world, so you are dropped straight into the story and the action.
In part two, at last, the relevance of the title is made clear and it has given me a strong indication of where the series is going. This short story is filled with duels and bribes, moneylenders and organised criminals, princes and liars, sea-battles and subterfuge. It has it all. Moreover, the settings really hit me as the book is set in Rome, Venice, Athens and Constantinople, all places I have been and love, and can picture the scene perfectly.
The new characters introduced in this are excellent, and the book ends on a traditional serialised cliffhanger. I cannot wait to read the next installment, hopefully this week. I hope that Cameron's experiment with this serial has proved successful for him, as I'd hate to think there will be no more Tom Swan books after part 3.
After a brief mental dragging through my memory to do a quick 'Last week on Tom Swan..." I launched straight into it and started thoroughly enjoying it straight away. What the second part loses in novelty, it gains in immediacy. There is no need to introduce the characters or their world, so you are dropped straight into the story and the action.
In part two, at last, the relevance of the title is made clear and it has given me a strong indication of where the series is going. This short story is filled with duels and bribes, moneylenders and organised criminals, princes and liars, sea-battles and subterfuge. It has it all. Moreover, the settings really hit me as the book is set in Rome, Venice, Athens and Constantinople, all places I have been and love, and can picture the scene perfectly.
The new characters introduced in this are excellent, and the book ends on a traditional serialised cliffhanger. I cannot wait to read the next installment, hopefully this week. I hope that Cameron's experiment with this serial has proved successful for him, as I'd hate to think there will be no more Tom Swan books after part 3.
September 25, 2012
An outstanding continuation of Tom Swan's adventures. Longer, with more action, it was an exciting ride. It is a serialized novel and leaves you wanting more. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
September 22, 2012
Tom Swan part 2.
In part 1 we saw the beginning of the adventures of Tom Swan and his journey through France, starting from a man alone with only his life and his wits left in the aftermath of the curshing defeat of the English forces in the 100 years war at Castillion, towards his entrance in the retinue of cardial Bessarion, a powerful prelate fo the curie whose riches have gone to ground in the fall of Constantinople.
In part 2 we see Tom and his pals from the retinue, Alessandro the noble swordsman from Venice, Giannis the Greek guard, Cesare the lawyer and Peter the Fleming on a mission towards the east to restore the fortune of Bessarion and retrieve some valuable `lost’ objects.
Part 2 takes Tom from Rome to Venice and to Constantinople. The story is quiet fast paced with some nice details, and we get a glimpse of Toms background, explaining how the protagonist became what he is. He is a low-born opportunist, a rogue and a thief, but also a scholar with a very fine eduation and an eagerness to learn and discover things, (to his own advantage) and a confident swordsman who likes to play on the tightrope with lots of bravado. Tom believes in nothing but himself, enjoys life and is quick in making friends as well as enemies.
As we see the story and the characters of this e-series unfold, I can see clear differences between this work of Christian Cameron and his books, like the Tyrant series, God of War, and the Long War series. To my opinion these have more depth in their characters and a much broader scope. Tom Swan is more action geared with a high pace, and Christian Cameron expertly shows in this series that he knows the tricks of the trade of this genre as well.
I think the Tom Swan series suits this format., as the sequels are published montly, so you always can have your monthly dose of Tom Swan adventures with brilliant swordplay, striking details of how everyday life was back then and what mattered, exciting exotic places, and lots of intrigue and suspense.
And that really for a bargain price of less than 2 USD. Very good price- quality ratio. that's why I gave it a 5 star rating, although I wasn't able to read the full story yet.
I like it a lot.
In part 1 we saw the beginning of the adventures of Tom Swan and his journey through France, starting from a man alone with only his life and his wits left in the aftermath of the curshing defeat of the English forces in the 100 years war at Castillion, towards his entrance in the retinue of cardial Bessarion, a powerful prelate fo the curie whose riches have gone to ground in the fall of Constantinople.
In part 2 we see Tom and his pals from the retinue, Alessandro the noble swordsman from Venice, Giannis the Greek guard, Cesare the lawyer and Peter the Fleming on a mission towards the east to restore the fortune of Bessarion and retrieve some valuable `lost’ objects.
Part 2 takes Tom from Rome to Venice and to Constantinople. The story is quiet fast paced with some nice details, and we get a glimpse of Toms background, explaining how the protagonist became what he is. He is a low-born opportunist, a rogue and a thief, but also a scholar with a very fine eduation and an eagerness to learn and discover things, (to his own advantage) and a confident swordsman who likes to play on the tightrope with lots of bravado. Tom believes in nothing but himself, enjoys life and is quick in making friends as well as enemies.
