I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book. It's not the type of book I would normally seek out but I liked the cover and I was intrigued by the description. Once I got started I found it quite compelling despite not really liking the main character.

It's the story of Dunstan's remarkable life told in his own words – it reads like a memoir or autobiography. Conn Igguldon has written an account of Dunstan's life based on the facts we do know but has written it so that it accessible. The author has added a historical note at the end of the book, which I also read, and I found this interesting and useful.

The story really begins with Dunstan's elderly father taking the thirteen year old Dunstan and his younger brother to Glastonbury Abbey to be educated by the monks. Dunstan is a very clever boy, eager to learn. However he very soon makes enemies.

He sees an opportunity. His father has older sons from a previous marriage and Dunstan was unlikely to inherit. He sees he would have better opportunities if he takes holy orders.

Through family connection and ambition he soon makes a name for himself. He was relentless in his pursuit of a place in the King's court. Not just one king, but seven: Three brothers, two sons and two grandsons. Not everything goes to plan but he manages to turn most things to his advantage, making enemies along the way and also being exiled at one point.

I found Dunstan very full of himself. He is arrogant, proud, ambitious and jealous too when he doesn't get his own way. He's not above bending the truth when it is to his advantage, or even 'doing away' with the enemy. I can't say I liked him as a character but he seems to have led (or maybe engineered) a remarkable life and I found his story is fascinating.

I'm find it difficult to rate the book. Probably somewhere between 3 and 4 stars.

I received a copy of the book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the author, Conn Igguiden, and the publisher, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, for the opportunity.

Having recently moved to England I've started to become more interested in learning about all of its history but I've found most history books to be incredibly tedious. This is the first Conn Iggulden book I've ever read and I'm definitely looking foward to reading some of his other books.

We meet Dunstan when he's dropped off at Glastonbury with his brother, we follow him to the king's court, war and beyond. We see his fascination with pulleys slowly turn into a majestic Abbey. We see the reign and fall of 4 kings and Dunstan's relationship with them. By the end of the book I was incredibly surprised I'd never heard of Dunstan, who didn't just advice England's first kings but also became an Archbishop and later a saint. I would definitely recommend this book to any historical fiction lovers or anyone wanting to learn more about England's early years.

History has always fascinated me, but I don’t know very much about the medieval period, so I was keen to read Dunstan: One Man Will Change the Fate of England by Conn Iggulden, to be published on 4 May 2017. It is historical fiction following the life of Dunstan who was born some time between 910 and 920. He was the Abbot of Glastonbury, then Archbishop of Canterbury and later canonised as a saint. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot about the period.

Conn Iggulden has brought the period to life with this book, fleshing out the historical records. It’s written in the first person, past tense, so we see events through Dunstan’s eyes. He and his younger brother Wulfric were brought up by the monks at Glastonbury Abbey. It’s a harsh, cruel life, but Dunstan has a vision that he will build a cathedral and his ambition and determination help him to make his vision a reality.

The book is set during the reigns of several kings, Æthelstan, the grandson of Alfred the Great, then of Æthelstan’s brother Edmund, who was king for just five years before he was killed. He was followed by another brother, Eadred, then by Edmund’s sons, Edwy and Edgar, who divided England between them. They were followed by Edmund’s grandson, Edward and finally by Ethelred the Unready, his much younger brother. I hope I have got the sequence correct.

This was a period of great unrest and conflict, as England eventually became unified under one High King, and was attacked repeatedly by the Vikings. Dunstan was manipulative, dedicated, ruthless and proud. It was these characteristics that enabled him to succeed. He was present at the Battle of Brunanburh in 937, in which Æthelstan defeated an alliance of Viking and Celtic warriors for control of the country and became the first king of England.

Dunstan also reformed the monasteries, imposing the rule of St Benedict, was instrumental in the building of Glastonbury Abbey, was an adviser to Eadred, exiled by Edwy, and reinstated by Edgar before being appointed Archbishop of Canterbury.

