Star Wars - Boba Fett: Enemy of the Empire

Book Description

Before the events of A New Hope, Darth Vader employs Boba Fett, on a mission to discover and bring to Vader a single small box, the contents of which could change the fate of the galaxy. But there`s a catch: Vader trusts no one, and the truth of the box`s mystery is too important to allow the bounty hunter to live! When Fett retrieves the prize, he finds himself the target of more of Vader`s thralls. Also includes the hard-to-find 1997 Wizard magazine exclusive, Boba Fett #1/2.

Customer Reviews:

Enemy of the Empire= Average. . . short story (Salvage)= Great.......2005-12-13

This graphic novel's main story, the four comic issue series "Enemy of the Empire" was decent at best. Boba Fett himself was very good, well-drawn, intelligent (as he should be viewed), and strong (unlike in Underworld). The rest of the characters and the storyline ruined everything. The story also seemed like it'd never happen in the Star Wars universe. Why would Vader enlist a group of weak assassins to do something when his stormtroopers could easily do it? It's not possible that there's no one in the entire Empire to complete Vader's task (which also seemed comical). Vader wanted to retrieve a box that contained the living head of a person. Sound weird yet? It gets better.

The head-thingy can predict the future. It was once the queen of a tribe on some planet. And her hair was made of gold. Definitely strange.

The short story at the end saved this. It is the Wizard comic issue called "Salvage". Though short, it was much better than the Enemy of the Empire series. Much better story and dialogue. Without "Salvage" , this graphic novel would have been a 1 or 2. Buy this only for the short.

Fett vs Vader and awesome Cover art........2003-07-23

This is a review of Star Wars - Boba Fett - Enemy of the Empire TPB, a collection of 4 issues ½ of a wizard magazine comic - Salvage published Oct 1999 as ISBN 156971407x, Printed in Canada.

This is one of the finest comic Dark horse has ever produced. It is beautifully produced with above average artwork, excellent inking and superior binding. I have sat and read through this comic many times and it has never fallen apart in my hands. The story is action packed, featuring a duel between Vader and Fett. Ken kellys cover art is a 5, the story is a 4, the inking is a 4. The artwork is generally a 2 and a 3 often resembling the comic strip style rather than the rich art we now see in later comics. There were 3 different illustrators with unequal results. But for 1999 this was awesome.

Not Feeling Loved; A Day in the Life of a Bounty Hunter.......2003-03-17

While working one's way through the arts of bartering for souls, a person has to be careful who they choose to align themselves with. This holds true for anyone wanting to make their way out of a deal alive, from the lowliest of traders to the mightiest of bounty hunters. In Enemy of the Empire, Boba Fett learns just that, finding out that perhaps Darth Vader isn't an individual to be bartered with and that something worthy of his attention has to be profitable as well as dangerous in order for him to thrive. He is sent to find a certain someone that has an item in their possession, one that can tell the future in ways that some species would find disturbing, and that can even bring a player like Vader himself hunting for your head.

The storyline that is presented in this TPB is really a good one, brimming with some odd species, a bit of intrigue, and the art of bounty hunting that makes people seek out Boba Fett. It touches on a little of the methods on how to track someone, how your armor can sometimes get an array of ugly reminders of why you should or shouldn't be wary of dealing with anyone, what to do if you are attacked by one of the most dangerous forces in the universe, and how truly messed up some people's abilities can be. The problem in the book is that its art doesn't hold a candle to the interesting worlds involved in the storyline and that, despite the attempts to seem somewhat humorous at times, it fails to evoke laughter from myself. Instead, it seems to take away from some of the faces involved, especially when you are dealing with Vader and his boss, not to mention the rank and file that happen to make up the universe's shady characters. It took me a long time to get past this little portion of the book and, were it not for the fact that Fett was involved, I would have perhaps skipped past it completely.

This isn't to say that the read is worthy, because it is. You simply have to be ready for something of a disappoint in the art department - which I was a little prepared for but not to the extent that it laid out here. Also included in this is "Boba Fett's Salvage (or Boba Fett 1/2), which isn't that bad of a story and that is not the most fun piece to find by itself, making it a better by and something that friends of the hunting class might want to look into. Just remember to bring an open mind to the table because, well, mixed results sometimes anger the viewing mind.

Very Cool!.......2003-01-04

I loved this book, it was very intresting. There were turns in the book plots and even a death. I can't wait to see more of these books. I love Boba Fett.

