History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets, and More Ancient Artillery

Average customer rating:

Way too simple, but OK for kids
Definitely not worth the money.
Perhaps he should name it....Catapults for Kids.
More fun!
Amusing catapults, interesting history, but no metric units

The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets, and More Ancient Artillery
William Gurstelle
Manufacturer: Chicago Review Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Military & Wars | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

How Things Work | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

History of Technology | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1556525265

Book Description

Whether playing at defending their own castle or simply chucking pumpkins over a fence, wannabe marauders and tinkerers will become fast acquainted with Ludgar, the War Wolf, Ill Neighbor, Cabulus, and the Wild Donkey—ancient artillery devices known commonly as catapults. Building these simple yet sophisticated machines introduces fundamentals of math and physics using levers, force, torsion, tension, and traction. Instructions and diagrams illustrate how to build seven authentic working model catapults, including an early Greek ballista, a Roman onager, and the apex of catapult technology, the English trebuchet. Additional projects include learning how to lash and make rope and how to construct and use a hand sling and a staff sling. The colorful history of siege warfare is explored through the stories of Alexander the Great and his battle of Tyre; Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, and the Third Crusade; pirate-turned-soldier John Crabbe and his ship-mounted catapults; and Edward I of England and his battle against the Scots at Stirling Castle.

Customer Reviews:

Way too simple, but OK for kids.......2007-06-29

I find this book to be very superficial when it comes to the real deal. If you're looking for a book on catapults, you're going to get disappointed. This book focuses om making simple small scale models of catapults. I suppose it's great for a weekend project with your wannabe engineer kids, but if you're really interested in pre gunpowder siege warfare, you should rather take a look at Konstantin Nossov's book on siege warfare, which is a really thourough work. Also note that there aren't any metric units for the models, which complicates construction for the common european.

Definitely not worth the money........2007-04-17

I was really dissappointed with this book. Several of the projects are ridiculous, and he didn't do enough research. A few quick searches of the internet reveal that he gets a lot of historical facts wrong.

His first two projects, have nothing to do with anything related to actual catapults. The first is two sticks tied together, and the second is the equivalent of a waterbaloon slingshot. He calls it the "Viking Catapult". Of the ten projects in this book, three of them are modeled on actual historical types of catapults. Two are sub projects, that just show you how to build parts of the catapults, and the other five are things a child could design on thier own. As the one of the other reviewers pointed out, the last project is a plastic spoon catapult game. Small children do this on their own.

Do your self a favor, and download some free plans off the internet.

Perhaps he should name it....Catapults for Kids........2007-01-10

I was disappointed in this book. I was expecting some historically accurate designs and what I received was overly simplified plans presumably designed mostly for children. Yes, most of the text is related to the history of these weapons, but the plans left something to be desired. The ballista plan suggests use of a peanut as ammunition (not a bolt?) and the catch mechanism is nonexistent. The last project is a plastic-spoon-based basketball game. Enough said?

More fun!.......2006-11-10

This is a great book - got a copy for my brother for Christmas, and after taking a look had to get my own copy. I've been wanting to build a trebuchet ever since I saw one as a teenager - here are the plans!

Amusing catapults, interesting history, but no metric units.......2005-07-20

This book contains easy-to-follow instructions on how to build different catapults. Unfortunately there is no data regarding approx. distance and height for the suggested projectiles, why you must try for yourself. All units are english/american, which means you must translate this to metric units if you are more used to that.
A lot of historic background around catapults in general and around each model is given, which makes the book very interesting to read, even if you do not plan to build any of the models.
I can recommend this book to both historically interrested people and those who are more fond of making amusing toys!

The Vatican's Exorcists: Driving Out the Devil in the 21st Century

Average customer rating:

Trivialization and Generalization of a Potentially Exciting Topic
Peculiar Book by an uninformed author
An Insightful and Well-Researched Persuasive Text
somewhat jaded
Unfair pejorative words used to describe Archbishop Milingo's ministry

The Vatican's Exorcists: Driving Out the Devil in the 21st Century
Tracy Wilkinson
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Cults & Demonism | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Religious Warfare | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0446578851

Book Description

John Paul II was the first pope since the early 1600s to viewthe devil and his minions not only as formidable foes, but as tangible,present forces which the Catholic church must battle on a daily basis. Thepriest charged with spearheading this mission is Father Gabriele Amorth andhis Office of Exorcism. Revitalizing a long-dormant practice, Father Amorthhas re-established exorcism as a common rite in the church with a series ofseminars and training sessions during which priests from all over the worldlearn how to fight Satan here on Earth. The Rome bureau chief for the LosAngeles Times, journalist Tracy Wilkinson has gained access to theVatican's highest authorities, allowing her to cover this story from everyangle, including "beneficiaries" and "victims" of exorcism alike, skepticalscientists and laity, devout believers, and even those priests within thechurch who question the revival of the practice. A riveting account of aprovocative subject, this outstanding work of investigative journalism willenthrall readers from start to finish.

Customer Reviews:

Trivialization and Generalization of a Potentially Exciting Topic.......2007-06-23

The first problem with the book is the title. Wilkinson spends more than one chapter discussing mass exorcisms and healing ceremonies by the excommunicated archbishop,Milingo. Secondly, because the author starts wih a wide examination of the topic in general, the reader is fed many general stories without the personal experience and firsthand account fond in other exorcism stories. The book doesn't amaze, astonish or scare which makes is somewhat mundane and a longer read than neccessary. The examples used stretch from private encounters, to part-time spiritual direcion to mass liturgical gatherings way beyond any Catholic Rite.

Unfortunately, it is clear Wilkinson has no personal beliefs or faith in the powers of evil that emminate from the text. Exorcisms are reduced mostly to hyterical, self induced phenomena by primarily over-emotional Catholics who are mostly Italian.

If you are looking for a dramatic Catholic account of firsthand experince, search for Malachi Martin's "Hostage to the Devil". If you like the academic, scientific approach from an agnostic-check out Dr. Scott Peck's book on evil. The Wilinkson book misses the mark fom both standpoints.

