historical novels...

[VAE VICTUS]

ok i ask this here because well this is where all the history people gather.any good historical novels?

[Brutus]

Personally, I like Umberto Eco's work; mainly The name of the Rose and Baudolino, although the latter one get's less good in the second half.

[Colovion]

Edward Rutherfurd has written a number of great works. Notably: Sarum and Russka.

Harold Lamb also writes his non-fiction in a style that reads more like fiction than a dry old history book. He also is my favourite author and covers such greats as Hannibal, the Khan, Tamerlane, Charlemagne and Alexander and events like the Crusades and so forth. Simply amazing events and people and he portrays them as such.

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

Try bernard cornwall grail quest trilogy and also Stephen Lawhead Celtic Crusade trilogy but with both books the third part is very poor compared to the others.

[xemitg]

If you’re looking for a good history book to read, I suggest you go to historical books. Crack open The Inferno by Dante to learn about the criticisms and issues of Dante's time. If you enjoyed the movie "Apocalypse Now" you may like the book the movie is based on. "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad takes place during the late 1800's in Congo instead of Vietnam yet it is a fascinating book exploring the fine line that separates humans from the animals. If you are looking for something more modern, read "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien. This is another fascinating book about Vietnam. I could go on and on about the great books out there. All these books would be an easy read. In a history book, I always find the human aspect the most interesting and not necessarily the events. To understand history is to understand those who influence it.

[edyzmedieval]

I like "Fall of Constantinople" by Vintila Corbul, a Romanian Author...

Very very good historical novel....

[scaddenp]

If you havent read Patrick OBrian's Aubrey/Maturin novels, then run dont walk to library and get started. "Master and Commander" is first one and a little daunting as you have to learn a LOT of the language of the sea. (Dean King's
Sea of Words is a good companion). Its also getting to know characters. The
second book, "Post Captain" is a huge homage to Jane Austin. The humour
really sets in as does the main characters. And from there, the series really takes off. "Desolation Island" would have my vote for best book of the sea since Moby Dick.

For total tongue in cheek, Alfred Duggan (seriously out of print) is interesting
take on history.

I like Rosemary Sutcliff reconstructions too. "Sword at Sunset" for a near fantasy-free take on Arthur.

Noone mentioned Robert Graves, esp. "I, Claudius" yet?

Very light but charming and with beautiful historical recreation, Ellis Peter's
Brother Cadfael whodunnits.

And at the other end of the scale... "An instance of the Fingerpost" by Iain Pears. Not an easy read but ultimately very rewarding.

Better tighten down the genre/period a bit or I will get really carried away.

[King of Atlantis]

Ireland: A novel is very good.

[King Henry V]

Bernard Cornwell is the best! I can't wait until I get his new book, The Last Kingdom. Other good books include the Matthew Hervey books by Alan Mallinson and the Henry Gresham novels by Martin Stephen. Also good Rome books include the Emperor series by Conn Igulden, about Julius Caesar and The Eagle books by Simon Scarrow.

[Geoffrey S]

A good start would be Robert Graves' Count Belisarius or I, Claudius. Bernard Cornwall is also good, in particular I enjoyed his Arthur trilogy (Winter King, Enemy of God, Excalibur). Books I've been enjoying lately are by Mary Renault, namely Last of The Wine, Mask of Apollo and her books on Alexander. If you're up for it I really liked Xenophon's Anabasis, if you can find a good translation that one can easily be as enjoyable as contemporary works. My dad's been trying to get me to read books by Henry Treece which are apparently good, but I haven't started on them yet.

Of course those all deal with older history. What timeframe are you interested in VAE VICTUS?

[Mount Suribachi]

Currently reading the Masters of Rome series by Colleen McCollough. Excellent. All about Rome in the time of Gaius Marius, Sulla and Julius Caeser. Just read the bit about Spartacus (different to the film )

[Afsin]

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[nokhor]

barbara tuchman 'a distant mirror' about life in the medieval world. it is done through the biography of a french nobleman who she chose because he would more easily fit into our modern world than a lot of his contemporaries. it deals with the political, social, military, and medical chaos of his lifetime as a comparison to similar issues when the book was written [20th century.] hence the title of the book.

[ShadesWolf]

Bernard Cornwell - The Grail Quest
------"--------- - The Last Kingdom

Sara Douglass - The Crucible

Valerio Massimo Manfredi - The last legion
------------"----------- - The Talisman of Troy

Conn Iggulden - Emperor series

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

I recommend C.J. Sansom's Shardlake novels-I'm reading the most recent, Dark Fire, at the moment. They're detective stories set in Reformation Britain, and are really very good.

[Kraxis]

Those Eagle books by Scarrow are nice.
While the Roman infantry seems a little effective at times, he manages to keep on track and never really downplay the enemy to the common 'grey horde'. They are quite personal and behaves differently and so on. A nice touch.

Well worththe read.