A Fun Read.......2001-09-02

The world of 'Star Wars' comics has been able to achieve heights of drama in expeceptional works such as 'In the Empire's Service', 'Outlander', and 'Mandatory Retirement.' This is not anywhere near that list. Then again, its not supposed to be.
It's for entertainment value, plain and simple. The art and writing are somewhat silly while still having an elemnt of drama and reality to them. John Nadeau of the XWRS fame has a very different art style here, one far less dramatic and far more silly.
Then end is good, especially regarding the fight between Fett and Vader and the fate of the Pessimists. (I love irony.) Overall, while its by no means the best SW comics out there, its a fun, quick read and reccomended as such.

Enemies of Empire: New Perspectives on Imperialism, Literature And Histography

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Enemies of Empire: New Perspectives on Imperialism, Literature And Histography

Manufacturer: Four Courts Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1846820022

Enemies of the Empire (Libertus Mystery Series)

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The kidnapping is getting tiresome
Not Libertus' best outing
Just as Good as the Other Libertus Books

Enemies of the Empire (Libertus Mystery Series)
Rosemary Rowe
Manufacturer: Headline Book Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0755305191

Book Description

A three-day journey to the forested outskirts of the Empire is the last thing Libertus wants to make. Not only are there wolves and bears, but Celtic rebels may well regard the lone coach as fair game. But when Marcus Septimus asks Libertus to join him on official business, he knows he can't refuse his benevolent patron. En route to the garrison town of Isca, they stop at Venta—a simmering cauldron of social unrest where the Silures tribe, loyal to the memory of former chief Caractacus, seethes under Roman occupation. In the busy market square, Libertus is shocked by the glimpse of a familiar face. His pursuit of the figure leads him down a treacherous path and, before he knows it, into a murky world of racketeering, treason, and murder.

Customer Reviews:

The kidnapping is getting tiresome.......2007-01-13

Every single book in this series has Libertus being kidnapped or thrown in jail at some point. Come on! Am I to believe that he has managed to live as long as he has as both a slave then a freedman without learning how to take better care of himself and to be more aware of his environment? Then he's able to use his skills of awareness and logic to solve mysteries? I just don't buy it after so many book. I'm also not convinced that all the over the top patron and client behavior is reasonable -- Marcus Septimus is not his former master so why does he spend so much time with him again? Where is his real patron, his former master? Anyway, I do still like the major characters and I'm pleased that the plots have allowed their lives to develop toward a new family.

Not Libertus' best outing.......2005-09-23

The seventh Libertus mystery from Rosemary Rowe has our aged sleuth paying a visit to Venta Silurium as part of his patron's entourage and promptly getting caught up in a hotbed of insurgency. He only manages to get involved when he sees a man whose funeral he attended earlier that month alive and well in the town's forum. An inquisitive chase through the town results in him being hopelessly lost, running into the town's leading madam and then being waylaid by some hot-headed youths who threaten to kill him as a spy of one of the local gangs.
All in all a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
After enduring a night in the cells and a farcical trial where he is acquitted, Libertus and Marcus go on a trip into the nearby forest and end up with all their horses stolen, locating the body of the slave Promptillius and encountering a local set of Silurians who suspiciously protest undying love for all things Roman. Once our sleuth manages to sit down for five seconds he realises what is going on with the overly stupid Optio and Lyra, the madam, avoids being poisoned and brings the culprits to justice whilst Marcus chafes at the irritation of being delayed in his journey.
This is quite a weak effort from Rowe in the sense it just trundles amicably along with no real sense of murder thriller. The characters elicit little empathy, just irritation and Libertus is in danger of becoming overly obsequious. A little spine would be useful and he could learn from Cadfael.
The series is an enjoyable addition to the ever increasing ancient murder mystery but Libertus is lightweight when compared to the likes of Marcus Covinus, Gordianus the Finder, Metellus the Younger being more at a level of Claudia Seferius. Worth reading for any fan of the genre.

Just as Good as the Other Libertus Books.......2005-08-10

The author's knowledge and feel for Roman Britain is second to none and her storytelling keeps the reader asking for more. This latest book is no different and I enjoyed it immensely.

AD 188 and Britain is without a Roman governer. Until a new governor is installed Marcus Septimus is one of the most important men in Roman Britain. He is also the patron of Libertus, one-time slave and mosaic (pavement maker) artist. Marcus has called on Libertus on more than one occasion to help solve crimes among the Romans and Britains.

