100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ

Thanks for supporting our 100% NZ-owned independent bookstore ❀️ Overnight NZ-wide Delivery πŸš€

Essex Dogs

Series: Essex Dogs
3.88 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 10,820 ratings, 1,256 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Essex Dogs is a gripping historical fiction debut by Dan Jones, set in July 1346 during the Hundred Years' War. The story follows a close-knit company of soldiers from Essex, known as the Essex Dogs, as they battle across France, from the landing beaches of Normandy to the brutal field of CrΓ©cy. The novel portrays a diverse group of men including Pismire, an infiltrator; Scotsman, a formidable fighter; Millstone, a protective stonemason; Father, a priest hardened by war; Romford, a young archer with a troubled past; and their battle-scarred captain, Loveday FitzTalbot. They fight not for glory or coin, but for each other.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3499
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This novel is ideal for readers who enjoy historical fiction, particularly tales of medieval warfare and camaraderie. Fans of Bernard Cornwell and those interested in the personal experiences of soldiers during the Hundred Years' War will find Essex Dogs especially engaging.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The first instalment in a new Hundred Years War trilogy, following a tight-knit group of soldiers fighting the 1346 Crecy campaign in medieval France.

The first instalment in a new Hundred Years War trilogy, following a tight-knit group of soldiers fighting the 1346 CrΓ©cy campaign in medieval France. From Sunday Times bestselling historian Dan Jones.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The sensational historical fiction debut from Sunday Times bestseller Dan Jones. A BBC History 2022 Book of the Year!

July 1346. The Hundred Years' War has begun, and King Edward and his lords are on the march through France. But this war belongs to the men on the ground.

Swept up in the bloody chaos, a tight-knit company from Essex must stay alive long enough to see their home again. With sword, axe and longbow, the Essex Dogs will fight, from the landing beaches of Normandy to the blood-soaked field of CrΓ©cy.

There's Pismire, small enough to infiltrate enemy camps. Scotsman, strong enough to tear down a wall. Millstone, a stonemason who'll do anything to protect his men. Father, a priest turned devilish by the horrors of war. Romford, a talented young archer on the run from his past. And Loveday FitzTalbot, their battle-scarred captain, who just wants to get his boys home safe.

Some men fight for glory. Others fight for coin. The Essex Dogs? They fight for each other.

Praise for Essex Dogs:

'A new champion has entered the front line of historical fiction to stand shoulder to shoulder with Bernard Cornwell.' Jane Johnson

'Battle-bloody, brutal and perfectly pitched.' Daily Mail

'Vital, earthy, and heart-stopping... So deft and funny that you'd never guess this is Dan Jones' debut work of fiction.' Suzannah Lipscomb

'[Dan Jones'] mastery of his subject matter is obvious. The soldiers' lives are rather brilliantly recreated – the kit, the fighting, the boredom and discomfort.' The Times

'Few books manage to be as compelling on every level as Essex Dogs: it's adventure, history, and heart.' Dana Schwartz

'A busy, urgent little masterpiece.' Graham Hurley

'Fascinating. Brutal. Real... Impossible to put down.' Simon Turney

'Horribly compelling... Only Dan Jones can carry you through blood, piss and vomit and leave you wanting more.' Daisy Dunn

'With a cast of unforgettable characters, written with irrepressible verve and historical accuracy, Dan Jones delivers a compelling novel that thrums with sword-swinging energy.' Simon Sebag Montefiore

'The battles that shaped Europe from the point of view of the soldiers... Searing.' Kate Williams

'War. Looting. Junkies. Pintle-tugging. The English abroad. Dan Jones takes you to the year of Our Lord 1346.' Tibor Fischer

Series: Essex Dogs

View all
  • Wolves of Winter
    For the Dogs, the war has only just begun. Caught up in the siege of Calais, in the midst of a brutal eleven-month blockade of a small port on the French coast, they are no longer blindly walking into the unknown. But the men still have more questions than answers about what faces them and why. What are they really...
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Lion Hearts
    THE GREATEST FIGHTERS HAVE EVERYTHING TO LOSE 1350 Three years on from the Siege of Calais: The Black Death has wreaked havoc in Europe. The Castilians are moving against England. The Essex Dogs have scattered. In Winchelsea, Loveday struggles to keep his tavern afloat in the aftermath of the Death. Nowadays, the only battles he fights are the ones within...
    Paperback
    $3300
    Elsewhere:
    $3699
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Essex Dogs
    Don't miss Lion Hearts, the final heart-stopping novel in the Essex Dogs trilogy from bestselling historian Dan Jones - available to pre-order now. 'Draws you in page by page. The way Dan Jones writes enemies reminds me of Cornwell at his best.' Conn Iggulden Some men fight for glory.Others fight for coin.The Essex Dogs fight for each other. July 1346....
    Paperback
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Wolves of Winter
    For the Dogs, the war has only just begun. Caught up in the siege of Calais, in the midst of a brutal eleven-month blockade of a small port on the French coast, they are no longer blindly walking into the unknown. But the men still have more questions than answers about what faces them – and why. What are they...
    Hardback
    $4999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Essex Dogs
    The sensational historical fiction debut from Sunday Times bestseller Dan Jones. A BBC History 2022 Book of the Year! July 1346. The Hundred Years' War has begun, and King Edward and his lords are on the march through France. But this war belongs to the men on the ground. Swept up in the bloody chaos, a tight-knit company from Essex...
    Paperback
    $3499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised as a new champion in historical fiction, Essex Dogs has been acclaimed for its vivid and brutal battle scenes, deft storytelling, and historical accuracy. Critics laud Dan Jones for his compelling characters and immersive depiction of medieval warfare, describing the book as an adventure full of heart and intense realism. Comments highlight its balance of action, history, and humour, confirming it as a thrilling and unputdownable novel.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781838937928

