The Sword of Attila: Total War: Rome

Total War Rome #2

by David Gibbins

The fall of Rome was just the beginning. A new empire will rise . . .

AD 439: the Roman Empire is on the brink of collapse. With shocking speed a Vandal army has swept through the Roman provinces of Spain and north Africa, conquering Carthage and threatening Roman control of the Mediterranean. But a far greater threat lies to the east, a barbarian force born in the harsh steppelands of Asia, warriors of unparalleled savagery who will sweep all before them in their thirst for conquest - the army of Attila the Hun.

For a small group of Roman soldiers and a mysterious British monk, the only defence is to rise above the corruption and weakness of the Roman emperors and hark back to the glory days of the Roman army centuries before, to find strength in history. But then they devise a plan of astonishing audacity that will take them to the heart of darkness itself, to the stronghold of the most feared warrior-king the world has ever known. In the showdown to come, in the greatest battle the Romans have ever fought, victory will go to those who can hold high the most potent symbol of war ever wrought by man - the sacred sword of Attila.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, War, Fiction

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Canadian-born underwater archaeologist and novelist. Gibbins learned to scuba dive at the age of 15 in Canada, and dived under ice, on shipwrecks and in caves while he was still at school. He has led numerous underwater archaeology expeditions around the world, including five seasons excavating ancient Roman shipwrecks off Sicily and a survey of the submerged harbour of ancient Carthage. In 1999-2000 he was part of an international team excavating a 5th century BC shipwreck off Turkey. His many publications on ancient shipwreck sites have appeared in scientific journals, books and popular magazines. Most recently his fieldwork has taken him to the Arctic Ocean, to Mesoamerica and to the Great Lakes in Canada.
After holding a Research Fellowship at Cambridge, he spent most of the 1990s as a Lecturer in the School of Archaeology, Classics and Oriental Studies at the University of Liverpool. On leaving teaching he become a novelist, writing archaeological thrillers derived from his own background. His novels have sold over two million copies and have been London Sunday Times and New York Times bestsellers. His first novel, Atlantis, published in the UK in 2005 and the US in September 2006, has been published in 30 languages and is being made into a TV miniseries; since then he has written five further novels, published in more than 100 editions internationally. His novels form a series based on the fictional maritime archaeologist Jack Howard and his team, and are contemporary thrillers involving a plausible archaeological backdrop.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirty years or so after Rome's withdrawal from Britain, the Empire is threatened by the armies of Attila the Hun, adding to the danger of the Vandals. Matters aren't helped by the rot that eats at the heart of Rome. This is an extremely exciting and meticulous account of almost twenty years of military campaigning, focusing on a small group of men, including an enigmatic figure from Britain, who risk everything. Gibbins covers a huge amount of ground but he does so with a great deal of skill, bringing much more than military history to life. This book addresses and fixes my misgivings with Total War Rome 1: Destroy Carthage and Gibbins is to be congratulated.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gets off to a good start then grinds to a halt. The characters spend the mid portion of the book staring into space and searching their souls. Which is a let down considering the kickass cover the copy I was reading was sold under. Shelf-bait ? Anyway the hero eventually gets a mission and sets off. He succeeds with amazing ease and a complete lack of tension and returns and then there is a climactic battle. No build up just a tagged on battle at the end of which the book just kind of tails off as though everybody involved decided to call it a day.
The only redeeming factor which saved this book from being a complete waste of time was the historical setting of the collapsing Roman Empire AD 439. This was interesting. It seems that the greatest civilization the world had ever known began to implode after its conversion to Christianity. When it became all touchy-feely it lost its martial edge. The undermined Roman army could no longer hold its frontiers against the barbaric hordes that were intent on plundering it. The decline and fall didn't happen overnight but it did happen and the process seemed to be irreversible. Post Roman Empire the world was plunged into the dark ages which lasted for hundreds of years during which no progress of any kind was made due to the stifling tyranny of a fanatical religion.
Funny how history likes to repeat itself isn't it ?

[Panagiotis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Gibbins’ novel that I have read, and I kept two things. His brutal and –too- vivid battle descriptions and the fact that he, as an archeologist, knew what he was talking about, which gave the book some extra credit, since he managed to integrate different events and historical figures in his story, connecting them through his fictional characters.

The title of the novel stoke me at first but right after I met a particular character I knew exactly where this was going, as many other readers, I am quite sure.

An easy, interesting novel especially for people who are interested in learning some things, or at least want to be motivated to learn more, and I believe that apart from the entertainment, this was Gibbins’ purpose.

[Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annoyingly, I have started on the second book in the Total War series, however I can review this book without alluding to its predecessor.

Whilst reading the prologue, I found myself enthralled. I have always enjoyed Roman History, but have not looked too far into the fall of Rome and the Dark Ages. The beggining of the story starts with lots of action and bloodshed but soon descends into political intrigue and culminates in a large scale battle.

Being a massive fan of the Video Game series, this book appealed to me in ways that the average reader wouldn't see. I enjoyed the whole book, however I found some parts slow and giving too much juxtaposition and descriptive paragraphs. It seemed to be used as filler, which I found disappointing, but overall a good book and definitely worth the read if you are interested in the game series or Roman History.

[NET7 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I finally finished this book after picking it up and putting it down the past few months in my attempt to get back into the habit of reading again. The book okay, I mean, battle scenes in beginning of book were good but it felt like a cliché historical fiction novel, and as a result I kept losing my interest to read but finally did finish it.

[Kenneth Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining easy read with very obvious intent for sequels - very obvious in the direction the plot was going.

