Crispina

I found that quite a good story, as the Roman navy is largely forgotten in Roman stories. ~I am liking The Gladiator. I am halfway through right now and I think it is going to be one of his best stroies yet. Yes, I thought about that too - I agree a story of the Roman navy is something one doesn't read much about. Scarrow has such a talent for describing every detail, even the turning of the ships for instance. It's like you are right there experiencing that. But the story itself is still not very interesting to me, but I need to know what those scrolls are all about so I'll continue on. Can't wait to plunge into the next three books, but then again that means the series will be over.

I found that quite a good story, as the Roman navy is largely forgotten in Roman stories. ~I am liking The Gladiator. I am halfway through right now and I think it is going to be one of his best stroies yet.

"The Eagle's Prophecy". Well, this book is staring out rather silly if you ask me. When I first read the word, "pirate", I let out a groan and all I could think of was the whole "Pirates of the Caribbean" hype from several years ago. Not liking the story very well so far, but instead of a groan I did laugh out loud at a particular revelation in chapter fourteen ( even tho it is REALLY silly). This is what I get for complaining about too much blood and guts? But I'll keep reading.

"Nice score! Pays off to be patient, eh?" Heh, when I picked it up today the lady told me it was $10. I told her I thought it was $5. "Oh, no - it's $10". Hmmmm. I bought it anyway, saved $4 plus s/h from Amazon. ha It's a thick paperback. She also became very excited about Simon Scarrow and this entire book series. "Another author for me to investigate!" she says. Also, she said I could return the book when finished with it and get 25% credit. Since it was the only copy they had, she was hoping I'd bring it back - so she could read it. Also I can use the credit towards the last two books in the series if they happen to come into the shop. Then she proceeds to rattle off this whole list of historical fiction authors that are her favorites wanting to know if I also enjoy them. I told her the only other author I've read is Rosemary Cutliff (whom she didn't know). And I wouldn't have known about Cutliff or Scarrow if I hadn't found out about them on UNRV.

Oh, man bummer. When I picked up Eagle's Prophecy, I requested a search for the next book Eagle in The Sand. The library could not find one copy within the Clevenet system nor the last two books in the series. Not really wanting to purchase the books, I went online anyway to check out Amazon and found some cheaper paperback copies; but then decided to call my local bookstore. They told me they are unable to order me any of the three books as they are unavailable at this time. (He also mentioned that Simon Scarrow must have changed publishers after The Eagle's Prey). Then he suggested the used book store down the street. Hey, I called them and she went to check her shelves and found a paperback copy of Eagle in The Sand for $5! Better than Amazon's $14. I'm picking it up today

The Eagle's Prey, fifth in the series - finished it last night. I had mentioned that after I read the first several chapters that the book seemed "same ole' same ole'"; but, it quickly takes a turn for the better and in a surprising way! I liked this book, even tho the scenes of capture and torture were pretty graphic. Somehow I knew our heroes would come out "smelling like a rose" but there were times when I wasn't sure what Mr. Scarrow had in mind for Cato and Macro and thought the story of one of these character might just end with this book. Kept me reading that's for sure. Coincidentally, when I opened my email box this morning there was the notice from my library that The Eagle's Prophecy, number six book, was ready to be picked up. Spoiler - back to Rome we go!

Crispina - 117AD is when the Ninth disappeared, and that legion was part of Claudius' invasions of Britain. For a nifty little review of Sutcliff's novel, I'd like to point you here: The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff And I know what you mean about the battle scenes. I actually enjoy the action...you know, kind of just letting yourself go and enjoying for the sake of itself. But those scenes become a bit repetitive. I'm not sure how unique the descriptions can be when they occur so frequently...over and over and over again. I think that's one of the reasons the first two books were particularly strong (because the battles are "new"), and why "When the Eagle Hunts" was fun (because the battles were more unique than the typical roman set-piece battles). The characters WITHIN the battles, and drama and intrigue BETWEEN the battles, is what makes the books enjoyable. J Thanks for giving me the date in regards to the Ninth Legion, and I read your Sutcliff review back when I began her Eagle of the Ninth series. Re the battle scenes, I think Scarrow does such a great job describing those; so don't get me wrong I don't dislike them really. It's just, as you say, after four books it can get repetitive. I've become very attached to Macro and Cato, even Vespasian and Plautius. ha. That's what keeps me reading,too.

Crispina - I finished "Wolves" right before the long weekend. Good story, but not great. Though I felt this book did a lot for the character development of Cato and Macro. I've got the next one on order. How do you like it so far? I started reading Manfredi's "The Last Legion" which, so far, focuses on the last Western Emperor - Romulus Augustus. From reading the historical notes (the book is fiction), it appears the author's going to tie this into Arthurian legend in Britain. So far, though, not as strong as Scarrow. J Don't like to say this, but I'm finding myself skimming over or skipping altogether paragraphs in Eagles Prey when the short swords come out. Guess you just have to be into that sort of thing. Anyway, so far the book is holding my interest. Maximius is not all he seems to be, me thinks. Also, in this book they briefly (so far) mention the Ninth Legion; what year did the disappearance of the Ninth occur? After reading Sutcliff's novels I should know this!

Picked up "The Eagle's Prey" this morning at the library, number 5 in the series. Will begin reading it tonight!

Crispina - I think you're psychic. I just started "Wolves" two days ago. Just got past the first battle with the Atrebatan auxiliaries. And yes, the Boars and Wolves need to seriously get the whole head-thing under control. LOL So far I like it. I think it's a pretty strong beginning. How does it compare to the others? Jason I'm not a book reviewer, but in my opinion it is quite like the one before it - When the Eagle Hunts; but I still enjoyed it. With each book, Mr. Scarrow keeps moving you right along as the Roman-Britain conquest progresses. I'm worried about the title of the last book in the series and what it means for our heroes, but maybe I'm wrong.

Here, Artimi: 1. Under the Eagle (2000) 2. The Eagles's Conquest (2001) 3. When the Eagle Hunts (2002) 4. The Eagle and the Wolves (2003) 5. The Eagle's Prey (2004) 6. The Eagle's Prophecy (2005) 7. The Eagle in the Sand (2006) 8. Centurion (2007) 9. The Gladiator (2009)

JGolomb, have you had a chance to read "The Eagle and The Wolves" yet? I just finished it the other night and the one thing I'll take away after reading it is: "GO! Leave the heads and go!" Let me know what you thought of it. I waiting on the fifth, "The Eagle's Prey", to come as an inter-library loan, as my library only has the first two books in the series.

The Military Channel showed the documentary, "Paris 1919" last night (Friday, 11/13). It told of President Wilson's League of Nations. There was archival footage, and I believe it was mentioned that this meeting of world leaders was the first of its kind to be filmed. There were facts I never knew before. Here is just a small blurb I found about the documentary online: "Based on the book (Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World) by Margaret MacMillan This documentary tells the story of the Paris Peace conference - an event that remade the world. In the film, we see the world's most powerful men wrestling with the politics of fear and greed in post WWI Europe. "

I think it's so interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing this.

Sorry I also thank you posting the links. I spent almost two hours reading.

Ok, finished When the Eagle Hunts last night - third in Scarrows book series. A great opening scene with a ship wreck that is written so well I felt like I was right there. Then lots of bloody battle and hand to hand combat that takes up nearly the entire first half of the book it seemed to me, with a bit - a bit - of romance. Seemed like I was reading a video game, even tho I never played one, when heads started to be lopped off here and there. I would have liked more story about after the capture of the characters from the shipwreck told from the woman's point of view. But you never hear from her until the very end and she doesn't say much at all. I have to ask, is the character Boudica suppose to be THE Queen Boudica? And one particular death startled me with it's brutality and I have to confess the mental picture of it bothered me a long time. Again, I have to say I did enjoy the book very much but think that so far it is the shortest. Hooray for Cato! But does this mean the dynamic duo Macro and Cato will be separated now? I guess I'll find out in book number four - The Eagle and the Wolves.

What is a "banker's mark"?

