History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Calculations are only as good as your numbers
  • Pants on fire?
  • Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
  • Very Interesting
  • History as Science Fiction
History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621058

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

5 out of 5 stars Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

5 out of 5 stars Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

5 out of 5 stars Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

4 out of 5 stars History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.
A Crown of Swords (The Wheel of Time, Book 7)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Better then reading the book
  • Not Free SF Reader
  • The best WoT book since the first one
  • Great Series
  • Will this ever end....?
A Crown of Swords (The Wheel of Time, Book 7)
Robert Jordan
Manufacturer: Tor Fantasy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0812550285

Amazon.com

Robert Jordan has created a rich and intricate tapestry of characters in his Wheel of Time series. In this seventh volume, Rand al'Thor--the Dragon Reborn--draws ever closer to the Last Battle as a stifling heat grips the world.

Book Description

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Better then reading the book.......2007-09-10

I really enjoy RJ's work, but I, like many others wonder why he needs to repeat himself over and over. Or give us every single detail about even things that are not all that important. Myself, I really hope that there is only one book left and that RJ finishes it soon. And I pray that Kate Reading and Michael Kramer are still doing the unabridged audio CDs then too.

Both Kate Reading and Michael Ramer, the narrators in this book on CD do a wonderful job. Both do a brilliant job of instilling life into the words written by Jordan that you don't actually mind too much when things repeated needlessly by the author. Each narrator's voice add rich dimension to each character so that you can keep track with ease who is saying what while retaining the intended point of view in the written text.

The plot, as many other's have already reviewed doesn't move very fast in some sections and in the head, you are left wondering, why wasn't book 6 and 7 just made into one book and some of the needless stuff left out. We have enough character and plots/sub plots to last for the rest of the books. RJ doesn't need to add in more, but he does (Not only in this book but in the coming books).

Some things I liked:
Matt being chased by a queen of things as a play-toy
Nynaeve getting over her block
Lan's return to Nynaeve
Nynaeve and Lan's marriage - through really I would have liked to have more details about what happened during the actual `wedding' aboard the seafolk ship and what vows made/etc.

Some things I didn't like:
Faile's temper and how Perrin reacts with this slow wittedness that borders on stupid at times. Yes, yes, big strong guy, doesn't like to hurt people, likes to think things out. Joy to you, but when is he going to learn that his wife wants him to have a bit of a temper around her. Show her, who's boss, etc. Get a little rough with her, she won't break.

Elayne and Nynaeve's childish behaviors. Infact all the women seem to have this, almost foolish notation that they are always right even when it's proven they are not. Nynaeve was head of the women's circle back home. Elayne is supposed to be the daughter hair. These women are not children. Both should have learned, if not before the books started, then by now that everyone makes mistakes and that when you do the best thing to do is make amends and get on with life.

Anything with Shaido(spelling) these people are annoying and really don't seem to be doing anything with the over all plot. If RJ plans to make these the group that survice the last battle, I'm going to be really annoyed. Many of the Aes Sedai are the same way, why the heck are we bothering with all these subplots that don't seem to do anything at all.

And I'm starting to get annoyed without knowing certain things that would be good to know while being subjected to meaningless details about what people are wearing when we won't be seeing them again or if we do they are wearing something else that we get to hear about again.

With the books on CD, all those little details that can be really annoying while reading are far more tolerable. Names and places are easier to keep track of, at least for me. Pop in the CD, listen while you drive, workout, or doing yard work without all that worry about.. "is this the same person from earlier, darn I can't remember how her/his name was spelled"

I have all but book 8 and 9 on CD and prefer this media for enjoying RJ's work above any other. When I can find 8 and 9 I'll buy those as well. I strongly recommend listening to all the UNABRIDGED books on CD vs reading them

3 out of 5 stars Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Rand has to fight a Forsaken he has fought before, who, in good supervillain fashion, just won't stay down.

A quest is also required to do something about the nasty weather that the evil Dark Lord has chosen to inflict upon them.

Aes Sedai politics continues to be a pain in the arse for a lot of people.


5 out of 5 stars The best WoT book since the first one.......2007-03-13

The Wheel of Time series is doubtless epic in its proportions. In this volume (Book 7), our main characters are split into three basic storylines: 1. Mat, Nynaeve, and Elayne search for the magical artifact that can control the weather; 2. Rand, with the help of Perrin, reasserts himself as leader in Caemlyn and Carhein while plotting the death of the Forsaken Sammael; 3. Egwene, newly raised as leader of the rebel Aes Sedai, navigates the politics of her position. A dedicated reader of the series would cynically point out that this plot summary is, in fact, identical to that of Book 6. Fortunately for readers of Book 7, the problem lies with Book 6 - the slowest moving book of the series and one of the most painful to read. By comparison, Book 7 is a svelte 850 pages, and has more action and resolutions than Books 5 and 6 combined.

To be blunt, Book 7 is the story that Book 6 should have been. In fact, it starts with a retelling of the climactic battle of Book 6, told from the point of view of one group of Baddies, the Shaido. Rand then has to repair the damage done by this battle and by his kidnapping - damage to his reputation and to his authority (a new queen has herself crowned in his absence). Jordan then deftly interweaves multiple storylines, and we finally get some resolutions that we've been waiting for since the beginning of Book 6. Naturally, new complications are added, and some new characters, including a wise old Aes Sedai long thought to be dead (who tries to take Rand under her wing). The Seanchan make an apocalyptic return, and the strange behaviour of the Sea Folk is dealt with. We get to see into the minds of some of the Bad Guys as well, including chapters dedicated to Galina (the Aes Sedai leading the kidnapping of Rand), Moghedien (after her escape), and Alviarin and Elaida in Tar Valon.

