Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.
Loading... Emperor - The Field of Swords (original 2005; edition 2005)by Conn Iggulden
Work InformationThe Field of Swords by Conn Iggulden (2005)
None Loading...
Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. The first part is dedicated to the establishment of the triumvirate of Caesar, Pompey and Crassus. The second and possibly the best part of the series so far, however, focuses on the long years of Gallic wars, Caesar's triumphs and setbacks on the battlefields, incursions into Britain and fierce tribal rebellions, including the major rise under the king Vercingetorix. I'd give this five stars if it weren't for the fact that Iggulden skirts some of the more controversial issues, such as the slaughter of the entire city of Avaricum, which is barely mentioned. Read this in Slovene under the title Polje mečev. no reviews | add a review
Fiction.
Literature.
Thriller.
Historical Fiction.
HTML:From the author of the bestselling The Dangerous Book for Boys With his acclaimed Emperor novels, author Conn Iggulden brings a dazzling world to life??the rich, complex world of ancient Rome as seen through the eyes of one extraordinary man: Julius Caesar. Now Iggulden returns to the story of Julius Caesar and a realm that stretches from the sands of North Africa to the coast of Britain. Against this magnificent backdrop, Caesar, his first victories under his belt and a series of key alliances in place, makes his move toward power and glory??and commands his famous legions on one of history??s bloodiest and most daring military campaigns. It is the heart of the first century B.C. For Julius Caesar, the time has come to enter the treacherous political battleground that has become Rome. Having proved his valor in the slaves?? revolt, Caesar is strengthened by the love and vision of a beautiful older woman, and by the sword of his loyal friend, Marcus Brutus. And when he is appointed to a new position of power, Caesar manages to do what none of the other great figures of his time could: capture the hearts of the Roman people themselves. Crushing a rebellion, bringing order to the teeming city, Caesar then makes the move that will change history. He leaves Rome for the foothills of the Alps. And with an army made in his own image, he begins a daring charge through Gaul, across the English Channel, and to the wilds of tribal Britain. Here, in a series of cataclysmic clashes, the legend of Julius Caesar will be forged. And while Caesar and Brutus pit their lives??and those of their men??against the armies of the wilderness, their political adversaries in Rome grow at once more fearful and more formidable. So when the fighting at the dominion??s edge is over, the greatest danger to Julius Caesar will await him on the Tiber??with a man who wants Rome himself. From the clash of armies to the heat of a woman??s seduction, from the thunder of battle to the orgies of pleasure and plunder that follow in a warrior??s wake, Emperor: The Field of Swords captures in riveting detail a world being shaped by a brilliant civilization. And in this extraordinary novel, the fate of Rome is being driven by the ambitions of a single man. A man with No library descriptions found. |
Current DiscussionsNonePopular covers
Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813Literature English (North America) American fictionLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
Is this you?Become a LibraryThing Author. |
This story highlights events that push Julius full force into his destiny. From scorned love to the battlefield. We see a young man grow old far too quickly as he breaks himself not only upon the gears of war and the politics which drive those gears but the desire to walk in the footsteps of a conqueror. The writing in this book is very smooth and seeks to entangle the reader in the mud and blood of the Pre-Empirical years of Rome. The reader is given only a glimpse of the mess that was the invasion of Britannia. The first half of the book is mostly politics but the second half shoves us face down in the dirt. It is impossible to truly understand what these soldiers must have endured. A decade on the battlefields of Gaul…no rest, no quarter and a thousand other unsaid elements that define the life of a Legionnaire in the Roman Army.
In addition to the time on the battlefield we catch a view of what it was like afterwards for these soldiers. In today’s modern world we have PTSD along with checks and balances to help Veterans, but in ancient times there was no such thing. Men weaned on the teats of blood and death lived and died by the sword and it is hard to imagine what their thoughts could have been. All in all Field of Swords is a great read and a proper addition to the series. ( )