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 15 September 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 148.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 464

About the Author

Dan Jones is the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of ten non-fiction books, including The Templars, The Colour of Time and Powers and Thrones. He is a renowned writer, broadcaster and journalist, and has for many years wanted to write authentic but action-packed historical fiction. His debut novel, Essex Dogs, is the first in a planned trilogy following the fortunes of ten ordinary soldiers in the early years of the Hundred Years' War. He lives near London with his family.

Also by Dan Jones

View all
  • The Templars
    The Templars by Dan Jones masterfully chronicles the extraordinary history of the Knights Templar, from their humble beginnings to their dramatic downfall. This captivating narrative delves into the enigmatic and illustrious lives of the Templars, who were the wealthiest and most influential military order in the crusading era. Dan Jones takes readers on an exhilarating journey through the medieval world,...
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Plantagenets
    This brilliant new book explores the lives of eight generations of the greatest kings and queens that this country has ever seen, and the worst. The Plantagenets – their story is the story of Britain. England’s greatest royal dynasty, the Plantagenets, ruled over England through eight generations of kings. Their remarkable reign saw England emerge from the Dark Ages to...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Powers and Thrones
    The instant Sunday Times bestseller A Times, New Statesman and Spectator Book of the Year 'Simply the best popular history of the Middle Ages there is' Sunday Times 'A great achievement, pulling together many strands with aplomb' Peter Frankopan, Spectator, Books of the Year 'It's so delightful to encounter a skilled historian of such enormous energy who's never afraid of...
    Paperback
    $2699
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Wolves of Winter
    For the Dogs, the war has only just begun. Caught up in the siege of Calais, in the midst of a brutal eleven-month blockade of a small port on the French coast, they are no longer blindly walking into the unknown. But the men still have more questions than answers about what faces them and why. What are they really...
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Essex Dogs
    Don't miss Lion Hearts, the final heart-stopping novel in the Essex Dogs trilogy from bestselling historian Dan Jones - available to pre-order now. 'Draws you in page by page. The way Dan Jones writes enemies reminds me of Cornwell at his best.' Conn Iggulden Some men fight for glory.Others fight for coin.The Essex Dogs fight for each other. July 1346....
    Paperback
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Lion Hearts
    THE GREATEST FIGHTERS HAVE EVERYTHING TO LOSE 1350 Three years on from the Siege of Calais: The Black Death has wreaked havoc in Europe. The Castilians are moving against England. The Essex Dogs have scattered. In Winchelsea, Loveday struggles to keep his tavern afloat in the aftermath of the Death. Nowadays, the only battles he fights are the ones within...
    Paperback
    $3300
    Elsewhere:
    $3699
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Magna Carta
    A beautifully produced account of the signing, impact, and legacy of Magna Carta, a document that became one of the most influential statements in the history of democracy, as part of the stunning landmark library series. On a summer's day in 1215, a beleaguered English monarch met a group of disgruntled barons in a meadow by the river Thames named...
    Paperback
    $3400
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Crusaders
    From the bestselling author of The Templars, Dan Jones brings you an exhilarating and expansive history of the Crusades. Crusaders delves into the dramatic and tumultuous sequence of religious wars fought between the late eleventh century and the late medieval period. These epic clashes between European Christian states and Islamic rulers aimed to control the Holy Land and have left...
    Paperback
    $3400
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Hollow Crown
    The fifteenth century experienced the longest and bloodiest series of civil wars in British history. The crown of England changed hands violently five times as the great families of England fought to the death for the right to rule. Some of the greatest heroes and villains in history were thrown together in these chaotic years. Yet efforts were made to...
    Paperback
    $3699
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • A Woman's World, 1850–1960
    The third volume in the much-admired The Colour of Time series. A Woman's World, 1850–1960 explores the many roles – domestic, social, cultural, and professional – played by women across the world before second-wave feminism took hold. Using Marina Amaral's colourized images and Dan Jones's words, this survey features women both celebrated and ordinary, whether in the science lab or...
    Hardback
    $6499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The World Aflame
    A visually stunning history of global conflict from 1914 to 1945, from Dan Jones and Marina Amaral – the team who created The Colour of Time. 'The events of the first and second world wars are brought to vivid, startling life thanks to Amaral's skill at colourising contemporary images' Observer. The epic, harrowing and world-changing story – in words and...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Henry V
    The UK’s bestselling medieval historian brings unforgettably to life the astonishing rise of Henry V, who survived rebellion, a near-fatal arrow wound, and a lengthy and precarious princely apprenticeship to become England’s greatest warrior king. 'A historian who writes as addictively as any page-turning novelist.' Observer Henry V reigned over England for only nine years and four months and died...
    Paperback
    $3300
    Elsewhere:
    $3899
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

More from Crime & Thriller

View all
  • New Release
    Dying Days
    Award-winning writer delivers a pulse-pounding espionage thriller. Missing soldiers, MI6 secrets and European partisans collide in a deadly game where the lines between lies and reality are fast disintegrating. In the dying days of the Second World War, a new conflict is about to ignite. May, 1945: After fighting to liberate Europe from the Nazis, Tito's Yugoslav Army and Allied...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3699
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Country Road Murders
    New Release
    The Country Road Murders
    From the Sunday Times bestselling author comes a pulse-pounding thriller about justice, vengeance and the roads that lead us home. No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades β€” LEE CHILD Cross Rivers is the kind of small town where everyone knows your name – and your secrets. Silas Tucker...
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Every Lake
    Scary stories are fun... until your life becomes one. When Alice was fifteen, her father killed Mia Heywood in their lakefront cottage before vanishing into the trees. At least that's what the locals think happened. Over a decade later, Alice has lost her job as a journalist, she's going through an expensive divorce and she desperately needs to sell the...
    Paperback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Nautilus
    New Release
    Nautilus
    The follow-up to the bestselling novel The Turing Protocol. Nautilus is a machine with the astonishing power to send messages eight weeks back in time. Its users must follow a set of protocols established by its inventor, Alan Turing, including that it can only be used by a descendant of his family, and only to avert global disasters. But what...
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3699
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Cold River
    New Release
    Cold River
    The sensational new novel from the author of the bestselling thriller, The Creeper, winner of the Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction 2025. Deep in the mountains, secrets grow deadly... Detective Constable Sally White knows how easily hikers can go missing in Victoria's high country. But there's something about the disappearance of Louis Taylor, a young man lost up...
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    It Could Have Been Her
    PREPARE TO BE HOOKED: The no. 1Β Sunday TimesΒ and MULTI-million-copy bestselling author is back with a brand-new spine tingling thriller. It was the night she almost died. Jane Trevally, newly divorced and feeling a little lost, agrees to accompany a man she doesn't know to his house in the darkest corner of Hampstead Heath. She's offered a drink, goes in, and...
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    26 Beauties
    The twenty-sixth thrilling novel in the globally bestselling Women's Murder Club series. Beautiful young women are disappearing by the dozen. A celebration is cut short when a concerned father crashes Detective Inspector Lindsay Boxer's party. His daughter is missing - and she's not the only one. DI Lindsay Boxer has been tracking a chilling pattern: a Jane Doe washed ashore,...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Secrets We Hide
    The stunning new North Falls thriller by the bestselling author ofΒ We Are All Guilty Here 'Quite simply, Karin Slaughter is the best of us' Dervla McTiernan Welcome back to North Falls -- a small town with big secrets. The house at 1601 Iris Drive looks like any other in the quiet, residential street. But rumours are rife about the Vickery...
    Paperback
    $3099
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Parkwood Murders
    They came for an escape, but can they escape a killer? Detective Nicola Bridge returns in another gripping and immersive mystery For its loyal guests, Parkwood Holiday Village in west Dorset is a haven- woodland walks, a tranquil lake, service around the clock. Until, just after midsummer, a body is found floating in the swimming pool. Detective Nicola Bridge, exhausted...
    Paperback
    $3000
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Hope Rises
    'BALDACCI IS STILL PEERLESS' - THE SUNDAY TIMES REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED COLD . . . Walter Nash, working under the alias of Dillon Hope, is on the road to revenge after becoming an informant for the FBI against a global criminal operation headed up by Victoria Steers. Steers has ripped everything Nash held dear away from him....
    Paperback
    $3099
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Slash
    A year after a brutal shootout left her lover dead, ex-police sergeant Honey Chalmers is a hot mess, drinking too much and eating too little, working casual gigs for a shady firm of private investigators β€” while holding conversations with a ghost. A desperate father asks her to investigate his missing son β€” a double-murder suspect last seen during the...
    Paperback
    $3200
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    A River Red With Blood
    The players call it the Game, and its aim is simple: to abduct and kill a stranger without getting caught. They're very good at it. They've been playing it for a long time. And they can keep playing as long as everyone sticks to the rules: No Killing Close to Home and No Killing Outside the Game. But those rules...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.