Naturally there are some complaints, as there would have to be with a book this long and a plot this complex. Even I, who have read all the previous books recently (in the past year), find that I'm losing track of people and events. The standard complaint of pacing comes up in several Amazon reviews, but I find this book moves along at a good clip with lots of action. There is still the problem of some characters acting in ways that are obviously against their self-interest (Elayne and Nynaeve are particularly annoying). But all-in-all, this is the best book since the very first one. Sure, these plotlines should all have been ersolved in Book 6 instead, but that's a criticism for the previous book.

5 out of 5 stars Great Series.......2007-02-07

I can't wait for the next book to come out. I wish this series would move faster though.

2 out of 5 stars Will this ever end....?.......2006-12-22

I admit that I'm addicted - despite the s.l.o.w. progress, constant female bickering, and frequent fashion details. I want to see how this dang series ends...will it?

This particular installment of the Dragon et. al. left me feeling underwhelmed. The ending was a disappointment, but I'll press on and order book 8.
History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2 (Chronology)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Check and see
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  • Romulus courts Helen, Paris founds Rome, Moses goes to Troy..
History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2 (Chronology)
Anatoly T Fomenko
Manufacturer: Delamere Resources LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621066

Product Description

`History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2` is the second volume of the most explosive and astounding tractate on history ever written - however, every theory it contains, no matter how unorthodox, is backed by rock solid scientific data. The book is easy and pleasant to read; it is well-illustrated, contains hundreds of charts, graphs and illustrations, copies of ancient manuscripts, and countless facts attesting to the falsity of the chronology used nowadays. You will be amazed to discover: - That the chronology universally accepted today and taken for granted is simply wrong; - That ALL methods of dating of ancient sources and artefacts known today are erroneous or non-exact; - That there is not a single document that could be reliably dated earlier than the XIth century; The Author refers to the Middle Ages as the “Antiquity” and proves mutual superimposition of the Second and the Third Roman Empire, both of which become identified as the respective kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Furthermore, he asserts that the famous reform of the Occidental Church in the XI century by “Pope Gregory Hildebrand” was the reflection of the XII century reforms of Byzantine emperor Andronicus who in his turn identifies with Jesus Christ. The Trojan war counted by Homer happened only as late as of the XIII century A.D. and the great poet actually lived in XIV century A.D. No stone in history of Antiquity is left unturned. Literally. This book is the beginning of a major correction to the chronology we live with.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Check and see.......2007-06-21

I don't care what other people say of this book. Those affirmig it's fake, they hadn't ever read it. Or have some special reasons to do so. "Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see..." This book won't make you feel comfortable. It'll make you feel free. It'll make you feel you're "not the only one" to feel you'd been lied to for centuries.

5 out of 5 stars Suprise! Suprise!.......2007-03-22

Here is a serie of books which turns "the whole world" upside down. I learned a lot of it and I hope that a new book from A.T. Fomenko will follow very quick. A absolute must for everybody who is interested in history or even a little bit from it.

5 out of 5 stars Prescient St Augustine?.......2006-02-05

We can so far divide the New Chronology into the following three parts:

a) The verifiable theory that proves consensual chronology wrong with the aid of astronomy, statistics and mathematics;

b) The new chronology hypothesis based on a new understanding of known historical facts and the most likely logical explanation of the most obvious inconsistencies inherent in the official version of history;

c) The history conjectures, that is experimental historical reconstructions based on assumptions that the authors believe to make sense in the light of their research and linguistic parallels - void of ironclad factual support to date.

Fomenko's theory complies with the most rigid scientific standards as a whole:

It gives a coherent explanation of what we already know.

- It is consistent: independent lines of inquiry all lead to the same conclusion.

- The predictions it makes are confirmed empirically.

Fomenko goes by the following axioms:

- Chronology is the basis of history;

- Human evolution has always been linear, gradual and irreversible;

- The "cyclic" nature of human civilization is a myth, likewise all the gaps, duplicates, "dark ages" and "renaissances" that we know from consensual history;

- The accumulation of geographical knowledge as reflected in cartography is a gradual and irreversible process;

- The chronological distance between a given manuscript and the events described therein is proportional to the amount of distortions it contains;

- There is no "useless" information in authentic ancient sources.

Why the mainstream historians do not shower mathematician Academician Dr.Prof Fomenko with thanks and laurels?

The Russians:

Because Fomenko asserts that there was no such thing as the Tartar and Mongol invasion followed by three centuries of slavery, providing a formidable body of documental evidence to prove his assertion. The so-called "Tartars and Mongols" were the actual ancestors of the modern Russians, living in a bilingual state with Arabic spoken as freely as Russian. The ancient Russian state was governed by a double structure of civil and military authorities. The hordes were actually professional armies with a tradition of lifelong conscription (the recruitment being the so-called "blood tax"). Their "invasions" were punitive operations against the regions that attempted tax evasion. Fomenko proves that Russian history as we know it today is a blatant forgery concocted by a host of German scientists brought to Russia by the usurper dynasty of the Romanovs, whose ascension to the throne was the result of coup d'état, charged with the mission of making their reign look legitimate. Fomenko proves Ivan the Terrible to be a collation of four rulers, no less. They represented the two rival dynasties - the legitimate rulers and the ambitious upstarts. The winner took it all! Over some 30 years of controversy, Russian historians have made a most remarkable transition - they were initially accusing the young mathematician Fomenko of anticommunist dissident activity and attempts to deface the historical legacy of Soviet Russia; nowadays the middle-aged mathematician is accused of adhering to "pro-communist Russian nationalism" and defacing the proud historical legacy of Great Russia.

The Westerners:

Because Fomenko blows consensual Russian history to smithereens, successfully removing a crucial cornerstone from underneath the otherwise impeccable edifice of World History. Fomenko adds insult to injury, wiping out one by one the Ancient Rome (the foundation of Rome in Italy is dated to the XIV century A. D.), the Ancient Greece and its numerous poleis, which he identifies as the mediaeval crusader settlements on the territory of Greece, and the Ancient Egypt (the pyramids of Giza become dated to the XI-XV century A. D. and identified as the royal cemetery of the Global "Mongolian" Empire, no less). The civilization of the Ancient Egypt is irrefutably dated to the XII-XV century A. D. with the aid of the ancient Egyptian horoscopes cut in stone. He was the first one to decipher and date all such horoscopes, coming up with mediaeval dates in every case. English historians rage at the suggestion that the history of Ancient England was de facto a Byzantine import transplanted to the English soil by the fugitive Byzantine nobility. To reward the English historians who consider themselves the true scribes of World History, the cover of the present book portrays Tintoretto's Jesus Christ crucified on the Big Ben.

The Chinese:

Because Fomenko wipes out the Ancient History of China outright. No such thing. Full point. The compilation of the so-called Ancient Chinese History is reliably datable to the XVII-XVIII century only. It is perfectly recognizable as the Ancient European history, reworked and transcribed in hieroglyphs as yet another historical transplantation, this time performed on the Chinese soil by the loving Jesuit hands. The Chinese are the next in line to go berserk. Chinese history is inevitably bound to get both more ancient and more eventful, proportionally to the growing involvement of China in the world affairs. Chinese historians will keep on finding valid proof of prehistoric Chinese spaceflights until the Politburo orders them to shut up.

The Arabs:

Too bad. Islam with all its key figures is datable to XV-XVI century A. D. Arabic historians may find consolation in the crucial historical role of the Ottoman Empire in the XVI-XVII century. The trouble is that this empire was initially a Christian state, with Hagia Sophia identifiable as Temple of Solomon, according to Fomenko! We can only guess if the acquisition of Alexander the Great (a Macedonian and a Christian) as the founder of the Muslim World Empire will make Fomenko's theories more acceptable to the Arabic mainstream. He certainly does not spare any holy cows at all, claiming The Stone of Qa'Aba in Mecca to contain the lost Arch of the Covenant.

The Divinity:

Despite of reiterated statement that his theory is all about chronology and not Religion, Fomenko stirs up a whole condominium of wasp nests. His collection of anathemas, fatwa, and other condemnations from all parties concerned is already considerable. Little wonder, considering that the history of religions à la Fomenko looks as follows: the pre-Christian period (before the XI century and JC), Bacchic Christianity (XI-XII century, before and after JC), JC Christianity (XII-XVI century) and its subsequent mutations into Orthodox Christianity, the Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism, and so on.

According to Fomenko we know strictly NOTHING about the events that predate the X century A. D.

St Augustin was prescient when he spoke unto us: "be wary of mathematicians, particularly when they speak the truth."





4 out of 5 stars Something of a disappointment.......2005-09-09

After having read the first volume of this expected series of 7 volumes I was triggered by the thesis of these authors that ancient Greek and Roman history did in fact take place in the Middle Ages. So I started studying medieval history of the Middle East - also known as Islamic history - to find out if the opponents of the ancient Greeks and Romans - the Acheamenid Persians, Sassanids, Scythians, Egyptians, etc. - also have their duplicates in medieval history. My search was disappointing: none of the many medieval Islamic dynasties seemed to correspond to the ancient middle eastern rulers.

However, I did find a close correspondence between Herodotus' Persian kings and medieval events:

- the defeat and capture of an Anatolian king - the Lydian Croesus - by the Persian conqueror Cyrus is identical to the defeat and capture of another Anatolian king - sultan Bayezid - by the Asian/Mongol conqueror Tamerlane;
- the Persian conquest of Egypt by the cruel tyrant Cambyses reds almost exactly as the Ottoman conquest of Egypt by Selim the Grim (note the nickname!);
- Darius the Lawgiver of the Persian Empire looks very much alike to Sulayman the Magnificent, the Lawgiver in Islamic history;
- Xerxes, whose main claim to fame is to be defeated by the Greeks at the naval battle of Salamis, looks like Selim II (the Sot) whose main claim to fame is to be defeated by a Spanish-Italian alliance at the naval battle of Lepanto.

I should have expected Fomenko et al. to arrive at similar conclusions, however, they claim that the Persian kings are the alter egos of the Angevin kings of Sicily whose biographies do not contain the exploits of the Persian kings.

The similiarities I indicate lead to the conclusion that Herodotus must have written his Histories at the close of the 16th century. But this is extremely late, given that Herodotus is "the Father of History", so therefore all other "ancient" histories must have been fabricated even later. Yet, the founders of modern chronology - Scaliger and Petavius - laid their foundations also at the close of the 16th century and had the full corpus of ancient histories already at their disposal.

It seems to me that Fomenko has to address these inconsistencies, maybe in the forthcoming 5 volumes?

Another critique of their book is that the correspondencies between different rulers are often based on a superficial comparison of the biographies; upon a more thorough comparison many details appear that do not correspond at all.

