{"title":"David Gilman","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"david-gilman-collection-master-of-war-series-defiant-unto-death-gate-of-the-dead-4-books-set-paperback-david-gilman","title":"Master of War by David Gilman 4 Books Collection Set - Fiction - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitles in This Set:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nDefiant Unto Death\u003cbr\u003e\nGate of the Dead\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paperback\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis four-book collection brings together David Gilman’s gripping Master of War novels, a vivid tapestry of the Hundred Years’ War crafted for readers who crave authenticity, fast-paced action, and morally complex characters. The duo of titles included here—Defiant Unto Death and Gate of the Dead—are presented in accessible paperback editions that invite readers to lose themselves in a world of marching armies, siege warfare, and political intrigue. Gilman’s lean prose, blistering battle scenes, and careful attention to the harsh realities of medieval life create an atmosphere that both educates and entertains. Fans of historical fiction will appreciate the palpable sense of place—from timber-framed villages to the churn of battlefield mud—alongside human stories of courage, fear, loyalty, and ambition. This collection is ideal for dedicated readers building a complete series experience, as well as gift buyers seeking immersive historical adventures with wide appeal for adults and mature YA readers alike.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat This Collection Covers:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e spanning the Master of War series, this set threads together campaigns, sieges, and strategic plotting during a tumultuous era in France and England. The novels are anchored by the era’s brutal realism—the stench, the cold, and the constant threat of treachery—while exploring themes of duty, chivalry, and the price of leadership. Edward III’s invasion looms in the background, shaping the decisions of generals, soldiers, and civilians caught between loyalty and survival. Across the collection, readers witness a progression from battlefield decisiveness to the weight of long-term campaigns, and from personal loyalties to shifting political alliances. The tone remains gripping and cinematic, offering a satisfying balance of adrenaline-fueled action and thoughtful, character-driven moments that deepen readers’ understanding of this historical moment. \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook-by-Book Guide:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDefiant Unto Death\u003c\/strong\u003e, this instalment opens with the shock of conflict and the pressures of leadership under fire. The narrative follows a protagonist shaped by years of training and tested by the harsh realities of medieval warfare. Expect brisk, immersive passages that place you on the front lines, where tactical decisions ripple outward and shape the fate of armies. The novel interrogates themes of courage, resilience, and the moral compromises that accompany command, all set against a richly drawn backdrop of castles, camps, and countryside scarred by war. It is a brisk, emotionally resonant introduction to a world where every choice can mean life or death, and where duty often clashes with personal cost.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGate of the Dead\u003c\/strong\u003e, continues the Master of War saga with a focus on strategy, siegecraft, and the shifting loyalties that define life in a war-torn realm. The pacing remains propulsive, drawing you into brutal confrontations and delicate political maneuvering. Characters confront betrayals, alliances are forged under pressure, and the line between ally and foe remains perilously thin. The narrative deepens the sense of historical texture—ecstatic in battle, stark in hardship—and invites readers to weigh personal ambition against collective survival. Across its pages, the stakes rise as military campaigns unfold and the fate of kingdoms hangs in the balance. \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho This Set Is Perfect For:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis set is ideal for readers who enjoy historical fiction with a robust sense of history and atmosphere. It suits adults seeking immersive battlefield narratives and mature YA readers drawn to complex characters and political intrigue. Gift buyers will find a compelling, self-contained reading experience that also encourages readers to explore more installments in the Master of War series. Teachers and book clubs focused on historical themes—conflict, leadership, and the human impact of war—will appreciate the vivid scenes and precise historical milieu. If you love classic wartime epics brought to life with modern, accessible prose, this collection offers a strong, binge-friendly path into the era and its enduring questions about power, loyalty, and consequence.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Benefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eImmersive historical setting with authentic medieval detail\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eFast-paced, cinematic battle scenes paired with thoughtful character arcs\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ePerfect for building a complete series experience or gifting as a set\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eAccessible paperback editions ideal for long reading sessions\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eAppeals to fans of historical adventures and careful world-building\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Author:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nDavid Gilman is a historically minded novelist known for the Master of War series, which vividly recreates the Hundred Years’ War era through brisk plotting and grounded, human-centered storytelling. Gilman’s work balances action with period detail, offering readers a convincing sense of place—battlefields, castles, and the daily life of soldiers and civilians alike. His writing is characterized by clarity, momentum, and a knack for portraying the moral complexities that emerge under pressure. Through the Master of War titles, Gilman has established a reputation for accessible, page-turning historical fiction that resonates with both devoted history enthusiasts and general readers who crave immersive storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You’ll Love This Set:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nIf you’re seeking a well-crafted, engaging dive into a pivotal historical period, this Master of War collection delivers. The combination of high-stakes action, atmospheric settings, and character-focused storytelling makes it an excellent addition to any historical fiction shelf. Owning the complete set enhances the reading experience—allowing you to trace the evolution of themes, character loyalties, and campaign tactics across the series. It’s a reliable, satisfying choice for readers who enjoy immersive epics that blend realism with gripping narrative momentum.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"David Gilman","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56837840634230,"sku":"USA-9789123681198","price":30.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0575\/6587\/2211\/files\/9171BxjNcJL.jpg?v=1765387967"},{"product_id":"master-of-war-series-david-gilman-5-books-collection-set-historical-fiction-paperback","title":"Master of War Series by David Gilman 5 Books Collection Set - Historical Fiction - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTitles in This Set\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nMaster of War\u003cbr\u003e\nDefiant Unto Death\u003cbr\u003e\nGate of the Dead\u003cbr\u003e\nViper's Blood\u003cbr\u003e\nScourge of Wolves\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nCondition: Brand New\u003cbr\u003e\nFormat: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\n\nPublisher: Head of Zeus\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Master of War 5-book collection brings together David Gilman's acclaimed historical fiction saga in one brand-new paperback set. Following archer Thomas Blackstone from the battlefield of Crecy through decades of shifting alliances and brutal campaigns across France, Italy, and beyond, these five novels combine authentic period detail with fast-paced combat and morally complex characters. Fans of gritty, immersive war fiction and multi-book sagas will find this a satisfying, binge-ready introduction or addition to their historical fiction shelf, tracing one man's rise from stonemason to legendary commander during the Hundred Years' War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Books\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nSet against the sweeping backdrop of the Hundred Years' War, David Gilman's Master of War series follows Thomas Blackstone, a village stonemason who trades a hangman's noose for a war bow and marches into King Edward III's invasion of France in 1346. The opening novel, Master of War, thrusts Blackstone into the chaos of his first battles and the pivotal clash at Crecy, forging him into a soldier respected on both sides of the conflict. Defiant Unto Death picks up his story a decade later, as Blackstone commands his own war band in hard-won French territory, only to face betrayal that threatens everything and everyone he loves. Gate of the Dead carries the action into new territory as Blackstone, exiled and rebuilding his life as a mercenary captain, is summoned back into the fray by the English crown. Viper's Blood and Scourge of Wolves continue the saga's expanding scope, following Blackstone through shifting political alliances, dangerous missions, and the ever-heavier burdens of command as the wars grind on. Throughout the five books, Gilman writes battle scenes with a soldier's eye for authenticity, weaving mud, weather, and fear into the drama alongside quieter moments of loyalty and loss between comrades. The series has drawn praise for its relentless pacing and gritty realism, and this collection lets readers experience Blackstone's transformation from a condemned commoner into one of the era's most formidable commanders across a single connected paperback set, ideal for readers who want to settle into a long historical arc without hunting down individual volumes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComplete 5-book paperback set of David Gilman's acclaimed Master of War series in one purchase\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFollows a single continuous storyline, ideal for uninterrupted binge reading\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAuthentic Hundred Years' War setting with vivid, well-researched battle sequences\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerfect gift for historical fiction fans, birthdays, holidays, or building a home library\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrand-new paperback condition, ready to read straight out of the box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreat value compared to buying each title individually\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBook-by-Book Guide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nMaster of War — Thomas Blackstone, a village stonemason facing execution, joins Edward III's invasion of France and is forged into a soldier at the Battle of Crecy in 1346.\u003cbr\u003e\nDefiant Unto Death — Ten years after Crecy, Blackstone commands his own war band in France when a traitor exposes his family to the French king's wrath.\u003cbr\u003e\nGate of the Dead — Exiled and rebuilding his life as a mercenary captain in Italy, Blackstone is summoned back across the Alps by the English crown.\u003cbr\u003e\nViper's Blood — Blackstone's campaigns push further afield as loyalties shift and the political stakes of the Hundred Years' War continue to rise.\u003cbr\u003e\nScourge of Wolves — Blackstone travels into hostile territory to secure crucial alliances for the English crown as danger closes in on every side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nDavid Gilman has enjoyed varied careers including paratrooper, firefighter, and photographer before turning to writing full time. An award-winning novelist and screenwriter, he is best known for the Master of War series, a critically acclaimed run of historical novels following archer-turned-commander Thomas Blackstone through the Hundred Years' War. Gilman also writes a modern thriller series featuring ex-French Foreign Legionnaire Dan Raglan, and was shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize for The Last Horseman. Known for authentic period detail and relentless pacing, he brings a soldier's eye for battle to this saga. He lives in Devon, England.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You'll Love This Collection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis set delivers five books' worth of relentless battles, hard-won loyalty, and authentic medieval detail in one brand-new paperback bundle. A terrific gift for the historical fiction reader in your life, a stocking stuffer, or a treat for your own summer reading list, it's an easy way to dive into a complete, gripping saga.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"David Gilman","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57172350534006,"sku":"PLD15873","price":52.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0575\/6587\/2211\/files\/master-of-war-series-david-gilman-paperback.jpg?v=1785838918"}],"url":"https:\/\/skymartbooks.com\/collections\/david-gilman.oembed","provider":"Skymart Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}