Simon Scarrow, Conn Iggulden and recommendations

[Berserk Breton]

Seen a lot of mention of these around recently, two authors I'm fond of (eagerly awaiting the new Simon Scarrow book) and I guess the answer to this is probably most of us but:

Have you guys read/do you like these authors?

EDIT: Lots of recommendations by other gamers of historical fiction, was going to list them here but it works better with each poster saying their piece about their books. :)

[General Dogsbody]

Love them. A must for History buffs, even if the main charactors are fictional. I can also recommend the 'Tyrant Series' and 'The Long War Series' by Christian Cameron. These books are again fictional but based on Historic events during ancient Greece.

[The Democrodile]

Valerio Massimo Mannfredi is probably my favourite as a history buff: Spartan, The Alexander Trilogy, The Last Legion, The Lost Army, The Empire of Dragons......i could go on and on.

Bernard Cornwell is pretty damn good also, check out his *realistic* Arthurian trilogy and then go for his Medieval books, he is adept at capturing the mood of the time( Subjectively of course, its not like i have a time machine)

[Berserk Breton]

Cool, more authors to check out. I know Cornwell and meant to check out Cameron, as well as Colleen Mcullough's Roman stuff.

Another author I love, if you like a proper meaty read is Robert Graves - his books about the Emperor Claudius are bloody fantastic.

....also, if we're allowed to stray from Rome, any TW fan who likes Shogun/Shogun 2 must must must read James Clavell's Shogun series, it is absolutely required reading and very good. It was also the basis for the TV series Shogun, if anybody else remembers that, Anjin-san.

[General Dogsbody]

There is also a good trilogy of historically based fiction on Roman warefare at sea. The Author is John Stack and the books are 'Ship of Rome', 'Captain of Rome' and 'Master of Rome'. Can't put it down stuff.............

[Berserk Breton]

Originally posted by General Quarters:

There is also a good trilogy of historically based fiction on Roman warefare at sea. The Author is John Stack and the books are 'Ship of Rome', 'Captain of Rome' and 'Master of Rome'. Can't put it down stuff.............

Oh, now you're talking - thanks :D

[General Dogsbody]

One of the finest books I have read recently is about the Vikings and called 'Hawkquest' by Robert Lyndon. This was his first book on the subject and is truly brilliant, but with no sign of him writing another which is tragic.

[Whirlwind]

I tried to wrap my head round scarrow and iggulden, but I just never managed to get used to the fact that their characters just always seem too immature and childish.

An example: Caesar and Brutus squabbling over a slave girl? Give me a break, like they didn't have bigger fish to fry.

But hey, if you guys like the books then that's fine by me. I'm always pleased when I encounter people who read books; they're a scarce breed on the verge of extinction, trust me

[Jonboy]

I have both. The Iggulden Mongol trilogy is the best ever written.

[Brother Cole]

I thoroughly enjoy Simon Scarrow's book! Still need to finish the series though.

[Berserk Breton]

Originally posted by Whirlwind:

I tried to wrap my head round scarrow and iggulden, but I just never managed to get used to the fact that their characters just always seem too immature and childish.

An example: Caesar and Brutus squabbling over a slave girl? Give me a break, like they didn't have bigger fish to fry.

But hey, if you guys like the books then that's fine by me. I'm always pleased when I encounter people who read books; they're a scarce breed on the verge of extinction, trust me

For sure, while Iggulden is meant to be like this, Scarrow is a bit of a pulpy writer, a guilty pleasure - like Cornwell.

[VASS]

Isnt there 5 of the mongol books. most epic thing i have ever read. they need to do Mongols total war. kublai got to japan. that would be cool to mix shogun with mediavel

[General Dogsbody]

Originally posted by Berserk Smurf:

Originally posted by Whirlwind:

I tried to wrap my head round scarrow and iggulden, but I just never managed to get used to the fact that their characters just always seem too immature and childish.

An example: Caesar and Brutus squabbling over a slave girl? Give me a break, like they didn't have bigger fish to fry.

But hey, if you guys like the books then that's fine by me. I'm always pleased when I encounter people who read books; they're a scarce breed on the verge of extinction, trust me

For sure, while Iggulden is meant to be like this, Scarrow is a bit of a pulpy writer, a guilty pleasure - like Cornwell.

If anyone wants deep, heavy but brillaint historical fiction they should read Patrick O'briens books on Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin immortalised in the film Master & Commander.

[the dark wizard]

yes I like them... as i mentioned in the first place XD

[General Dogsbody]

Originally posted by the dark wizard:

yes I like them... as i mentioned in the first place XD

Sorry??? dont remember you mentioning Patrick O'Brien?

[Berserk Breton]

Originally posted by General Quarters:

Originally posted by the dark wizard:

yes I like them... as i mentioned in the first place XD

Sorry??? dont remember you mentioning Patrick O'Brien?

Different thread, I assume - I'm almost afraid to look as this thread has cost me so much money in book purchases already xD