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Sir John Hawkwood #7
Legacy
Sir John Hawkwood may be getting old but he is still as wily as a fox. Feared and revered in equal measure, one of the greatest military leaders the world has ever known is drawn once again into a territorial dispute, beginning at the Florentine borderlands. Leading a coalition of city-states, he strikes deep into the nest of Milanese vipers and their allies. Using the skills honed over a long and illustrious career, the English mercenary takes the war to the very gates of Milan, cementing his legacy as ‘Giovanni Acuto’ – supreme condottiero.
The bittersweet final instalment in the engaging tale of Sir John Hawkwood; the English Mercenary who became an Italian legend. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, David Gilman and Ben Kane.
The bittersweet final instalment in the engaging tale of Sir John Hawkwood; the English Mercenary who became an Italian legend. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, David Gilman and Ben Kane.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2024
102 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Griff Hosker
305 books419 followersI was born in 1950 in Lancashire and attended a boy’s grammar school. After qualifying as an English and Drama teacher in 1972, I worked in the North East of England for the next 35 years. During that time I did write, mainly plays, pantos and musicals for the students at the three schools in which I worked.
When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.
My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.
griff-signature-360x57
When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.
My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.
griff-signature-360x57
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 30, 2024
All good things must come to an end and this is the final book in Griff Hosker's Sir John Hawkwood series.
Sir John may be old but the wily old fox, backed by his young clever wife, continues to outsmart those who would defeat him in battle, spy on him or swindle him out of his money. He needs to be a fox with the Italian cities and states confronting each other for dominance and hiring and firing bands of mercenaries: many Sir John faces have, in the past, been alongside him - Italy at the time was a constantly moving kaleidoscope of alliances, loyalties, corruption, bribery and downright shenanigans.
To say that Hawkwood's career was busy is to make an understatement and the book has action after action, something that allows the reader to see just how clever in war Sir John was.
As with all the books in the series I had problems with the Italian names and the changing loyalties - but that is me.
Whilst it could be read alone you really do need to start at "Crecy - the Age of the Archer", the first book in the series and work your way along, getting to know Hawkwood and understanding the world as it was when he was active.
Sir John may be old but the wily old fox, backed by his young clever wife, continues to outsmart those who would defeat him in battle, spy on him or swindle him out of his money. He needs to be a fox with the Italian cities and states confronting each other for dominance and hiring and firing bands of mercenaries: many Sir John faces have, in the past, been alongside him - Italy at the time was a constantly moving kaleidoscope of alliances, loyalties, corruption, bribery and downright shenanigans.
To say that Hawkwood's career was busy is to make an understatement and the book has action after action, something that allows the reader to see just how clever in war Sir John was.
As with all the books in the series I had problems with the Italian names and the changing loyalties - but that is me.
Whilst it could be read alone you really do need to start at "Crecy - the Age of the Archer", the first book in the series and work your way along, getting to know Hawkwood and understanding the world as it was when he was active.
May 21, 2025
Awesome
I have enjoyed all these books, the highs the lows it was like you we're there listening to the story. I had got to know sir john through the words I.was.sad.and a bit misty eyed at his end like.i lost a freind but happy he was not defeated by war but time which none of us can avoid thank you for the great novels Griff Hosker.
I have enjoyed all these books, the highs the lows it was like you we're there listening to the story. I had got to know sir john through the words I.was.sad.and a bit misty eyed at his end like.i lost a freind but happy he was not defeated by war but time which none of us can avoid thank you for the great novels Griff Hosker.
July 10, 2025
Becoming a legend.
The culmination of a magnificent series that rank with Geoff Hoskers best works. Great characterisation, authentic and captivating action, deft management of the intricate politics of northern Italy and fitting tribute to a real legendary soldier of fortune and leader of mercenaries.
The culmination of a magnificent series that rank with Geoff Hoskers best works. Great characterisation, authentic and captivating action, deft management of the intricate politics of northern Italy and fitting tribute to a real legendary soldier of fortune and leader of mercenaries.
July 28, 2024
great stuff
Another great read from griff
Sad that this is the end of John hawkwoods tales, but it was a great story and a good end
Rest in peace
Giovanni acuto
Another great read from griff
Sad that this is the end of John hawkwoods tales, but it was a great story and a good end
Rest in peace
Giovanni acuto
August 8, 2024
Another excellent book from a top auther.
May 2, 2025
What a great story.
A brilliant ending to the Sir John Hawkwood story. It made you feel like you were there. The ending brought tears to my eyes.
A brilliant ending to the Sir John Hawkwood story. It made you feel like you were there. The ending brought tears to my eyes.
August 11, 2024
wow
Fitting end to what has been a fabulous series to read. Thank you for a well written set of novels filled with of action and great characters
Fitting end to what has been a fabulous series to read. Thank you for a well written set of novels filled with of action and great characters
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews