An Education I really enjoyed this book, which for a first novel was well executed and lively. I acknowledge that it is over learned for some, but I personally like to read about history that has its basis in fact rather than a sumptuous piece that leads you into falsities that can be embarrassing. The prose and plot are unceromoniously 'blokish', a nice counterbalance to some over romanticised fiction, and the characters are created from scratch or on a vague mention in history, rather than well-known historical... more info
Everything you ever wanted to know about sieges Ballista is a British barbarian of the 3rd Century AD who has climbed the Roman social ladder, married a noblewoman, and is now being sent off to his first major post, to defend a city on the far Eastern border of the Empire. After a lengthy and adventurous journey from Rome (storm, pirates, spies), he arrives at the city on the Euphrates, and begins to prepare for a siege. Trenches are dug, walls strengthened, grain stored, boats commandeered. In the early Spring, the Sassanids (a Persian empire fired with... more info
by Greg Hart The Warrior of Rome is about a Roman named Ballista. He has been sent to stop the fall of Rome's most easterly city, Arête. The city is due to be under siege the next autumn by the Persians and their king, Shapur. It is his job to prepare the city and hold out until a field army could come to help. When the Persians first arrive, they are forced to retreat as they suffered heavy losses in the first battle, but they still heavily outnumber the city of Arête. The siege lasts for months and finally... more info
Superb historical fiction... Ignore the pooterish reviews! This is absolutely class historical fiction - Harry Sidebottom has a real talent for putting you right in the time and place... but also knows how to spin a bloody great yarn. Lots of superb action set pieces - and lots of very nicely woven historical detail. I'm a big fan of the likes of Cornwell and Iggulden - and Sidebottom is going to be a name that gets right up there with them.