As we see the story and the characters of this e-series unfold, I can see clear differences between this work of Christian Cameron and his books, like the Tyrant series, God of War, and the Long War series. To my opinion these have more depth in their characters and a much broader scope. Tom Swan is more action geared with a high pace, and Christian Cameron expertly shows in this series that he knows the tricks of the trade of this genre as well.
I think the Tom Swan series suits this format., as the sequels are published montly, so you always can have your monthly dose of Tom Swan adventures with brilliant swordplay, striking details of how everyday life was back then and what mattered, exciting exotic places, and lots of intrigue and suspense.
And that really for a bargain price of less than 2 USD. Very good price- quality ratio. that's why I gave it a 5 star rating, although I wasn't able to read the full story yet.
I like it a lot.
May 18, 2018
4.5. Very entertaining, looking forward to where this story is going
April 23, 2019
Actual rating: 4.00
March 31, 2021
Decent second installment in this novella serialisation but not quite as coherent as the first. Tom Swan as a character is still fun, charming, and flamboyant but the story this time around tries to do too much. The first half is primarily concerned with exploits and making enemies in both Rome and Venice before a sea voyage to Constantinople begins, here things pick up as the novella finally takes some time to breathe during the trip aboard ship and Swan finding his feet in the great City.
If only the book had been mostly comprised of the journey on the galley and Constantinople itself, which was fascinating, then it would have been much improved. The mad rush to have action and excitement first in Rome and then Venice left it somewhat disjointed and rushed, though still enjoyable and intriguing enough to read on.
If only the book had been mostly comprised of the journey on the galley and Constantinople itself, which was fascinating, then it would have been much improved. The mad rush to have action and excitement first in Rome and then Venice left it somewhat disjointed and rushed, though still enjoyable and intriguing enough to read on.
February 6, 2021
Cameron has become my favorite author
About 4 months ago I started the Long War on audio book. Since then, I have devoured everything I can get my hands on from Cameron, including the Chivalry series. Every one of his books have been fantastic. This series is perfect to read on a lunch break at work or just to get in a bit here and there. It reads very much like his regular historical novels. Plenty of action, bit of romance (not excessive) and tons of adventure.
About 4 months ago I started the Long War on audio book. Since then, I have devoured everything I can get my hands on from Cameron, including the Chivalry series. Every one of his books have been fantastic. This series is perfect to read on a lunch break at work or just to get in a bit here and there. It reads very much like his regular historical novels. Plenty of action, bit of romance (not excessive) and tons of adventure.
October 1, 2021
I think that this second story is much better because it develops not just our main cast, but mainly the world. Venice is vivid and at the height of its power, Constantinople is overrun by Turks and everyone wants to kill Tom Swan, the supposed prince of Britain.
I did not know how much this would be connected, however individual parts/novellas are pretty coherent and create one big story, which flows very well. It is a very fun and captivating read!
I did not know how much this would be connected, however individual parts/novellas are pretty coherent and create one big story, which flows very well. It is a very fun and captivating read!
August 10, 2023
Swan gets into a lot more excitement and adventure in this book than in the previous one. He makes many enemies, but also friendships and allies. Of course... humor cannot be left out here either, I laughed quite a few times at absurd situations in which the he got involved.
I would like to highlight the fact that I liked the Hungarian reference. This rarely happens, but I always smile at it. “The very pretty girl behind the counter called them Hungarian.”
I would like to highlight the fact that I liked the Hungarian reference. This rarely happens, but I always smile at it. “The very pretty girl behind the counter called them Hungarian.”
January 23, 2020
Great
These books are so entertaining. I love that it takes me to a little known part of the world (to me) in a time period I am less familiar with than others. Like all Cameron’s other works this is a fantastic Part 2 of the series.
These books are so entertaining. I love that it takes me to a little known part of the world (to me) in a time period I am less familiar with than others. Like all Cameron’s other works this is a fantastic Part 2 of the series.
July 17, 2021
Clever writing. Wonderful characters. Onward
Really enjoy getting to know Swan and his entourage. The historic setting and colorful descriptions of clothing, weapons and cultures are amazing
Really enjoy getting to know Swan and his entourage. The historic setting and colorful descriptions of clothing, weapons and cultures are amazing
June 19, 2023
Eu já estou decidido a ler tudo que o Christian Cameron porque a habilidade desse homem de em poucas páginas em prender aos personagens e as tramas é fenomenal. Uma leitura rápida, prazerosa e bastante divertida. Vai ser um prazer acompanhar a jornada do Tom Swan.
December 29, 2024
Entertaining, fast-paced, historically accurate, a main character who’s a little like a young 15th century James Bond. Action scenes are top notch (it’s Christian Cameron, they couldn’t be anything less), and I love the historical detail. An excellent adventure.
