Rating: 
Summary: Another great read from Sienkiewicz
Review: "The Trilogy" (i.e., With Fire & Sword, etc.) is better, but it is hard to compare anything with those amazing books. While anyone wishing to sample this author should start there, Teutonic Knights is was a great read in its own right. As usual with Sienkiewicz, there are sweeping plot lines and larger than life characters, plus some nail bitting sections of high drama. Sure in a couple of places it gets slow (mainly because he has left one plot line hanging to return to less dramatic events confronting another character), but in general I plowed through this and wished there was more.
Rating: 
Summary: Good novel; bad translation.
Review: Frankly, a bit of a disappointment: a good novel let down by a clunky translation.Sienkiewicz was writing during the 19h. century, when Poland as an independent state did not exist, and consequently Polish art and literature of this period has a heavy nationalistic tone. The plot, a love story set against the medieval Polish Commonwealth's struggle against the Teutonic knights and culminating in the titanic battle of Grunwald (if you're Polish)/ Tannenberg (if you're not), is tight and well plotted; the characterisation tends to be on the basis that each character has a pet quirk rather than anything deeper, but the story rattles along satisfyingly, regardless. Sienkiewicz is noted for his elegant Polish, and unfortunately this aspect of his work has not survived the rather brutal translation. There are constant jarring notes as peculiar and obsolete words suddenly ambush the reader, interrupting the flow of the novel. And this is apparently the best translation available. The pictures advertised as being at the back of the novel are there, but are pretty worthless; they are not on art or photographic paper and look more like photocopies. There are no illustrations within the text (as you might be led to believe). Translation: *** Novel: ***** Overall: ****
Rating:
Summary: Sienkiewicz was a consummate story teller...........
Review: Henryk Sienkiewicz, a Polish national treasure, created a masterful literary anthem to his country with his Trilogy (Fire in the Steppe, The Deluge, etc). In the Teutonic Knights, he does it again. Sienkiewicz was so able to enthrall his books spark an intense personal relationship between the reader and the characters he creates. I'm no easy mark, but I felt readily the tragedy, elation, and suspense through every Sienkiewicz work I've read. The Teutonic Knights will capture you, consume you, and leave you yearning for more. Read this book and every book you can find from this classic author.
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Summary: Chivalry is NOT Dead
Review: I found this book while doing research on the Teutonic Knights because I enjoy writing fantasy based on medieval themes and I'm planning to visit their old castle at Malbork. Instead of a reference book I found something better--an excellent look at what life was like in medieval Poland, chivalry, and how religion fit into the lives of those noble people. If you're looking for something with a lot of blood and guts then don't buy this book. It may have some interesting fight scenes but what makes it great is the interaction between the characters. Courtly love is vividly portrayed as well as the relationship between lord/lady and vassel. The integrity of certain knights in contrast to the corruption of others gives the story a sense of realism. The only gripe I had was due to not being able to pronounce some of the Polish names. I wish the translator included a pronounciation guide for laymen like myself. However this doesn't diminish from the five star rating. I can't wait to read more titles by this author.
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Summary: He did it again
Review: I read the Teutonic Knights after Sienkiewicz' famous trilogy on Poland which begins with his With Fire and Sword (much recommneded). I thought I would not, could not, find heroes as great as those I found there. As happened each time I finished a volume of the trilogy, I found I was mistaken, and on the same account. Sienkiewicz, a master at creating truly human and noble heroes in tough historical times, did it again. He once again created another hero and befriended me to him to the point where I admired him like one admires a great and faithful friend. I found myself adding him to the company of the likes of Pan Schetushki, Kmita and Volodyovski (see the Trilogy). If you have been told about the trilogy and do not dare undertake 4,000 pages of great reading, start with the Teutonic Knights. It will introduce you to Sienkiewicz and whet your appetite for more... If only for its most interesting historical context, and to learn about Poland's (or rather Lithuania's) view of itself and Germany, you should read this book. It will explain much of what happened in later centuries between both countries. If only because it is a literary masterpiece, you should read this book. If only because it is hard to find truly romantic novels nowadays, with real virtues and real values, and real lovers not centered on their eros but on real love, you should read this book. If all else fails, you should read it because it will unlock the mistery of a most beautiful equestrian statue placed on the center of Central Park in Manhattan (close to the "castle") of a Polish king, who is famous for defeating the Teutonic Knights and all they represented. When you finish this book, you will wonder why you did not know about it before. You will treasure it for your children.