Libertus is asked by Marcus to accompany him from Glevum to Isca on official business and although Libertus is busy with his work, he knows that it would be foolish to refuse.

On the way they make a stop at Venta. The place is simmering with unrest towards the Romans, where the Silures are loyal to their former chieftain Caractacus. While there Libertus is shocked to see a man whose funeral he attended not long ago. The man runs away and pursuit of him leads Libertus into danger not only to himself but all the party who are travelling with him . . .

Rome and her Enemies: An Empire Created and Destroyed by War (General Military)

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Rome and Her Enemies

Rome and her Enemies: An Empire Created and Destroyed by War (General Military)

Manufacturer: Osprey Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1841769320
Release Date: 2005-10-10

Book Description

Spanning over a thousand years and an immense geographical area, the Roman Empire was the greatest in world history. At its most powerful, the Empire cast a shadow across the known world, and its legacy continues to influence politics, art and culture around the world today. Rome’s power was won on the battlefield, and the greatness of the Empire is reflected in the warlike reputations of the enemies it subdued. Hannibal, the Carthaginians, Mithridates, the Gauls, the Sassanid Persians and the infamous Goths are amongst the forces that battled the might of Rome. Rome and Her Enemies juxtaposes the society and military structure of each of these peoples with those of the contemporary Roman army. Using previously published Osprey material, this book is divided into four chronological sections focusing on major wars and battles, is lavishly illustrated throughout, and colour photographs, artwork and maps support the text to provide a comprehensive introduction to the rise and fall of an empire created and destroyed by war. Introduction by Tom Holland, bestselling author of ‘Persian Fire’ and ‘Rubicon’.

Customer Reviews:

Rome and Her Enemies.......2007-09-25

This book appears to be written by 2 groups of authors (Note: Jane Penrose is listed as editor not author). 1 group are the standard Osprey history writers. The other group appears to standard journalist(s).
The sections written by the Osprey writers are objective and informative. For example there are sections detailing the training and fighting methods of the Roman Army, Gallic Army, Celtiberian tribes and several other armies. Most of the sidebars in the book are objective and give interesting informatiuon such as explaining the Roman road sytem in Britian. Also the maps and the drawings in this book are clear, colorful and informative.
The sections of the book written by the journalist(s) are based on political correctness. For example, the writer criticizes the portrayal of Attila the Hun as a menace to society stating "his "greatest crime was to be different, in physical appearance, cultural background and attitude towards urban civilisation." However, in reference to China's belief the Huns were a menace to their civilization the journalist(s) claims that those were different Huns.
The journalist written sections also claim during Partia's existence "Rome - apart from a few fleeting successes - had been held as bay for 3 centuries." However, in the chapter concerning Persia's overrunning of Parthia and challenging Rome, the journalist(s) state "The change was significant since the Romans had generally dominated the Parthians and indeed repeated Roman successes had contributed to undermining royal prestige.." This may be 2 politically correct journalist not coordinating their political correctness.
The journalist(s) also blame Rome for causing the Punic Wars stating "the Romans saw an opportunity to advantage themselves" and that Roman expansion was "unconstrained". While there is some truth to these statements Roman expansion was not the sole cause of the wars. Carthage's goal of controlling all of the western Mediterranean (including Sicily) and limiting Roman influence to the Italian peninsula was the other major cause of the Punic Wars.
There are other examples of political correctness throughout this book.
Rome and Her Enemies could have been a very good book but political correctness ruined it.
Hopefully, in the future, Osprey will stick with its standard history writers rather than using journalists otherwise, in my opinion, it could mean the decline and fall of Osprey.

With Musket, Cannon and Sword: Battle Tactics of Napoleon and His Enemies

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Essential reading
Excellent
A Fresh Perspective of Napoleanic Conflict
Awesome book - required reading!
A Clean Miss

With Musket, Cannon and Sword: Battle Tactics of Napoleon and His Enemies
Brent Nosworthy
Manufacturer: Sarpedon Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Art of Warfare in the Age of Napoleon

ASIN: 1885119275

Customer Reviews:

Essential reading.......2005-09-01

The tactics of the Napoleonic Wars have been poorly understood. Nosworthy gives excellent detailed examples from the era showing how each of the combat arms dealt with each of the combat arms of their opponents. He shows the importance of morale and how 18th century doctrine evolved into Napoleonic tactics. Skirmishers preceded attacking infantrymen, and columns were generally used not so much for attack as they were for maneuver toward the enemy where the men would then deploy into line. The French used lines more than has been generally thought. This system worked against everyone but the British, whose superior skirmishers kept the French columns in the dark until British infantry fired a volley and charged just as the French were attempting to deploy. This book is essential to understanding Napoleonic warfare.