I can not believe this. For years, I have been racking my brain and searching through my old Roman history books and other old books to find a story I read once. It was the story of a find of the sixteenth century of a tomb of a young girl swimming in a liquid of some sort and the body was not decomposed one bit. It was put on display and (I thought I remembered) it eventually fell into decay. Again, my little brain thought I'd read it was a daughter of Pliny. I think I even attempted my first post ever to UNRV, asking if anyone knew of this tale and if it was true or not. Well....I began reading Lives of The Roman Empresses last night and lo and behold in the footnotes on page 14 is the story! The chapter is about Calpurnia and speaks of Cicero. The story goes that it was suppose to have been Tullia, daughter of Cicero. Quote: "In the beginning of the sixteenth century, a tomb was discovered in the high-road near Terracina, which was called by the Romans Via Appia, and in it was found the body of a young girl swimming in a certain unknown liquor. The corpse had fair hair turned up with a gold buckle, and as fresh as if alive. At the feet of the body was a lamp burning, which went out as soon as the air came to it. By the inscriptions it appeared that it had been buried in that place fifteen hundred years, and it was supposed to be the body of Tullia, Cicero's daughter. It was carried to Rome, and exposed in the Capitol, where great crowds of people came to view it; but as the credulous multitude would needs have it to be the body of a saint, because it was not corrupted, the Pope ordered it to be thrown by night into the Tiber." What is your opinion on this? I find it fascinating if it's true but is it just a romantic tale? And why would the Pope throw it into the river if she was thought to be a saint??

Well, now I know more about this book. The online version has a shorter title and was published in 1913. So this means my book consists of both volumes. But why so many different titles? It also has 10 really nice illustrations and four pages of Historical Notes that include a chronological table. Does Volume I have the Author's Preface (I've forgotten even tho I checked) if not here is a bit from it: "To say the truth, I have been sometimes almost tempted to suppress a great many things which I have, nevertheless, been obliged to touch upon, but yet with all the regard to decency a man can have, who would be extremely sorry to offend against the rules of good manners. But I hope that nobody will have any great reason to blame me upon that subject, since, even in the most shameful passages of these Empresses' lives, I have carefully avoided making use of any shocking expressions". Debauched, I say! hee hee

Has anyone else read this book? It's real title is: "Lives of The Roman Empresses, The History of the Lives and Secret Intrigues of the Wives, Sisters, and Mothers of the Caesars" by Jacques Boergas De Serviez, Copyright 1935, with an introduction by Robert Graves. I bought this book long ago when I collected old books and it just so happened that I, Claudius had debuted on TV the year before. The book begins with Calpurnia, wife of Julius Caesar and ends with Constantia, wife of Licinius. It's where I learned the word "debauched" because he uses it so frequently! ha. Now is the time to take it off the book shelf and give it another read.

Crispina, I thought Eagle's Conquest was the best of the first three so far (I've only read 3 and have the 4th in the queue for the next month or so). I noticed the same thing when Scarrow describes the locations...hard to put a mental image with his descriptions. Will have to look up that last line when I get home. If you're interested in the whole Claudius/Narcissus angle to the story, check out Robert Graves' "Claudius the God" - it's the second part of "I, Claudius" and he goes into some detail of his British adventure - VERY different perspective (though also fictional), and was nice to tie in with Scarrow's storyline. The line I'm referring to came as a surprise to me. I smiled, anticipating what book three must or could be about. The librarian asked if I wanted her to get the fourth book also, but I told her I'm not that fast of a reader; although the books do move along quickly I think because of the short chapters, which I mentioned before. I was going to ask why you feel the third book isn't as good as the second, but I don't want any spoilers! As far as I,Claudius I have never read the book; only watched the series when it aired on Masterpiece Theater many many moons ago. Someday I'd love to purchase the DVD set. I have a question about another book that has been my favorite for a long time and mentions Robert Graves, but will begin a new thread on it.

I just finished reading The Eagle's Conquest last night. Enjoyed it very much, despite all the blood and gore (!)and learned little more about this time in history. This second book in the series didn't have as much humor, but that was ok. Scarrows descriptive style is great, but sometimes I got lost while he went on about the landscape in detail. Most of the time, I just couldn't visualize what he was trying to describe but I know it was just me. Maybe a dictionary would have helped, esp. with some of the British terms I'm not familiar with. And a map! Loved the very last line of the book. So, I'm off now to the library to see if they can locate the third book in the series "When the Eagle Hunts". What will Macro and Cato get themselves into this time????

Wow. Thank you very much. I genuinely appreciate the feedback. I said basically the same thing about Scarrow - that Under The Eagle read like a TV movie, only I said you could tell "he grew up with television unlike Sutcliff". I'm on the second book in the series now, and I agree with you it's all about the battles isn't it? I'm looking forward to reading Eagle In The Snow as soon as possible. Thanks for the review.