Finally, the authors rely heavily on the works of Gregorovius (1821-1891!!) - his medieval histories of Rome and Athens - as the source of medieval history; these works are - at least in the West - hoplessly outdated and have been superceded by more up-to-date works (for instance, Julius Norwich's trilogy on Byzantine history is not even cited).

5 out of 5 stars Romulus courts Helen, Paris founds Rome, Moses goes to Troy.........2005-07-30


If you agree with Fomenko that Roman chronology is basically the foundation of the entire edifice of global chronology; you would also certainly agree that despite its numerous gaps and inconsistencies, Roman history is the best-documented field of ancient history, and thus a reference scale. But how well is the actual date of the Eternal City's foundation known?

Firstly, Rome is supposed to have been founded by the Trojans who had to flee after the fall of Troy. Some claim Rome to have been founded by Aeneas and Ulysses shortly after Troy had fallen; others are of the opinion that there was an entire dynasty that ruled for 500 years between the fall of Troy and the foundation of Rome.

Well, that's just an innocent 500 years long misunderstanding compared with what heretic Fomenko says, asserts, proves in his second volume: Second Roman Empire, Third Roman Empire, Biblical Kingdom of Israel, Biblical Kingdom of Judah, Holy Roman Empire are stories about basically same events, written from different points of view at different times. The underlying events have actually taken place during xii-xv cy. These histories have been written and perfected by multitude of highly talented humanist and clerical writers of xiii-xvi cy disguised as "ancients" with glorious names like Homer, Pluto, Thucydides etc..Chronology 2.0 beta..

Historians are kindly invited to report the bugs.
The Broken Crown (The Sun Sword, Book 1)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Intricate and fluid
  • An intricate, detailed new world to be immersed in.
  • diverse and well-loved by myself
  • Couldn't finish it
  • deceptively inspiring...
The Broken Crown (The Sun Sword, Book 1)
Michelle West
Manufacturer: DAW
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0886777402

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Intricate and fluid.......2007-01-27

I was first handed this series by my sister and brother-in-law; who insisted it was worth the read inspite of its daunting size. It started off slowly, and was really difficult to wrap my brain around all that was happening. However, 1/2 through the book I was hooked.

She has written a truly amazing book (and series) and woven the intricacies of politics and power in to an amazing story. I often have to pause and re-read a section to make sure I pick up on all the small nuances that seem to mean so much.

She has written such an amazing story of intrigue that I frequently stop in amazement at her brilliance (and ability to keep it all straight!).

If you can make it through the initial complexities, you will be rewarded with a great story (and yes, it too will make it to my comfort reading shelf).

5 out of 5 stars An intricate, detailed new world to be immersed in........2006-10-18

Michelle West has an incredible ability when it comes to creating realistic worlds. Yes, this book is lengthy, detailed, complex, and verbose at times. But I know of very few authors with the same ability to create a universe like hers. You will become completely immersed in this new world: West thoroughly fleshes out the different aspects of politics, religion, family life throughout her novels.

Her characters are genuine: you learn to understand what drives each one of them. There are no clear cut 'bad guys' or 'good guys'. Simply stated: there are people who have goals and ambitions that clash with others to create conflict throught her story. I think that this makes her characters more human like: even the most likeable characters have their flaws. In the end, I am as attached to some of the 'villains' as i am attached to the 'heroes'. This isn't a simple good versus bad story: instead it is multi-dimensional and constantly changing.

The first hundred pages are slow going: you have to get the hang of West's terminology. Once you do, you start to appreciate all the intricate details that West has woven into her world and story. It does get confusing: just as you get used to reading about Diora and life among the clans, West decides to switch it up and you're suddenly reading about characters from the Northern Realms. But once I started to understand her world, I could not put the book down.

I think that this book is completely worth the initial struggle and confusion, and five books later in the series, I still feel that way. West's books remain at the top of my bookshelf as one of my favorite series. Mayhap it'll become one of your favorites too.

5 out of 5 stars diverse and well-loved by myself.......2006-07-14

i understand the frustration, but if you want the whole story with all of the story lines, you must read the book! i absolutely loved the series. they are complex, diverse, and re-read time and again. the series has been put on my comfort shelf for the times when i just can't find a good book to read. my imagination has been inspired again and again by michelle west's books and i am looking forward to her next book!!!
if you can't keep up with shifts in the story, don't read the book. but if are an avid reader who enjoys a world you can almost feel you're on, then i recommend whole heartedly this series.

2 out of 5 stars Couldn't finish it.......2006-06-21

I bought this book solely because of the beautiful cover art and the fact that it was longer than six hundred pages. I suppose the lesson for me here is that you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

I did not understand anything in this book. All of the names are really similar and impossible to remember. There's something going on with gods or magic or demons, but it was way too confusing for me to understand. Political battles rage silently and often are not described enough to even know they're happening. The world makes no sense and there are all these references to the history of it that just lead nowhere. And while the writing is quite good, it is way over complicated. Every little emotion and footstep of each of the characters (who seem to disappear and reappear with no notion of how they are connected to the story, like the four people from the 70 page prolog who never come back) is analyzed to death. All in all, the book is difficult, impossible to understand and boring to boot.

I gave up before a hundred and fifty pages. If you thrive on intrigue fantasy, or books that take hours mulling over each page to know what's going on, you may like this book. But I give up and I can't say that after this I'm interested in reading anything else this author wrote.

Two stars.

