The High Crusade

By: Poul Anderson

Narrated by: Oliver Hembrough

In the year of grace 1345, as Sir Roger Baron de Tourneville is gathering an army to join King Edward III in the war against France, a most astonishing event occurs: a huge silver ship descends through the sky and lands in a pasture beside the little village of Ansby in North East Lincolnshire.

The Wersgorix, whose scouting ship it is, are quite expert at taking conquering planets, and having determined from orbit that this one is suitable, they initiate standard procedure. Their ship carries guided missiles and nuclear weaponry—but they have long since lost the art (and weapons) of hand-to-hand fighting. And this time it's no mere primitives the Wersgorix seek to enslave—they've launched their invasion against Englishmen!

In the end, only one alien is left alive - and Sir Roger's grand vision is born. He intends for the creature to fly the ship first to France to aid his King, then on to the Holy Land to vanquish the infidel. And then . . . ?

©1960 Poul Anderson (P)2025 W.F. Howes Ltd.

Peak Pulp

it's knights kicking alien butt. If you like that concept, this is a fantastic listen.

Even better than when I read it as a kid.

Even better than when I read it as a kid. Like a reverse Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

Very unique premise for sci-fi

I thought it was very entertaining. It was funny but not ridiculous enough to make it hard to get into. Definitely a one of a kind book.

Hilarious “What if…?” tale that is totally worth the read!

Well performed and humorously written account of Englishmen accidentally getting themselves whisked into space and struggling to either make it back home or survive in this new humongous world they have inadvertently discovered. Also found it very sincere in its portrayal of medieval faith where the characters involved are people of their time but not entirely ignorant or unintelligent. Often they prove the intellectual equals of their alien counterparts and I found that especially refreshing.

juvenile story.

I have TRIED to like Pohl Anderson. This is the last time I will try. This guy is a hack. Unless you are a child I doubt you will like this book. Predictable and lame.