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Sir John Hawkwood #4
Leader of Men
Betrayal by friend and foe alike beset Sir John Hawkwood as he enters the murky world of Italian politics. He will emerge from the experience as a true leader of men but first he has to outwit his enemies of which there are many.
With Montferrat secured from the Savoyards and with the White Company now firmly in his hands Sir John Hawkwood leads his men to Pisa where they have been hired to fight the Florentines. The hero of Poitiers is about to enter a world of treachery, intrigue and double dealing for which he is quite unprepared. It is where he learns to lead and finds the true worth and mettle of the men he leads, the White Company.
With Montferrat secured from the Savoyards and with the White Company now firmly in his hands Sir John Hawkwood leads his men to Pisa where they have been hired to fight the Florentines. The hero of Poitiers is about to enter a world of treachery, intrigue and double dealing for which he is quite unprepared. It is where he learns to lead and finds the true worth and mettle of the men he leads, the White Company.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2022
101 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Griff Hosker
309 books431 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 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 7, 2022
Book four of the series based on the historical Sir John Hawkwood who went from tailor's apprentice to archer to man-at -arms to mercenary captain and here the leader of the most successful mercenary army in Italy during the 14thC.
Battles, betrayal, defeat and battles and skirmishes won, Sir John is learning all the time as as he and his men grow from a company to an army that hires itself to who ever offers the most money whilst, surprisingly, stays loyal to their employer till the end of their contract.
Yet another brilliant read.
Hawkwood is now in his 40s and feeling his age and yet his greatest successes are not till his 60s, so more books in teh series to come.
Think it is all exaggerated? Read "Hawkwood" by Frances Stonor Saunders and you will find that what author, Grif Hosker, has done is bring the man to life!
Buy; read; enjoy but start at the beginning of the series "Crecy: the Age of the Archer" to best appreciate the skilled penmanship.
Battles, betrayal, defeat and battles and skirmishes won, Sir John is learning all the time as as he and his men grow from a company to an army that hires itself to who ever offers the most money whilst, surprisingly, stays loyal to their employer till the end of their contract.
Yet another brilliant read.
Hawkwood is now in his 40s and feeling his age and yet his greatest successes are not till his 60s, so more books in teh series to come.
Think it is all exaggerated? Read "Hawkwood" by Frances Stonor Saunders and you will find that what author, Grif Hosker, has done is bring the man to life!
Buy; read; enjoy but start at the beginning of the series "Crecy: the Age of the Archer" to best appreciate the skilled penmanship.
September 20, 2023
Book four of the series where we follow the exploits of the ‘White Company’ as they roam through Italy hiring out their services. Great tales of battles bravely fought, and some lost. But, always the drive and determination to be the best Company in Italy. Our hero, a flawed man, a strong man, a warrior, shows some tender attributes at times, but soon these are drowned by ruthlessness. I, myself, like Sir John, and he is a true leader of men. As, with all the other books I have read from this series, I feel in the moment, and it’s always sad when the story is finished. However, there is just one more book to read. Love the style of Griff’s writing, his knowledge of the ways battles were fought, and the armour used, is quite outstanding. A clear 10/10 for me.
January 28, 2025
The continuing story of the leader of The White Company in the late 1300s, as he, and the unit, became wealthy and powerful as one of the few truly effective military forces then.
The series is the story of the real life person, and unit, and many characters were real. The author writes in a first person style, and fills in missing events, characters, and drama.
As the author himself notes, the issue is that Hawkwood became partly unlikable, and this comes through strongly starting in this book.
The series is the story of the real life person, and unit, and many characters were real. The author writes in a first person style, and fills in missing events, characters, and drama.
As the author himself notes, the issue is that Hawkwood became partly unlikable, and this comes through strongly starting in this book.
June 19, 2022
Hawkwood Rides again.
The 4th Book in the journey of Sir John Hawkwood was another great adventure in ancient Warfare. Ancient strategies and treachery mark the battles and the difficulties of family life that still affect the Warrior far from home in a Foreign Land exist today. This is a good series and I’m amazed at volumes of material this Author puts out. Read it. You’ll like it.
The 4th Book in the journey of Sir John Hawkwood was another great adventure in ancient Warfare. Ancient strategies and treachery mark the battles and the difficulties of family life that still affect the Warrior far from home in a Foreign Land exist today. This is a good series and I’m amazed at volumes of material this Author puts out. Read it. You’ll like it.
