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Elon Musk recommended Foundation in Books (curated)
stephen (6 KP) rated Vindolanda in Books
Jul 24, 2017
David McK (3188 KP) rated Ship of Rome (Masters of the Sea, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Quite an unusual setting: the Roman Republic (not yet an Empire) at sea, during the early stages of what would later become known as the first Punic War between Rome and Carthage.
Plenty of novels focusing on Roman Legions: this is the only I can think of focusing on their fledging navy. Definitely in the style of Cornwell, Scarrow et al so if you like that kind of historical fiction, you'll probably like this too.
Plenty of novels focusing on Roman Legions: this is the only I can think of focusing on their fledging navy. Definitely in the style of Cornwell, Scarrow et al so if you like that kind of historical fiction, you'll probably like this too.
Merissa (11656 KP) created a post
Apr 23, 2024
Movie Critics (823 KP) rated Gladiator (2000) in Movies
Jun 15, 2017
This action drama weaves such an interesting tale that it makes Gladiator have a high replay value. The music and sound effects are incredible at pulling the viewer in and immersing them in the world that was the Roman Empire.
Critic- Canticle Cinema House Movie Review
Original Score: 9.7 out of 10
Read Review: http://cchmr.com/gladiator/
Original Score: 9.7 out of 10
Read Review: http://cchmr.com/gladiator/
David McK (3188 KP) rated The King in Rome (Warrior #1) in Books
May 28, 2023
As an author, Simon Scarrow is - IMO - most associated with the genre of historical fiction.
Even more so - again, IMO - with those set during the time of the Roman Empire: I think we're approaching 20, now, of his full length Cato and Macro novels (edit: as of typing this, 22 novels).
I can't say much about TJ Andrews, other than I'm aware he has collaborated with Scarrow on a a few e-book novella's.
This is the latest in that collaboration, taking - as it's inspiration - the tale of Caratacus, the British warlord who defied the Empire before the time of Boudica, and who appeared in some of the earlier Eagle (aka Cato and Macro) novels as an antagonist. Eventually defeated by the Roman legions, Caratacus was spared by the Emperor Claudius to live out his life in the confines of Rome (and with Prefect Cato being name dropped when he mentions that in this novella), which is where this series of novellas picks up, as Caratacus is persuaded to tell his life story to a Roman historian who first encounters him at a banquet hosted by the Emperor Nero.
Told, therefore, from the 'other point of view' than the usual, I'm interested in seeing where this goes!
Even more so - again, IMO - with those set during the time of the Roman Empire: I think we're approaching 20, now, of his full length Cato and Macro novels (edit: as of typing this, 22 novels).
I can't say much about TJ Andrews, other than I'm aware he has collaborated with Scarrow on a a few e-book novella's.
This is the latest in that collaboration, taking - as it's inspiration - the tale of Caratacus, the British warlord who defied the Empire before the time of Boudica, and who appeared in some of the earlier Eagle (aka Cato and Macro) novels as an antagonist. Eventually defeated by the Roman legions, Caratacus was spared by the Emperor Claudius to live out his life in the confines of Rome (and with Prefect Cato being name dropped when he mentions that in this novella), which is where this series of novellas picks up, as Caratacus is persuaded to tell his life story to a Roman historian who first encounters him at a banquet hosted by the Emperor Nero.
Told, therefore, from the 'other point of view' than the usual, I'm interested in seeing where this goes!
David McK (3188 KP) rated Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) in Movies
Mar 26, 2023
Very strange setting
Film version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber rock musical of the same name, and - unfortunately - it doesn't quite work.
Personally, I think that's because of the juxtaposition of the events being (re)told through the eyes of Judas Iscariot alongside the more modern setting, which is just *odd*: here, for example, the Roman empire seems to have access to jet fighters, tanks and rifles (amongst others ...)
I think if they had stuck to a more 'traditional' production design instead of trying to marry the story with a modern setting it would have worked better.
Personally, I think that's because of the juxtaposition of the events being (re)told through the eyes of Judas Iscariot alongside the more modern setting, which is just *odd*: here, for example, the Roman empire seems to have access to jet fighters, tanks and rifles (amongst others ...)
I think if they had stuck to a more 'traditional' production design instead of trying to marry the story with a modern setting it would have worked better.
