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The Iron Lance (The Celtic Crusades #1) by…
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The Iron Lance (The Celtic Crusades #1) (original 1998; edition 2000)

by Stephen R. Lawhead

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9361122,386 (3.71)14
"ACTION-PACKED ADEVNTURE." --Booklist Scotland, 1095. While his father and brothers follow Pope Urban II's call to win Jerusalem from the infidels, Murdo Ranulfson stays behind to guard his family's interests. But when his home is confiscated by greedy usurpers, Murdo is forced to follow the Crusades himself. Hoping to find his father and redeem his family's land, Murdo sets off on a journey that leads him to the Mediterranean--the heart of civilization now threatened by barbarian hordes--and on to the fabled city of Constantinople and beyond, to the Holy Land. Amidst brutality and ambition, Murdo discovers what he seeks--and obtains a relic that will guide him and his descendants for centuries. Rich in heroism, treachery, and adventure, The Iron Lance begins an epic trilogy of Scottish noble family fighting for its existence and its faith during the age of the Crusades--and of a secret society whose ceremonies will shape history for a millennium. "INTRIGUING . . . STEEPED IN HISTORICAL DETAIL . . ." --Library Journal… (more)
Member:Momotaro
Title:The Iron Lance (The Celtic Crusades #1)
Authors:Stephen R. Lawhead
Info:Eos (2000), Mass Market Paperback, 656 pages
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The Iron Lance by Stephen R. LAWHEAD (1998)

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» See also 14 mentions

English (9)  German (2)  All languages (11)
Showing 1-5 of 9 (next | show all)
alo a good book ( )
  Dan733 | Apr 15, 2020 |
this was excellent!! made me cry for God’s forgiveness for what has been done in the name of Christianity. Gripping. ( )
  BookstoogeLT | Dec 10, 2016 |
Rating: 2* of five

The Publisher Says: In the year 1095, Pope Urban II declared war on the infidel. Kings, princes, and lords throughout Europe have joined the Crusade. To Murdo Ranulfson has fallen the duty of guarding his family's interests while his father and brothers fight to win Jerusalem. But when corrupt clergy prove enemies rather than protectors, Murdo must leave his native Scotland in search of his father.

In the company of monks and warriors, he journeys far beyond the rolling fields of home, beyond the fabled Constantinople and the brooding walls of Antioch, to the Holy Land and the sword points of the Saracens. There, where blood, suffering, and human evil at its most horrifying are shot through with rays of the miraculous, he obtains the relic that will guide his life and the lives of his descendants for centuries. And there he grows from a callow youth to a man, trading cynicism for faith and selfishness for the heart of a leader.

Steeped in heroism, treachery, and the clamor of battle, The Iron Lance begins a remarkable, masterfully woven epic trilogy of a Scottish noble family fighting for its existence and its faith during the age of the Great Crusades -- and of a secret society that will shape history for a thousand years.

My Review: There was a time when I tried, and tried hard, to be a christian. Something alluring about feeling sure you're protected by a bid daddy who loves you. But the problem for me is, I have this logical outlook on life and I need stuff to make sense, to follow the rules of storytelling. This religion don't do none o' that, and plus it's riddled with exclusionary language, "moral" justifications for rotten stuff like slavery and incest, and so on and so forth.

Horrible.

This novel is a holdover possession from that period of my life. It's competently written, it's about a period of history I find enthralling, and I hated every single eyeblink I spent on it. There's persuasion and then there's bludgeoning. This is the latter. Had I paid the slightest attention, I would have noticed that the book was published by Zondervan...a christian publishing house. A foolish error on my part.

