Who's reading what??

[Crocus]

Just "Ceawlin - the Man who made England" (Pen and Swors Books) - a must for all you Arthurian buffs! He clearly states at the outset that this is his vision/reconstruction of the period given the meagre resources. A Roschach blot test to be sure...

If you have read "Britannia the Failed State" (I cannot remember the authors' names nor maybe the correct name for the books. I am jetlagged and grumpy as hell so this is therapy/time out from my little monsters, er, delightful kids) then you will be on firm ground: Ceawlin is based in the continuing romanitas model of the times. Essentially the Roman bureaucracy in Britannia continues trusting Honorius' injunction to make do until a new vicarius can be assigned. This is the Vortigern title in Brythonic, Bretwalda in Germanic. Lists and chronologies are explored, leading up to the author's contention that Ceawlin was the final Vicarius and with him ended Britannia, and so "England" grew to control centre stage. The original sources are massaged to make the point, but as they're all contradictory in any case what can an author do?

Its a good read, the style flows and you could almost believe him! It is more grist for the mill, points to ponder, change of emphasis, and so on, but as noone will ever truly know the influences, events and people of the times, the value of the book hinges on its inventiveness and novelty, and its enjoyability. There's lots to think about, especially if you favour the wattle daub and stray pigs handle on the Britannic Dark Age period. I'm planning a campaign on the back of it, so that's a bonus. Certainly I enjoyed it and will read it again soon. A definite recommendation

[Macbeth]

I finished Jack Whyte's "Rebel" this morning and I think that Robert Low was a touch harsh in his review.

True the story painted Wallace a lot like Robin Hood - making him an archer and his early outlaw life in Selkirk with a set of compainions comes across as the Robin Hood and Merry Men team.

The story did set the political scene for Scotland during the interegnum quite well.

The surprise was that the story ends before Stirling Bridge

All in all though a good read.

I have now started "The Leopard Sword" which is the fourth effort from Anthony Riches Empire series set towards the end of the Early Imperial Roman Period.

Captain Rabbit - you can see from an earlier post that I am both reading and painting
Cheers

[Macbeth]

I finished 'The Leopard Sword' last week and it was quite a good read although the motivations of the main bad guy seemed to chop and change a bit. Anthony Riches in his afterword suggests he plans to be producing this series for the long haul.

After I finished with that I picked up Nick Brown's "Agent of Rome: The Seige" set in Roman Syria during the war with Palmyra. It was a short book (perhaps mercifully so) with very little characterisation and some glaring inconsistencies in equipment and the use of weapons.

Right now I am reading "Medieval Africa 1250 - 1800" by Roland Oliver and Anthony Atmore. This is most interesting. I have just finished the chapter on the West Sudanese and am about to embark on the chapter for Christian Nubia.

Cheers

[Doug]

For those of you with Kindle, Amazon currently have 'Augustus: Son of Rome' free by Harris. If it is anything like his other period pieces, it should be excellent.

[Ammianus]

Crocus: RE Ceawlin - the Man who made England,
good to hear, it was already on my Amazon wish list. Cheers, A

[Steppewarrior]

Picked up a copy of 'The Normans in Sicily' by John Julius Norwich - a double book edition comprising 'The Normans in the South' and 'The Kingdom in the Sun'.

Absolutly fascinating and narrated in a very easy reading style; I had no idea of the scale of this 'second' Norman Conquest. Add in the whole Imperial German, Byzantine, Lombard and Muslim angle and you have a really rich source for loads of games and campaigns - and of course a very valid excuse to build more armies!

You have to take your hat off to those boys - they had balls that's for sure!

[Redwilde]

Yup, Normans In Sicily is a great book!

[Macbeth]

I've had a week off from work whilst the younger of the little warbands has been part of an ice skating show.

In that time I have had some more face time with the books

In short order I have finished off "Medieval Africa 1260 - 1800"

Then Timothy May's "The Mongol Conquest In World History" which puts the Mongol Era into a global perspective,

John Man's "The Terracotta Army" - Part history of the Qin Dyasty part story of the discovery and restoration of the entombed warriors

"Praetorian" by Simon Scarrow the 11th in his Roman Legion series - this one is more of a spy story than a military one but still an excellent read

"The Cloud Maker" by Patrick Woodhead a modern thriller set in Tibet - exciting and compelling until the last chapter when it just wraps up with an anticlimax

"Scotland and the Crusades" by Alan Macquarrie

and I am now starting "The Emperor's Spy" by MC Scott set in Nero's Rome

There is a discount bookstore near the temporary rink set up where my daughter was performing - I was able to pick up a copy of Ian Heath's "Armies of the 19th Century - Central Asia" for a mere $20 Australian

Cheers

[timurilank]

Reading B Cornwell's Azincourt between painting my 15th century Austrians. Stopped just before the siege of Harfleur, so I can return to painting.

Reading Azincourt and the Heretic trilogy has prompted me to create a shopping list of period transport, livestock and civilians and of course priests. I will looking at Essex, Museum and Old Glory miniatures to help out there.

[Terry37]

I am just finishing book ten in the Redwall series - "Marlfox". Eqally as enjoyable
the first nine have been, and will be loooking forward to book #11 - "The Legend of Luke"..