Books with author Robert Leyton

Swords and long ships in two novels of the age of VikingsTales of Viking warriors have once again become popular in the genre of historical fiction. The fierce, bearded men from the dragon prowed longships trading, raiding and settling the world of the Dark Ages have, however, always provided intriguing and appealing subject matter for authors. The writer of the two novels which comprise this special edition of stories of the Northmen, Robert Leighton, was no exception and indeed his work was highly regarded for its well researched historical authenticity. The first novel, 'Olaf the Glorious,' is based on the life and adventures of an actual character of the Viking age. Olaf Tryggvason rose from slavery in Estonia to be a true Viking seafarer. The story follows him through his many wanderings and adventures to the leadership of his people. Battles abound including a recounting of the Battle of Maldon against the East Anglians. Leighton's second novel in this special Leonaur edition is 'The Thirsty Sword.' The scene has moved onwards some 300 years to the 13th century and to the shores of Scotland. This gripping adventure centres around the struggle of the Scots to resist Viking invasion and settlement and there are thrills, spills, sword play and battles aplenty for its hero within these pages. Available in softcover and hardcover with dust jacket.

Alec’s world changes when he meets Abu the genie!Disasters were leading two-nil on Alec’s disaster-triumph scorecard when he slipped into the vacant factory lot, with Ginger Wallace hot on his heels, ready to destroy him. There was a catastrophe awaiting him at home too, and of course school was yet another disaster area.But his luck seemed to be changing when he discovered a sealed beer can that was obviously empty. Stranger still, when he held it up to his ear, he could hear a faint snoring…

The following narrative is not so much a story as a biography. My hero is not an imaginary one; he was a real flesh and blood man who reigned as King of Norway just nine centuries ago. The main facts of his adventurous career—his boyhood of slavery in Esthonia, his life at the court of King Valdemar, his wanderings as a viking, the many battles he fought, his conversion to Christianity in England, and his ultimate return to his native land—are set forth in the various Icelandic sagas dealing with the period in which he lived. I have made free use of these old time records, and have added only such probable incidents as were necessary to give a continuous thread of interest to the narrative. These sagas, like the epics of Homer, were handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth, and they were not committed to writing until a long time after Olaf Triggvison’s death, so that it is not easy to discriminate between the actual facts as they occurred and the mere exaggerated traditions which must surely have been added to the story of his life as it was told by the old saga men at their winter firesides. But in most instances the records corroborate each other very exactly, and it may be taken that the leading incidents of the story are historically true.

The Scoutmaster paused in his work of opening a tin of condensed milk on the top of a packing-case. Glancing upwards to the shoulder of the cliff, he caught sight of a figure partly concealed beyond a dark clump of gorse and bramble. He could see the shining brass tube of a telescope beneath a naval cap. The telescope was levelled at the slate-grey shape of a light cruiser riding at anchor in Haddisport Roads, abreast of the camp.

Swords and long ships in two novels of the age of VikingsTales of Viking warriors have once again become popular in the genre of historical fiction. The fierce, bearded men from the dragon prowed longships trading, raiding and settling the world of the Dark Ages have, however, always provided intriguing and appealing subject matter for authors. The writer of the two novels which comprise this special edition of stories of the Northmen, Robert Leighton, was no exception and indeed his work was highly regarded for its well researched historical authenticity. The first novel, 'Olaf the Glorious,' is based on the life and adventures of an actual character of the Viking age. Olaf Tryggvason rose from slavery in Estonia to be a true Viking seafarer. The story follows him through his many wanderings and adventures to the leadership of his people. Battles abound including a recounting of the Battle of Maldon against the East Anglians. Leighton's second novel in this special Leonaur edition is 'The Thirsty Sword.' The scene has moved onwards some 300 years to the 13th century and to the shores of Scotland. This gripping adventure centres around the struggle of the Scots to resist Viking invasion and settlement and there are thrills, spills, sword play and battles aplenty for its hero within these pages. Available in softcover and hardcover with dust jacket.