[Katerina T. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spoiler: This wasn't really about Attila the Hun

[Sándor István · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. I really did. Historical fiction, the Huns, Romans, barbarians. It really had the potential to be awesome. Unfortunately the writing just didn't deliver many times throughout the book. Sometimes it was just a lack of what I as the reader expected. Other times the writing was just too modern for what they would have been saying at that time (I'm pretty sure referring to something as "the coolest" wasn't happening in AD 439). Excited to start it, disappointed to read it, glad I finished it so I don't have to do it again.

[Max Chee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to explore the fifth century fall of Rome and to be in the thick of battle with the romans and Attila’s army.

Plot wise it’s weak and most of the middle part of the book’s plot seems moot and does not add anything to the final chapter.

Take it as a exploration of that century and visit some great landmarks like the Iron Gate in Romania and glimpse of the late Roman architecture and the political machination of the eunuchs on the Roman emperors.

[Sanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an interesting story based on some historical facts. I read it with pleasure and helped me to build up an image about one of the most unknown periods of the European history.
That reminds me of another fact that might ask for a writer to approach: the history of my country around the same period.
This way maybe somebody will start seaching the 'hills' in Podisul Tarnavelor.

[Marqui · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a buddy read with my friend; he loves anything Rome.

The writing style is NOT for me. It was flat, and some points were very textbook-y and I hated that.

I had to skim through a bit because I honestly did not care half the time about the textbook-y descriptions.

I loved the gore, though. A whole star for that alone.

[Gerry Connolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sword of Attila is scholar turned novelist David Gibbins historical novel of the last great battle of Rome on the Catalaunian Plains. Rome defeats the Huns but faces other barbarian threats. Enjoyable read

[Quinn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very flat and much less tense than "Destroy Carthage". Was hoping for more but it was an easy, quick read so I don't mind. The setting is the main appeal. There are not many books written for this time period (that I know of).

[Paul Downs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of expository dialogue, but otherwise interesting and informative. Gibbins knows history!

[Penny Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Cliff Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Harris sparked my revived interest in the times of the Romans when I read Imperium. But after that read about the Roman politics of Cicero I wanted to read a book about Roman soldiers. This book has some incredible action at the beginning which really captivates the reader. Later on it seemed a bit far fetched to me but having done the research later one finds that all the stories can be substantiated.
Overall I very good book. Leaves me wanting to read more of David Gibbons.

[Babis Papadimitriou · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was an enjoyable read and i liked the gritty descriptions of the battles. I also loved the little details about the different armors and swords worn by the different tribes (Goths, Romans, Huns). Another detail that i really liked was the fact that many Romans had an anchestor from the barbarian tribes which accurately depicts the reality of the time.

BUT
this book has many flaws that can' t be overlooked *Spoilers*
1st
The book argues the fact that the sword of Attila is important for the morale of his troops. Then the main protagonist after he has used the sword to spread fear in Attila himself argues that men and not magical swords win battles. If the sword doesn't have magical powers (and Attila doesn't believe it has magical powers why does he fear the sword?)

2nd
The main protagonist in the middle of the battle can think all sort of philosophical questions like his true origins, missions, if swords have magical powers etc.

3d
We are never given a reason for Attila to kill Erecan's mother (i mean she killed her because she told Erecan that she was her mother but why he wanted to hide this fact so badly?)

4th
Bleda was Attila's brother and his co-ruler not just his second in command. He is a dick for the sake of being a dick not any reasoning is given for his behaviour.

5th
Constatine the Great did not make Christianity the state religion of Rome. It was Theodosius's laws that did that. Also it is not certain if Constantine had actually converted to christianity and even if he did he was baptized at he end of his life by Arrians (e.g heretics).

6th
If the sword of Attila is so important for him why he does not gurad it better?

I could go on but you get the picture. Overall an enjoable read but a ver flawed one in terms of character development and historical accuracy.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel describes the final years of the Roman empire, about 500AD, when depravity rules in Rome, which is ripe for conquest by surrounding barbarians, and notably by the unstoppable western offensive of the Huns under the rule of Attila.
The confrontation will take place in the battle of Chalons, Gaul, where the Hun horde & its allies comprising over a million men, confronts the defensive Roman army & its allies of 1/2 a million. Leading the Roman army is general Aetius, commander in chief of the Roman army in Gaul, who had been sent to the Hun capital years before, as hostage in exchange for the Hun heir Attila being sent to Rome. Aetius learned the language & customs of the Huns & their prowess with horses & war & was given a command, but returned to Rome, as he felt a Roman at the core. He& Attila became friends in the Hun capital, but will become enemies when Attila's army enters Gaul. Ultimately the discipline & traditions of the Romans will successfully fend off the Hun attempt at conquest, after the deaths of 100s of 1000s on both sides. Aetius becomes "the savior of Western civilization". I found the book quite readable but somewhat simplistic, and there was too much blood & gore in the lengthy & detailed battle scenes.

[Robin Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review:

Book one in this novel new series, starts with the real birth of the roman empire, the sacking of Carthage, the beginning of their real power in the Mediterranean. Book 2 The Sword of Attila focuses on the end of the empire, Rome has been sacked a hundred years previously by the goths, and are now on the verge of being kicked out of Africa by the vandals. In the east a new power is rising ruling over the Hun.

full review: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...

[Russell Andresen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually closer to a 3 1/2, this book is well told and fascinating in every way. It takes the reader through the basics of intrigue in the Roman Empire but expertly told by a man who has forgotten MORE about the subject than you or I will ever learn.
"The Sword of Atilla" is a fast paced experience that makes you want to read everything that Mr. Gibbins has ever written.