The life of a German knight in the time of Otto the Great.
In the year 936, a Saxon Duke named Otto became King of the Germans. His reign lasted twenty-six years and during that time he became the most powerful ruler in Europe. In 962 he was crowned "Emperor of the Romans", a title previously held by the Frankish King Charlemagne. At the time Otto became king, a young man named Max was growing up on Lake Zurich in the Duchy of Swabia. Through the years, Max and Otto were destined to cross paths many times. Carried on the Wind is the story of Max's life, in his own words, set against the backdrop of Medieval Europe, during the reign of one of the greatest kings in all of history.
Excerpt
We were nearly to the edge of the forest, and I quickly scanned the trees to find the opening that would get us out. There was still some faint light showing between the trees, and when I spotted the path that I thought we should use I kicked Diomedes into a gallop. He didn't require much urging. With his ears back and nostrils flared, his powerful body surged beneath us. Perhaps I imagined it, but I thought I could hear the sounds of the wolves running through the forest behind us just as we burst out of the trees and on to the slope that led down to the Roman road.
Professional Reviews
By Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite
Max, the son of a Swabian noble in the service of Otto, King of all of Germany and later Holy Roman Emperor, loves horses. Carried on the Wind by Tom Nelson begins when Max is a child, and spends his days at the horse farm where he learns many lessons - not only about training animals but about human interaction as well. As he grows and begins to take an active part in the training of the horses that will carry his father and his knights into battles in service of the king, Max learns about the place he will hold as a nobleman. During this time, an innocent childhood friendship with a local girl, Verena, turns into love, but Max's many trips to faraway places like Moorish Spain and the exotic city of Constantinople, along with military campaigns in Italy, present obstacles to furthering their relationship - as does the question of Verena's lowly station in life. Will Max be able to achieve a balance between what he wants and what he is expected to do as the son of a nobleman?
Carried on the Wind by Tom Nelson is historical fiction at its absolute best. Fantastic descriptions of the lands Max visits provide a wonderful travelogue; heart warming, tender emotion brings a love story to life; and keen observation about the training of horses adds another fascinating dimension. It is easy to get an all-round feel for the difficulties of life over 1,000 years ago, but it is also obvious that the human condition is still the same - trying to make the most out of the life we are given in spite of political turmoil and the problems of daily living. This is a timeless book that will leave a lasting impression. I truly enjoyed this from the historical perspective, but also as a 'travelogue' and a heart warming love story. Well done!
Gotta read this one...
By HorsemanWili on April 8, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
With Carried on the Wind, Tom has given us a true life narrative into one of history's most interesting periods. This riveting account of one man's journey through life leaves us with not only a personal insight into the time, but an accounting of a strange, yet remarkable adventure of courage and daring. Chronicling the journey of Max, Knight of Swabia, Tom has used his master's touch for detail. Each chapter, highlighted with meticulous archival research, leads you into another level of insight and personal growth of the main character. Max, Knight of Swabia, will become a family member of every reader. 5 Stars...a must read for those interested in history 1000 years ago.
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