Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

This thread is for our JULY 2012 Group Read of Killer of Men.


Killer of Men by Christian Cameron

This is the one I'll be reading with the group, my fellow mod, Dawn, will be reading Martyr.

I would like to fit both group reads in, but I have quite a few books I need to read in July.
Once July nears, I'll know whether I can fit in both.

I look forward to hearing what everyone thinks of this book. :)

I look forward to reading it.
....I also look forward to hearing what you all think of the other group read winner. Martyr.

If I don't get to Martyr in July I will be trying to get to it before the year is out.

I have reserved this book at the library so I'll be ready to go come July.

My librarydoesn't have it so I'll try to find it elsewhere.

Not finding a good, cheap copy. This book is turning out to be a tough find here in the States. I think I'll just be going with the other read since my library has that one. I am on a wishlist though so it it becomes available, I'll let you know.

That's okay. :-) Thanks for trying.

Here is the page on Christian Cameron's website regarding this book and the series, The Long war Series.
http://hippeis.com/longwarseries.html

I have added two videos to our groups videos.
This one is on the Battle of Marathon, which I think isn't covered until later in this Christian Cameron series.
http://www.goodreads.com/videos/26037...

I'll be starting Killer of Men July 1.
I know a couple people aren't planning on reading it until much later in the month, but if anyone wants to start first week of July with me then...good luck! :) May it thrill and excite you!

I just ordered a copy through Amazon marketplace. $11.00 total ($7. plus change, plus $3.99 shipping)

Secondhand is it? Or a brand spanking new one?

It is a brand spanking new one. Paperback, though...

Poor paperbacks. that get such a bad rap. :) I personally prefer to read a paperback to a hardback. Hardback's are nice to own because they look expensive, but they don't have the nice pliable feel of paperback.

Terri wrote: "Poor paperbacks. that get such a bad rap. :) I personally prefer to read a paperback to a hardback. Hardback's are nice to own because they look expensive, but they don't have the nice pliable feel..."

Just don't loan them to someone who takes them and gleefully 'breaks the back'. I'm always careful of others' books, and damaging one nearly supports a charge of criminal negligence. I'm thinking of having mine (that I wrote, I mean) uploaded for hardback just so I can get copies that don't get chipped, dinged, backs broken or whatever. The problem is that the trim available is 6 x 9, whichi is awkward.

I just heard that the UK bookseller (on Amazon) that has Killer of Men will be shipping shortly. I may well get the book less than a week into July...

Terrific news. :-)

I'm starting this tonight as it is the 1st here. :)

My copy shipped yesterday from the UK. I'm looking forward to it!

How familiar are you with the Greek/Persian conflicts?

I think we are all more than familiar with Thermopylae and perhaps even Marathon. Does your knowledge extend beyond that? Mine does not. Marathon and Thermopylae are about the extent of it for me...unless I have forgotten stuff, which is entirely possible. Sometimes I need refreshers.

Well, if your heart was broken by Thermopylae, read up on Plataea, where the Greek city-states led by the Spartans under General Pausanias, acting as Regent for Leonidas' son, whomped the Persians.

I majored in ancient and medieval history, but my tastes ran to Roman history more than Greek history, so I'll have to brush up just a tad.

The first two books in this series, Long Wars, pre date Thermopylae. I have knowledge of Thermopylae forward, although my knowledge is mostly from the Persian side.
But conflicts earlier than Thermopylae and Marathon, I am drawing a blank. One of the reasons I am interested in this book (even though it is fiction).

I didn't start last night. So looks like I'll be starting on the US 1st after all. :-) (tonight)

Terri wrote: "TBut conflicts earlier than Thermopylae and Marathon, I am drawing a blank. One of the reasons I am interested in this book (even though it is fiction)..."

One of the best pieces of advice I ever received had to do with studying history. The person (I think it was a professor) suggested that the best way to get a good feel for a period and acquaintance with its history was to read good historical novels. Lots of them. He said that was the best advice he could give anyone who wanted to familiarize himself with history.

