Master of War

I was blown away by the history provided by Gilman in this book about his character Thomas Blackstone. It starts out with Blackstone as a blacksmith apprentice who is recruited to fight in the 100 Years War. He is made an archer with a strong arm, and the reader is transported into battles with Blackstone. The details of the archers, their importance to the army, and their equipment are a true learning experience. 

Not all medieval soldiers were willing participants in the war, and Gilman’s first book in his Master of War series tells the story of one such man, Thomas Blackstone, a stonemason.

Brilliant character building and prose is at the forefront here and Gilman’s hero is a man torn by the immorality of what he sees while fighting in France in 1346.

More than that, he is the sole protector of a mute, disfigured brother who accompanies him to battle by order of the magistrate in lieu of execution for the crime of murder and rape. Blackstone is a moral man… show more.