5 out of 5 stars deceptively inspiring..........2006-05-27

So, I'm the kind of person that likes long (and I mean LONG) story arcs. I don't like a good tale to end and often retain books to re-read and relive every few years. In that context, I often play roulette at the bookstore, picking out the "fat books" - ones that seem like they might be time consuming, arduous - but in the end dense with plot and inundated with characters that I can connect with. I'm often disappointed and I'd be lying if I said that my initial reading of The Broken Crown didn't fall short of my expectations. This was also the first Michelle West book I'd read (or Michelle Sagara for that matter).

I understand many of the average-scoring reviews, because so many of those readers haven't had the opportunity to explore the complexity of the remainder of the series. But I implore any reader that is hesitant about reading this book or its successors: please understand that The Broken Crown is simply an exposition. It's meant to introduce characters and plot elements in a very subtle way by mostly presenting back story. And for those who toss their books away in frustration every time the plot shifts? Kudos to the author for drawing you into the tale and those characters to whom you've become mildly attached. It is the hallmark of a good author.

West does have a tendency to wax poetic. However, she glides through passages with such grace and dignity, that you can hardly fault her flowery style. In fact, this echos of a time when grand epochs might be told to pampered, honored women on silken cushions. Her use of stock archetypes (her own devices) is effective and amusing at times.

As you read the Sun Sword series, yes, it may seem as if the author is making things up as she writes. On the other hand, unlike much current drivel masquerading as fantasy, she's not writing as some omniscient being. I think this provides a perspective that is both discovery-oriented and refreshing for the reader. It may seem inconsequential, but almost everything that happens in this first book plays an important role in the events of the following books. Oh, and also unlike much current popular fantasy, this series does - well and truly - end. That's not to say that other stories in the same world-stage aren't forthcoming (e.g. House War), but this series stands on its own as a self-contained entity.

It takes patience to read this series, but I encourage anyone who has found this book to be cumbersome (or confusing) to read on. Or, as some have suggested, go back and read the Hunter duology. It's written in a slightly less heady style that introduces you to some of the key players in both stories.
Best of Robert Jordan: The Shadow Rising; The Fires of Heaven; Lord of Chaos; A Crown of Swords (The Wheel of Time Series)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • shadow rising
  • Best of RJ Review
Best of Robert Jordan: The Shadow Rising; The Fires of Heaven; Lord of Chaos; A Crown of Swords (The Wheel of Time Series)
Robert Jordan
Manufacturer: Countertop Video
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

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ASIN: 1886089698

Book Description

4 Books on 10 Cassettes: • The Shadow Rising • The Fires of Heaven • Lord of Chaos • A Crown of Swords

Robert Jordan: The Wheel of Time Series compiles four books by this New York Times bestselling author into one magnificent box set. Follow the adventures and trials of Rand as he learns about his destiny to become the Dragon Reborn, the prophesized leader who will save the world, but at a heavy cost that drives him to reject his given fate. Dark forces surround the characters with an inevitable confrontation between good and evil that captivates every audience. Sparkled with continuous action, adventure, and fantasy, this box set is a sure winner for epic fantasy fans guaranteed!

Over 15 Hours of listening time!

The Shadow Rising The Dark One is inflicting evil on to the hero, Rand, who must enter the Aiel Waste and the forbidden city of RhuideanÛwhere he may perish. Perrin must confront the Whitecloaks who are sworn to assassinate him while Elayne and Nynaeve must battle the Black Ajah. Listen to find out what develops.

The Fires of Heaven Rand is at the forbidden city of Rhuidean where he must keep his current mission a secret. Simultaneously, the Forsaken Rahvin is plotting a victory over Rand. Morgase becomes captivated with the handsome Lord Gaebril, and in the White Tower, Amyrlin, Flaida do Avriny a ÎRoihan, is concocting new plans. There is no doubt why The Fires of Heaven became a New York Times bestseller!

Lord of Chaos Rand struggles as he attempts to unite the nations for the Last Battle while The White Tower, under the Amyrlin Elaida, decides that he must be controlled. In addition, a search for the fabled terÌangreal is conducted by Nynaeve alÌMeara and Elayne to restore the incongruous weather conditions. Book six of this series is sure to satisfy.

A Crown of Swords Listen as Rand faces the dead Forsaken Sammael in Shadae Logoth! The struggle with the worldÌs brutal and endless heat wave rages on, and Engeu calls together all women who are able to channel including Sea Folk Windfinders and Wise Ones. DonÌt miss this seventh book of non-stop epic adventure!

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars shadow rising.......2002-02-27

this is one of the best series of books Ive read in a long time. the events happen at a pace that makes it hard to put down. I'm a commercial fisherman,Iread alot on my down time they are enchanting enough to take me away to a different world even 125 miles out in the ocean. I highly reccomend this series to all sci-fi readers. My one and only regret is that Mr.jordan cannot produce them fast enough.then again if he did they would not be as engrosing. My eyes and mind await the tenth installment of the series "the wheel of time"

4 out of 5 stars Best of RJ Review.......2001-01-18

Having already read these four books and enjoyed them all, the tapes were also very good. The books were fantastic but, i could not read while i drove or did certain other tasks that required my eyes and hands now that is taken care of. I can now do just about anything and enjoy these great books. So, i do recommend reading the books but, if your a person on the go then this collection on tape is a fantastic substitute.
A CROWN OF SWORDS - BOOK 7 OF THE WHEEL OF TIME
Average customer rating: Not rated
    A CROWN OF SWORDS - BOOK 7 OF THE WHEEL OF TIME

    Manufacturer: Tom Doherty Associates
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover
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    ASIN: B000H15WM8
    An Earthly Crown (The Sword of Heaven, Book 1)
    Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
    • The saga continues . . .
    • I hate to say it, but it was a little disappointing....
    • Continuing the Jaran story
    • Disappointing
    • Sophomore jinx
    An Earthly Crown (The Sword of Heaven, Book 1)
    Kate Elliott
    Manufacturer: DAW
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    3. Crown of Stars (Crown of Stars, Vol. 7) Crown of Stars (Crown of Stars, Vol. 7)
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    ASIN: 0886775469

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars The saga continues . . ........2007-05-18

    After reading some of the other reviews I almost didn't buy this book. But I'm very glad I did. If you're interested in complex characters, a fascinating exploration of differing cultures and what happens when they begin to intermix, and if you enjoy great story telling, then you should definitely read this book.