The following narrative is not so much a story as a biography. My hero is not an imaginary one; he was a real flesh and blood man who reigned as King of Norway just nine centuries ago. The main facts of his adventurous career -- his boyhood of slavery in Esthonia, his life at the court of King Valdemar, his wanderings as a viking, the many battles he fought, his conversion to Christianity in England, and his ultimate return to his native land -- are set forth in the various Icelandic sagas dealing with the period in which he lived. I have made free use of these old time records, and have added only such probable incidents as were necessary to give a continuous thread of interest to the narrative. These sagas, like the epics of Homer, were handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth, and they were not committed to writing until a long time after Olaf Triggvison's death, so that it is not easy to discriminate between the actual facts as they occurred and the mere exaggerated traditions which must surely have been added to the story of his life as it was told by the old saga men at their winter firesides. But in most instances the records corroborate each other very exactly, and it may be taken that the leading incidents of the story are historically true. The Icelandic sagas have very little to say concerning Olaf Triggvison's unsuccessful invasion of England, and for this part of the story I have gone for my facts to the English chronicles of the time, wherein frequent allusion to him is made under such names as Anlaf, Olave, and Olaff. The original treaty of peace drawn up between King Ethelred the Second and Olaf still exists to fix the date of the invasion, while the famous battle of Maldon, in which the Norse adventurer gained a victory over the East Anglians, is described at length by a nameless contemporary poet, whose "Death of Brihtnoth" remains as one of the finest of early English narrative poems, full of noble patriotism and primitive simplicity. I have given no dates throughout these pages, but for the convenience of readers who may wish for greater exactness it may be as well to state here that Olaf was born A.D. 963, that he started on his wanderings as a viking in the year 981, that the sea fight between the vikings of Jomsburg and the Norwegians took place in 986, and the battle of Maldon in the year 991. Olaf reigned only five years as King of Norway, being crowned in 995, and ending his reign with his death in the glorious defeat at Svold in the year 1000. ROBERT LEIGHTON.

The following narrative is not so much a story as a biography. My hero is not an imaginary one; he was a real flesh and blood man who reigned as King of Norway just nine centuries ago. The main facts of his adventurous career--his boyhood of slavery in Esthonia, his life at the court of King Valdemar, his wanderings as a viking, the many battles he fought, his conversion to Christianity in England, and his ultimate return to his native land--are set forth in the various Icelandic sagas dealing with the period in which he lived.

So you've been told that fairy tales are for kids? And you are too old to believe in fables? Then, Gypsy Lee's collection of stories isn't for you. "Gypsy Lee'sFairy Tales, Fables & Yarns" is only for those of us who are young, or who are still handicapped by optimism, imagination and a need to embrace the fun and fantasy in life.Fairy tales are escapes into wondrous worlds. It is only our inflexible adult reasoning that tells us that they are just for children. Fables, too, are disdainfully disregarded by grown-ups, in spite of the valuable life lessons that they often provide. It is only yarns and tall tales that are permitted to dwell in the structured world of the adult. I have compiled this collection of silly, inconsequential stories and poems to satisfy the child in any of us that has been handicapped by active imagination, and has been unable to fully embrace the responsible, pedantic adult world.A few of these little stories were written for my children, as they journeyed from childhood, to adolescence to adulthood. I hope that the tales have allowed them to avoid becoming staid grownups. A few of these yarns were written for staid adults. I am glad to say that they, for a few moments anyway, were able to become irresponsible children again. A couple – specifically, the romantic poems – were written for my wife, who I hope will not be terribly upset that I have shared private thoughts with the world. Many were written just for me. No reason, other than that I like being a perpetual child.For those of you who dare to explore wondrous worlds, even if you do so in the secrecy of your own hidden sanctums, I welcome you to my haven. Please enjoy, and thank you.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.