Peculiar Book by an uninformed author.......2007-03-30

Though the author was present at several exorcisms in the Catholic Church (which I find very odd, as outsiders [non-participants] are not allowed to witness exorcisms in the Catholic church), I found her analysis of the situations rather uninformed about the ritual and the reasons such rituals are (thankfully rare) performed. Instead of getting to the crux of the matter, she interviewed and observed exorcisms done by what I would consider a lunatic fringe of priests and other prelates who seem to see demons everywhere. Calling the book Vatican Exorcists is very misleading. The priests involved do not follow the Vatican's directives regarding proper discernment of the need to exorcise, putting the church in an undeserved negative light. People reading this could believe that all priests do this and one could simply go to a rectory and merely ask to be exorcised, and it would be done. It doesn't work that way. The criteria for valid discernment is very clear and NONE of the priests involved in this book followed that. On a positive note, mental illness was discussed as a possible (IMO probable) reason the individuals discussed felt they needed exorcism. It is well written and easy to read, but the analysis of the subject in the last chapter is weak and flawed. I suspect the author is either a non or ex-Catholic as I felt a bit of contempt being held for the church as a whole in its maintaining this ritual as part of its ancient rites.

An Insightful and Well-Researched Persuasive Text.......2007-03-21

Understanding author Tracy Wilkinson to be a complete outsider both to Catholic ritual and the mystical practice of exorcism, her concise but compelling text proved a remarkable feat; she not only gained first-hand insight into the structure and procedural protocol of contemporary exorcism but also coordinated candid one-on-one conversations with some of the Vatican's premiere practitioners. What the reader finds in "The Vatican's Exorcists" is a solid and thorough introduction to both the history and ongoing legacy of Italian exorcism. The work focuses largely on the actions and executions of some 350 Italian exorcists operating in and around the region today; Wilkinson speaks with a few, observes the actions of others, and records not only what she sees and hears but also what she has extensively researched (her data backed by an exhaustive bibliography).

For those individuals interesting in gaining deeper insight into the whos, whats, and whys of exorcism, both modern and ancient, this title is worthy of your perusal.

As for the matter of Wilkinson's competence as a writer, she most certainly possesses sufficient skill to research and draft a work of this size and depth. Although she may not be the most eloquent writer of our age, her prose is simplistic and stylized - her voice evocative and effective. That being said, readers are warned to remain vigilant against biased commentary and editorial content, both of which occasionally dot this supposedly 'impartial' text. While she no doubt paints a largely accurate portrait of the Vatican's exorcists, one cannot fully ameliorate the nagging concern that perhaps some details and factoids were intentionally omitted. Whilst reading, one should probably consider the following query - is the content presented in a proportional manner or have some details undergone distortion?

Despite a few opinioned insertions, Wilkinson's text remains a significant journalistic achievement which succeeds on numerous levels; her investigative report is an enjoyable read, an intriguing work of non-fiction, and one of very few exorcism-intensive texts written by a non-Catholic layperson. This work isn't so much religious as it is scholarly; through Wilkinson's eyes do we see the sacred art of exorcism examined from a secular standpoint. The dissection is complete - Wilkinson awaits your interpretation.

somewhat jaded.......2007-03-13

i haven't finished the book yet but my impression so far is that the
author is a little sneering of Christianity. but the insights
into the Vatican personalities vis-a-vis Evil is very interesting.

Unfair pejorative words used to describe Archbishop Milingo's ministry.......2007-03-13

I should have bought it on [...] and saved ten bucks. The book is a good introduction to the secret world of exorcisms. The author could have included Malachi Martin in the mix and the American scene but maybe that is her next book. It is interesting and a quick read.

The author gives a good discussion of Archbishop Milingo's healing ministry but seems to be siding with the institutional church by bashing him with words like unofficial, excommunicated, calling his ordination of four married men an attempted ordination. A professional approach would have been more objective. Milingo's relationship to Rev. Moon and his marriage are not the topic of this book and should have been left out. It should be noted that the Vatican has cut off the pension, health care and insurance of this elderly 76 year old archbishop who served the Vatican for more than fifty years, but that unethical and immoral act of the Vatican was not commented on.

Milingo has not harmed the image of the exorcist, he has drawn positive attention to it. His work in Africa was exactly what the people needed and still do need. The African people have an intergenerational sense of guilt and sin for which reparations must be made. Milingo gave his people absolution and exorcism to free them of that guilt, and that is and was the right spiritual medicine for them. He knew what he was doing. The Vatican had it wrong when they removed him from Zambia.

Emmanuel Milingo was the Archbishop Metropolitan of Lusaka so he had the authority to appoint himself as exorcist. So to call him a never officially designated exorcist is the author's error. Milingo's ministry of healing and exorcisms is much more highly effective than the other's seem to be. And he was much more popular among the people of Italy and Africa and remains so.

Written by Archbishop Peter Paul Brennan of the Married Priests Now! Prelature

Average customer rating:

Evocative and realistic
Suspension of disbelief
Story is thickly rich, deep, magical. Prose is third grade.
Tragedy at its finest.
A true epic about human behaviour

Eagle in the Snow
Wallace Breem
Manufacturer: Rugged Land
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1590710207
Release Date: 2004-02-03

Book Description

Banished to the Empire’s farthest outpost, veteran warrior Paulinus Maximus defends The Wall of Britannia from the constant onslaught of belligerent barbarian tribes. Bravery, loyalty, experience, and success lead to Maximus’ appointment as "General of the West" by the Roman emperor, the ambition of a lifetime. But with the title comes a caveat: Maximus needs to muster and command a single legion to defend the perilous Rhine frontier.

On the opposite side of the Rhine River, tribal nations are uniting; hundreds of thousands mass in preparation for the conquest of Gaul, and from there, a sweep down into Rome itself. Only a wide river and a wily general keep them in check.

With discipline, deception, persuasion, and surprise, Maximus holds the line against an increasingly desperate and innumerable foe. Friends, allies, and even enemies urge Maximus to proclaim himself emperor. He refuses, bound by an oath of duty, honor, and sacrifice to Rome, a city he has never seen. But then circumstance intervenes. Now, Maximus will accept the purple robe of emperor, if his scrappy legion can deliver this last crucial victory against insurmountable odds. The very fate of Rome hangs in the balance.

Combining the brilliantly realized battle action of Gates of Fire and the masterful characterization of Mary Renault’s The Last of the Wine, Eagle in the Snow is nothing less than the novel of the fall of the Roman empire.

Customer Reviews:

Evocative and realistic.......2007-08-05

In my opinion, the very best historical fiction takes a well-known historical event about which we know very little detail and fleshes out a believable interpretation of what could have happened. "Sword At Sunset" by Rosemary Sutcliff does this with the Arthurian legends; "Awen" by Susan Mayse does this for the conflicts between Powys and Mercia in the 8th century. We all know that around Christmas in the year 406, a massive horde of barbarian tribes crossed the Rhine river in a desperate attempt to escape the Hunnish tribes pushing from the east and marauded their way through Gaul, dealing yet another death blow to the fading Roman empire. Breem's "Eagle in the Snow" tells the story of Maximus, the Roman general tasked with preventing this calamity. Given far too few resources by his superiors in Rome and little more than indifference from the local populace, general Maximus plays a desperate cat-and-mouse game with the numerically superior barbarians, arranging alliances and making shows of his (inferior) strength to keep the barbarians guessing. This book starts slowly, with Maximus on Hadrian's Wall for an earlier barbarian invasion, and the prose is sparse to the point of being non-committal, and these have put off some readers. But the spartan writing is meant to convey the melancholy of Maximus and his fellow soldiers, fighting fruitlessly for the ideal of a Rome they've never even seen. It is the end of their world, and Breem's terse prose captures the exhaustion and futility of the men unfairly charged with preventing this inevitable decline. Breem, himself a veteran of another empire's collapse (Breem served in Britain's India corps), and writing at the time of America's struggles in Vietnam, magnificantly captures the feeling of loss that must accompany such an inevitable defeat. Moreover, he avoids demonizing the barbarians and makes them and their plight sympathetic and believable. There are no real villains here, just desperate men facing desperate times on both sides. And once the barbarians finally cross the Rhine, the pace of the action quickens and events move quickly towards the tragic, inevitable conclusion. Stick with it and you will be rewarded with a tale of mounting suspense and rich in military detail--Breem immerses the reader in the authentic minutiae of how a late Roman army was trained, provisioned, and fought--and gripping action. One of the very best historical fiction novels ever written.

Suspension of disbelief.......2007-06-05

Quite simply, the author pulls you into a very different and fascinating world..... I truly love how this novel captures a declining Rome, the slow realization that a sea change is happening and all they can do is attempt to stall this, will it work? Should it work? The moment when the author captures the face of old and new with the culturally advanced Pagan Romans facing the barbarian, yet Christian tribes....quite a contrast. If you like military history at all, this book is ideal.

Story is thickly rich, deep, magical. Prose is third grade........2006-11-22

Eagle in the Snow takes place between the years of the Battle of Adrianopolis (in which Barbarian tribes soundly defeated the Western Roman Imperial army, leading to the rise of a new Emperor) in 378 AD to about the 400s AD.

It tells the story of one General Gaius Maximus Paulinus who was original posted with his legion to rot at Hadrian's Wall, until he is called upon by the new Emperor's military master, a barbarian named Stilicho, to take a single legion and protect a small strip of the Roman borders in Gaul, near the Gallic provincial capital of Augusta Treverorum. What ensues is a highly dramatic, rich, and captivating drama about the pains caused by war, the final throes of not just an empire, but a civilization that has beem the reigning culture for centuries.

The author does a tremendous job subtly fleshing out characters, and does good work to make us envision the barbarian tribal leaders as enemies, while at the same time, giving them a human touch (The Vandal leader Gunderic I particlarly adored).

Treachery is not a prevelant theme, though one of the Frankish tribes that has been Maximus's ally from the start does betray him, there isn't a random mishmash of people betraying each other left and right for no reason.

In some cases, the author does wonders to make you sympathetic to both the Romans and the Germanic tribes at once, illustrating the problem of the tribes, having dense populations, and no land to settle on, while the Huns push violently on their borders from the east, they are not only asking the Romans for land in their borders, but are OFFERING themselves as servants of the Empire in exchange for this land.
Meanwhile the Romans are dangerously short of food, and their empire is too massive to deal with, with generals (such as Constantinus and his son Constans) constantly rebelling and establishing their own empires, the Empire simply cannot deal with these tribes coming through (The Vandals in particular are likely to loot and pillage their way through Gaul)

The story begins with heartbreak as Maximus loses his wife as the Picts of Britannia overrun Hadrian's Wall before they're pushed away some months later, and is then assigned to Augusta Treverorum. The tension between pagan Maximus and christian Artorius (the city curator) and the Bishop is so potent, you're shivering each time one of them says something even remotely insinuating or provokative to the other.

Adding to the powerful emotion is the discovery mid-way through the book that his closest and most trusted friend, Quintus, has betrayed him (it is not made clear in the book, though I am merely assuming that Quintus has had an affair with his wife when she was alive) and their friendship never recovers, even as they fight valiantly against the barbarian tribes.

The military logistics as well are skillfully done, especially the cavalry descriptions (the author was a cavalry trooper in the Indian Army, so he should know) which very harshly describe how best to wield cavalry against standing infantry, and how the slightest sluggishness of action or faltering of speed can result in quick death for all of them.

The main conflict occurs with the Rhenus river which separates the Barbarian camps and the Roman camps. There are multiple meetings between Maximus and the tribe leaders, with the Tribes begging Maximus to let them come into Rome and become Roman subjects. The climax comes with the arrival of winter. Aside from a handful of soldiers freezing to death, the Romans control the river with their boats, and the Barbarians are awaiting the winter so that the river can freeze over, and attack the camp.

It seems at first as though the Romans may win, as they successfully starve the tribes, and begin to disillusion the people, but as the water starts to freeze, and their efforts to break the solidified ice are too slow and few, the Barbarians come.

The ensuing battle scenes see all the Roman outposts within a hundred mile radius get overwhelmed by the barbarians. Even as the battle descriptions show bloody carnage the likes of which are reminiscent of a battle like Watling Street, Boudicca's disastrous last stand against the Romans, which saw less than 1000 legionaries die, and almost 100,000 Britons die. But these legionaries are not the same with regards to weapons and discipline as the legionaries of Caesar's time. No matter how many barbarians they kill, more keep coming, and they are driven back to the 30th milestone---midway between Augusta Treverorum, and the border.

In the end, even the Bishop who was his enemy comforts and protects Maximus as he falls on the field of battle, somehow surviving the final stand which saw all his friends and comrades killed. The book ends with Stilicho being executed by the Emperor (a big mistake in my opinion) and Maximus telling his tale to a group of unknown people.

Some particularly sad and dramatic points in the novel include Maximus's desperate pleas with the various magistrates and Duces (singular Dux) for more supplies and soldiers to hold the border, but they are all so incompetent or occupied with their duties that they can barely spare anything.
Another is Maximus's constant visitings of his old friend, Julian, who was stripped of his citizenship and place in the legions when he conspired to kill the Emperor. He fled north of the wall, searching for a new purpose in life, and surprisingly he meets again with Maximus at least three times later, in Britannia, and twice among the Barbarian tribes. It is very bleak hearing about Julian's life, and almost intensely sad that you feel empathy for him, a fictional character, so hardened by the events of his life.
Another is Maximus's desire to see the city of Rome itself. At the end, he finally gets to see it... sacked and in flames by the Visigoths (410 AD).

Tragically powerful and ultra dramatic, I have to inevitably point out the flaws, which surprisingly aren't enough to drag this book down even a half star. The prose.

By prose, I mean sentence structure, grammar, literature, all that good stuff. A great example of lush prose would be something like "the blaring sounds of the polished brass trumpets was thunderous enough to deafen men standing at attention a fifth of a mile away."

The same sentence using this novel's prose, "The polished brass trumpets sounded thunderously. Men standing a fifth of amile away were deafened."

Not the same impact, but these instances are rare. Where the third-grade prose really shows is in between dialogue, in which each line of dialogue Maximus says is preceded by "I said", and occasionally a stilted description of something else, such as "I sighed. I halted the men. I said"

Some literal passages taken from the book exemplifying this: "She began to cry. I stepped forward."
"He hesitated. He said."
"I dried my face on a towel and looked on my bed for a clean tunic. I had just one left. I put it on. Then I poured out two cups of wine. Still he did not look at me. He said, gently"
"I nodded. I felt very tired. I said"

This stilted prose begins to feel painful when encountering enough of them at once, but it is not enough to kill the power of a certain event. Whether or not this is perhaps meant as a style mirroring typical Roman austerity, it doesn't exactly work very well. This book would rival even Steven Pressfield's "Gates of Fire" with regards to literature and lush vocabulary if only Breem had indulged in his prose (Pressfield provides an introduction in this version of the book (hardcover bargain priced one)).

Still, the story rings powerfully, and is definitely one of those that has stuck to me after finishing, and I will look forward to re-reading this in the future.

Tragedy at its finest........2006-05-23

This novel by Wallace Breem really invokes at least some sort of feeling in the reader. It is based on the true events of one of Rome's greatest generals (Paulinas Gaius Maxiumus) who really symbolizes the fall of Rome itself. The plot is essentially about this generals, who agaisnt all adversity, remains loyal to Rome and as a result it proves to be his downfall.

The novel is a tragedy in the sense that from the very beginning you know that this man is destined to fail. Yet he possesses an unwavering loyalty that is not to be deterred. He is deemed an outcast for his pagan religion, he has lost all his loved ones, he fights for a city he has never seen. However despite all this, he remains truly loyal to the state despite many opportunities to seize absolute power.

As the novel goes on, Maximus is assigned to defend the Gaul-Germanic border with a mere 6,000 men in the face of hundreds of thousands. Wallace Breem crafts it so the reader really wants to see the general succeed, yet you already know he is destined for failure. This novel is at heart the decline of Rome. Not just as a military state, but in political unity and financially as well.

This is a great piece of historical fiction. I would actually give it 4 1/2 stars. The only element holding back from 5 stars is the lack of character development outside of the protagonist. This is an excellent summer read as well as a good account of Roman affairs prior to its fall in 410.

A true epic about human behaviour.......2006-03-09

This is an excellent novel about the later Roman Empire! An old empire is slowly crumbling but there are those who still believe in it and fight for its survival and the return to the old days. One can see the nostalgia of Maximus and Quintus when visiting the old Limes dating from Augustus.

Despite all the valiant efforts of the XX Legion, the enemy manages to break thru the defenses with the help of mother nature.

The description of the places and people is amazing, one can almost see the action depicted!

A must have for fans of the Roman Empire!

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a little drier than the first, but still good
Insightful book
More insights into spiritual disturbances.
Abberant Behavior:An Alternative Cause to Consider
Follow up to a great book

An Exorcist: More Stories
Gabriel Amorth
Manufacturer: Ignatius Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0898709172

Book Description

Following up his international best-selling book, An Exorcist Tells His Story, Fr. Gabriele Amorth, the renowned chief exorcist of Rome, expands on some of the key topics of his previous book, covering important details about demonic or occult issues. He uses concrete examples from his own experiences and those of other exorcists to illustrate and substantiate his points. Since satanic sects, occultism, séances, fortune-tellers and astrologers are so widespread today, Father Amorth asks the question why is it so difficult today to find an exorcist, or a priest who is an expert in this field? The example and the teaching of Christ is very clear, as is the tradition of the Church. But today's Catholics are often misinformed.

Exorcisms are reserved for appointed priests, while all believers can make prayers of liberation. What is the difference? What norms must be followed? What problems are still open and unresolved in this field?

The new book by Father Amorth answers these and many other questions, supporting his discourse with a rich exposition of recent facts. A valuable, practical and instructive manual for priests and lay people, on how to help many who are suffering.

Customer Reviews:

a little drier than the first, but still good.......2007-05-16

Fr. Gabriele Amorth, Chief Exorcist of Rome, continues his message of deliverance and liberation from demonic influences in his sequel to the best selling "An Exorcist Tells His Story". This time, he expands on the church's teachings on exorcism within the Catholic Church, and he includes written testimonies from those whom he has helped in the past. More prayers of deliverance are offered at the end of the book.

Even though this book is essentially a continuation of Fr. Amorth's first book, the urgency that existed in the first book for the need for trained priests and bishops in the Catholic Church is still there. In this book, he gives yet more examples of how cunning and deceptive evil spirits can be, and gives many indications on how a true affliction can be detected or discerned. He even takes lay deliverance one step further from his previous book, which only mentioned the Protestant and lay deliverance ministries, and gives some examples of how and when these have been effective.

Still, Fr. Amorth is insistent that exorcism, as a sacramental, is only to be performed by priests with their bishop's approval. Anything else is not strictly speaking an exorcism, and yet he gives examples of lay (female!) saints who cast out spirits through their holiness, even when a priest failed using the Rite of Exorcism! This shows that a life of holiness goes a long way towards spiritual warfare, that men and women alike are called to holiness, and that deliverance is not restricted to Catholic priests.

If you are interested in learning more about exorcism as a Catholic sacramental, then this is definitely a must read book! If you are interested in lay deliverance, then I would recommend another of the more popular books available on deliverance. While this is a fascinating topic, the view presented in this book is strictly from a traditional Roman Catholic perspective.

[...].

Insightful book.......2007-05-12

I found this book to be forthcoming and very insightful. There is no sense of "playing it up" for dramatic effect. It is a very straight forward book. Everyone should own a copy. It makes us realize how close evil/satan/demons really are. So often you find people who do not believe in the devil. After reading this book, how could you not?

More insights into spiritual disturbances........2006-12-03

Gabriele Amorth's text "An Exorcist: More Stories" complements his first book "An Exorcist Tells His Story". And the additional stories are very revealing of the tremendous spiritual problems that some people experience.

Amorth clearly explains the goal of an exorcism is to free a person "of those blocks that make it difficult" for him or her to pray and read the Bible" (p. 143). The blocks that prevent a person "from attending church, praying, receiving Communion, and reading the Word of God" are the stuff that exorcists deal with regularly.

The question is: where do the spiritual blocks come from? Amorth describes the blocks as "baffling" psychological "effects" (p. 130). "There can be four principal causes," according to the author (p. 62): 1. Permission from God; 2. Curses from witch doctors, shamans, card readers or satanic followers; 3. Individual's consent to sexual perversions, violence and drugs; and 4. Visiting evil places, such as "spiritualistic sessoins, consulting magicians, participating in black masses. All four causes "put us at great risk" (pp. 62-63).

Why is it that not everyone who gets cursed or consents to bad stuff or visits bad places gets possessed, oppressed, or obsessed by "demonic activity" (p. 61). Amorth charitable offers us his wisdom when he asks, "What is the bond that allows the evil presence to persist?" (p. 110). We all know the answer: "resentment" (p. 111). A person is prepared to receive demonic activity when he feels a mixture of fear and hate toward a person he admires; that is, resentment.

We can assist a person who experiences demonic activity. Amorth writes that the victim "should go to church, but needs to be taken there and to be supported, because he is constantly tempted to leave" (p. 97). Of course, the individual person with demonic activity must get to work. "I can help you," writes Amorth, "but the battle is yours to fight" (p. 133). He gives the analogy of how a person can move from being like "absorbent paper to water-proof paper" (p. 112). A person with resentment, a curse and spiritual blocks from demons can become "water-proof" by using the three main tools: "faith, prayer and fasting" (p. 110).

"More Stories" is an excellent book for a person growing spiritually and willing to help others, since "More Stories" describes real problems and real solutions. Amorth writes, "In my experience, a good general confession, in conjunction with an intense life of prayer and grace, is sufficient to end the afflictions" (p. 79).

Abberant Behavior:An Alternative Cause to Consider.......2006-10-23

Here again, Father Amorth has presented the public with an insightful and comprehensive 2nd volume on the topic of demonic possession,exorcism and its constellation of concerns. In his book, the history and recognition of the need for the Catholic church to formulate and address such pressing matters are explored.He discusses external signs and what constitutes some root causes of possession and manifestations that could be viewed as harbingers of more dreaded things to come.He carefully evaluates and assesses each case(I wish there were more) and forms what appears to be a therapeutic alliance with those who sought him out.Select prayers and precautionary actions and things to avoid doing are also discussed.Credibility is again called into question.Does the leading Vatican exorcist truly believe in Satan? From his writings the answer is most assuredly, yes. His experience whether first or second hand has guided his belief and that is to be respected.Does evil in the form of Satan truly exist? Are we to look at someone suffering emotional distress to the point of delusion and or hallucination,poorly responsive to current medical or psychiatric intervention and consider the possibility that demonic possession might be the cause? Many people suffer complete breakdowns of self with resulting hopelessness,depression,aggression or full blown psychosis.Magical thinking and suggestibility do occur in more acute psychotic disorders such as depersonalization and schizophrenia.Many authors have suggested that antisocial personality disorder is the hardest to treat.They are our most evil companions on earth and are frequently viewed as possessed by a devil as their actions are discovered and dissected by society.But, are we to blame "a pure spirit form" as Amorth describes Satan, or his evil influence as the cause. That my friends, is a most vexing question.This book, along with his first, gives one insight into alternative thought processes, a cause to pause, and hopefully strength to help those who present with peculiar and strange symptomatology that might be off the beaten path we're use to treading.Father Amorth should be read and his experiences and suggestions utilized. Make what you absorb part of your arsenal of tools.Carefully assess the facts,reflect on them and proceed.For traditional war theory read Sun-Tzu or Von Clausewitz.To prepare for demonic battle arm yourself with Hervey Cleckley, Malachi Martin and Gabriele Amorth.If, during your life or clinical practice the first shot is fired in your direction you'll be ready. I know I will.Retreat is not an option especially if Satan fires first.

Follow up to a great book.......2006-07-31

This is the second book as a follow up to Fr. Amorth's first book an Exorcists Tale. More of the same.

History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2 (Chronology)

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Check and see
Suprise! Suprise!
Prescient St Augustine?
Something of a disappointment
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:

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.

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.

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."

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).

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 Military Institutions of the Romans (Military Classics)

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The Bible of European soldiers for a thousand years

The Military Institutions of the Romans (Military Classics)
Flavius Vegetius Renatus
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press Reprint
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0313246904

Book Description

Flavius Vegetius Renatus was a Roman of high rank who collected and synthesized from ancient manuscripts and regulations the military customs and wisdom that made ancient Rome great.

Customer Reviews:

The Bible of European soldiers for a thousand years.......1999-12-28

Vegetius' compilation of the military wisdom and costoms of the Romans has been the most influential military work written in the western world. Compiled for the Emperor Valentinian II about 390 ad, just before Rome was captured and burned by Alaric, King of the Goths, it was circulated for a thousand years in manuscript form. First printed in English in 1489. This work helped to bring back discipline and cadenced marching. "discipline is superior to strength; but if that discipline is neglected there is no longer any difference between the soldier and the peasant."

Book Description

While few soldiers may have read the works of Epictetus or Marcus Aurelius, it is undoubtedly true that the ancient philosophy known as Stoicism guides the actions of many in the military. Soldiers and seamen learn early in their training "to suck it up," to endure, to put aside their feelings and to get on with the mission. Stoic Warriors is the first book to delve deeply into the ancient legacy of this relationship, exploring what the Stoic philosophy actually is, the role it plays in the character of the military (both ancient and modern), and its powerful value as a philosophy of life. Marshalling anecdotes from military history--ranging from ancient Greek wars to World War II, Vietnam, and Iraq--Nancy Sherman illuminates the military mind and uses it as a window on the virtues of the Stoic philosophy, which are far richer and more interesting than our popularized notions. Sherman--a respected philosopher who taught at the US Naval Academy--explores the deep, lasting value that Stoicism can yield, in issues of military leadership and character; in the Stoic conception of anger and its control (does a warrior need anger to go to battle?); and in Stoic thinking about fear and resilience, grief and mourning, and the value of camaraderie and brotherhood. Sherman concludes by recommending a moderate Stoicism, where the task for the individual, both civilian and military, youth and adult, is to temper control with forgiveness, and warrior drive and achievement with humility and humor. Here then is a perceptive investigation of what makes Stoicism so compelling not only as a guiding principle for the military, but as a philosophy for anyone facing the hardships of life.