    And unlike some other reviewers, I found the homosexual part of the storyline to be interesting--observing the various relevant characters explore and struggle to deal with beliefs and feelings in light of their corresponding culture's rules and ideas of morality. I have no idea where one reviewer got "our heroine asks another man to sodomize her husband while she watches." That's not in the story like that at all. That makes it sound incredibly crass--and that's not how Ms. Elliott handles it at all.

    Some reviewers complained about the lack of plot and slow movement. Yes, it does move a little slow. But if you approach it as a journey to be savored for what it is, I think you'll enjoy it. I look forward to reading the other 2 books in the series. And if you like this kind of story/series, I strongly recommend that you read the "Warprize" 3-book series by Elizabeth Vaughan. Happy reading!




    2 out of 5 stars I hate to say it, but it was a little disappointing...........2004-10-11

    Althought Jaran is now one of my all time favorites, I was a tad bit let down by An Earthly Crown. Granted, all these reviews are a matter of opinion, I had super high expectations for this book, and was a little confused about the twist of events in it.
    It continues the saga of Tess and her husband Ilya on the primative planet of Rhui. Her brother, who is in high power and needs her with him as his only heir, decides he needs to go investigate why she isn't willing to return, not to mention do some investigations of his own. He decides to bring with him a group of Actors who's leader has some cultural studies he would like to test thru' theatre. I can't get the ultimate reason why the great duke, Tess's brother would allow such a thing, especially when the planet is so primitive, and he hasn't been there in so long. A group of Actors! Why not scientists, or Anthropologists who hid their true intentions of learning about their culture to keep it from being modernized? Maybe I missed something there.
    Also, I was so excited about reading about Tess and Ilya's new love, and this half of the two book sequel really didn't get into it except you discover that Ilya has had a homosexual past and is fighting repressed emotions for his ex-lover. Not that I am a homophobic or anything, its just that discovering that this warlord who is conquering the planet, who fought so hard to win Tess's heart turning out gay, kindof took out SOME of the masculinity out of him, and his love for Tess almost seemed divided. Not to mention I felt insecure 'for' Tess when she was dealing with her feelings with Ilya perhaps still having those feelings, but Then they end up in a threesome and that kind of crossed the line for me. It was like hearing your husband still loved his ex and then you guys got together to solidify that it is ok. I personally didn't feel that that would be the way to go, but HEY, that's me... I ended up flipping thru it pretty quick, anticipating the ending to my own disappointment, becuz' I hated to face my feelings, but I really didn't have that big of an interest to get the next book.
    Jaran is still in my favorites, and always will be. Perhaps in the future I will venture to see what happens to Tess and Ilya and all them folks, but right now I have moved onto other worlds. And Kate Elliot is still an amazing author. With all reviews you gotta decide for youself if they're helpful or not, and make your decision to read the book on your own personal thoughts and tastes.

    4 out of 5 stars Continuing the Jaran story.......2004-04-23

    This book is rather different in style from the first of the four Jaran novels, but I can't really agree with the reviewers who said it was weaker.

    The basic setting for the series is that humans are a subject race in a domineering, but relatively benign, empire under the highly hierarchic alien Chapalii. Charles Soerenson, the only human to hold a high position in the Chapalii empire, is secretly using his position to prepare a revolt against the Chapalii. Meanwhile, his sister and heir, Tess, becomes stranded on the planet Rhui, populated by technologically backwards humans who Soerenson has ordered, with the consent of the Chapalii, are not to be aware of the existence of other populated worlds and advanced technology. While there, she falls in love with a Genghis Khan like figure, Bakhtiian, who has united the nomadic and matriarchal Jaran under his leadership and is preparing a campaign of conquest against the settled peoples of Rhui. The Jaran seem to be based roughly on the Russian/Mongolian cultures of the Russian steppes, and Jaran names are recognizably Russian.

    In this novel, second in the series a few years ater the end of "Jaran", Charles Soerenson is visiting the Jaran along with some of his aides and a troupe of Earth actors, with the goals of exploring the Chapalii monument that Tess discovered in the prequel and persuading Tess to return with him. A final goal is gradually furthering the evolution of Jaran and Rhuian culture, with the expectation that they will eventually recontact galactic society. The visit takes place against the backdrop of Bakhtiaan's continuing campaign of conquest.

    The actors, unmentioned by the other reviewers here, are central to the story, because their objective of using the language-based art of Shakespeare and classic theater to communicate across linguistic and cultural barriers reflects the novel's theme of how different cultures, and people from them, understand and misunderstand each other. This is also developed in a romance between an actress in the troupe and a Jaran warrior that progresses in spite of their lack of a common language, and a sometimes comic subplot of an arrogant young nobleman sent as a diplomat to the Jaran from a deeply patriarchal feudal kingdom, who is so shaped by his own culture that he is incapable of even understanding how little he understands the Jaran.

