Books by George R R Martin
A Game of Thrones
by George R R Martin
A Song of Ice and Fire series, Book 1
A Game of Thrones is the first book in George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series, first published in 1996. The book achieved cult status, though Martin did not start hitting the bestseller lists until later in the series (In fact, Martin joked in an interview that at one book signing for A Game of Thrones, rather than attracting a crowd, he actually drove four customers out of the bookstore). The book is nearly 800 pages long and creates a world that is essentially medieval. Different families vie for power—the 'game of thrones'—in a world of horses and knights, jousting tournaments, castles for the aristocracy and huts for the masses. Across the sea, there is also a Mongol-style empire with horsemen living out on the grasslands. The story is told through multiple perspectives, mostly though not exclusively members of one artistocractic family, the Starks. It's a brutal world, where no one can trust anyone.
“There’s just so much to this story, so many wonderful characters. Early on, he introduces some very dark villains, and then pulls the rug out from under the reader by shifting to their point of view – and suddenly they’re not dark villains. They’re people, with goals and ideas and ideals and a morality, which perhaps does not match our current morality or the morality of the other characters. But suddenly these are really fully-fledged, well-rounded characters. You have a kaleidoscope view of this world, because we are shifting between loyalties and between point-of-view characters.” Read more...
The Best Medieval Fantasy Books
Robin Hobb, Novelist
A Game of Thrones Boxset
by George R R Martin
The boxset of the cult fantasy series. Alternatively, you can get the individual Game of Thrones books in order.
Interviews where books by George R R Martin were recommended
The Best Medieval Fantasy Books, recommended by Robin Hobb
A medieval flavour is common in fantasy books, but this can range from chivalric adventures and mythical beasts to grimdark realities. Here Robin Hobb, multi-award winning novelist of the Realm of the Elderlings series, introduces her five favourites, spanning the breadth of the genre.
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1
Socrates in Love: The Making of a Philosopher
by Armand D'Angour -
2
How to Live: A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer
by Sarah Bakewell -
3
The Complete Philosophy Files
by Stephen Law -
4
The Prince
by Niccolo Machiavelli -
5
A Game of Thrones
by George R R Martin -
6
The Path: A New Way to Think About Everything
by Christine Gross-Loh & Michael Puett
Philosophy Books to Take On Holiday, recommended by Nigel Warburton
Philosophy Books to Take On Holiday, recommended by Nigel Warburton
Sea, sun and Socrates: what more could you want for the perfect holiday? Our philosophy editor Nigel Warburton, whose own book has had considerable success as a beach read, unveils his philosophy book holiday reading list.