Customer Reviews:

Stoic Warriors is not Stoic.......2007-05-04

This book is interesting, and far more readable than most books on philosophy. But, for those who have actually studied Stoic philosophy, there is a problem. That problem is that the book does not do a very good job of presenting the teaching of Stoicism, and it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the author does not much like Stoicism.

A major problem is that the author, Nancy Sherman, is an Aristotelian, and clearly has little sympathy for, or understanding of, Stoic philosophy. For instance, she many times criticizes Stoic teaching on emotions, such as anger, as impossible to apply to the problems of military personal. But she neglects to mention that the Stoics never claimed that Stoic philosophy was a simple pill that could quickly solve problems without the time necessary for real change, and a re-evaluation of values.

It seems, in fact, that Ms Sherman may not have taken enough time to understand Stoic philosophy in depth.

An academic attempts to comprehend the soldier's nature.......2006-01-01

Being fair to Professor Sherman is important in the context of reading and reviewing this exercise in academic philsophical thought. One has to rid themself of the image of a smug academic, wrapped in the iron belief of her own infinite knowledge, holding forth on a subject she can only describe as an outsider.

Thus, "Stoic Warriors" must be viewed, I believe, in the same vein as a treatise on brain surgery I might write should be viewed: the account of an observer with no actual experience and subject to errors of perception. Think the Lilliputians as they attempt to comprehend Gulliver.

Sherman somehow came to occupy the Distinguished Chair in Ethics at the United States Naval Academy for two years. Her attempt is to view the modern American soldier in light of Stoic philosophy. It would have helped immensely if Prof. Sherman had left all the leftist views common to academia at the door when she began her quest.

As she puts it, "so much of [her] understanding of the military has come from storytelling of military men and women." And those stories may have been true or not. More importantly, Sherman's focus might have been sharper on any story that reflected badly on the military or current administration. While Sherman is not as blunt as some othe academics, her very basic contempt for military force as an instrument of natioynal policy is evident. This makes reading her dissertation , well, an academic exercise, with little inherent value. But it must be said that Prof. Sherman does try. Unfortunately, in my eyes, she is far, far away fros understanding the Stoicism she attempts to apply. You cannot be one of the "touchy-feely" generation and understand Stoicism. Marcus Aurelius, I think, would have doubled over in laughter at this attempt.

Where convenient to her point, Sherman simply tosses aside Stoic doctrine. For example, in her chapter "Permission To Grieve," Sherman can't abide the idea of a soldier not feeling deep grief at the loss of comrades, so she simply dismisses her conflict with the ancient Stoics by dismissing even a watered down doctrine as demanding too much control of us. I guess philosophy is like the fabled Chinese restaurants of old: pick one from Column A, one from Column B. If the very words of Marcus Aurelius and Cicero don't support your allegedly expert point of view, just tell the original Stoics to take a hike. Academia: you simply gotta love it.

Her hostility to the conflict in Iraq does not lend credibility to her argument. One of her late chapters concerns the so-called scandal at Abu-Gharib. You can practically see her salivating at the prospect of administration officials being hauled away in chains. Unfortunately her description of events turns out to be markedly different than what appears to have actually occurred, but if you'll recall, The New York Times ran story after story about the Ugly Americans at Abu-Gharib without restraining themselves. Sherman obviously consumed such stories. She repeats the canard that now Attorney General Alberto Gonzales "approved" the use of torture. She also falls for the common misapprehension of the left that the Geneva Conventions capture all combatants in a conflict of any kind. She is mistaken on this.

As I said, Sherman makes an earnest effort to apply the bits and pieces of Stoic philosophy to the American military. She fails, but her attempt is not uninteresting nor entirely without merit. Despite all of her failings, she has produced a work of interest to the military historian, but it is not because she reaches her intended objective: rather it is because she does include a number of interesting stories which she then interprets to conform to her views.

Jerry

The More Things Change, The More They are The Same.......2005-11-27

Excellent book--Sherman does a very good job in contrasting purist stoicism with Aristotle's thought and "finding the mean". Suffice it to say that elements of this have proven their value to me at least through good times and bad, courtesy of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations.

Would that I had the same exposure to this material as I did to the algebra that I flunked royally. It would have done me an immense amount of good where the rubber meets the road...

Stoic therapy.......2005-09-06

I picked up this book by complete happenstance; it was in the "new" shelf at the library. The subject of stoicism happened to be on my mind. The book is very fine; I read it through at two sittings.
There are details given in other reviews here which needn't be repeated. I found the insights in the book to be profound, and particularly the focus on the theraputic qualities of stoicism and how the insights of the stoics can supplement the findings of modern psychology.
The value of the book is by no means limited to its application to soldiers and the military.

A lot has happened since the Stoics, just a little has changed.......2005-09-04

Dr. Sherman has produced a good book on military ethics concerning conduct on as well as off the battlefield. A clear overview of Stoic thought on what was and to a large extent still is considered the correct mindset/attitude towards self and other in a military context, interwoven with modern day examples of men and women in the US military struggling with their everyday realities as members of the 'fighting' forces upon whom rests the heavy responsibility of going into the hell more commonly known as war and 'taking care' of the problem at hand. However, according to what I make of Dr. Sherman's words, the Stoic lessons are no longer completely up to the task of handing the 'warrior' the necessary tools for dealing with the realities of modern warfare. That is, there are certain shortcomings in Stoic philosophy that shouldn't be overlooked. Dr. Sherman excellently communicates these shortcomings at the end of her book, by which means she has been able to present a well-rounded argument, making this work a valuable and highly recommended addition to any military ethics library.

Average customer rating:

A Fascinating Book
A sumptuous tale with few stops for breath
I loved it! Suspenseful, passionate, breathtaking imagery
A Book to Savor
A Really Bad Soap Opera

The Light Bearer
Donna Gillespie
Manufacturer: Berkley Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0425143686

Amazon.com

Quo Vadis for our times! Well, not exactly. It's been awhile since anyone tackled the Roman Empire as entertainingly as Gillespie has done in this book, a nearly-straight historical novel which should please readers of fantasy, too. Germanic Auriane is a combination of the noble, natural savage, and the heroine marked from birth for great deeds. Roman Marcus Julianus is the personification of the highest civilized, republican Roman values. Both are typical and atypical of their societies, fighting for what each believes to be just. Their individual struggles with the clashing Roman and Teutonic cultures are carried out in the Northern forests and in the salons and arena of Rome. Strongly- drawn characters, a setting both familiar and exotic (we all know something of imperial Rome, but very few of us are well-informed about it), a whiff of New-Age ancient mysticism, and a subdued but important romance subplot drive the sweeping novel of Auriane's growth and maturity and Rome's decadence.