ClareR (5566 KP) rated Shield of the Rising Sun (Path of Nemesis #3) in Books
Sep 8, 2020
This is the third book in a series of historical fiction novels set in the Roman era. Even though I haven’t read the first two books, I had no problem at all in understanding what was going on in the Shield of the Rising Sun. Although that now doesn’t stop me from wanting to read the first two books!
The story is told by three characters: Albinus, his son Faustus, and Faustus’ uncle, Calvus. The battle scenes, mainly from Albinus’ point of view, were gory (I like this - I know, probably a bit odd!) and the politics with all the infighting and back-stabbing was fascinating. How did anyone ever feel safe at this time? I’ll answer that: if they were clever, they NEVER felt safe!
This story shows the true reach of the Roman Empire - there are scenes in Britain, Germany and Egypt, as well as in Rome. It frankly amazed me how quickly Roman soldiers seemed to be able to travel - and mostly (if not solely) on foot!
The main characters were all three very likeable men, who had me rooting for them throughout - even though it was pretty obvious what would happen to one of them from the start )I’m giving nothing away here!).
I enjoy reading a lot of historical fiction, and it’s not often that I read books set in the Roman period. I don’t know why, there’s no reason I can think of, and this makes me realise that I really should read more! If, like me, you’re a fan of historical fiction, then you’ll enjoy the rich descriptions and history packed story within the pages of this book.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this book, and to Adam Lofthouse for joining in and commenting in the margins!
The story is told by three characters: Albinus, his son Faustus, and Faustus’ uncle, Calvus. The battle scenes, mainly from Albinus’ point of view, were gory (I like this - I know, probably a bit odd!) and the politics with all the infighting and back-stabbing was fascinating. How did anyone ever feel safe at this time? I’ll answer that: if they were clever, they NEVER felt safe!
This story shows the true reach of the Roman Empire - there are scenes in Britain, Germany and Egypt, as well as in Rome. It frankly amazed me how quickly Roman soldiers seemed to be able to travel - and mostly (if not solely) on foot!
The main characters were all three very likeable men, who had me rooting for them throughout - even though it was pretty obvious what would happen to one of them from the start )I’m giving nothing away here!).
I enjoy reading a lot of historical fiction, and it’s not often that I read books set in the Roman period. I don’t know why, there’s no reason I can think of, and this makes me realise that I really should read more! If, like me, you’re a fan of historical fiction, then you’ll enjoy the rich descriptions and history packed story within the pages of this book.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this book, and to Adam Lofthouse for joining in and commenting in the margins!
David McK (3188 KP) rated The Eagle in the Sand (Eagle, #7) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Last book (so far) in Simon Scarrows Macro and Cato series to include the use of the word 'Eagle' in the title - before the series as a whole was rebranded - and the first book to be set in the Eastern provinces (unlike the earlier novels, set in and around Europe).
The events of this one, instead, take place in Judea, mainly centring around a small fort on the outpost of the Roman Empire. While its not essential to have read the earlier novels, it may help, with the occassional passing reference to earlier events.
I also have to say that it could be easy to take offence at the way certain famous historical personages - one in particular - are portrayed, but at the end of the day, this is only a work of fiction and doesn't purport to be anything but.
The events of this one, instead, take place in Judea, mainly centring around a small fort on the outpost of the Roman Empire. While its not essential to have read the earlier novels, it may help, with the occassional passing reference to earlier events.
I also have to say that it could be easy to take offence at the way certain famous historical personages - one in particular - are portrayed, but at the end of the day, this is only a work of fiction and doesn't purport to be anything but.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Avengers - Season 3 in TV
Jul 15, 2020
The third series of The Avengers is slicker, more confident, and slightly more inclined towards silliness than the one before, particularly as Brian Clemens writes more of the scripts. The occasional very serious thriller or crime episode still sneaks through, and these are often very good, but for the first time one finds stories about lunatics looking to restore the Roman Empire in addition to plots about drug smuggling.
It's still a slightly mixed bag but the two stars are endlessly watchable and the chemistry between them is great. The best episodes bear comparison to ones from the better-known filmed seasons that made up the rest of the series' run. Maybe not quite up to the standard of those later shows, but this is the foundation they were built on, and entertaining in its own right.
It's still a slightly mixed bag but the two stars are endlessly watchable and the chemistry between them is great. The best episodes bear comparison to ones from the better-known filmed seasons that made up the rest of the series' run. Maybe not quite up to the standard of those later shows, but this is the foundation they were built on, and entertaining in its own right.