My summary of this book really does not do it justice. I was fascinated by it and the detail is impressive. It incorporates many tales about Dunstan, including the one where he is said to have pulled the devil’s nose with a pair of tongs. Conn Iggulden’s version of this tale is truly horrific. His Historical Note explains his use of the sources he has used and explanations of his use of names, notes on spelling, titles, on the Battle of Brunanburh, on Gothic Arches, and on the many miracles that Dunstan is said to have performed. Where there are gaps in the historical records Iggulden has filled them in to present his story of a man who achieved so much despite his flaws and self-doubt.

This was a welcome chance to delve back into the unfamiliar world of early medieval England, as well as my long-overdue introduction to the writing of Conn Iggulden. Several of his other novels are waiting on my shelves and it's just chance that Dunstan got there first. I should add that I knew nothing about St Dunstan before reading this, although if I had, I would surely have felt a kind of proprietary interest in him, as a local Somerset lad and the man responsible for Glastonbury Abbey's first flowering. Iggulden gives us a thoroughly worldly saint, shrewd, ambitious and unscrupulous, very rarely sympathetic and yet always fascinating: the partial architect of a new, united England.

Dunstan is barely into his teens when, in the 920s, his father brings him and his younger brother Wulfric to Glastonbury to pursue their studies. The abbey then is a cold place, stranded on its island in the middle of the salt marshes, accessible only by poling a boat through the reeds. The young Dunstan is captivated by the possibilities of the place, not only by the Latin, Greek and music of the monks' regime, but also the allied skills: the knowledge of medicinal herbs; reading and writing; the crafting of ironwork in the forge; and, more than anything, the pulleys and weights used on the abbey's building sites. He is a sharp boy, but not a lovable one: too ready to brawl rather than forgive, he swiftly makes enemies among both masters and boys, and spawns vendettas which, when they come to maturity, will threaten his life itself.

Only a quick mind can cut its way through the intrigues of an isolated abbey, and young Dunstan realises that a few miracles can only help his position. Iggulden comes up with clever explanations for the most famous deeds attributed to the saint, achieved not by the force of faith but by wit, skill and observation. As his fame spreads, Dunstan comes to the eye of Elflaed, the niece of King Athelstan, who carries him off to court. There, in the busy town of Winchester, Dunstan sees for the first time the milieu that will become his second home: the arena of politics, crowns and arms. For this is how his life will unfold: half his heart tucked away in the marshes of Glastonbury, where he strives to raise an abbey that will redound to the glory of God; and half given to the service of the king. But who is that king? In the course of his life, Dunstan will serve seven: three brothers in the first generation, two brothers in the second, and two in the third. For this is a world of blood, where kings die young and the Danes are always nipping at their borders.

This is a solid doorstop of a book: 544 pages, but it feels longer, riddled with the ins and outs of court, and with Dunstan's own picaresque adventures. I can't even hope to give an overview of it, so I've kept my summary very brief. I'll be honest and say that it took me a while to get into it, but by halfway through I was intrigued by Dunstan as a character. There is little to warm to - he's opinionated, arrogant and misogynistic - but his mind is a fertile ground for all kinds of new ideas. In his author's note, Iggulden says that he truly believes Dunstan had one of those rare great inventive minds like Newton or Leonardo, which I don't know enough to agree with or dispute, but he makes a strong case in the novel for his protagonist's fertile powers of creation. Narrated in the first person, the book also plays with the concept of the unreliable narrator: Dunstan doesn't exactly lie, but he sees certain actions in a very different light from the reader. He isn't a pleasant character, but he's one of the more credible churchmen I've come across in early historical fiction: the kind of bullish man who simply gets stuff done.

The novel is interesting too for its context: it hovers at that moment when England is on the brink of becoming its modern self. On one side, back in the mists of time, you have the fragmentary kingdoms of the Anglo-Saxon period, which we've encountered so often in recent months: Mercia, Northumbria, Kent, Wessex, Alba. On the other, we have a single English state, ruled by a peripatetic king and a Witan, essentially the embryonic model of a modern constitutional monarchy. I'm now keen to learn more about exactly how Athelstan went about forging that unification, and I see that Iggulden's historical note recommends Tom Holland's recent biography of the king, which I'll seek out.

This is warmly recommended to those fascinated by this early period of British history, and to those who enjoy complicated, multifaceted protagonists. I can't say that I've fallen immediately in love with Iggulden's writing, but I get the feeling I could do, with the right book. I'm certainly keen to read more.

For the review, due to be published on 29 April 2017, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2017/04/29/dunstan-conn-iggulden

Conn Iggulden has the unique ability to bring history to life. He doesn't sacrifice historical accuracy, but his pace and plotting are still utterly engaging. I'd wager there are few who know much about the historical Dunstan, but that doesn't matter in the least because Iggulden has written a fascinating and engaging character. It's timely (I'm sure it will appeal to fans of the TV show Vikings) and his historical notes at the end were brilliant. It's not a period of time I knew much about, but Iggulden managed to teach me something new while keeping me incredibly entertained. Bravo!

Conn Iggulden is at his usual best with this story of the rise and rise of Dunstan, Abbot, Bishop and grand designer. A fascinating tale that has an increased level of interest for all of the careful research into the subject.

Iggulden's writing style is so easy it becomes almost impossible to stop turning the pages. Each character is carefully drawn and we know both their glories and their flaws; no 2D personas here, each is wholly human, with all the good and bad within us all.

For lovers of historical novels, this is a dream. Those periods of history between the great battles and societal upheavals are often overlooked, and yet, as Iggulden shows us here, even these quieter times are populated by extraordinary people whose efforts, actions and, indeed, genius, should never be forgotten and should still be celebrated.

enjoyed this historical fiction novel about an important person in the early days of the creation of England and how the author makes you believe that you are there in Saxon England amongst the monks at Glastonbury or the Royal court at Winchester. As we follow the trials and life of Dunstan as well of those of the emerging nation of England and battles with the Danes. Felt the only downside was more the novel was based in his early years rather than the important middle part of the story.

Dunstan is the true story of a man who was a central figure in the development of the English church after the death of King Alfred. He was a central figure at the court of the kings of Wessex. A man with a grasp of politics, masonry, silversmith and blacksmith. Banished to Belgium after upsetting the kings mistress he finally returns back to England to eventually become Archbishop of Canterbury.
Conn Iggulden has written a fascinating story and brought to life Anglo Saxon England. If history was taught like this in schools no one would ever say it was dry or boring.
A wonderful book made all the more enthralling knowing its a true story, the authors historical notes at the end of this book are brilliant as well.
Thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

Another cracking historical fiction novel from Iggledon. One of the author's selling points is his ability to bring history to life. Another is the way he takes lesser know historical figures and builds a storybaround them. Dunstan is a case in point. With a sound grasp of the suprisingly complex and ever shifting grounds of Anglo-Saxon politics, Iggledon has given us something special here. Most people have only the sketchiest knowledge of the time period or how much law and rule changed between 700 ACE and 1066 ACE. And one thing that often gets over looked is the Church in Britain was predominently Celtic Rite not the Latin Church, and it was a path to power and political ambition for many, both male and female, even at comparitively low levels so far from Rome. This is captured very well here with Dunstan, an ambitious monk who is trying to affect the tides of power. Thoroughly enjoyed this.

“I have always forgiven my enemies, but only when they have been punished.” These are the thoughts of Dunstan, Abbot of Canterbury. A biting wit colors his world, and though the book makes readers wish to cheer for good to happen to him, we also see the stain of darkness that colors his soul. When one dabbles in the political world of the 10th century, it seems it is impossible not to become tangled in the webs of intrigue.

Author Conn Iggulden has fashioned a fine blend of history with the liberty taken when one composes a historical novel. Saint Dunstan is viewed as a remarkable person, a man of many talents who contributed much during his time. Mr. Iggulden presents Dunstan as a complex character, someone tempered by his wits yet driven by his soul to accomplish great things. He uses finesse when necessary, force when it is required, and the brutal straightforwardness a man exhibits when he believes he is in the right.

The novel traces Dunstan’s early life in Glastonbury, which inspired his desire to build an abbey and cathedral there. He served under seven English kings during his lifetime, and the story describes in great detail his relationship with each one. The book is written in first person, treated as if Dunstan had set down his history in words to share with people who might come upon them centuries in the future.

The author’s writing style is wonderful. It flows well, and the dialogue never skips a beat and maintains an authenticity throughout. While any story of a person who had an effect on history would be interesting, the intrigue and deception aspects drive this tale. I hated each time I had to stop reading and set the book aside. I never felt the story drag, although the ending seemed to rush to a climax. Whether that was the author or just my inclination to not see a good book come to an end, I cannot say. Very highly recommended. Five stars.

Set in the days ofAnglo-Saxon England in the year 937. England is a nation that's divided. It's ruled bu minor Kings and Viking Lords.

Conn Igguiden was an English teacher before he started writing full-time. He has a talent in writing history that make you feel you are living through the parts he is writing about. This is a beautifully written history book.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and the author Conn Igguiden for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It seemed to give me a real feel for the era - the 10th century. I am still not sure that I liked the main character, Dunstan, but I liked reading about him. I realise that he is a real character in the history of that time which was a big part of the appeal for me. It gave an authentic feel of the time, the difficulties in communicating, the weeks/ months waiting for a response to a message for example and the minimal opportunities available. It is quite a long book but very much worth reading.

As as great fan of Conn Iggulden's books I was extremely disappointed in his War of the Roses trilogy, particularly the final Bloodline so I was a little apprehensive as I began Dunstan. Firstly, am hoping that there will be an introduction to this character when the book is published as I had not heard of Dunstan and knew nothing of this historic age. I found the book a slow burn and certainly didn't initially take to the character of Dunstan himself. At times I felt the book was rushed and that the author was trying to cram too much information into his chapters. However, as always with Mr Iggulden's books, he leaves me with the urge to know more and to visit these places for myself. The book, when published, will be bought and join all his others on my bookshelf.

Another superb title from a master of his craft. Cleverly interweaving known fact with fictional ideas that meld seamlessly one can smell the brutality of the time. Our hero is portrayed as both saint and sinner which is probably true with a glorious cast of characters throughout this is highly recommended.

I loved Conn Iggulden's Ghengis Khan stories so knew I'd appreciate this historical novel about a period of England with which I'm unfamiliar. The scope is wide ranging and well researched with a central figure who displays all the complexity and moral division of a real, flawed human, rather than an airbrushed hero from the history books. I liked Dunstan (man and book) though only the former is flawed. Iggulden's writing, as ever, feels effortless.

I enjoyed the narrative, and being told in the 1st person worked well. Dunstan is not very self-aware, his 'miracle' are shown to be lies and manipulation, and he isn't as important as he, and his hagiographers, would like history to think. The other characters are sympathetic and interesting. The pace is good, and the book is a real page-turner - I 'had' to get to the end and find out what happened.

I had one or two niggling problems with the book though.
Firstly, names. Stop messing with them. The author tried to prevent confusion in choosing Elflaed's name but only caused me more confusion.
Secondly, Chapter 34: 'a superb broth of chicken and potatoes, and also tomatoes stuffed with grey shrimp'. For an author considered to be one of the best at writing historical fiction, this is an egregious error. It's tenth century Ghent, not 18th century London.

Set in AD 937, when England is not a unified country. It is ruled by minor kings and is under attack.
It is a period of unrest, war, power struggles and rebellions. I was aware of variuos names of the period but not much other detail.
The author states that there are sections that he has filled in to make it work as a piece of historical fiction. Effectively using artistic license to create a story of what "could have happened". To balance this out he also includes "Historical Notes" section at the end of the book explaining why and where he has changed things. There are actual accounts of Dunstan that appear in The Anglo Saxon Chronicles and other documents.

This story follows the life of Dunstan, who lived close by Glastonbury Tor. Run by monks who take in both himself and his brother Wulfric. It charts the life of Dunstan from boy to man, then from man to Archbishop. Dunstan is quick witted and ambitious. He becomes a friend of Kings and an enemy to some, a builder of Abbeys and creator of items. He becomes a man of God, though at times he regrets some of his actions. He is focused on building Glastonbury an Abbey that will be seen as an architectural wonder. He is manipulative, a plotter and a schemer and uses his position to make this achievement possible. He claims it is for the Church and the will of God, but it is also for his pride. At times his pride blinds him to become a guilty man.

This aside, he was around when England became unified. One country, one king. He was witness to several kings during his lifetime, and also used his influence for good.

I really enjoyed this story, yes it was simplified, but that was helpful. It made the reading experience smoother and more enjoyable. I enjoyed every page from start to finish and really liked the inclusion of the historical notes at the end, giving me reference points for my own further reading of this period of English history. I would definitley recommend this book to other readers.

Review

So far from Conn Iggulden we have had Caesar, Genghis, Margaret of Anjou and the other major players in the War of the Roses…. So whom would he pick next, which shining light of history would he dazzle us with?

Dunstan? who the heck is Dunstan?

That is often the beauty of Conn Igguldens writing, the bringing to life of periods of history we know little or nothing about, or thought we knew something about and then Conn expands it into a colourful 3D world full of sights sounds and smells.

One of the earliest things i learned about Conn is that he was a teacher, oh how i wish for a teacher who could bring history to life so well. In the case of this book he takes the life of a Monk and he educates…. yes thrilling sounding isnt it! But Dunstan is no ordinary monk. In the same vein as Igguldens other highly successful series he starts with a Young Dunstan and takes us though those formative years showing how the personality and metal of the man is formed.

I really don’t want to give away much of the actual plot, but we follow the rise and fall and rise again of Dunstan’s star, a man who in Mr Iggulden’s own words was a Da’Vinci of his own time and place. The book is written in the first person and for me i think its the only way it could really be great, and it is, its wonderful. The book for me could have been set anywhere any when because its success is its characters, Conn writes them so beautifully, so filled with life and emotion that you cannot help but be swept along with them. But fortunately for me and you reader its set in a world of flux, Vikings still stalk the coast, England as we know it is still being pulled together, the client kingdoms are straining at the leash and it will take a strong king, or kings, to keep it all together, and those kings need an adviser…. even one who isn’t always thinking of others.

This is a huge contender for Historical Fiction book of the year…. its going to take something stunning to knock it off the top. I’ve read two stand out books this year, one about a Nun, one about Monk. and they both head up Best Fantasy and Best Hist Fiction so far this year. Pre-Order what will be one of the outstanding reads of 2017.

Before I read this book,I knew three things about Dunstan. Firstly, he was involved in raising monies and designing Glastonbury Cathedral . The second and third things came from my father who was a blacksmith and farrier, namely that Dunstan was the patron saint of blacksmiths and Dunstan caught the Devil by the nose with a pair of red hot pincers, and having seen this last item straight from the forge, could almost sympathise with the unlucky Devil!!
However, men can be Devils too and the author has given us a different interpretation of this legend that makes perfect sense. Dunstan was different and if only 10% of this book is true, then I still love the speculation of the remaining 90%, it is such a good read!
Dunstan was a man of God who knew a woman in the biblical sense, he was full of pride of his achievements, full of forgiveness only when he had got his own way, and impatient with his fellow men. He knew poverty and cruelty against himself , he was betrayed by Kings and his church, exiled from his home and country, yet, fought in battles despite being a man of peace.
This is not a dry historical novel, but an enjoyable romp through Saxon England, full of details about skirmishes against Vikings, war preparations and a wealth of detail about his work at the forges and his time as master of the Royal mint. Due to this time period, names and titles were often repeated and the author has helped by simplifying family names, titles and the Royal line of succession .
I rate this book very highly, but I would have expected nothing less from the author of The War of the Roses books. Simply marvellous !
Thank you for my advance copy in return for my honest review, that I have posted to Goodreads.

Having been born in Plymouth where there was an abbey to Saint Dunstan I have long wondered why he was revered as a saint. I have also had the modern historical writers recommended to me, especially Conn Iggulden, as being interesting authors I would probably enjoy reading. To find the two in one volume was a definite pleasure for me to discover.
I did enjoy the novel and would be pleased to read more by the author and on this topic in the future. What a fascinating life Dunstan lived and it is amazing to think how much he achieved in that era.