The Sword of Shannara Summary:

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“Herein lies the heart and soul of the nations.
Their right to be free men,
Their desire to live in peace,
Their courage to seek out truth,
Herein lies the Sword of Shannara.”
The Sword of Shannara
by Terry Brooks
The first in the Original Shannara Trilogy
Chapter 1, Pg. 3 - "He walked slowly, picking his way along the winding path that had narrowed beyond
the clearing and now seemed to disappear into a wall of trees and bushes ahead. He knew that it was
merely an illusion, but found himself glancing about uneasily all the same. A few moments later, he was
again on a wider trail and could discern bits of sky peeking through the heavy trees. He was almost to the
bottom of the valley and about two miles from his home. He was so intent on the trail ahead and the open
land beyond the forest that he failed to notice the black shadow that seemed to rise of suddenly and
moving swiftly toward the path to intercept him."
Summary:
The Sword of Shannara tells the tale of a group of adventurers who must go retrieve the Sword of
Shannara after their world and livelihoods are put in danger. They travel through a world in which
science does not exist. Science is actually the device which destroyed the landscape in a destructive
holocaust. Science has been replaced by magic and only a few people called druids have any
memory or any lasting knowledge of science.
"The deep silence was unsettling, particularly in view of the rumors of a frightening black-winged
creature sighted in the night skies north of the valley only days earlier." Chap. 1, The Sword of
Shannara, pg. 2
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Science also created the somewhat mutant species, know named after mythological creatures like
Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes, and trolls. There are four main areas of this land which are all named
after the direction they exist in. Westland, inhabited by Elves, Eastland and its forests where the
Dwarves live, The Southland where humans isolate themselves into small communities and villages,
and the Northland, inhabited by Trolls, Gnomes, and beings known as the Skull-Bearers who all
serve the main antagonist.
The main protagonist is Shea, a half-elven half-human male who lives in Shady Vale in the
Southland with his adopted human brother Flick. The two brothers are very close and get along
rather well.
"'I have no idea what you're talking about, but Shea and I are brothers and what happens to one must happen to both.'" -Flick Chap.
2, The Sword of Shannara, pg. 30
Their peaceful lives are interrupted however, when a strange man by the name of Allanon, arrives
in town and requests to personally speak with Shea. Saying it is of the utmost importance. He is the
last the last good druid and possesses great power in his own right. Here Shea and Flick are told
that Shea is the last of the bloodline of the ancient famous Elven King, Jerle Shannara. Allanon also
tells them that the two are in great danger from northland being hunting them. The two travel to
the highland city of Leah, where Allanon puts together a group of different races to reclaim the
sword of shannara, the last weapon that can defeat the main antagonist, Brona.
The story is similar to and was influenced by The Lord of The Rings, to which fans of that series
may be slightly disappointed. The book starts out well though, leading into the conflict during the
first chapter, but making sure to not reveal to much to keep the reader interested. It is however,
geared towards it's audience of the 70's which may not suit younger readers of today. Because of
this, the story has a slower pace during its middle and near-end. I will admit I began to lose interest
during these slow sections of the book. The book is very descriptive and allows you to imagine the
appropriate sense's very well, it's characters have good development, has a very imaginative world
and lore as it's setting, and a solid conclusion. (no spoilers for you though)
About the author:
Terry Brooks
"If you do not hear music in your words, you have put too much thought into your writing and not enough
heart."
Terry Brooks was born in the small town of Sterling Illinois in 1944. He didn't travel much outside of the
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town for most of his childhood and part of his adult life. He gained his Bachelors degree in Art in English
Literature in 1966 from Hamilton College as well as a 'Juris Doctor' from Washington and lee University.
Before making his career in writing full-time, he practiced law first, however his writing skills were
noticed since his early school days. Influenced by William Faulkner's writing technique, he published his
first novel 'The Sword of Shannara' which was published in 1977. It was the first book of its kind, a
fantasy book to reach the best selling list of The New York Times.After releasing this book and two
sequels Brooks realized that his passion for writing was not only fulfilling becoming an author but was
also becoming a source of money. Brooks also wrote and published many more novels and short stories,
he even wrote the novelization of 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace' which was very successful. Terry
currently lives with his wife in the Pacific Northwest. He is one of the most renowned fantasy authors.
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Multimedia:
Terry Brooks Interview
Audiobook 2:44 Sample
Additional resources and links:
Purchase links:
http://www.amazon.com/Sword-Shannara-Trilogy-Terry-Brooks/dp/0345453751
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sword-of-shannara-trilogy-terry-brooks/1100292962?ean=978034545
3754
More information on the Universe of Shannara:
http://shannara.wikia.com/
Terry brooks interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztu3Xj3UuMo
Shannara trilogy's in chronological order:
http://www.goodreads.com/series/43574-shannara-chronological-order
The Sword of Shannara Audiobook
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2G_elCJ8mk
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR1VdFkWoV0
Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vEKGWxH2wI
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Shannara Books 2+3 Audiobooks:
Book 2:
http://www.audible.com.au/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/The-Elfstones-of-Shannara-Audiobook/B00FQE4VOQ
Book 3 Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuTgrK61y1M
Book 3 Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssZRfCTpV0Y
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