Excellent.......2001-09-14

First class - the outstanding general work in its field. Previous unfavourable reviews seem more concerned with superficial detail than with the key arguments of the book.

A Fresh Perspective of Napoleanic Conflict.......2001-02-08

I was privileged to to provide Mr. Noseworthy some research for this book, and therefor feel honored to be associated with it. Notwithstanding my own bias, this is still an impressive work which gives a perspective on the Napoleanic conflict which is unsurpassed. For far too long we have been influenced by the generalist view of the tactics and formations employed then. Even major historians like Chandler and Elting while providing great overall perspective of the period, are very scanty when it comes to describing how troops actually fought back then. This book provides a lot of answers and has a nuts and bolts perspective which is fascinating. Mr. Noseworthy's expalnation of how the aristocracy of the 18th Century limited the employment of non-linerar tactics in the French and other armies goes a long way toward explaining how the French were able to employ them in the Napoleanaic period. Here we see that the tactics of the French Revolution and Napoleanic periods did not simply fall out of the sky, but were already established principals whose time had finally come. Mr. Noseworthy discusses in detail how French formations fought and delivered fire, and dispels a lot of myths about the French army. Contrary to popular opinion, the French fought in a variety of formations besides column, and were not adverse to employing lines. Reference is made to how the British fought in this period, and we learn it was not platoon fire that defeated the French in Spain and Waterloo, but point blank vollies followed by spirited bayonet charges. The book quotes alot from primary sources, many of them seldem referred too before, even by major researchers in the field. This book goes a long way toward re-evaluating how we should understand Napoleanic Warfare, and as such is bound to ruffle a few feathers as far as popular established views are concerned. Mr. Noseworthy's writing is clear, subtle, and to the point. There is seldem a paragraph that does not contain some interesting fact. I look forward to a work on the US Civil War period where countless myths and falsehoods about the formations employed in that war could be addressed in the same logical fashion. It was a priviledge to be associated with this book, and look forward to do doing so again if the occasion arises. Buy this book wherever you can find it!

Awesome book - required reading!.......2000-07-03

Contrary to the previous review (A Clean Miss), I find the book to be an excellent sourcebook for areas that other authors often fail to broach. The book focuses on morale, and how it relates to the tactics of the day. I notice that the previous harsh review completely fails to focus on the book's main points and instead picks at minor flaws of little relevance. There may be some minor errors, but they in no way detract from the book's main argument, which has an undeniable ring of truth to it. I realise that some might see the author's conclusions as going against the old guard military traditions, but anyone who misses out on this book is missing out on a very important facet of Napoleonic warfare.

A Clean Miss.......2000-06-21

With Musket, Cannon, and Sword, Brent Nosworthy has made a large attempt at a comprehensive examination of tactics in the Napoleonic Era. What he has given us, however, is a volume full of error, misconception, and a lack of understanding of both the soldiers of the period and how they fought.

The author relies on some references, such as du Picq and Nolan, that lie outside the period. He demonstrates a difficulty with the translation of certain French military terms (such as to 'flit about' for voltigeur, instead of 'vaulter,'its actual meaning), and doesn't comprehend the definition of field artillery (defining 12-pounders as 'positional artillery), and makes up his own terms on ocassion to define certain overall terms (I have yet to come across, either in English or French the term 'impulse tactics' for the French system-it is clearly a term the auther coined, which isn't helpful).

Additionally, he arms French cuirassiers with lances, has General Duhesme surviving the Napoleonic Wars (he was mortally wounded at Waterloo), identifies Marbot as a member of the 23d chasseurs when he was the commander, confusing the terms 'chasseur' and 'voltigeur', giving French cuirassiers 'head plates' instead of helmets, and uses some dubious sources (such as JFC Fuller, Marshals MacDonald and Marmont, Jomini, Thiers, and Thiebault, for example) for reference when a little careful research would have identified them as such.

