Shadow of wings

by R.F. Tapsell

It is easy to confuse the fabulous near and middle eastern empires of the pre-Christian eras — Ur, Babylon, the Hittites, the Assyrians. R. F. Tapsell's achievement in this book is to bring into focus nor merely what many would call the greatest of these civilisations but even the character of the greatest of its rulers. We follow the destiny of Darius of the house of Achaemenes as he rises to power under his cousins and eventually takes over the throne of the Achaemenid Empire from them. His people are the 'Medes and Persians' spoken of with awe in the Old Testament. It is a story full of violent action, and panoramic battle scenes which readers of the author's first book "The Year of the Horsetails" will know he handles with outstanding skill. The enemies range from the wild Scythians and the forces of the Egyptian Pharoah, to the numerous dissident groups within the Persian Empire itself. As well as these military encounters, there are all the plots, rivalries, and personal struggles continually going on at the Persian Court, through which Darius has to steer an extremely precarious course.

Always suspect because of his claims to the succession, he yet manages not only to survive but also to promote his own interests and those of the Empire, even to the point of taking the Kingship for himself. R. F. Tapsell conveys vividly the fragility of the power structure supporting the absolute ruler who at any moment may fall victim to an assassin's knife or a rebellious Satrap.

Although Darius went on to greater things as did the Persian Empire under him—this book proves what a marvellous story there is in his climb to power in itself.

Genres: Historical Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

R.F. Tapsell (Robert Frederick Tapsell) was an English author born in 1936, in Croydon, Surrey (now South London). Tapsell wrote three historical novels and was the editor (compiler) of a single non-fiction book on royal dynasties.

During his National Service in the Royal Air Force (RAF) he was trained as a Russian Language interpreter.Later, Tapsell worked in military intelligence, specializing in Eastern Europe.After he was demobilized he worked in an insurance company and as a shipping clerk, while preparing himself for college.

In 1960 he began studying at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at London University, graduating with a BA(Hons) in History in 1963. He also traveled extensively in Western Europe, the Balkans, Egypt and Iraq. Tapsell then moved into University administration, working at several British universities, including the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England, before emigrating to Australia in 1974.

He returned to the United Kingdom in 1982 where he died in April, 1984. He was survived by his widow and two sons.

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would be great if a director like Ridley Scott got hold of this book. It would make for a brilliant film.