Book Description

On the day of her birth, Auriane received a mysterious amulet from a priestess-and a doubleedged prophecy of doom and glory. The daughter of a Germanic tribal chieftain, Auriane witnessed unspeakable horrors committed against her people by ruthless invaders. And when tragedy tore her family apart, she took the oath of a warrior, and vowed revenge. Tales of her brilliant swath of conquest carried as far as Rome, to the renowned statesman Marcus Julianus-who felt his destiny intertwined with Auriane's, and wore about his neck an identical amulet

Customer Reviews:

A Fascinating Book.......2007-10-04

This is a big book by any standards, 800 pages and is the result of years of research and study by the author into the culture, and history of Rome and the Germanic tribes. I found it fascinating, exciting and thought provoking. In fact everything that a good book should be.

The year is AD 83 and the Emperor Domitian has crossed the Rhine with four legions, approximately 24,000 men and they have not marched that far for the exercise. The German tribes have tried to maintain their independence for as long as they can, but against such might their resistance is futile. Thus begins this mammoth book that takes us from the heartlands of the Rhine back to the decadence and temptations of ancient Rome.

A young woman Auriane, daughter of a chieftain who was to become the most revered prophetess of the tribes is captured and taken to Rome as a slave. There her life is changed completely and everything that she stands for is brushed away like so much rubbish. But having known her destiny from being a child Auriane is not about to bow to the yoke of Rome without a fight . . .

A sumptuous tale with few stops for breath.......2007-09-12

There is much I could say about "The Light Bearer" which has already been said, but as I don't review all the books in McCullough's Masters of Rome series (of which I've ready each book), I don't feel I can properly do justice to the greatness of this sweeping epic, which unlike McCullough's work, spans not just from Rome, but from a not well known Germanic tribe called the Chattians.

Gillespie does an amazing job of keeping Rome and Germania separate in writing details, with an inevitable connection between the two. Much is equally known about both the Chattians and the Romans as if written by two authors with the same writing style.

Some high points I point out are the very subtle rise of Domitianus's deranged paranoia and Caligulan/Neronian style reign, though the foreshadowing was a bit too obvious for my tastes.

Other interesting bits are the use and apparent source of commonly known modern things among the Chattians, such as the Goddess of the underworld, Hel, and the Eastre celebration, involving children dressed as rabbits and the hiding of colored eggs.

Because the flaws are so few and insignificant in the face of the greater elements, I think it's easier to point them out:

The writing is very sumptuous, but often at times it can get too dense and bogged down in details. This occurs mostly the first time Auriane enters the Colisseum.

Also, the sex. I've become used to ancient historical novels writing sex scenes very metaphorically and obtusely, without using direct wording. Gillespie appears to take it to such an extreme, with the vividly flowery writing between Marcus and Auriane's lovemaking that it becomes like a dense poem jackknifing from the wonders of nature and life and the gods in an obtuse manner, you nearly forget that the two characters are having sex. So over the top is the writing, that the way Gillespie describes it, you'd think Auriane was having blinding orgasms at just Marcus's touch on her arm or chest.

With the state of Rome at this point, and the main character being a foreigner and enemy to Rome, it's inevitable that a bias against Rome would be drawn, but the male character of Marcus Arrius Julianus is so much the outcast that there is little distinction between how Auriane and Marcus view the Roman world despite their differences. Auriane views Rome as savage and barbaric, and a plague on Fria's realm, whereas Marcus views it in somewhat the same fashion, but figures it's all he has, so he may as well love it.

Aside from Julianus and some of the senators friendly to him, you'd think Rome was a festering pot of corruption, barbarity, and bloodlust the epitome of the Roman view of the barbarians, while the Chattians are viewed as pure, natural, children of the earth that can do no wrong and are victimized by everyone from Rome to their neighboring tribes. Any opposition to Baldemar, Auriane's father and chieftain of the Chattians, is viewed as petty greed and personal problems on the part of the dissenter.

Some forgiveable offenses include loose ends, which may be tied up in the sequel "Lady of the Light", or the as of yet unnamed second sequel, including both Marcus and Auriane having amulets of earth from their childhood, duplicates of one another, and Auriane's seeming mystical foresight.

All these flaws are minimal, in my view, and not much to drag the otherwise epic tale down a full star in rating.

There is one issue with both Auriane and Marcus Julianus which may detract some readers, though is apparently done in such a way that broad interpretation can explain it away as easily as it couldn't: Gillespie may be guilty of "Mary-Sue"ing with Auriane and Marcus Julianus. Both seem to be greater than their surroundings, meant for greater things not yet known to either, and with little to no flaws beyond what their separate societies have naturally imbued in them (stubborn traditionalism in Auriane, cynic realism in Marcus), and beautiful physiques. From a certain point of view, many of their actions or words appear to be Mary Sue-ish reflections of the author's own point of view (determined by the narrative) or of a sense of moral or social well-being beyond that of someone from ancient times.

Or this could simply be the tired ramblings of a fussy reader.

Either way, the over 1000 page epic was a great read, and a highly insightful view into how the Germanic tribes of the early Roman Empire, and the early Roman Empire itself may have been.

I loved it! Suspenseful, passionate, breathtaking imagery.......2007-05-18

The Lightbearer is truly an amazing read. Once I began it, I couldn't pull myself away from the spell of Auriane, woman warrior, fighting for the survival of her embattled Germanic tribe against the all powerful Roman army. The characters are so richly drawn, I had an immediate sense of our shared humanity, despite the remoteness of their times. I was captivated by the vivid descriptions of these two worlds, sometimes hauntingly beautiful, sometimes disturbingly barbarous, always artfully rendered through Gillespie's exquisite prose. This is definitely a page turner filled with passion, struggle, heroism, and intriguing myth. With this carefully crafted tale Gillespie enters the arena of master storyteller.

A Book to Savor.......2007-05-18

Every possible element of good writing comes alive in this book. Gillespie recreates a lost time with such powerful detail we can feel we're living there with her characters. Those characters are larger than life, just as they should be in an historical novel of epic scope. Who would want to read about Robin Hood if he couldn't shoot an arrow straight?
But best of all is the plot. I don't *think* I read books for plot, but without a plot, no book really succeeds. It's like the skeleton of a human. You don't want to look at someone's hipbones directly, but without them, there are no graceful dancers. Gillespie's plot is as intricate as a 3,000 piece jigsaw puzzle and that's what drew me in and got me so involved with the characters that I was disappointed to see the book end -- and it's not a short book, either.

