Historical Books

[Jingles]

Close this thread if it's too off topic.

I was wondering if anyone here has recommendations on good historical books (preferably historical fiction). I intend to buy lots before I go on holiday in France, so I'll read them while I'm there. I figured you guys would know lots of good Classical era ones.

[apple]

Well you have Conn Iggulden´s Emperor and Genghis Khan series.
I know I like em.

[Oli]

the Troy series by David Gemmell, nothing better!

[Elite Ferret]

the Troy series by David Gemmell, nothing better!

seconded, sad he wasn't able to finish the last chapter, though his wife filled in fine.

Scarrow, Iggulden and Corwell are all good too.

[Oli]

seconded, sad he wasn't able to finish the last chapter, though his wife filled in fine.

Scarrow, Iggulden and Corwell are all good too.

I believe it was more than the last chapter, i heard it was when the seige started. But you really cant tell, Stella is just as talented as David

[Brusilov]

Read the real thing - non-fiction. It may not be exactly what happened (it was a very long time ago).

[Jingles]

I've got lots of non fiction (I've just finished ploughing through Caesar's commentaries) so I was thinking of something a bit more 'spicy'. But I'm open to all suggestions, so If theres good non-fiction ones you know of, then fire away!

[Father Jack]

I highly recommend the series of fiction (though relatively accurate) books by Simon Scarrow which centre around the Roman army during the reign of the Emperor Claudius. The books take you from the conquest of Britain to the Parthain and Palmyran frontier as well as containing exciting battles and characters such as the future Emperor Vespasian. They are a great read.

[EternalSlayer]

A good novel is Robert Graves' book 'I Claudius'.

But the commentaries of Julius Caesar and Tacitus are good as well.

[Atlassmurf]

I bet youve already read The Art of War?

[tone]

Yeah, Scarrow's books are good.

[Primative1]

Tom Holland: Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West and

Rubicon: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic.

Both non-fiction but are very entertaining reads, real page-turners.

[MarcusTullius]

Scarrow, Iggulden are both amazing.

Robert Harris wrote Imperium, about the rise of Cicero- one of my fav books of all time....give it a go!

[Philomelus]

Yes Imperium was good.. I think the same author wrote a book about the last days of Pompeii as well.. Iggulden's series is fantastic and though I've only read 2 of Scarrow's novels, it seemed quite good too.
Otherwise..

Carthage:
Pride of Carthage by ???

Greece/Macedon:
Gates of Fire(Battle of Thermopylae) by Steven Pressfield. I think he wrote a book about Alexander as well, and a few others.
Alexander Trilogy by Massimo Manfredi. He wrote other books as well but can't remember them off the top of my head.

Egypt:
Christian Jacq has tons of books on Ancient Egypt. Lots and lots of them

Have fun reading!

[Munch]

A few absolutely awesome books:

Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield, this is about the Spartan stand, don't be put off - it's brilliant
Imperium by Robert Harris, this is an amazing book about Roman politics, based on Cicero's rise to consulship

I'm reading one of Conn Iggulden's Emporor books at the moment and am anjoying it so far

Does that help?

[rory o'kane]

A few absolutely awesome books:

Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield, this is about the Spartan stand, don't be put off - it's brilliant
Imperium by Robert Harris, this is an amazing book about Roman politics, based on Cicero's rise to consulship

I'm reading one of Conn Iggulden's Emporor books at the moment and am anjoying it so far

Does that help?

The first two are GREAT. the 3rd is not historically accurate or anything, but meh, it's a good read!

[Munch]

Sorry, I didn't see that others had already mentioned those...

[Jingles]

Thanks guys, I'm making a list

[apple]

If you like some medieval book to I would recommend you to read Jan Guill´s
book about Arn. They are much better than the recently made films.

[mattfriend0]

Simon Scarrow you got to read his legion series all 8 of them and a book thats good and not many people know about it more moden than the legion series and the emperor ones its called kingdom of dragons its based in 260ad and the ending is reaily sad