The author does, however, have excellent primary source material in his bibliography, such as French artillery manuals of the period, drill regulations of the different belligerents, and such outstanding secondary works as Quimby's The Background of Napoleonic Warfare and Col Elting's Swords Around A Throne, but apparently doesn't pay much attention to them.

Some of the more egregious errors are crediting Frederick the Great with developing European cavalry to 'charge at speed' when this was done by Gustavus Adolphus over 100 years before; using the wargame terms 'medium cavalry' for dragoons and 'converged' instead of provisional which is the accurate term for temporary units. One of the worst errors in the book is his description of French skirmisher tactics, repeatedly stating they purpose was to 'pester' the opposing line and not what they were actually used for in large numbers: to be used to prep the opposing line for an infantry assault and to be that assault's fire support element in an integrated tactical system.

The artillery sectioin is hopeless. There is no distinction made between the different weights the combatants used (for example a French pound was heavier than an English pound), thus giving a false impression on throw weight. While the author does distinguish somewhat between field and siege artillery, he assigns siege guns to the field armies when they had none and doesn't appear to understand how devastating short range massed artillery actually was during the period. Further, the author doesn't understand field artillery doctrine of the period even though artillery manuals are listed in the bibliography. In particular he states that counter-battery fire (artillery firing on an opponent's artillery) was regularly done, when in fact the French, British, and Austrians frowned on the practice as too time consuming and wasteful of ammunition. It was only done when the enemy's artillery was hurting your own infantry more than you were hurting theirs. The author also invents a field version of the 24-pounder siege gun when none existed.

The most extraordinary statement by the author on artillery is
`Any good artillery officer recognized that the true effect of artillery was in its ability to demoralize the enemy at a critical moment, rather than physically to eliminate the opposing force.' This is ridiculous and fails to take into account actions such as Senarmont's at Friedland in 1807 and Drouot's at Lutzen in 1813 when massed French artillery completely destroyed a portion of the enemy's line.

Overall, this volume paints a very inaccurate picture of the tactics of the period and the age overall. It is an unreliable resource, and in reality cannot be used as a reference. It belongs to that half of Napoleonic literature that is a 'waste of good paper and printer's ink.'

Brides of the Empire: The Eagle and the Lamb/Edge of Destiny/My Enemy, My Love (Heartsong Novella Collection)

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Brides of the Empire: The Eagle and the Lamb/Edge of Destiny/My Enemy, My Love (Heartsong Novella Collection)
Darlene Mindrup
Manufacturer: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1597891053
Release Date: 2006-01-15

Book Description

Oppressed but not broken, three young women within the Roman Empire struggle to find true and lasting love. Anna is a Samaritan at a time when the hatred between Samaritans and Jews is at a fever pitch. When she finds herself attracted to a Jewish man, can she bridge the gap between them with her knowledge of Jesus Christ? Sara is a Jewish slave to a wealthy tribune's sister. How can she dare let her Christianity show during Nero's reign of terror? Chara has been bought as a slave by a former slave. Can she trust him when he says, as a Christian, he has no use for a servant?

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Compelling Reading

Enemy of the Empire
Eamon McGuire
Manufacturer: O'Brien Press Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0862789095

Customer Reviews:

Compelling Reading.......2006-10-26

What is it like to be on the run with the CIA looking for you? Well, Eamon McGuire, an Irishman, can tell you something about that, along with what it was like to be member of the IRA's South Armagh Brigade. For over 20 years, McGuire led a double life: one as an aircraft engineer, the other as an IRA operative. His newly-released book, "Enemy of the Empire: Life as an International Undercover IRA Activist," is compelling reading.

Rome and the Enemy: Imperial Strategy in the Principate

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How did the Romans think of war and peace and strategy?
Insightful Look at Roman Foriegn Policy
Another side of Rome
Peace Through Terror
How the Gladiator defied an empire?