A Really Bad Soap Opera.......2007-05-17

As a student of ancient art, archaeology, and history, this book was on my "to read" list for a long time. Sadly, I was unable to get past the first 100 pages and I tried, I really did. I have never NOT finished a book. This book is awful and tries to hard, screaming "amateur." I guess I should have judged this one by the cover...

The storyline is rambling and full of tacky feminism/mysticism. The diologue is overdone with an absurd amount of metaphors and similies (bordering on laughable). The characters have no depth, despite insight into their thoughts at every possible moment. Everyone is so dramatic and over-the-top. I felt no emotional attachement and didn't care what happened to any of them. I also took issue with the over-simplified and stereotyped "good, harmonious tribes of the north" v.s the "evil, war-mongering Romans."

However, it must be said that Gillespie did a lot of research to present historic facts in order to re-create the time period. It's just too bad the novel reads like a really bad soap opera script.

Greek and Roman Naval Warfare; A Study of Strategy, Tactics, and Ship Design from Salamis (480 B.C. to Actium)

Average customer rating:

Masterful Work More Relevant Than Ever
Bad Georgaphy
Good Book for the Basics of Ancient Med. naval Warfare...
A study on how to falsify history
A must for any serious historical library!

Greek and Roman Naval Warfare; A Study of Strategy, Tactics, and Ship Design from Salamis (480 B.C. to Actium)
William Ledyard Rodgers
Manufacturer: Naval Institute Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

Naval | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Military Science | History | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0870212265

Customer Reviews:

Masterful Work More Relevant Than Ever.......2007-01-13

Written in the looming shadow of world war, this amazing work is if anything more relevant today than it was in 1937. This is so because the United States today depends to an ever-increasing degree on the ocean transport of vital energy supplies and manufactured goods. It is thus no accident that the U.S. has the world's largest navy, by far, one that makes its presence felt around the globe. Author Rodgers in this amazing work links sea power to national power and brings the naval campaigns of Greece and Rome into sharp focus, at all levels, from the grand strategical down to the individual oarsman. This book is a must for any affectionado of naval history. **

Bad Georgaphy.......2003-01-03

An interesting book when it comes to sailing, although the author has no knowledge of the sea and the terrain of Ancient Greece and Italy. Avoid it if you are interested in naval history and naval warfare. Living in these lands makes this book look like an anti Greek propaganda.

Good Book for the Basics of Ancient Med. naval Warfare..........2002-03-15

It has it's limitations in that it almost entirely relies upon ancient sources for it's conclusions, and not much on Archaeology or [obviously] modern scholarship.

It's age is one of it's virtues, however. It was written at a time when Classical scholarship was much less specialized and narrow, and allowed for a more general and sweeping overview of a fascinating and immensely important subject.

I disagree with one reviewer's complaints about Rodgers' criticism of Herodotus. He was, in many ways, a purveyor of legends and fanciful tall tales. Especially when you compare his historical skills to the great Greek historians who came later such as Thyucidides and Polybius. And thank God for Both Thyucidides and Polybius. Especially Thyucidides who is our most reliable ancient source for Classical Greek naval tactics. [Along with Xenophon].

And without Polybius, we would have almost no reliable record [other than the often suspect Diodorus]of the very overlooked, but immensely important and history changing First Punic War. Arguably, the First Punic War was the most important war in Western history because, as a result of it's occurrnce, Rome became the most powerful naval power in the Mediterranean by defeating one of the most powerful Hellenistic naval powers of the time, Carthage, on it's own turf. Thus, setting the stage for all of Rome's future expansion.

This is a great book to start with, if you are interested in Ancient Mediterranean naval warfare. And it's written by a person in a position to know and understand the practicalities of what the ancient sources have reported. Another lost tradition of modern scholarship. It's better to have a well-written and reserached general overview of ancient naval warfare written by an Admiral, than it is, sometimes, to have a narrow treatise written by an academic sitting in a dusty cubicle.

At least that's my opinion.

A study on how to falsify history.......2002-01-30

Calling Herodotus, the father of history, "inaccurate" and "a person who wrote tales" is considered among the historians of any time equal to blasphemy. Altering historical facts, and creating conclusions based upon imagination and modern standards is not only a crime against the memory of the ancient Greeks but also a crime against humanity. Never before have I read a book written about ancient Greece, that is so much against anything Greek. It is for sure the first time that I read that Leonidas, the 300 Spartans and the 2,000 Greeks who were sacrificed for preserving the democracy and freedom of ancient Europe in Thermopiles, where just a few cowards that withdrew in the face of the enemy surrounding them. It is crazy even to consider that the same soldiers who were fighting for six (and not two as the author states) days against 500,000 soldiers got scared and betrayed their fellow fighters and fled living the back of the Spartans open.
The strategic conclusions made on this book are completely inaccurate, since the author never visited neither Greece nor Rome. Reading the book up to page 106 when the Persian wars were concluded the author does not manage to make a single correct remark as he is totally ignorant of Greek geography and morphology, and most of all Greek way of leaving and thinking.
I was never before so disappointed from buying a book as much as I did when I bought and tried to read: Greek and Roman Naval Warfare; A Study of Strategy, Tactics, and Ship Design from Salamis (480 B.C. to Actium) by William Ledyard Rodgers

A must for any serious historical library!.......2001-10-12

If you can buy no other book on the subject, buy this. I have a shelf-load of others, but this is the key. Control of the seas was often a core policy to the Mediterranean nations. How they fought or could fight at sea determined the course of history.
Adm. Rodgers writes in the non-fiction style of the early 20th century: no gobbledegook, no unnecessary jargon, no convolutions just to look impressive. Neither does he feel he has to be boring to be scholarly.
The book is completely accessible to a beginner who is willing to look up the basics of ship terminology, and not much of that. Yet the subjects glide into such depth, in areas glossed over by most other writers, that even the long-term aficionado will find new information. You will keep it handy for its many technical references. As well, the old-timer may find that Rodger's cogent arguments explode many common myths about the ancient ships found in scores of other "authoritative" books.
Coming from the time he did, Rodgers had access to information that seems to have been lost from being ignored by motor-sailors. This includes the energy output of a rower and a familiarity with the standard speeds of rowed and wind-powered traditional vessels. As a result, his analyses of the ancient texts has both depth and practicality. He is not guessing at figures or building triremes in the clouds.
On top of this, Rodgers was simply brilliant in his visualizations of ancient sea fights. His unpacking of the Roman propaganda about the Egyptian fleet at Actium is alone worth the price of the book.
Be sure to get his follow-up, Medieval Warfare Under Oars. If you would like a similar suddenly-real analysis of many land battles and armies, try Hans Delbruck's History of the Art of War (4 volumes). That one is not beginner-accessible, but once you have the basics you will enjoy it.

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