April 24, 2021
Lots of things happen!
Perfect amount of intrigue, action and honestly great conversations between characters.
Very much invested in this series.
9/10
Perfect amount of intrigue, action and honestly great conversations between characters.
Very much invested in this series.
9/10
July 12, 2021
It's OK but after 2nd book I have a feeling its going to feel a bit repetitive across 4 more episodes.
March 29, 2025
Solid continuation, action packed adventure. Although, our main protagonist is a bit annoying and rash, but I attribute that to his youth :)
December 23, 2012
Italy finds Tom Swan recovering his swagger after the humiliations suffered in the wake of being on the losing side in the Battle of Castillon. In Rome, the former captive is finding his footing in the retinue of the French Cardinal who saw more then meets the eye in the Englishman.
Other reviewers have commented on author Christian Cameron’s ease with period details, so I’ll only add that they are astonishing. You read historical novels like O’Brien’s “Master and Commander” series and you accept them utterly. The effortlessness of your belief in this other, earlier world only comes because the author writes like he was there. And so Cameron puts you there. It’s an amazing accomplishment of research and craft.
In this second installment of the series what really reached me was the character of Tom Swan. You have to live in this world through him. Swan is our surrogate, guiding us through places that time has made utterly alien. Swan’s not so much a fish out of water as a fish in a different pond. He’s a man of his time, but out of place. Like the somewhat learned but untraveled Swan, the reader will catch familiar touchstones of Rome, Venice, and Constantinople yet be seeing, smelling, and responding to the events as if experiencing them as they unfold. Cameron treads a fine line between making his character a real person of his time and also someone who can interpret that time for us.
So, sometimes Swan’s a jerk. Sometimes he’s gallant. He can fight, but others fight better. He knows a lot, but others know more.
Also, he’s very accepting of other cultures. Is that utterly realistic of a man of arms of that time? Who am I to say? Ask Cameron. All I know is that Tom Swan is a guy I would like to travel with. In that time. On to Constantinople.
Other reviewers have commented on author Christian Cameron’s ease with period details, so I’ll only add that they are astonishing. You read historical novels like O’Brien’s “Master and Commander” series and you accept them utterly. The effortlessness of your belief in this other, earlier world only comes because the author writes like he was there. And so Cameron puts you there. It’s an amazing accomplishment of research and craft.
In this second installment of the series what really reached me was the character of Tom Swan. You have to live in this world through him. Swan is our surrogate, guiding us through places that time has made utterly alien. Swan’s not so much a fish out of water as a fish in a different pond. He’s a man of his time, but out of place. Like the somewhat learned but untraveled Swan, the reader will catch familiar touchstones of Rome, Venice, and Constantinople yet be seeing, smelling, and responding to the events as if experiencing them as they unfold. Cameron treads a fine line between making his character a real person of his time and also someone who can interpret that time for us.
So, sometimes Swan’s a jerk. Sometimes he’s gallant. He can fight, but others fight better. He knows a lot, but others know more.
Also, he’s very accepting of other cultures. Is that utterly realistic of a man of arms of that time? Who am I to say? Ask Cameron. All I know is that Tom Swan is a guy I would like to travel with. In that time. On to Constantinople.
May 22, 2015
Estupenda continuación a esta serie de relatos cortos (y no tan cortos, que según dice Amazon han sido 240 páginas). Donde hay de todo, sexo, duelos, batallas navales, y por fin sabemos quién es el protagonista, porque sabe tanto, y a que se va a dedicar a buscar en estos relatos. Roma, Venecia, Constantinopla 6 meses después de su caída, piratas del Mar Egeo, mujeres imposibles....
May 28, 2016
A quick read, but not super easy. Had some trouble following all the characters. But if you focus on Swan then still a great read. He moves from Rome to Venice to Constantinople, bringing his medieval tough guy approach. 3 stars here, but certainly enough substance to keep me going in the series.
October 16, 2015
Enjoyed Swan's travels in the second installment of Cameron's St George series. This one ends on a cliffhanger, though. I don't know why Amazon says this has 240 pages when it's a 75 page short story.
May 6, 2024
Tom Swan’s mishap-filled adventure across Europe continues through Rome, Venice and into Constantinople six months after the sack. Still fast and fun but need more depth to the plot and secondary characters.
November 12, 2012
This eSerial just keeps getting better and better. Tom travels from Rome to Venice to Constantinople.
July 19, 2013
Great read! Very entertaining. Have read all of the series so far and look forward to each new publication.
July 14, 2013
The second part of a great little serial. Medieval adventures as they ought to be. Just starting the third part now.
December 23, 2014
Fast, fun and engaging. Loving it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews