EB Bibliography II: What are you currently reading?

[Zaknafien]

Like the previous thread, but Id like to make a spot for EB fans to let us know what antiquity books they are currently reading or enjoyed recently, maybe letting others know of great books on subjects they might be interested in.

Im currently re-reading Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome Series, the classic historical ficiton set from the rise of Marius through the death of Caesar and beyond. The books include The First Man in Rome, The Grass Crown, Fortune's Favorites, Caesar's Women, Caesar, and The October Horse.

On the non fiction side of the house, I just got Augustus: The Life of Rome's First Emperor, and a new copy of From the Gracchi to Nero which I will be re-reading soon.

[Bava]

Just finished Gisbert Haef´s "Troy", nice read, but not as good as his "Hannibal"(absolutley loved it, though was a bit carthie biased).

I saw some copies of the "Imperium" series in my local book store today, is it worth buying?

[abou]

Caesar: Life of a Colossus by Adrian Goldsworthy. It's a good read and I should devote more time to it. Next I plan on reading From Samarkhand to Sardis, which my library amazingly actually had a copy of, and picking through the first book of Caesar's commentaries in Latin.

[Kugutsu]

I am currently reading three books which are relevant to your question:

Xenophon's Anabasis. I am rereading this, as I remember reading it when I was translating bits at school. I reckon the version I read then was abridged, as I cant remember reading anything about what happened after they reached Trapezous.
Edit: To anyone who hasnt read this, its an extremely readable, enjoyable book, I highly recommend it. Its the story of a mercenary army of 10 000 greek hoplites hired by Cyrus, a pretender to the throne of Persia (in about 400BC). They get virtually to Babylon, beat the King, but unfortunately Cyrus is killed in the battle (Cunaxa) and the greeks are stuck in the middle of a hostile country. The story tells how they got back to greece, chronicled by Xenophon who was one of the generals.

Polybius' Histories: in preparation for the historical campaign I am going to play as the Romans when EB 0.82 (or whatever the devs consider to be the next big release) is released.

I am also reading Plutarch's Lives, but only when I go to the bookshop on saturdays. Theres a great bookshop where I live which combines comfortable leather armchairs and for some reason being a social hub where all the beautiful people meet, so its a good place to lurk, read and people-watch!

(Just in case people are thinking Im some kind of freak, I am also reading some fiction which is not based in antiquity, but I'll mention it anyway: 'Birds Without Wings' is a story set in Turkey, and traces the development of that country and its neighbours through the lives of characters living through last century. A very interesting book about whats happening now in the region I tend to play in in EB! Also 'Labyrinth' which is a thriller in the vein of the Da Vinci Code, but better IMHO...)

[QwertyMIDX]

I'm reading Pontus and the Outside World: Studies in Black Sea History, Historiography, and Archaelogy. editied by C.J. Tuplin. It's a collection of articles, the one I'm reading right now is about the Bosphoran Kingdom's political system and it's diplomatic relationships with the rest of the Hellenistic world, espeically the Ptolemaic Egypt.

[Geoffrey S]

De Oudheid: Grieken en Romeinen in de context van de wereldgeschiedenis by F.G. Naerebout and H.W. Singor. It's an extremely useful overview of the classical world from the Persian empire to the fall of Rome, with a brief overview of the rest of the world at the same time at the start of each period. Though the reason I'm reading it is for an exam coming tuesday on this subject, I can recommend it to any Dutch reader looking for a comprehensive guide to the period.

[Shifty_GMH]

Currently reading The Sword of Hannibal by Terry McCarthy

Next up is probably going to be Pride of Carthage by David Anthony Durham

I'll give you a list of books I enjoyed a little later when I have some more free time. Just about all of them will be historical fiction dealing mostly with Rome and a few with ancient Greece.

[Spectral]

Just finished "Empire of Dragons" by Valerio Massimo Manfredi, a bunch of roman soldiers that reach China. Quite simply,it sucked, too Gladiator-style for my taste. I mean the roman general fights with a gladius in each hand, not to talk about the hiper-super-duper chinese warrior monks ...

[Boyar Son]

Done with (generaly) Alexanders campaign talks generaly about the Greeks fued with persia,macedons rise,and the conquest of the persians empire and the aftermath. Pictures of battle formation,weopons, and some small accounts off the battles. Very good in my opinion that tries to detail the conquest but not bieng a college level book.


That xenophons anabasis is interesting. Heard about it when I played age of empires. Now that I know the name Im going to try and find it.

[Boyar Son]

Done with (generaly) Alexanders campaign talks generaly about the Greeks fued with persia,macedons rise,and the conquest of the persians empire and the aftermath. Pictures of battle formation,weopons, and some small accounts off the battles. Very good in my opinion that tries to detail the conquest but not bieng a college level book.


That xenophons anabasis is interesting. Heard about it when I played age of empires. Now that I know the name Im going to try and find it.

[Boyar Son]

Done with (generaly) Alexanders campaign talks generaly about the Greeks fued with persia,macedons rise,and the conquest of the persians empire and the aftermath. Pictures of battle formation,weopons, and some small accounts off the battles. Very good in my opinion that tries to detail the conquest but not bieng a college level book.


That xenophons anabasis is interesting. Heard about it when I played age of empires. Now that I know the name Im going to try and find it.

[CountArach]

Ancient books/Books based on that period I am reading:

Plutarch's Life of Alexander for History class
Plutarch's Fall of the Roman Republic (Because I like Plutarch)

Today I bought Adrian Goldsworthy's In the Name of Rome

[Sarcasm]

Nice challenge Zak :beam: , Ok...so a list of recently read historical books and some attempts at their reviews...5 points up, 5 points down.


The Pride of Carthage by David Anthony Durham

A novel about the Barca family, their retinue, and their personal involvement in the second Punic War. Very easy to read as the author uses colloquial speech, good introduction on the subject to an uninformed reader, superficial characters, depicts Non-Romans and Non-Africans as cannon-fodder, highly novalised at best, horridly unhistorical at its worse.

Rating: :thumbsup: out of 5


L'Ultima Legione (The Last Legion) by Valerio Massimo Manfredi

A novel which takes place during the "reign" of the last Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustus, and how he is supposedly saved by the last real legionaires. *Very* light read, the whole book is one big hollywood cliché, right down to the hot warrior-girl in leather pants. If you want something to read while you're on the throne get it, otherwise stay the hell away from anything this gentleman writes.

Rating: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: out of 5


Viriato - La Lucha Por La Liberdade (Viriato - The Fight for Freedom) by Mauricio Pastor Muñoz

Essentially a basic overview on the Lusitanians, Viriatus and the Lusitanian Wars. It doesn't pretend to be the ultimate book on the matter but rather assumes it's mission as a mean to divulge the subject. Concise and to the point, he makes on hell of a job in just under 240 pages.

Rating: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: out of 5


Under The Eagle by Simon Scarrow

The tales of a centurion by the name of Macro, from the forests of Germania to the mist of Brittania where they follow the trail of a missing chest of gold left there from the first invasions. A light read in league with Cornwell's work for example, though not so successful in making us like the characters. Highly novalised but a fun read all the same.

Rating: :thumbsup: out of 5


The White Company by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Yes, the man who brought us Sherlock Holmes also wrote other things. And very good things for that matter. Such is the case of this book, about a monk turned squire who fights in the company of the hillarious Sir Nigel Loring during the 100 Year War. Easy to read, very naive (and I say that in a good way) along with very likeable and out-of-this-world characters. Recommended.

Rating: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: out 5


The Ten Thousand by Michael Curtis Ford

This book is essentially a novelization of the Anabasis by Xenophon. It follows the life what was essentially a minor leader within the expedition and becomes the only man capable of leading those men through enemy territory to home. Well written and easy to follow, as well as worthy adaptation to the original text, not to mention a great way to get the reader interested in the actual thing.

Rating: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: out of 5


D.Sebastião e o Vidente [translated to german, italian, spanish and french only AFAIK, but litteraly D.Sebastian and the Seer] by Deana Barroqueiro

An historical romance by a previously unknown author, about the life of what would the last king of the Aviz dinasty in Portugal, D.Sebastian and his squire. The author is extremely meticulous in her research and portrays the intrigue at a 16th century court like few others I've read. The story is interesting from the day the king was born right down to his last battle, the greatest disaster in Portuguese military history. Hard to follow at points (the author is very thorough) with Old Portuguese being spoken at times, but extremely well written and put together. Recommended.

Rating: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: out of 5



Could you tell I was bored with physics? :beam:

[Cheexsta]

I'm on the last chapter of Robit Harris' Imperator, which details Cicero's political career. Quite an enjoyable book, IMHO, focusing on Roman political life rather than military achievements.

As far as non-fiction goes, I read a little bit of Plutarch's Fall of the Roman Republic every now and then, and have read most of Adrian Goldsworthy's The Complete Roman Army and Barry Cunliffe's The Ancient Celts. I also have access to a small pile of Loeb translations owned by one of my neighbours, might scratch through that some day for some light reading...

[tk-421]

McClellan's War: Failure of Moderation in the Struggle for the Union.