    A related theme that is developed by suggestion in both this book and the prequel, perhaps for a more direct exploration before the series concludes, is the similarity between Charles's rule over Rhui and the Chapalii rule over Earth and mankind that Charles is in rebellion against.

    The story generally involves far less action, and a bit less sex, than the first installation. It does feature a plot of repressed homosexual attraction that reaches an unpersuasive climax, so to speak, in a threesome. But in general, Elliott is elaborating the ideas and characters of the first volume and preparing for crises to come in future installations. The resultant novel some will find boring, but I thought that the characters were interesting enough to maintain an installment that is a bit thin on action.

    One problem I did have is that there are really too many minor characters and substories going here, particularly among the Jaran. This book may have more Russian names in it than "War and Peace", which makes it hard to follow some elements of the story.

    2 out of 5 stars Disappointing.......2003-09-21

    The first Jaran book was excellent and the Crown of Stars books got me hooked (other than book 4). As always, Kate's writing style is enjoyable, but this time the plot is a bore. Basically a silly romance, starting with the tough guy marrying the beautiful blond he hardly knows (only to run off to battle), and culminating with the a menage a trois between the hero, heroine and hero's ex-gay lover. Kate says male-female role reversal was a key part of her first book, and the woman with two men seems a natural extension of that, but the book became too engrossed in this and the need for an interesting plot (as in Jaran) sort of fell by the wayside.

    1 out of 5 stars Sophomore jinx.......2003-02-13

    The first novel in the jaran series was terrific. I had high hopes for the second. Too bad it's such a weak effort. I'm not sure I want to bother with the third, as this one was seriously downhill from the first. I have to agree in part with the somewhat homophobic reviewer. What was an entertaining view into an alternate culture turned into a silly "slash 'em and screw 'em" pulp novel.

    I suppose Elliot may be trying for an effect similar to Robert Heilein's "Time Enough for Love", but she does not come close. Instead, Bahktiian becomes a Caligula like figure and Tess turns into "Honan, the Licentous". Ridiculous.

    BTW, don't even try to blame the harsh reactions on male insecurity. My wife read the book before I did and told me she hated the ending. I have to agree. It's a bad turn to an already strained storyline.

    Even though I don't agree with Lazarus Long's actions at the end of "Time Enough for Love", his character was still real. "Earthly Crown" is an easily disposed of tabloid with no lasting value.
    Aquaman Sword of Atlantis #46 (Crown of Thorns)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Aquaman Sword of Atlantis #46 (Crown of Thorns)
      Kurt Busiek
      Manufacturer: DC Comics
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Comic
      ASIN: B000UDB7JK

      Product Description

      Kicking off a 2-part story! King Shark may get along with young Arthur, but there's an Aquaman that King Shark never saw eye-to-eye with. Find out in this action-packed tale!
      The Crown and the Sword (Dragonlance: Rise of Solamnia, Vol. 2)
      Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
      • Stay away
      • Character flaws too unbeleivable (Mild Spoilers)
      • "No Crown, A Lot Of Swords" ****SPOILERS AHEAD**** ****READ AT YOUR OWN RISK****
      • Disappointing second book
      The Crown and the Sword (Dragonlance: Rise of Solamnia, Vol. 2)
      Douglas Niles
      Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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      Similar Items:
      1. The Measure and the Truth (Dragonlance: Rise of Solamnia, Vol. 3) The Measure and the Truth (Dragonlance: Rise of Solamnia, Vol. 3)
      2. Lord of the Rose (Dragonlance: Rise of Solamnia, Vol. 1) Lord of the Rose (Dragonlance: Rise of Solamnia, Vol. 1)
      3. Alliances (Dragonlance: Elven Exiles, Vol. 2) Alliances (Dragonlance: Elven Exiles, Vol. 2)
      4. The Alien Sea (Dragonlance: Champions, Vol. 2) The Alien Sea (Dragonlance: Champions, Vol. 2)
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      ASIN: 0786937882
      Release Date: 2006-06-13

      Book Description

      During the dark years after the War of Souls, chaos threatens the once-mighty empire of Solamnia. Goblins raid even fortified cities, and bandits rule great sections of the countryside. The ruling dukes, lords, and knights bicker and backstab. Through this chaos, James Markham, aided by his steadfast dwarven companion and a beautiful white robed wizard, wields his flaming sword to uphold the principles on which Solamnia was founded.

      Customer Reviews:

      1 out of 5 stars Stay away.......2007-04-04

      Characters that don't make sense and a hackneyed plot with minimal promise are typical Doug Niles writing. The guy doesn't seem to describe people or their motivations with great credibility. The plot seemed to have promise but left me hanging. A real disappointment. Get this at half price books (if you realllly are bored.)

      2 out of 5 stars Character flaws too unbeleivable (Mild Spoilers).......2006-08-22

      A long time fan of Douglas Niles, I devoured the "Lord of the Rose" in one day.

      However I had to stop reading "A Crown of Swords." The character flaws were simply too unbeleivable. The main characters love interest did something that no woman in love would do, ever! The main character himself seemed to drastically change in the two years between volumes that Mr. Niles glossed over.

      For this reader, fantasy fiction is about great heroes and horrific villains in a desperate struggle. Unfortunately, the line between hero and villain blurs in this volume.

      I will continue to read Mr. Niles works but I put down this series. For this reader, the character flaws were too difficult to believe.

      4 out of 5 stars "No Crown, A Lot Of Swords" ****SPOILERS AHEAD**** ****READ AT YOUR OWN RISK****.......2006-07-09

      Expecting a rather good book, I was doomed to disappointment. It's not that the book isn't good, on the contrary, it is quite fine, I Just didnt like what happened. Every good charachter either dies or turns bad. Jaymes became a cruel cold man with hardly any feelings, Selinda appears four times and in two of those she's lovesick for Jaymes by a magic potion. Coryn is great, but is so sad, because she loves Jaymes and has to make him marry Selinda for the good of Solmannia.
      ******BIG SPOILER AHEAD****** Sulfie and Pete both die in explosions of the new weapon. Dram has married the daughter of Swig (There is a mistake here as before she was called Pilsy and now her name is Sally) but something is wrong with their marriage, and we dont know what!!! Selinda still doesn't know that her father murdered Lorimar. The two bright spots were the Duchess Brianna, wife of the late Lord Rathskell, who was brave and beautiful and wise, unlike her portrayal in the first book, but even she got killed when they broke the siege on Solanthus!!!!! The other bright spot was a kender (finally Niles remembers to put one in!!!) the same kender that brought Coryn from icewall to palanthas, Moptop Bristlebrow who gave many points of joy to the book.
      To my mind, there were also too many battles. Not only that but each battle has at least 10,000 men on either side! It was a bit too much for me. The good part was the new Kingfishers, knights who know clerical magic and a bit of white magic.
      ##***(BIG SPOILER AHEAD)***##
      The book ended with Selinda discovering that she had been tricked into marrying Jaymes by a magic potion Coryn made for that purpose. Selinda confronts him but we never get his answer and the end is Selinda's question: "What treachery, what trick did you play? What did you do to me?

      2 out of 5 stars Disappointing second book.......2006-06-25

      The Crown and the Sword by Douglas Niles is the second book in the Rise of Solamnia trilogy, with Lord of the Rose being the first and The Measure and the Truth (releasing in January, 2007) being the third. This trilogy is supposed to signify a substantial change in the Knight's of Solmnia order and how they function. There have been bits and pieces of that scattered throughout the first two books, so the third book should have much more.

      The plot of this book is not as straight forward as one would expect. There are several subplots that Niles throws into this book. My sense is that he throws them in to add character depth and development, but there are times when reading one of the subplots that the reader is left to wonder why it was included. After finishing this book, it almost leaves me with a sense that the author tried to do too much within this story. The main plot line is well written, don't get me wrong, but the subplots at times feel `off' and wrong for lack of better words. This book does move at a fairly decent pace and there are events that are very worth reading. I can easily see the events of this book, and the trilogy for that matter, affecting Krynn for years to come.

      The characters in this book are split into two groups for me. In one group there is some great characters. Fun to read, interesting and all those other positive characteristics of good characters. Yet, in the other group there are characters that are so poorly developed that they should not even be in this book. There is little substance behind them and they seem to be there for no other purpose than to advance the plotline, but even then it seems forced and contrived. Also, this being the second book in the trilogy, one could expect a great deal of individual character development, yet that is an area that is severely lacking. Within this book I expected to learn a great deal more about the main character especially, what drives him, why he is there etc. Yet, coming away from the book I know exactly as much about him as I did after the first book. The characters in this book, for the most part are rather disappointing.

      Another criticism I have with this book is the dialog. Some of the conversations between characters were groan producers, and not in a good way. Characters, at times, talked like totally different characters. There are at least two times I can think of where it was so bad it jarred me out of reading and I had to go back and make sure the right character said what was being said. I think a lot more could have been done on the dialog front and still accomplish what needed to be accomplished.

      One other minor thing, is that Niles uses titles for each of his chapters. However, some of the chapter titles have rather significant spoilers in them and took away from certain chapters. Some authors who use titles do so in a way to confuse or deceive the readers, yet in this book some of the titles give away a good portion of the chapter. I would suggest Niles puts a little more effort into that or just don't do it at all.

      The last thing I didn't care for in this book, and this will be very vague, so I don't spoil anything, was the new invention that is slowly being created through this book. When I read fantasy books, that's because I want to read fantasy books. I don't want an advancement of technology that is shoved down your throat. Yes, I understand gnomes make strange and wonderful things. I understand dwarfs are master craftsmen. However, the item created in this book is so blatantly `our world' that each time it had a scene I was immediately turned off by it. That may be just me and some personal bias though.

      The last thing I will say, is that these large scale battles that seem to be permeating fantasy novels lately should end soon. After all, if you think of the overall population after just coming out of the War of Souls, it shouldn't be `full'. Yet thousands and thousands of people die in this book. There has to be a time when there will be no more people, after all the population is a finite thing. Yet, each time Niles needed more people they came from `such and such' location. Each book does not need to have these large drawn out battles where thousands are killed.

      Reading the above review you may think I hated this book, that is not the case. I think there is a very good story here and one that will impact future books in this line. However, the follow through and writing of this book didn't sit well with me, which was disappointing because I am a very big Niles fan. I have always enjoyed his books, but even when I read Lord of the Rose I was disappointed. I think if you are a Dragonlance fan you need to read this series as the events are noteworthy and will most likely be talked about in other books. However, if you are not a fan of Dragonlance or are just looking at starting to read fantasy I would look somewhere else as this may not hold your interest.
      Crown of Swords
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Crown of Swords

        Manufacturer: ORBIT (LITT)
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback
        ASIN: B000GO6EE6

        Books:

        1. History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
        2. History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
        3. History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
        4. History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
        5. History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
        6. History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
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