July 21, 2022
Sir John slaughters on
I had read Barbara Tubmin 's book, A Distant Mirror, on this era 45 years ago. It seemed that the life of mercenary armies was unbelievable. Find a war and hop in! Hosker brings the wild 14th century to life but I think he gives his hero too good a polishing based on other readings. Still a good tale of adventure and intrigues in a turbulent time. Imagine Detroit attacking Toledo or Chicago!
I had read Barbara Tubmin 's book, A Distant Mirror, on this era 45 years ago. It seemed that the life of mercenary armies was unbelievable. Find a war and hop in! Hosker brings the wild 14th century to life but I think he gives his hero too good a polishing based on other readings. Still a good tale of adventure and intrigues in a turbulent time. Imagine Detroit attacking Toledo or Chicago!
January 14, 2026
The story is interesting, but it bothers me when the author is inconsistent with his minor characters. The 10-year-old boy Dai from two books ago is now one of his leading knights, while the young man Michael who led in his absence during that same time now essentially is an errand boy. The names should be reversed. Doesn't really change the story, but the author should take more care.
May 29, 2022
Leader of Men
Yet again another great book from Griff. The story of Sir John Hawkwood.
Hopefully Griff will be writing book 5 of the series.
Once again Griff thank you for yet another book I found hard to put down.
Dave
Yet again another great book from Griff. The story of Sir John Hawkwood.
Hopefully Griff will be writing book 5 of the series.
Once again Griff thank you for yet another book I found hard to put down.
Dave
June 5, 2022
You have a great talent
You have a the ability to write and keep me from putting this book down. The story and the main character are easy to follow. I cannot wait for the next book.if it
You have a the ability to write and keep me from putting this book down. The story and the main character are easy to follow. I cannot wait for the next book.if it
February 15, 2023
Different scenarios carry you through
The plans of Sir John changes when he leav es France for pastures new. Settling his company in Italy he hires fellow mercenaries to protect the city states. The storytelling is still driving the plot so the books never fail to entertain
The plans of Sir John changes when he leav es France for pastures new. Settling his company in Italy he hires fellow mercenaries to protect the city states. The storytelling is still driving the plot so the books never fail to entertain
June 15, 2024
more high adventure
The quality of the prose is even better than previous books in this series and the battle scenes and intrigue are exciting and epic in scale. Hawkwood is an intriguing character with admirable and less than admirable traits, often unpredictable
The quality of the prose is even better than previous books in this series and the battle scenes and intrigue are exciting and epic in scale. Hawkwood is an intriguing character with admirable and less than admirable traits, often unpredictable
June 27, 2025
Learning ways to win.
Following the successful formula of the earlier novels. Packed with vividly described engagements and bsttles, plus intrigue and double dealing. Character developement of followers and foes is gripping. Look forward to the next installment.
Following the successful formula of the earlier novels. Packed with vividly described engagements and bsttles, plus intrigue and double dealing. Character developement of followers and foes is gripping. Look forward to the next installment.
July 2, 2022
always delivers
SJH is back and we get to enjoy his trials and tribulations on the journey to being a leader of men. So very excellent, as always, by Hosker!
SJH is back and we get to enjoy his trials and tribulations on the journey to being a leader of men. So very excellent, as always, by Hosker!
September 2, 2022
Another great novel by Griff Hosker, waiting for the next Sir Hawkwood book
November 4, 2022
Good Read
Lots of action, full of sound and fury. Well written and so far a great series. Looking forward to the next battle
Lots of action, full of sound and fury. Well written and so far a great series. Looking forward to the next battle
December 26, 2022
another excellent book by this author. plenty of action. i am enjoying all books by this author.
February 14, 2023
a real page turner
A great book , kept my interest and cannot wait to read the next in the series, another good series from this author
A great book , kept my interest and cannot wait to read the next in the series, another good series from this author
October 22, 2024
Well written
He never fails to deliver. Once again Hosker takes historical fact intwines it with just enough fiction to make the tale enjoyable.
He never fails to deliver. Once again Hosker takes historical fact intwines it with just enough fiction to make the tale enjoyable.
October 17, 2025
Disappointing compared with the earlier volumes. But this is the problem of having to keep to the historical narrative. The Italian mecenary angle was interesitng, but not as enjoyable as the English wars or the battles of the kings.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews