Bernard Cornwell specializes in historical fiction, notably his popular series The Last Kingdom and Sharpe. He portrays vivid battle scenes and authentic historical details.
If you enjoy reading books by Bernard Cornwell then you might also like the following authors:
If you love Bernard Cornwell's vivid depictions of historical battles and strong characters, Conn Iggulden might quickly become a favorite. Iggulden excels at bringing historical figures and events to life on the page.
His book, The Gates of Rome, is the first in the Emperor series. It tracks the early years of Julius Caesar, full of politics, rivalry, and warfare.
Simon Scarrow offers thrilling historical fiction packed with battle scenes, army life, and tight-knit personal relationships. His style captures both the grit and drama of Roman military life, much like Cornwell's way of portraying warriors.
A notable work, Under the Eagle, introduces the famed characters Macro and Cato. This engaging pair battles through conflicts and challenging missions across the Roman Empire.
Patrick O'Brian is a master at bringing naval warfare and friendship vividly into view. Known for his Aubrey-Maturin series, starting with Master and Commander, O'Brian weaves historical detail with rich character development.
Readers who appreciate Cornwell's realistic battles and deeply drawn characters might find O'Brian's tales of naval adventure equally rewarding.
C.S. Forester is famous for exciting naval fiction paired with clear, straightforward writing. The Horatio Hornblower series, beginning with The Happy Return, gives readers adventures set during the Napoleonic Wars.
Forester's skill at creating tense action and compelling characters shares similarities with Bernard Cornwell's storytelling, especially his Sharpe series.
Ken Follett writes expansive and detailed historical fiction that immerses readers deeply into pivotal moments in history.
In The Pillars of the Earth, Follett portrays the ambitious building of a cathedral in medieval England, blending precise historical detail with emotional depth and intricate storytelling.
Fans of Cornwell who enjoy vividly drawn settings and strong character relationships will appreciate Follett's work.
Edward Rutherfurd writes historical novels that span centuries. He creates detailed family sagas set against real historical events, blending fictional characters with actual ones. His novels show how people and historical forces shape each other over generations.
Sarum is a good example, telling the story of the English city of Salisbury from prehistoric times all the way to modern Britain.
Wilbur Smith offers vivid adventure stories set in richly imagined historical landscapes, especially Africa. He portrays strong characters facing harsh environments and dangerous challenges, exploring themes of bravery, honor, and survival.
In River God, he tells an exciting tale set in ancient Egypt, filled with compelling heroes, gripping adventures, and dramatic battles.
Steven Pressfield describes historical battles and warriors through vivid storytelling and authentic detail. He examines themes like courage, loyalty, and the nature of war.
His novel Gates of Fire is about the Spartans' heroic stand at Thermopylae against overwhelming Persian forces, capturing the spirit of Spartan warriors and their legendary bravery.
Giles Kristian brings gritty realism and strong characters to his stories about warriors and warfare. He writes exciting, fast-paced action with rich historical detail, especially in Viking Age settings.
In his novel Blood Eye, he introduces us to a brutal world of Viking raids and battles through the journey of a young warrior earning his place among fierce men.
Christian Cameron writes dynamic historical novels with accurate battle sequences and compelling characters. He often places relatable heroes at the center of major historical conflicts.
His novel Killer of Men immerses readers deeply into ancient Greece, capturing the intensity of warfare, politics, and heroism during turbulent times.
If you enjoy Bernard Cornwell's vivid historical battles, Ben Kane is a natural choice. His novels feature powerful storytelling, detailed historical settings, and exciting action.
In The Forgotten Legion, Kane takes readers to ancient Rome, showing unforgettable characters and realistic battle scenes. His books are a great pick if you're looking for immersive stories of courage, loyalty, and warfare in the ancient world.
Harry Sidebottom creates stories of gritty adventure and Roman intrigue that readers of Bernard Cornwell should appreciate. Sidebottom blends historical accuracy with thrilling, action-packed scenes.
In Fire in the East, part of his "Warrior of Rome" series, he develops strong characters grappling with difficult moral choices and dangerous conflicts. If you like Cornwell's dramatic pacing and fascination with warriors, Sidebottom will keep you turning the pages.
Fans of Bernard Cornwell's intense battles and rugged characters will find plenty to enjoy in Robert Low's historical fiction. Low paints a realistic, tough portrayal of Viking life and warfare.
His novel The Whale Road, the first of the "Oathsworn" series, follows a band of Viking warriors on a brutal adventure filled with battle, betrayal, and brotherhood. Like Cornwell, Low captures the harsh lives of fighting men and the unique bonds that hold them together.
If you're drawn to Bernard Cornwell's nautical adventures—especially his "Sharpe" novels and naval stories—James L. Nelson brings the same excitement to life at sea. Nelson writes fast-paced, historically vivid novels about maritime warfare, courage, and exploration.
In By Force of Arms, he thrusts readers into the heart of naval battles during the American Revolution, steering through dramatic action and believable characters who face daunting odds at sea.
Tim Willocks is a great choice for readers who appreciate Bernard Cornwell's storytelling power and raw intensity. Willocks puts his readers right into the thick of historical battles with heart-pounding action and emotionally charged characters.
His novel The Religion plunges you into the gripping Siege of Malta of 1565, exploring themes of bravery, redemption, and survival in a vividly recreated historical setting.
If you enjoy Cornwell's powerful bodies of combat and meaningful character development, you'll appreciate Willocks as well.