Rome and the Enemy: Imperial Strategy in the Principate
Susan P. Mattern
Manufacturer: University of California Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0520211669

Book Description

How did the Romans build and maintain one of the most powerful and stable empires in the history of the world? This illuminating book draws on the literature, especially the historiography, composed by the members of the elite who conducted Roman foreign affairs. From this evidence, Susan P. Mattern reevaluates the roots, motivations, and goals of Roman imperial foreign policy especially as that policy related to warfare. In a major reinterpretation of the sources, Rome and the Enemy shows that concepts of national honor, fierce competition for status, and revenge drove Roman foreign policy, and though different from the highly rationalizing strategies often attributed to the Romans, dictated patterns of response that remained consistent over centuries.
Mattern reconstructs the world view of the Roman decision-makers, the emperors, and the elite from which they drew their advisers. She discusses Roman conceptions of geography, strategy, economics, and the influence of traditional Roman values on the conduct of military campaigns. She shows that these leaders were more strongly influenced by a traditional, stereotyped perception of the enemy and a drive to avenge insults to their national honor than by concepts of defensible borders. In fact, the desire to enforce an image of Roman power was a major policy goal behind many of their most brutal and aggressive campaigns.
Rome and the Enemy provides a fascinating look into the Roman mind in addition to a compelling reexamination of Roman conceptions of warfare and national honor. The resulting picture creates a new understanding of Rome's long mastery of the Mediterranean world.

Customer Reviews:

How did the Romans think of war and peace and strategy?.......2007-10-09

This book is not a tale or narrative. Instead, it is an examination of the evidence about how Rome thought of war, peace, and strategy. Through literature, histories, and historical evidence, the author captures a sense of Roman thought.

Romans worried about the image of Rome, the way others thought of Rome. They gaurded with ferocity the reputation of Rome as a terrible enemy.

Romans did not have a sense of mapping, geography, strategic boundaries, or key crops and resources, in a way that modern military and foreign policy specialists take for granted. Instead, Rome had a strong sense of the enemy, those who would try and push at Rome, and who needed to be kept down, subdued, killed, in order to ensure a strong Rome.

This book is a bit dry, but it is fascinating in how it weaves its sources to reveal a way of life and of thought, regarding empire. There have been those who feel that America needs to understand this Roman view of power and fear, in order to understand why some in the world go to war with Americans. I think that this is over-stated. It is not as though we lack this Roman perspective in the West... rather I would say that we have layered over it many strategic lessons, and some forgetfulness.

This sort of writing augments more narrative histories by capturing the historic sensibility of the times. There should be more histories of this quality written.

Insightful Look at Roman Foriegn Policy.......2001-08-11

Looking at what modern observers would essentially call foriegn policy of the Roman principate, Matterson gives a fascinating account of the conduct of the Roman empire on an international level if you will that is both insightful and enjoyable. Perhaps what was most beneficial about the book was the author's various discussions of essentially how the Roman ruling parties viewed the world around them. The reason for the immense importance of this is that the Roman view of the outside world physically, psychologically, and geographically was inherently different than how the modern viewer would see it. What we see three-dimensionally the Romans essentially saw in 2-D, a rough analogy that does allude to the main idea of Matterson's book, an idea it would be well worth the time of anyone with an interest in history or international studies to understand. How Roman power both grew and saw sustainment cannot be fully understood without this basic comprehension of the world by Roman eyes, and there are few sources available that illustrate this fact in better and more entertaining fashion than Matterson does. Beware though, this book is relatively in depth and utilizes a lot of scholastic and antiquated sources and styles that would be a little much for a reader new to Roman studies to comprehend, and for that reason I would suggest at least a rudimentary understanding of the Principate period be obtained before investing in this title, as the true impact and importance of Matterson's ideas could be easily missed by one who knows not what to look for. Beyond that though, this book is certainly well worth your time and purchase.

Another side of Rome.......2000-09-24

Susan P. Mattern wrote a book that is well made, easy to read and has well supported ideas. She breaks down Imperial Strategy, not into where, who and how, but into why and what for. While other books focus on what the Romans are doing, she examines why they do it. She breaks it down into parts, dealing with how the army, the empire's income and the Roman values shape and mold how they respond to threats and outsiders. The hardcover might scare you, but it only took me two days to read and for a person who has a basic knowledge of Roman History, the book should not be a problem.

Peace Through Terror.......2000-07-04

Susan Mattern, a professor at the University of Georgia, has written a well-researched analysis of how the Roman Empire's leaders made strategic decisions from 31 BC to 235 AD. Chapters cover topics from the nature of the decision-making elite, the Roman image of the world around them, strategic limitations, economic resources, and strategic values. Although a bit dry and academic in tone, this work provides a valuable synthesis of the elements that enabled Roman leaders to formulate a strategic policy for the Empire.

Roman policy, as Mattern hammers home repeatedly, was not based upon either deterrence or a search for defensible borders. Rather, Roman policy rested upon overawing both external and internal enemies with the ability of the Empire to inflict massive military punishment upon all transgressors. Rome made war to avenge injuries upon the empire in order to maintain the honor of that entity. Failure to avenge a Barbarian attack or to settle disputes with diplomacy was viewed by Roman leaders as not only a sign of weakness, but also an invitation to further enemy aggression. In order to maintain peace, Barbarian arrogance (i.e. disrespect for the power of Rome) had to be kept in line by smashing military defeats, followed by humiliating surrenders. The greater the arrogance of the enemy, the more severe the Roman revenge, ranging from mere defeat to total annihilation; as Mattern wrote, "if a tribe caused too much trouble, the Romans saw no moral or ethical argument against wiping it off the face of the earth". Nor was there a time limit - Roman retribution might not come for years or even decades, but their enemies had to be assured that it would come some day.

Roman security rested far more on repeated demonstrations of military prowess and a willingness to pay any price to avenge insults to the Empire, than the size of the army or border defenses. Mattern has very useful chapters detailing the limitations of the Roman Army based on available manpower and the ability of the Empire to extract taxes. Interestingly, the Roman Army during this period amounted to only about 1% of the total population and the military budget is estimated to have been approximately 2.5% of the "Imperial GNP". These statistical points help Mattern to hammer home her points that Roman strategy, as such there was, aimed at achieving a psychological effect upon the enemy rather than achieving security through either quantitative or qualitative superiority. These chapters on the economic underpinnings of the Empire and strategic limitations make this book a valuable addition to any collection of Roman military history.

Mattern also makes interesting points on the differences between how Romans made strategic decisions compared with current methods. Amazingly, maps and geographical information were not used in planning military operations. Nor were financial considerations of cost and gained measured; major military resources were devoted to hold onto Britain despite the poor economic resources of the island. Instead, Mattern convincingly claims that it all came down to maintaining the image of the Empire as able and willing to inflict assured retribution on aggressors. Peace for Roman was thus achieved by psychologically terrorizing all challengers into subject inactivity.

How the Gladiator defied an empire?.......2000-05-17

After I saw Gladiator-the movie, I needed to know how the Romans used to think. How they made this empire last and expand. I was amazed to know that they picked their leaders with certain characteristics. This book talks about it and much more.

Against the Megamachine: Essays on Empire and its Enemies

Average customer rating:

Wake up and get a glimpse of reality.
Yuck...
A brilliant work

Against the Megamachine: Essays on Empire and its Enemies
David Watson
Manufacturer: Autonomedia
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1570270872

Book Description

The green world in which we evolved is being shredded by our instruments and our way of life. David Watson's wide-ranging essays—published in Fifth Estate, one of North America's most original radical journals—ponder such themes as the state, empire and war; humanity's tragic relation to the natural world; and the contemporary mass society generated by industrial capitalism and modern technology. His impassioned critique offers a vision of social transformation open to diverse possibilities, and suggests where a new politics must begin: as a radical challenge to the mystique of progress, in defense of nature, memory and spirit.

Customer Reviews:

Wake up and get a glimpse of reality........2001-10-20

This book changed who I am. I couldn't put it down. Read this book if you want understand more about life and what it means to be human. AGAINST THE MEGAMACHINE will open up your mind to multiple perspectives.

Yuck..........2000-06-06

Ponderous and boring, Against the Megamachine is not so much an essay against the empire and its enemies as a cure for chronic insomnia.

The arguments are circular and perplexing, with the words "Nature", "Counterculture" and "Abstract" being particularly important to the author, apparently.

How such a cakehead could ever get published is a mystery to me. How he could even be a teacher is even more confusing. Keep your $14 for something better; perhaps a book by Ayn Rand, a romance novel of the sort found in the supermarket, or the pros of incinerators.

A brilliant work.......1999-11-25

Against the Megamachine is yet another work by one of the most brilliant minds of our generation. All of his comments are insightful and poignant. Watson writes with authority and will keep you thinking and laughing! A must read for anyone who claims to be intelligent!

Average customer rating:

Brides of the Empire: The Eagle and the Lamb/Edge of Destiny/My Enemy, My Love (Heartsong Novella Collection)
Darlene Mindrup
Manufacturer: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000L6E82O

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