This review is my reminder to myself: Openness to change is good, but don't get carried away. Borrow from the library. That way the crap that offends you can go back with no damage to your pocketbook. ( )
1 vote richardderus | May 21, 2013 |
Although I enjoyed the story greatly, and I really liked most of the characters, I found parts of this were slightly dull. I've read various Lawhead books and enjoyed them all to an extent. I did enjoy this and I especially like the monk, Emlyn, though, I was expecting a bit more. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it enough to continue with the next one. ( )
  ashooles | Apr 14, 2013 |
I was really impressed with this tale! It was deeply engaging, from start to finish, and the historical portions were so compelling that it made me want to read more on the Crusades. ( )
  journeyguy | Apr 2, 2013 |
Showing 1-5 of 9 (next | show all)
Među vizijama daleke prošlosti, škotski advokat iz devetnaestog veka nazire bolno hodočašće jednog od svojih predaka... Godine 1095, papa Urban II objavljuje rat nevernicima. Kraljevi, prinčevi i lordovi iz cele Evrope prihvataju krst i jurišaju da se pridruže krstaškom ratu. Murdo Ranulfson je ostavljen na ostrvima Orkni dok se njegov otac i braća pridružuju borbi za oslobađanje Jerusalima. Ali kada mu konfiskuju porodičnu zemlju i posed, Murdo kreće u krstaški rat kako bi našao svog oca. U sred neverovatne brutalnosti i ratne ambicije moćnih lordova, on će naći svetu relikviju koja će ga voditi kroz život, kao što će voditi i njegove potomke u narednim vekovima. Natopljena herojstvom, izdajstvom i zvonkim zvucima bitke, Gvozdeno Koplje započinje epsku trilogiju o škotskoj porodici koja se bori za svoje postojanje i veru tokom vremena koje je obeleženo velikim krstaškim ratovima.
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» Add other authors

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
LAWHEAD, Stephen R.primary authorall editionsconfirmed
LEYMARIE, IsabelleTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Maitz, DonCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Posen, MikeCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
SCHUMACHER, RainerTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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In memory of my Father, Robert E. Lawhead
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"ACTION-PACKED ADEVNTURE." --Booklist Scotland, 1095. While his father and brothers follow Pope Urban II's call to win Jerusalem from the infidels, Murdo Ranulfson stays behind to guard his family's interests. But when his home is confiscated by greedy usurpers, Murdo is forced to follow the Crusades himself. Hoping to find his father and redeem his family's land, Murdo sets off on a journey that leads him to the Mediterranean--the heart of civilization now threatened by barbarian hordes--and on to the fabled city of Constantinople and beyond, to the Holy Land. Amidst brutality and ambition, Murdo discovers what he seeks--and obtains a relic that will guide him and his descendants for centuries. Rich in heroism, treachery, and adventure, The Iron Lance begins an epic trilogy of Scottish noble family fighting for its existence and its faith during the age of the Crusades--and of a secret society whose ceremonies will shape history for a millennium. "INTRIGUING . . . STEEPED IN HISTORICAL DETAIL . . ." --Library Journal

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Book description
Stephen Lawhead is best known for his "Pendragon Cycle" of Arthurian fantasies. His previous novel Byzantium moved him into historical rather than mythological fiction; The Iron Lance confirms this change. It is the story of the First Crusade told by a youth from the Orkneys, a group of islands off the north coast of Scotland. At 14 Murdo Ranulfson is too young to go on a crusade. But when he and his mother are thrown off their own land by soldiers of Prince Sigurd of Norway, who has claimed the Orkneys, Murdo travels to the Holy Land to fetch back his father and brothers to reclaim their land. He witnesses at first hand the horrors of the Crusade, particularly what Lawhead calls "the rape of Jerusalem". In common with Lawhead's earlier works there is a strong Christian element to the story, but here the emphasis is on the spirituality of the Celtic monks Célé Dé contrasting with the venality of the Catholic Church of the time. The main story is framed in the late-19th century narrative of a secret religious order descended from the monks, and from Murdo. This is a powerful and well-told story. Lawhead brilliantly captures better than most American writers what feels like the true essence of medieval Britain and Europe. --David V. Barrett
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Zondervan

2 editions of this book were published by Zondervan.

Editions: 0061050326, 0310217822

 

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