[Julian the apostate]

Europe a history, norman Davis and i just finished The stranger Camus so i guess that means tommorrow i'm starting Hobbes, man and citizen. on the really ancient front Genghis khan and the making of the modern world - Jack Weatherford and then Dogs of God - James Reston jr
Earthy powers - michael burleigh
and a neat litlte thing called the book of lost books by stuart kelly

[oudysseos]

Downloaded Herodotus (as an audiobook) from iTunes and listen while I play EB. It's a lot of fun that way.

[Lucasiewicz]

De Oudheid: Grieken en Romeinen in de context van de wereldgeschiedenis by F.G. Naerebout and H.W. Singor.
No need to recommend it, I was reading it myself some weeks ago.

I also read Ancient Persia: from 550 BC to 650 AD by Jozef Wiesehöfer.

My current read is Memories of Hadrianus by Marguerite Yourcenar. Not as historical as well as philosophical.

[Thaatu]

Bob Dylan: Chronicles, volume one.

I know, not really related to EB.
I also have a swedish book about Alexander the Great, but I don't speak swedish... :stupido:

[MSB]

I am currently reading Barry Cuncliff's Ancient Celts.

It's a nice interesting read, or at least chapter one is :grin:

[Geoffrey S]

My current read is Memories of Hadrianus by Marguerite Yourcenar. Not as historical as well as philosophical.
Hey, absolutely loved that book. I found it beautiful how Yourcenar managed to perfectly capture the essence of a great leader confronted by his own approaching demise after living through those of so many others.

[cunctator]

"Das Bosporanische Reich - Der Nordosten des Schwarzen Meeres in der Antike"
(The bosporan kingdom - the nordeast of the black sea in antiquity)

A collection of rather independent chapters written by a team of authors, mostly russian or ukrainian archaelogists describing the sites where they have done excavations. Contains one chapter about the history of reasearch in the area, a summary about the kingdoms history and descriptions of some sites: Pantikapaion, Phanagoreia, Tanais, the early greek settlement by Taganarog, Gorgippia and the settlement Vysesteblievskaja 11 in the hinterland of the Taman peninsula.

[Oleo]

I always fall asleep when I read, so I dont read ~:mecry:

[Zaknafien]

Great responses guys.

Cunctator and Qwerty in paticular, those are great, Ive been wanting some great Pontic-type historical sourcebooks, Im going to have to look for those!

[blacksnail]

Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase For Lincoln's Killer (http://www.jameslswanson.com/bookjacket.html) by James L. Swanson (http://www.jameslswanson.com/). Pulled from actual accounts from a variety of people, it puts them all together into a narrative of what will always be the greatest American chase scene.
Death's Men (http://www.amazon.com/Deaths-Men-Soldiers-Penguin-History/dp/0140168222/sr=8-1/qid=1168534427/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-2608659-3858867?ie=UTF8&s=books) by James Winter. WWI told from the British and colonial soldiers' points of view, pulled from collected memoirs and first-hand accounts. Winter assembles and sifts through all these accounts to present the experience of the men in the trenches rather than those moving chess pieces on the map.

[Orlanth]

Troy : Lord of the Silver Bow - by the now sadly late David Gremmel.

A lot of plotting leading up to the war, with lost love and slaughter of prisoners. Even a hero that is not always nice

[blacksnail]

David Gemmell passed away? When?

[Spendios]

Pierre Briant : "From Cyrus to Alexander: A History of the Persian Empire "

[Zaknafien]

Yes, David Gemmell passed, and its unfortuante. The new Troy series is quite good.


Does anyone have good sourcebooks/histories on Pergammon or Syracuse? I cant seem to find anything worthwhile in print on amazon or barnesandnoble.

[Sarcasm]

How about The Attalids of Pergamon by Esther V. Hansen?

[Zaknafien]

out of print, I suppose. but I did find another good one. I need to get wise on some of these.

McShane, Roger B. The Foreign Policy of the Attalids of Pergamum. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1964.

[Namenlos]

out of print, I suppose. but I did find another good one. I need to get wise on some of these.

McShane, Roger B. The Foreign Policy of the Attalids of Pergamum. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1964.

Zaknafien, here at the university we have that title:

Hansen, Esther Violet: The Attalids of Pergamon, 2nd edition, 1973

So if you want some photocopies, just let me know...

Regards - PTB

PS:

Currently reading: Hannibal - le rêve inachevé, Histoire Antique, Hors-Série No. 11. Nice overview.

PPS:
ad BB: Haefs too "punophil"? Perhaps the lecture of the following title will change your verdict: Rom und Karthago von Klaus Zimmermann...

PPPS:

My favourite historical fiction with background in Antiquity:

(1) Lugal - Josef Nyary. I wish they would make a movie... and it's only available in German. Love, Hate, Gods, Family ties, War and Peace in Ancient Mesopotamia. This is one of the few books capable to change your perspective on life in a significant way.

(2) Shining company - Rosemary Sutcliff. Even better than the Eagle of the Ninth.

(3) Hannibal - Gisbert Haefs

(4) Eagle in the Snow - Wallace Breem.

(5) Adler über Gallien - Hermann Stresau

(6) Eagle of the Ninth - Rosemary Sutcliff

(7) Gates of Fire - Steven Pressfield

(8) Roman Blood - Steven Saylor

(9) Nimrods letzte Jagd - Josef Nyary

(10) Ich zog mit Hannibal - Hans Baumann

(11) The Ten Thousand - Michael Curtis Ford

(12) Ben Hur - Lewis Wallace

(13) Quo vadis - Henryk Sienkiewicz

(14) Fremde Segel vor Salamis - Geza Hégedüs

PPPPS: Apropos Pressfield - What do you think of his Alexander-Books?

[an_do_89]

I enjoy reading Prehistoric Dacia by Nicolae Densusianu .
Is about the geto-dacians.
It has been first published in 1913 in Romania and for the first time translanted in english.
You can find her at this web adress :

www.pelasgians.bigpondhosting.com


Reading this book is a “must” for all those interested
in the birth and evolution of European and Eastern Mediterranean civilizations. :book:

[oudysseos]

Apropos Pressfield- I thought that his book Alexander was one of his weakest. Mary Renault's have never been beaten. IMHO. One problem with Pressfield is that he chose to narrate it with Alexander's own voice, which is presumptive and less sympathetic. Also the 'Lost Autobiography' shtick has been done too many times, and only the masters and originators of the method (Graves) can really pull it off. I have kept my copies of Gates of Fire and Tides of War and reread them all the time. ALexander and the Last Amazon went to Oxfam after I read them once.

[oudysseos]

In terms of pure quality of historical fiction writing, it's hard to surpass Dorothy Dunnett and her 8 volume House of Niccolo series and 6 volume Crawford of Lymond series. Totally the wrong time period but well worth a look anyways. Patrock O'Brian is always good as well as George MacDonald Fraser.


The classics are hard to beat:
Robert Graves; I Claudius, Claudius the God, Count Belisarius and Hercules My Shipmate.
Mary Renault; Fire from Heaven, The Persian Boy, Funeral Games, The Mask of Apollo, the Last of the Wine, The Bull From the Sea
Gore Vidal; Julian, Creation
Anthony Burgess, The Kingdomof the Wicked

Some Newbies:
Stephen Pressfield, The Tides of War, Gates of Fire
Colleen McCullough, Fortune's Favourites, The Grass Crown, The First Man in Rome, Caesar's Women, Caesar

[Bava]

ad BB: Haefs too "punophil"?

I didnt say "too", i said "a bit". "Hannibal" has been the first book i read that depicted punic culture in a rather postive way and after 6 six years of roman "propaganda" in latin classes i was pretty surprised by Haefs´point of view (his interpretation of the Ebro contract, newborn/child sacrifices etc.).

[cdbavg400]

I'm currently reading quite a few books for school right now:

- Augustus' Res Gestae for Latin class
- Plato's Απολογία Σωκράτους for Greek class
- Prods Oktor Skjaervo's An Introduction to Old Persian, Briant's From Cyrus to Alexander, and Wiesenhofer's Ancient Persia for Old Persian Language and Culture
- Xenophon's Κύρου Παιδεία for my Senior Honor Thesis

And with the little spare time I get, I'm working my way through:

Martin Bernal's Black Athena, Khalen Hosseini's Kite Runner, Robert Peters' Getting What You Came For, Neville Morley's Writing Ancient History, and Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. I'm insane, I know.

[GodEmperorLeto]

HISTORY
I'm skimming through Rostovtzeff's Social and Economic History of the Roman Empire, Mommsen's Romische Geschiche (sp?), and Syme's Roman Revolution (after already reading them once) as I'm writing an historiography paper on them.

I'm also reading a slew of stuff on Mycenaean civilization, the end of the Bronze Age, and the Sea Peoples for my MA thesis.

Off-and-on I find myself reading and re-reading Plutarch's Lives and Herodotus' Histories right now.

And I'm re-reading Victor Davis Hanson's Carnage and Culture in preparation for his newer book on decisive battles.

FICTION
Just finished reading Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy, and am halfway through Robert E. Howard's The Conquering Sword of Conan.

And I just started Dan Simmons' Hyperion.

Oh, and I almost forgot, I'm re-reading John Locke's Two Treatises on Government, but that doesn't count as fiction.

[Namenlos]

Apropos Pressfield- I thought that his book Alexander was one of his weakest. Mary Renault's have never been beaten. IMHO. One problem with Pressfield is that he chose to narrate it with Alexander's own voice, which is presumptive and less sympathetic. Also the 'Lost Autobiography' shtick has been done too many times, and only the masters and originators of the method (Graves) can really pull it off. I have kept my copies of Gates of Fire and Tides of War and reread them all the time. ALexander and the Last Amazon went to Oxfam after I read them once.

Hi Oudysseos,

thank you for your quick assessment of the latest Pressfield books (and sorry for this late reply). So why do guys like Saylor, Pressfield or Ford continue to finish one new book per annum? Simply "auri sacra fames" or caught in a contract trap?

Concerning Vidal I completely agree - read his "Julian" during my childhood and after having read "Gods and Legions" by Ford I read it once more a year ago. What a difference!

But Dunnett's Niccolo? Hm, I bought the 4 or 5 books up to Timbouktou at once cause I like the period - only to discover that I couldn't get pass Niccolo's arrival in Italy. Thus I ran the first of my two Ebay auctions as a seller so far - salvaging 10 percent of the original prices ... And now you tell me I really did miss something? :wall:

A simllar experience with Mary Renault. Had read the Leonidas story and wasn't impressed at all. So I should read her Alexander works?

In general - thank you for your hints.

Regards - PTB

PS: Ad BB - oh - nichts für ungut, hoffe ich. Auch "De viris illustribus" geschädigt? :beam:

[Bava]

PS: Ad BB - oh - nichts für ungut, hoffe ich. Auch "De viris illustribus" geschädigt?

hehe, good ol´ Nepos, the only thing i liked about him was the fact that his work is easy to translate. "cena trimalchionis", that is nice latin text...~D

[Eduorius]

Hi!

I am reading right now Imperium by Robert Harris.

I like a lot this historical fiction novel about the life of Cicero. From what I have read on the internet it is going to be a trilogy. I like a lot how they portrait al the important characters like Crassus, Pompey, Caesar, Lucullus, and Cicero himself.

Thanks=)

[Deana Barroqueiro]

Many thanks for your generous review of my “D. Sebastião e o Vidente” and for pointing out all the most important characteristics of my writing. I spent almost 3 years in the making of this book, researching endlessly for each matter, and I wrote 9 different versions… Your understanding of this hard work has granted you my eternal gratitude!
Deana Barroqueiro

[Teleklos Archelaou]

Wow, I would definitely buy a copy of that now if it was available in English. Thanks for letting us know about the book Joao and thanks for showing up and saying "hi" Deana! :2thumbsup: The internets is amazing! :grin:

[Zaknafien]

I just bought "Roma: The novel of ancient Rome" by Steven Saylor while I was at the airport. Its very nice if unorthodox. The novel is really a series of novellas set at different times throughout the history of Rome, from 1000 BCE to the days of Augustus. The characters are all interconnected and part of the same family lines, showing the evolution of the city from cross-roads trading post on the salt and metal trade routes, to the capital of the world.

Interestingly, Saylor posits theories on how many of Rome's oldest traditions and stories came about, and they are very realistic and plausible. The tale of Hercules' visit and slaying of the monster Cocus is probably my favorite, but there are also excellent pieces on Romulus and Remus, Coriolanus, the Twelve Tables, etc.

[abou]

Currently reading Vergil's Georgics in Latin for my independent study with my professor. Granted, I'm only 135 lines in with no glossary, but there is some good stuff in those lines alone.

I'm not entirely sure, but I think there is a solid reference to crop rotation, which makes sense because you could theoretically use the work as a manual to run a small farm.

[Modern Warrior]

Nero's Killing Machine: The True Story of Rome's Remarkable 14th Legion by Stephen Dando-Collins.

He's done three books now about different legions. It's a nice read with some good history and these books give you a good feel for the time period.

[Urnamma]

Galen on Pharmacology: Philosophy, History and Medicine : Proceedings of the Vth International Galen Colloquium, Lille, 16-18 March 1995 (Studies in Ancient Medicine, V. 16) by Armelle Debru and France) International Galen Colloquium 1995 (1997)

Galen on the Brain: Anatomical Knowledge and Physiological Speculation in the Second Century Ad (Studies in Ancient Medicine) by Julius Rocca and Galen (2003)

Galen and Galenism: Theory and Medical Practice from Antiquity to the European Renaissance (Collected Studies, Cs710.) by Luis Garcia-Ballester, Jon Arrizabalaga, Montserrat Cabre, and Lluis Cifuentes (2002)

Pseudo Hecataeus, "On the Jews": Legitimizing the Jewish Diaspora (Hellenistic Culture and Society) by Bezalel Bar-Kochva (1997)

Assyrians: from Bedr Khan to Saddam Hussein: Driving into Extinction the Last Aramaic Speakers by Frederick A. Aprim (2006)

The Lower Stratum Families in the Neo-assyrian Period (Culture and History of the Ancient Near East) by Gershon Galil (2007)

Assyrian Dictionary of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago (H) (Assyrian Dictionary of the Oriental Institute of the Univers) by Martha T. Roth and A. Leo Oppenheim (1970)

Iamblichus on the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians by Thomas Taylor (1997)

Assyrian and Babylonian Chronicles (Texts from Cuneiform Sources) by Albert Kirk Grayson (2000)

[Warmaster Horus]

I read nothing as fancy as you all... I'm only 15...
My latest was Caesar by Christian Meier: a literal dissection of his life (at least in my opinion) and I'm reading for the fourth time The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius.

[Sarcasm]

Wow, I would definitely buy a copy of that now if it was available in English. Thanks for letting us know about the book Joao and thanks for showing up and saying "hi" Deana! :2thumbsup: The internets is amazing! :grin:

It really is a great book, about a subject most people don't even consider but one of my favourites. It really is a pity that it isn't translated to English.

Deana, I'll reply to your PM as soon as I can. :bow:

@Urnamma: Now you're just showing off :clown:

[Zaknafien]

"The Normans in Sicily" by John Julius Norwich

[Sarcasm]

"The Children of Húrin" by J. R. R. Tolkien.

EDIT: Oh, and "Ensaios de História Medieval Portuguesa" (Essays on Portuguese Medieval History) by A. H. Oliveira Marques. Essentially a collection of articles on subjets such as currency, shipping, demographics, trade routes, feudal armies and economic laws in medieval Portugal. Very interesting stuff.

[Zaknafien]

Got 3 new books today:

"The Roman Nobility" Matthias Gelzer
"War and Imperialism in Republican Rome: 327-70 B.C." William V. Harris
"The Roman Middle Class in the Republican Period" Herbert Hill;

[Lysander13]

Currently enjoying....

The Generalship of Alexander The Great by J.F.C. Fuller
The Campaigns of Alexander by Arrian..(translated of course)

[pezhetairoi]

Heyyyyy... I loved JFC Fuller so much I bought a copy of Generalship after I read it in the library!

On to relevant matters.

I am currently reading:

Cavalry Operations in the Ancient Greek World by Robert Gaebel
In Search of the Lost Roman Legions by Tony Clunn

[Sygrod]

I am enjoying a book by Robin Lane Fox, called The Classical World, an epic history of Greece and Rome. It is fairly detailed and builds a picture of the customs and everyday life, as well as covering the main historical events. My soft cover book is 700 pages and I have got as far as page 292, and am just coming up on Pyrrhos and his adventures.

It is available at amazon:
http://http://www.amazon.com/Classical-World-History-Homer-Hadrian/dp/0465024963/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-9676965-9197617?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177809292&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Classical-World-History-Homer-Hadrian/dp/0465024963/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-9676965-9197617?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177809292&sr=8-1)

/Sygrod

[mAIOR]

I'm reading a book I got recently called The Times: History of war.

It's hard to say if this book good as a whole.

Well, In his aproach to the Classical period, this book pretty much sucks (claims of every Gaul fighting without armor or naked and being ruled by a small noble calss).
Howerver, in late medieval/renaissence and Napolionic wars and afterwards it's quite good.
So I guess if you're looking for a good book on Classical history don't buy it.


Cheers...

[Sarcasm]

Man buying a book named "History of Warfare" is just begging for the book to suck :beam: it's a vast subject. My advice to you is, concentrate on a specific subject rather than over-encompassing ones.

Finished Sons of Húrin, so now I'm reading The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf. Slightly biased (of course, he uses Muslim historians exclusively - no offence here, it's just a fact) but so far I'm enjoying the book immensely. Good purchase and not too expensive either.

[Warmaster Horus]

Imperium, by Robert Harris. As others said, I believe, it's a good book, which concentrates more on the rhetorical strength of a man, than is capacity for leadership.

[Geoffrey S]

De historische Mohammed - Hans Jansen. Not got into it properly yet (it's two books), but it seems like a very good historical analysis of Mohammed. Probably rather controversial.

Gradually working through Cities in civilization - Peter Hall. It's a big, fascinating monster.

[Mithradates]

Im also reading the The classical world by Robin Lane Fox. Its a good read for anyone interested in the period which i assume every here is. I just got up to the classical period and despite being brief in places i think it can be forgiven for the scope he attempts to cover. I also find the he looks through the eyes of Hadrian rather interesting.

[Geoffrey S]

700 pages for the classical world? Crikey.

I'm never hugely keen on sweeping works covering large time periods, but I must make an exception for Braudel's The Mediterranean in the ancient world. Long-period works dealing with the geographical and physical context in which events took place were his speciality, and in this particular book he really illuminates the background against which history unfolded itself. It is a bit outdated now, but modern editions do address this somewhat in endnotes. Apart from that it's written beautifully and is a good, accessible start to the history that doesn't often get much of a mention in more popular, event-driven works.

[Laundreu]

I am reading The Ancient Celts by Barry Cunliffe, and recently read O'Hagain's book on the subject as well. I find those two authors preferable to Peter Ellis, who seems a bit too credulous to my taste.

A question, o EB people - what are some other kickin' rad sources on the ancient Celts?

[mAIOR]

Man buying a book named "History of Warfare" is just begging for the book to suck :beam: it's a vast subject. My advice to you is, concentrate on a specific subject rather than over-encompassing ones.

Finished Sons of Húrin, so now I'm reading The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf. Slightly biased (of course, he uses Muslim historians exclusively - no offence here, it's just a fact) but so far I'm enjoying the book immensely. Good purchase and not too expensive either.


That's the problem with gifts. You don't get to choose them. But again, it's fairly good in medieval/renaissence times.

The Amin Maalouf book is really good I've read every book the man has writen and I'm particularlly fond of his historical novels (best in my opinion Lion: The African). And this book is probably less biased than others because the Arabs give a more neutral aproach to the subject. I have another (if it was only another :sweatdrop: ) book about Crusades called Crusades by Thomas F. Madden... It pretty much adds up to the Maalouf one.


Cheers...

[Quilts]

Today I took delivery of-

1. Lords of battle (The world of the celtic warrior) by Stephen Allen, and

2. Shadows in the desert (Ancient Persia at war) by Dr Kaveh Farrokh.

See you in about 520 pages :book:

Cheers,

Quilts

[Artificer]

So long as we're on the Crusades kick here, I'd like to recommend Harold Lamb's The Crusades. It's a bit hard to get a hold of nowadays, but a search through Powells's Books or Amazon should net you something.

It isn't historical fiction in the strictest sense, as Lamb stays very close to the written accounts of the period. In fact, it reads more like a very exciting textbook, but it manages to breath life into some of western medieval history's greatest figures.

Both Muslim and Christian forces are dealt with fairly in the book, and it is clear that Lamb admires personalities from both ends of the spectrum.

All in all a very good read, and one that I suggest you pick up should you come across it.

[adishee]

A Savage War of Peace, Alistair Horne :shame:

[SaFe]

Well, "Ancient Germanic Warriors" is a wonderful book full of examples how germanics fought even in times B.C. which are normaly sparsely described.
Hope i can use this information for EB...

[Zaknafien]

A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn.

I know, a little off EB's topic, but nontheless a great work of history that any American, or anyone who wants to understand America's real history, should read.

[Narhon]

Lucan's Pharsalia at this time. It took a minute to get use to but I am enjoying It. It kind of reads like the Iliad

[Warmaster Horus]

a little off EB's topic

Euphemism of the day! :laugh4:

I'm reading Simon Scarrow's "Under the Eagle" series. Pretty nice.

[cunctator]

I've just finished The Mycenaeans by Louise Schofield. A very good and most importantly up to date introduction to the Mycenaean culture. I can warmly recommend it to anybody interested in late bronze age greece who doesn't allready have a few books about this topic. The book covers all important areas and is well illustrated with photographs and drawings. I only would have wished thaat some of the more controversial points had been discussed in greater detail, however the bibliography hints at further literature about these.


Other than this book I've read since I posted last time in this thread:


The Spanish Galleon, Osprey, Angus Konstam
Loeb Classical Libary Book 156, containing the surving fragments of the works of three less known greek tacticians Aenas "The Tactician" (4th century BC), (1st century Bc) and Onosander (1st century AD)
The conspiracy of Catiliana, Sallust
Imperium, Robert Harris
The 50 Gun Ship, Ric Winfield: All you have to know about the RN's 50 gun ships. Comes with a seperate fold out plan of HMS Leopard (1799). Really worth every cent.

[kemozz]

in the last couple of month i read the Emperor series by Conn Iggulden,Cato series by Simon Scarrow, Master of Rome series by Colleen McCullough (great read) and finally a few books by Michael Curtis Ford (ten thousand, the sword of attila, gods and legions, the last king)

[Atilius]

So, I'm reading Charles Stross' The Atrocity Archives. Just 11 pages into the first chapter, I stumble across this:

"...This has several consequences, starting with screwing over most cryptography algorithms - translation: all your bank account are belong to us"

[Incongruous]

A war like no other, rather good actually.

The perfect king (i think?) by Ian mortimer, about Edward III, I like The Greatest Traitor so this one seemed a must buy.

I am currently trying to find a good book on the different Affinities of the Wars of The Roses, but alas I can find none. I am most interested in the Neville and Percy districts of England.

[Zaknafien]

finished "A People's History of the United States",

now onto "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" and "God is not Great".

[AngryAngelDD]

i´ve read recently "The Western Frontiers of Imperial Rome" by Steven K. Drummond; Lynn H. Nelson

a lot of interesting details of the frontier society, agriculture, manufacturing, markets, romanization.

this could be very helpful for the (re-)design of gameplay for EBII. :yes:

[Sarcasm]

Now reading War and castros : new approaches to the northwestern portuguese Iron Age by Francisco Manuel Veleda Reimão Queiroga. You can get probably get it in an english speaking country, it's edited by Oxford - Archaeopress.

EDIT: Oh and La guerra en el mundo ibérico y celtibérico (ss. VI-II a.de C.) by Pierre Moret y Quesada Sanz. This one I don't think you can find in any other language but Spanish...which is alright to me, I can read Spanish too, but probably harder for most people here.

[Shifty_GMH]

Currently reading: Pride of Carthage by David Anthony Durham

Just finished listening to: Imperium by Robert Harris

About to start listening to: Roma: The Novel of Ancient Rome by Steven Saylor

After Roma I will be listening to: Augustus: The Life of Rome's First Emperor by Anthony Everitt

[cunctator]

Currently reading: Maier, Ferdinand :"Das Heidetränk-Oppidum
-Topographie der befestigten keltischen höhensiedlung der Jüngeren Eisenzeit bei Oberursel im Taunus"
(Yea, germans like long subtitles) Description of the remnanats of large (150 ha) celtic Oppidum just north of Frankfurt, so almost in my "neibourhood, flourishing in the last 3 centuries BC.

Just finished Goldsworthy, Adrian: "The Roman Army at War -100 BC -200 AD"

[the greek]

I just finished conn iguldens books the emperor series about the rise and fall of julius caesar its brilliant some people might not think it is 100 percent historical as caesar normally walks into a situation with nothing and ends with everything any conn igulden book is awesome:2thumbsup:

[Bonny]

I have just finished Gisbert Heaf's Ceasar, and am now reading again the Otherland Series by Tad Williams...

[Incongruous]

"The Normans in Sicily" by John Julius Norwich
Ahh read his Byzantium trio, very, very good writer.
I wondered how good this title might be.

You heard about his new massive work? A history of the medditeranian, sounds epic.

[Ozymandias]

Plutarch's Parallel Lives, Suetonius's Lives of the Caesers, and the Illiad.

[Owen the Mighty]

I'm currently reading The Romans for Dummies by Guy de la Bedoyere. Informative, but not a PhD thesis, so it's perfect for any average person interested in the Roman Empire.:book:

I'm also planning on reading Mario Puzo's The Sicilian, because I love the Godfather:2thumbsup:

Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories series is an enjoyable read aswell......200 years too late, but hey, you can't go wrong with some Saxon vs Viking action!

(The first book is called The Last Kingdom, if I remember correctly)

[Digby Tatham Warter]

Steven Pressfield's THE AFGHAN CAMPAIGN is my current read.
It's about Alexander the Great's 3 yr struggle to subdue the tribes, so he would have a secure supply route when invading India.

It's particually interesting at the moment, because my EB campaign as the Seluekids means I am fighting in this territory.

It brings to life the Mod so much more when you read about the remoteness of the place, and just reading the names of the places, and then finding them on EB's map. It makes more sense when it takes me ages to get troops through the 'wilderness'.

[Owen the Mighty]

@ Digby Tatham Warter: I am having a similar experience now that I'm reading A Brief History of The Celts. While campaigning in Gaul, I have a raised respect for the Aedui and the Arverni.

[Lysander13]

Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories series is an enjoyable read aswell......200 years too late, but hey, you can't go wrong with some Saxon vs Viking action!

(The first book is called The Last Kingdom, if I remember correctly)

Yes, The Last Kingdom was the first one in the series. Very good series i happen to come across in my local library and was pleasantly surprised. If your into historical fiction you may enjoy this series as it depicts The Danes vs. The Saxons in England during the time of Alfred The Great.
Good entertaining read.

Also just finished The Spartans by Paul Cartledge. It was...ok. However, i could see where some would find it difficult to sit thru unless your really interested in the subject matter.