Bernard Cornwell doesn't just write about history—he drags you onto the battlefield, where you taste blood and mud, hear steel clashing against steel, and fight alongside warriors who live and die by the blade. From Uhtred's relentless quest to reclaim his birthright in The Last Kingdom to Richard Sharpe's savage campaigns through the Napoleonic Wars, Cornwell crafts unforgettable heroes who win their glory through raw courage, razor-sharp tactics, and the sheer refusal to surrender.
Craving your next adrenaline-fueled historical epic? These 15 authors deliver the same bone-crushing battles, complex heroes, and meticulously researched historical worlds that make Cornwell's work irresistible:
Iggulden transforms ancient Rome and Mongol hordes into pulse-pounding epics that rival Cornwell's finest work. He captures the political intrigue, brutal combat, and larger-than-life personalities that shaped empires.
The Gates of Rome launches his Emperor series with young Julius Caesar navigating deadly Roman politics while learning the arts of war and leadership. Iggulden delivers the same combination of historical authenticity and page-turning action that Cornwell fans crave.
Scarrow's Roman military fiction hits as hard as Cornwell's. His battle sequences crackle with energy, and he understands the brotherhood forged in blood that binds soldiers together across the centuries.
Under the Eagle introduces the legendary duo Macro and Cato—a grizzled veteran and an untested young officer—as they battle Germanic tribes, survive Roman political machinations, and forge an unbreakable bond. Think Sharpe and Harper, but with gladius and shield.
O'Brian did for naval warfare what Cornwell did for land battles. His Aubrey-Maturin series, starting with Master and Commander, combines thunderous ship-to-ship combat with nuanced character development and wit.
The friendship between bold Captain Jack Aubrey and cerebral surgeon Stephen Maturin rivals the best relationships in Cornwell's work. O'Brian's naval battles are masterclasses in tension, while his historical detail makes the Age of Sail come alive with cannon smoke and salt spray.
Forester created Horatio Hornblower, the original flawed military hero who influenced every character like Sharpe. His series, beginning with The Happy Return, follows an insecure genius through the Napoleonic Wars.
Forester strips naval combat down to its essentials—wind, tide, courage, and cunning. Hornblower's self-doubt and brilliance make him deeply human, and the action delivers the same visceral thrill you get from watching Sharpe storm a fortress.
Follett builds historical worlds with the same meticulous detail as Cornwell, then fills them with unforgettable characters and sweeping conflicts that span generations.
The Pillars of the Earth chronicles medieval England through the ambitious construction of a cathedral, weaving together politics, religion, and personal ambition. While less combat-focused than Cornwell, Follett matches him in creating immersive historical experiences where every detail feels authentic and every character matters.
Rutherfurd crafts sprawling historical sagas that follow locations and families across centuries, showing how ordinary people navigate extraordinary times.
Sarum traces Salisbury from prehistoric stone circles to modern England, connecting generations through war, conquest, and survival. His epic scope and attention to how history shapes lives will resonate with anyone who loves Cornwell's deeply researched historical landscapes.
Smith delivers swashbuckling adventure with the same testosterone-fueled energy as Cornwell's best work. His heroes face impossible odds in exotic, dangerous settings where only the strongest and smartest survive.
River God plunges readers into ancient Egypt with political intrigue, passionate romance, and brutal warfare. Smith's vivid descriptions and relentless pacing make every page crackle with danger and excitement.
Pressfield writes about warriors with the soul of a warrior himself. He understands the warrior's code, the weight of command, and the psychology of men facing death.
Gates of Fire recounts the Spartans' legendary stand at Thermopylae through the eyes of a battle-scarred survivor. Pressfield captures the Spartan ethos with such authenticity that you'll believe you've stood in the phalanx yourself, shields locked, waiting for the Persian horde.
Kristian writes Vikings the way Cornwell writes Saxons and Danes—raw, violent, and utterly compelling. His prose crackles with Old Norse poetry while delivering brutal, authentic combat.
Blood Eye follows a young outcast who finds brotherhood among Viking raiders. Kristian captures the dark glory of the Viking Age, where honor is earned through blood and fame lives forever in the sagas. Essential reading for any Last Kingdom fan.
Cameron brings the ancient world to life with combat expertise earned from real-world military reenactment and martial arts. His fight scenes have the same technical precision and visceral impact as Cornwell's best work.
Killer of Men follows a Greek warrior through the Persian Wars, delivering spear-and-shield combat that you can feel in your bones. Cameron understands both ancient warfare and storytelling, making him a perfect match for Cornwell fans.
Kane writes Roman military fiction with such authenticity that his legionaries practically march off the page. He combines meticulous research with propulsive storytelling.
The Forgotten Legion sends Roman soldiers on an impossible journey to the edges of the ancient world. Kane's battle scenes rival Cornwell's for intensity, while his characters face moral dilemmas that give the action real weight.
Sidebottom holds a doctorate in ancient history from Oxford, and it shows. His "Warrior of Rome" series delivers scholarly accuracy wrapped in blood-soaked adventure.
Fire in the East introduces Ballista, a Germanic warrior raised in Rome and caught between two worlds. Sidebottom explores the moral complexities of empire while delivering combat scenes that would make Cornwell nod in approval.
Low's Vikings are brutal, cunning, and bound by oaths that matter more than life itself. His "Oathsworn" series captures the dark poetry of the sagas while maintaining relentless narrative drive.
The Whale Road launches the series with a young man joining a band of Viking oath-brothers seeking cursed treasure. Low writes with the same gritty authenticity as Cornwell, making the Viking Age feel immediate and dangerous.
Nelson brings the Age of Sail to life with the same expertise and excitement that Forester and O'Brian pioneered. His maritime adventures combine technical accuracy with rollicking action.
By Force of Arms plunges readers into American Revolutionary naval warfare, where makeshift fleets challenge the world's greatest navy. Nelson's sea battles are as tense and thrilling as any of Cornwell's land campaigns.
Willocks writes historical epics with operatic intensity. His characters face apocalyptic stakes, and his prose burns with the kind of fevered energy that propels you through marathon reading sessions.
The Religion chronicles the 1565 Siege of Malta, where Knights Hospitaller and Maltese defenders face an overwhelming Ottoman invasion. Willocks delivers carnage and courage in equal measure, with the psychological depth and moral complexity that elevate the best historical fiction beyond simple action.
