The Talisman - Hardcover

Sir Walter Scott

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1592247709 ISBN 13: 9781592247707

Publisher: Borgo Pr, 2002

Synopsis

The main characters are the Scottish knight Kenneth, a fictional version of David of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon, who returned from the third Crusade in 1190; Richard the Lionheart; Saladin; and Edith Plantagenet, a relative of Richard.

In Scott's own words: ". . . the warlike character of Richard I, wild and generous, a pattern of chivalry, with all its extravagant virtues and its no less absurd errors, was opposed to that of Saladin, in which the Christian and English monarch showed all the cruelty and violence of an Eastern sultan, and Saladin, on the other hand, displayed the deep policy and prudence of a European sovereign, whilst each contended which should excel the other in the knightly qualities of bravery and generosity. This singular contrast afforded, as the author conceived, materials for a work of fiction possessing peculiar interest."

About this title

About the Author:

Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet (1771 - 1832) was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright and poet. Many of his works remain classics of both English-language literature and of Scottish literature. Famous titles include Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, Old Mortality, The Lady of the Lake, Waverley, The Heart of Midlothian and The Bride of Lammermoor. Although primarily remembered for his extensive literary works and his political engagement, Scott was an advocate, judge and legal administrator by profession, and throughout his career combined his writing and editing work with his daily occupation as Clerk of Session and Sheriff-Depute of Selkirkshire.

From AudioFile:

Many legends have accumulated about Saladin, the twelfth-century sultan whose capture of Jerusalem led to the Third Crusade. The Saracen (Arab) leader is said to have performed prodigious feats of valor, to have possessed uncommon wisdom and cunning, and even to have "out-chivalled" the chivalrous Christian knights who opposed him. In THE TALISMAN (1825), Sir Walter Scott, the most popular novelist of his day, contrasts him with a poor but noble Scottish knight in service to Richard Lionheart. Entering the Crusaders' camp in disguise, Saladin saves said knight from the dishonor brought about by various intrigues. In narrating the romance, Robert Whitfield excels at phrasing, which, accompanied by his pleasant voice and British accent, makes this tape pleasant listening. His pace, however, is a bit too brisk for perfect intelligibility, and he seams deaf to the book's rhythms and lyricism. Y.R. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

About this edition

• Publisher: Borgo Pr
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1592247709
• ISBN 13: 9781592247707
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 388