Why am I passionate about this?

I have always been passionate about history–especially military history, and have collected books since I was a child. In time, I became particularly absorbed with the medieval world, building up a comprehensive library of books on all aspects of life during this fascinating time. In my research, I have traveled to all of the locations mentioned in the book: East Anglia, Bremen, Lübeck, and Latvia. I particularly love trying to bring the characters to life, fitting them, and creating an interesting plot around actual historical events.


I wrote

Sword Brethren

By Jon Byrne,

Book cover of Sword Brethren

What is my book about?

Richard’s life training to be a knight is upturned when he is dispossessed of his home and inheritance due to…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Northern Crusades

Jon Byrne Why did I love this book?

I have always been fascinated by medieval history, but I became interested in this particular era after reading this book and learning about the German Order of Swordbrothers (Schwertbrüderorden). 

What intrigued me was that they were a small Order, not very pious or saintly. They were unorthodox and argued constantly with Bishop Albert, the leader of the Christian mission. They were a rough and ready lot, acting more like brigands than warrior monks. One of the brothers murdered the first master, and they locked up their second master when he tried to exert more control over their behavior. Over time, they were accused of almost every crime.

I loved Christiansen’s book, which opened a new world of discovery. He writes in a witty, easy-to-read style that hooked me from the beginning.

By Eric Christiansen,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Northern Crusades as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The 'Northern Crusades', inspired by the Pope's call for a Holy War, are less celebrated than those in the Middle East, but they were also more successful: vast new territories became and remain Christian, such as Finland, Estonia and Prussia. Newly revised in the light of the recent developments in Baltic and Northern medieval research, this authoritative overview provides a balanced and compelling account of a tumultuous era.


Book cover of Brethren

Jon Byrne Why did I love this book?

Although this book is quite old now–I think it was published in 2006/2007, it helped ignite my interest in the Crusades in the Holy Land and the Knights Templer in particular. The novel begins in 1260, and Robyn Young does a good job of setting the scene through the dual narrative with Will Campbell, a young, troubled sergeant in the Knights Templer on one side–and the Mamluk Amir Baybars in Outremer on the other. 

Set after the actual Crusades, the setting moves between England, France, and the Holy Land and is packed with action and subterfuge. The series continues with Crusade and Requiem. I enjoyed the accounts of daily life and the attention to historical detail, as well as the fast-paced action. It is a must-read for anyone interested in medieval life and the Knights Templer.      

By Robyn Young,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Brethren as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

The epic first novel in the million-selling Brethren trilogy. In the tradition of Bernard Cornwell, Conn Iggulden and Manda Scott, Brethren brilliantly evokes that extraordinary clash of civilizations known in the West as the Crusades.

From the burning plains of Syria to the filthy backstreets of Paris and London, Brethren is the story of Will Campbell, coming of age in a time of conspiracy, passion, politics and war.

Will longs to become a Knight Templar, but first he must serve as an apprentice to the foul-tempered scholar Everard, a man of dangerous secrets.

Meanwhile, a new star is rising in…


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Book cover of Doctors at War: The Clandestine Battle against the Nazi Occupation of France

Doctors at War by Ellen Hampton,

Doctors at War: The Clandestine Battle against the Nazi Occupation of France takes readers into the moral labyrinth of the Occupation years, 1940-45, to examine how the medical community dealt with the evil authority imposed on them. Anti-Jewish laws prevented many doctors from practicing, inspiring many to form secret medical…

Book cover of All Things Are Lights

Jon Byrne Why did I love this book?

I first read this book over thirty years ago and it is set during the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars in Southern France. There is a major love and romance element to the plot that sees Roland, a troubadour, pitted against his half-brother Amalric.

I bought the book second-hand and have read it a few times over the years. Beforehand, I knew very little about the brutal Inquisition and the Albigensian Crusade in particular, and this book ignited my interest in a period not often covered in historical fiction. I would recommend it to anyone interested in this little-known period of history.

By Robert Shea,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked All Things Are Lights as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Lured by the glory of the Crusades, legendary troubadour Roland battles the evil Amalric, the Inquisition, and infidel armies for the love of two women--Diana, a hunted Cathar heretic, and Nicolette, wed to Amalric


Book cover of The Baltic Crusade

Jon Byrne Why did I love this book?

William Urban is an American history professor who specializes in the Baltic Crusades. He is probably the pre-eminent English-speaking historian on this subject and has written many other books–mostly on this theme or the Teutonic Knights. I particularly enjoy his no-nonsense writing style. The book has proven invaluable in my own research as it just concentrates on the Crusade in Livonia and Estonia in the first half of the 13th century–as well as showing the other political events taking place in Germany at the time. 

Urban was a great help to my own book. He kindly read an earlier draft of Sword Brethren and gave me some crucial historical advice. He has also agreed to read the next book in the series early in 2025, and I await his opinion with anticipation.

By William L. Urban,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Baltic Crusade as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


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Book cover of Winter's Reckoning

Winter's Reckoning by Adele Holmes,

Forty-six-year-old Madeline Fairbanks has no use for ideas like “separation of the races” or “men as the superior sex.” There are many in her dying Southern Appalachian town who are upset by her socially progressive views, but for years—partly due to her late husband’s still-powerful influence, and partly due to…

Book cover of Lionheart

Jon Byrne Why did I love this book?

This is an action-packed book that tells the story of Ferdia, an Irish noble, who is held as a hostage in Wales to ensure the good behavior of his father. He faces relentless bullying and persecution before saving the life of King Richard III and entering his court, where he becomes the king’s squire. The action continues in France as Richard attempts to put down a rebellion, but the larger threat to Ferdia himself turns out to be a member of King Richard’s own family.

The book has all the ingredients of an epic historical adventure, with thrilling action, relentless battles, and intrigue. I particularly enjoyed Kane’s vivid description of the 12th-century world and the authentic period details. The series continues with Crusader and King.

By Ben Kane,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Lionheart as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

REBEL. LEADER. BROTHER. KING.

1179. Henry II is King of England, Wales, Ireland, Normandy, Brittany and Aquitaine. The House of Plantagenet reigns supreme.

But there is unrest in Henry's house. Not for the first time, his family talks of rebellion.

Ferdia - an Irish nobleman taken captive during the conquest of his homeland - saves the life of Richard, the king's son. In reward for his bravery, he is made squire to Richard, who is already a renowned warrior.

Crossing the English Channel, the two are plunged into a campaign to crush rebels in Aquitaine. The bloody battles and gruelling…


Explore my book 😀

Sword Brethren

By Jon Byrne,

Book cover of Sword Brethren

What is my book about?

Richard’s life training to be a knight is upturned when he is dispossessed of his home and inheritance due to treachery. He is forced to flee England for Lübeck. Here, he joins the Livonian Brothers of the Sword as they embark on a crusade to forcibly convert the pagans of the eastern Baltic on the frontier of Christendom. 

Despite his own religious doubts, Richard has to come to terms quickly with his new life of prayer, danger, and duty–and the bitter winters, where there are as many enemies within his fortified convent as in the wilderness outside. Nevertheless, he struggles to survive and fulfill his vow–to have his vengeance on those who have taken everything from him.

Book cover of The Northern Crusades
Book cover of Brethren
Book cover of All Things Are Lights

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