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Warrior of Rome: Fire in the East Pt. 1 (Warrior of Rome 1) | 
 enlarge | Author: Harry Sidebottom
Publisher: Michael Joseph
Category: Book
List Price: £12.99
Buy New: £7.52
You Save: £5.47 (42%)
New (16) Used (4) Collectible (1) from £6.20
Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 8661
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 432
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.7
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6 x 1.7
ISBN: 0718153294
EAN: 9780718153298
ASIN: 0718153294
Publication Date: July 3, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
 An Education November 18, 2008
Mrs. D. Sewter
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I really enjoyed this book, which for a first novel was well executed and lively. I acknowledge that it is over learned for some, but I personally like to read about history that has its basis in fact rather than a sumptuous piece that leads you into falsities that can be embarrassing.
The prose and plot are unceromoniously 'blokish', a nice counterbalance to some over romanticised fiction, and the characters are created from scratch or on a vague mention in history, rather than well-known historical figures. This makes their creation and believability somehow more commendable.
I will certainly be reading the next installment because this book, together with a trip to Southern France, has increased my understanding of Roman history enormously.
 Everything you ever wanted to know about sieges October 11, 2008
Bob Ventos (UK)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Ballista is a British barbarian of the 3rd Century AD who has climbed the Roman social ladder, married a noblewoman, and is now being sent off to his first major post, to defend a city on the far Eastern border of the Empire. After a lengthy and adventurous journey from Rome (storm, pirates, spies), he arrives at the city on the Euphrates, and begins to prepare for a siege. Trenches are dug, walls strengthened, grain stored, boats commandeered. In the early Spring, the Sassanids (a Persian empire fired with religious fervour) duly arrive and attempt to take the city with siege towers, a ram, a ramp, a mine and tunnel, and good old-fashioned stormings of the walls. Meanwhile, as the siege drags on, the defenders are rent with conflicts and worries about traitors that threaten the city equally from inside. The characters are a bit thin and the ending's weak, but the immense detail about ancient siege warfare is fascinating, and there are some very exciting scenes. This is a first novel, and I reckon that as the author's narrative skills improve, they'll combine with his thorough historical knowledge to produce something really terrific next time.
by Greg Hart October 7, 2008
Mr. Simon L. Head (Old Windsor, Berkshire United Kingdom)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Warrior of Rome is about a Roman named Ballista. He has been sent to stop the fall of Rome's most easterly city, Arête. The city is due to be under siege the next autumn by the Persians and their king, Shapur. It is his job to prepare the city and hold out until a field army could come to help. When the Persians first arrive, they are forced to retreat as they suffered heavy losses in the first battle, but they still heavily outnumber the city of Arête. The siege lasts for months and finally the Persians launch an all out attack. Once again, they are defeated and retreat back to camp. During the night Ballista is woken up and told that the Persians have entered the city, and that he must escape. The city was betrayed by a group of Christians who led the Persians up through one of the many tombs into the city. Ballista is forced to run and he escapes the city with just a handful of others.
The book is a very gripping action book that makes for a good read. Throughout the book, Roman words and phrases are used which can be looked up in the glossary, but this helps to make the book seem more real. Also, the author of the book has a genuine knowledge of the Roman army and their manoeuvres. He also knows about the customs. For example, at a dinner party in the book, he knew how the people would be seated and the events of the night. However, some descriptions in the book aren't very convincing. The author can describe all the battle scenes well, but you want to know about the surroundings and what the people around him look like. For example, his body guard, Maximus, plays a key role in the book and has a personal relationship with Ballista, but yet you get no feeling about what he looked like.
 Superb historical fiction... September 30, 2008
Stan... (London, UK)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Ignore the pooterish reviews! This is absolutely class historical fiction - Harry Sidebottom has a real talent for putting you right in the time and place... but also knows how to spin a bloody great yarn. Lots of superb action set pieces - and lots of very nicely woven historical detail. I'm a big fan of the likes of Cornwell and Iggulden - and Sidebottom is going to be a name that gets right up there with them.
Good Roman siege book. September 23, 2008
S. Glossop (uk)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Lots of mixed reviews on this book. Well I will add mine. I have read all Scarrow, Iggulden, etc and I am a big fan of fiction history expecially Roman. This is a good book and read, but certainly not up there with Conn Iggulden. There is not the intrigue or character development. Ballista is a good central character but could have been more developed, the baddies likewise. It is quite similar to Dawn of Empire by Barone. I will give Mr Sidebottom another chance as I enjoyed the book !, but I cannot understand why some people are giving this 5 out of 5.
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