The Many Deaths of the Black Company

by Glen Cook

Book Overview

Let me tell you who I am, on the chance that these scribblings do survive. . .

I am Murgen, Standardbearer of the Black Company, though I bear the shame of having lost that standard in battle. I am keeping these Annals because Croaker is dead, One-Eye won't, and hardly anyone else can read or write. I will be your guide for however long it takes the Shadowlanders to force our present predicament to its inevitable end. . .

The Many...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765324016
• ISBN13: 9780765324016
• Release Date: January 2010
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 784 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

An Awesome Read

Word of warning: if you like your fantasy fluffy and with elves, stay far away from the Black Company! Glen Cook's Black Company novels are meaner than a basket full of rattlesnakes and tougher than old boot leather. It's a dark world full of evil sorcerers, all of whom fear the men of the Black Company. They are a band of veteran mercenaries for whom kicking ass and taking names are all in a day's work, and impossible missions just another nut to crack. This is down to earth epic fantasy that trudges through the mud and the blood. The Many Deaths of the Black Company is the fourth of four omnibus editions. If you haven't read any of these books yet, start with The Chronicles of the Black Company, and then the Books of the South and The Return of the Black Company. Many Deaths contains the novels Water Sleeps and Soldiers Live, the last two books that wrap up the series (although Cook stated in a 2006 interview that he has two more unpublished ones, A Pitiless Rain and Port of Shadows). You will have much more enjoyment starting from the beginning.

Great book, poor editorial review

Books that make up this omnibus are great. That being said, the editorial review's quote doesn't come from either of these books, but instead from a previous work in the series. Murgen's narration ends with She is Darkness.

Great series

I liked the original books the best, but these definitely kept me interested. If you're looking at this page I'd recommend it!

Great works by the creator of the genre

I began reading Glen Cook after I finished the nine completed books in Steven Erikson's Malazan series, which I consider the best books I have ever read. His tribute to Cook made me pick up the Black Company books, and I enjoyed them as much as Erikson's work. It's obvious that Cook influenced Erikson and appropriate that he pays him homage. That I feel Erikson is even better as a world builder in no way diminishes the great books that Cook has written, and as the person who essentially created the epic military fantasy genre, he deserves all the accolades he receives.

Glen Cook Dark Satire for Fantasy

Everything I have read by Glen Cook gets me instantly hooked. I love the way he can portray a dark outlook. And were even the bad guys can have there day. I have found that every Black Company book written by this man is completely enthralling and worth reading. So if you are looking for a good read this is the way to go.