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Title: A Warrior Dynasty

Subtitle: The Rise and Fall of Sweden as a Military Superpower 1611-1721

Author: Henrik O. Lunde

Narrator: Mark Ashby

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-24-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 81 votes

Genres: History, Military

Publisher's Summary:

This audiobook examines the meteoric rise of Sweden as the pre-eminent military power in Europe during the Thirty Years War during the 1600s, and then follows its line of warrior kings into the next century until the Swedes finally meet their demise, in an overreach into the vastness of Russia. A small Scandinavian nation, with at most one and a half million people and scant internal resources of its own, there was small logic to how Sweden could become the dominant power on the Continent. That Sweden achieved this was due to its leadership - a case-study in history when pure military skill, and that alone, could override the demographic and economic factors which have in modern times been termed so pre-eminent. Once Protestantism emerged, via Martin Luther, the most devastating war in European history ensued, as the Holy Roman Empire sought to reassert its authority by force. Into this bloody maelstrom stepped Gustav Adolf of Sweden, a brilliant tactician and strategist, who with his finely honed Swedish legions proceeded to establish a new authority in northern Europe. Gustav, as brave as he was brilliant, was finally killed while leading a cavalry charge at the Battle of Ltzen. He had innovated, however, tactics and weaponry that put his successors in good stead, as Sweden remained a great power, rivaled only by France and Spain in terms of territory in Europe. And then one of his successors, Karl XII, turned out to be just as great a military genius as Gustav himself, and as the year 1700 arrived, Swedish armies once more burst out in all directions. Karl, like Gustav, assumed the throne while still a teenager, but immediately displayed so much acumen, daring and skill that chroniclers could only compare him, like Gustav, to Alexander the Great. This book examines thoroughly, yet in highly readable fashion, the century during which Swedish military power set an example for all Europe.

Members Reviews:

Pretty dry military history

If you want the numbers, dates and a narrative for all the engagements in the wars Sweden waged for 100 years, starting with the 30 years war in 1630, this delivers. It does not give much sense of the reasons behind the war, or any of the personalities involved. In keeping with that, it is read like a very long list, very flat. Not what I wanted or expected, but I did listen to it all. Not completely sure why, but it had some strange attraction as background noise. I did learn more a lot about the battles and tactics.

A surprising mirror image of modern Sweden

What made the experience of listening to A Warrior Dynasty the most enjoyable?

The fact that I am Swedish but I felt detached from Swedish military history in particular. This was a nice partial filler of that void.

What did you like best about this story?

All the conflicts and the actual success and reverance of Swedish Kings and Generals.

Which character as performed by Mark Ashby was your favorite?

Noone in particular.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When I realized the impact of the Carnage in Stockholm and the extent of the Danish-Swedish conflict.

Good Read

Good presentation of a long period of military history in a short book. I reccommend.

Military Only

This is not a bad book at all but it only deals with the military aspects of the dynasty and doesn't give you a full picture of what life was like.