Rating: 
Summary: A somewhat darker side of Sienkiewicz
Review: I read this book before the "trilogy." I found it very dark and stoic, especially when compared with the next Sienkiewicz book I read, "With Fire and Sword." Unlike WFS, it is impossible to like anything about the villains in this story, the Teutonic Knights. For fans of the Teutonic Knights, they are not painted in a very flattering light, so don't buy this book thinking you are going to get a positive perspective on them. For Poles and Lithuanians, it portrays a complex struggle against a well-armed and aggressive neighbor. This struggle ultimately pits a Christian, Moslem, and Pagan coalition of nations against the Teutonic Knights, a multinational Christian force on a "mission from God". A collection of fictional characters interact with actual people and events that surrounded this historical struggle. Some of the themes include duty, honor, sacrifice, vengeance, and forgiveness. I find these characters much darker and more tragic than those of Sienkiewicz's trilogy and I think you can definitely get a feeling of the mistrust between the Poles and the Germans (at least in Sienkiewicz's perspective). In fact some of the parallels between this story, written at the turn of the IX/XX century, and the actual events that unfolded in WWII are actually pretty startling. This is a good book for those who want to get a flavor for XV and early XVI century Polish Commonwealth history, but I would recommend reading the trilogy first.
Rating:
Summary: A somewhat darker side of Sienkiewicz
Review: I read this book before the "trilogy." I found it very dark and stoic, especially when compared with the next Sienkiewicz book I read, "With Fire and Sword." Unlike WFS, it is impossible to like anything about the villains in this story, the Teutonic Knights. For fans of the Teutonic Knights, they are not painted in a very flattering light, so don't buy this book thinking you are going to get a positive perspective on them. For Poles and Lithuanians, it portrays a complex struggle against a well-armed and aggressive neighbor. This struggle ultimately pits a Christian, Moslem, and Pagan coalition of nations against the Teutonic Knights, a multinational Christian force on a "mission from God". A collection of fictional characters interact with actual people and events that surrounded this historical struggle. Some of the themes include duty, honor, sacrifice, vengeance, and forgiveness. I find these characters much darker and more tragic than those of Sienkiewicz's trilogy and I think you can definitely get a feeling of the mistrust between the Poles and the Germans (at least in Sienkiewicz's perspective). In fact some of the parallels between this story, written at the turn of the IX/XX century, and the actual events that unfolded in WWII are actually pretty startling. This is a good book for those who want to get a flavor for XV and early XVI century Polish Commonwealth history, but I would recommend reading the trilogy first.
Rating: 
Summary: Propaganda
Review: I stumbled on this book quite by accident, with no idea who Sienkiewicz was. What a great thing to stumble upon!
I'm a great fan of Walter Scott, and considered this very much in the same vein, a terrific adventure story with heroes and villains, although paced faster than Scott. Particularly, the first 500 pages or so of this big book move very quickly, the events leading compellingly onward through the narrative almost breathlessly.
The historical context of the book (Poles v. Germans) is interesting to note. Taking the book in the context of the development of the novel---well, Sienkiewicz isn't particularly interested in the psychology of his characters. The bad guys here are reeeeallly bad. The hero is not only good, he's unbearably handsome, too. But this is an exciting book and I will read more of this guy now that I've found him.
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Summary: Timeless Values Win Over In This Timeless Struggle
Review: Sienkiewicz provides the endless, legendary story of good versus evil. This time, it is of knights who stand up for their beliefs against knights who hide behind the Teutonic Order - a once upon a time establishment for virtuous beliefs. The Nobel Prize winning author paints a picture of how a confederation is forged between unlikely candidates when confronting an overwhelming enemy. And, they learn that to "love thy neighbor" truly has value in protecting the ones you care for. The Teutonic Knights are portrayed as the well armed, well trained and well fed antagonists. Likened to the medieval version of the Roman Legions, they are disciplined in the arts of war, but lack the heart to passionately pursue what they believe is right and just. Our hero Zbyszko learns through his adventures what chivalry and love mean. The polish knight also learns that kindness works best when acting as a courageous, committed and honorable leader. Such values gain more friends and allies across borders of principalities, cultures and religions than the Teutonic Knights predicted. The values taught through this book are timeless, but they truly do not write such greats like this one anymore!
Rating:
Summary: Propaganda
Review: This book offers a historically very inaccurate, one-sided and propangandistic accounts of the Knights, intended to serve the nationalisitc purposes of the author.
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