That's why I read historical fiction. That is also why I don't expect complete historical accuracy in my historical fiction.
I read historical fiction to be transported to another time, the escapism. To feel the time and place.
I read history non fiction if I want to learn a specialists interpretation of accurate truths.

I feel the same way.

Hey, what are you doing in this thread.? lol. Get back to your other group read thread. :D

See, you never know where I'll turn up. ;)

Like a Las Vegas magician. *POOF of grey smoke* there she goes again. But what's this? She has left a little bag of coins on the floor....

Watch out for those coins, Terri! They'll turn into dried leaves if you try to spend them!

Oh damn! Just my luck. :/

I 'sort of' started the book last night. I was so brain dead that I read the first 5 pages and don't remember a thing from them.
It is good writing. Not amateur. I remember thinking that. :)

I hear our fellow member, Bobby, has ordered the book and now has to the long wait for them to arrive.

I went to the post office to pick up a package. I was so excited - I thought the Royal Mail had outdone itself. Wouldn't you know - it was a copy of Warriors & Warlords: The Art of Angus McBride


I was glad to get it, mind you, since I love the man's artwork and especially when it's used as illustrations in my sourcebooks, but I was so thrilled to be getting 'the' book.

Dang!

Cool looking book, but what a shame! I have not really been in a hurry to start Killer of Men as I was holding out hope that they would get it to you quickly. :)

I should see if they have tracking... No, wait. Royal mail. Hm. Checking...

Argh! They estimate delivery after mid-month! I'm going to see if I can find it anywhere else. (It may come sooner. Blast!)

I find that the mid month guesstimate is usually fairly loose.

I recall Bobby when he ordered another group read we did True Soldier Gentlemen, it came from the UK and had the same type of estimate. was supposed to take weeks.
He ended up getting it rather quick. A couple weeks before the estimated delivery date.

Did you order through Amazon or The Book Depository?
TBD being a UK company (owned by Amazon now) tend to be quicker on books coming form the UK from what I have seen.

It was through Amazon - TBD was rather expensive...

I have a query to a seller who is rather closer to home. This has me annoyed. Where is my sparth axe?

hahaha. :)

Now, now, no need for violence.

I tell you what. Seeing as not many others are joining the group read early. I will wait and I will read Martyr instead.

Seeing as your copy is God knows where and Bobby has just ordered his and it won't come until later in the month also. Then I shall hold off.

So no rush. We'll all read it in the last couple weeks of July.

I have a read with friends on July 14th. Other than that week, all other weeks this month are open for these two group reads. :)

If anyone has noticed the inactivity in this group read thread it is due to members still waiting for their copies to arrive in mail boxes and libraries.
I have my copy and have decided to wait for others to get theirs before I start.

Hey!!! Guess what just arrived today!! It's sitting in the kitchen writing to be picked up and read - and the bits I did read were excellent! I'm so psyched!

Lol bummer! I just got into Martyr. :-) What to do......I have that other read with friends starting on the 15th, so I'll stick with Martyr as I am 60 pages in and have more chance of finishing it by the 15th. Then I'll try and read my other book and Killer of Men at the same time.
Please start though as I will only be a week off Killer of Men.

I started reading and haven't gotten far (started this morning). I want to hold off a little to allow the others to start. So I will jut say that I like this fellow's writing style.

I'm not giving anything away by saying that it is told by an old man speaking to his daughter and granddaughter. I did get a little weary of him calling his daughter 'thugater' (Yes, I took Greek and know what it means, but it's a bit intrusive, rather like referring to my sister in a novel, constantly, as 'Ma Soeur'). But that's easily overlooked and I don't notice it any more.

He's good. He lays a lot of foundation, but it isn't handled boringly, perhaps because he's talking to his womenfolk and (I imagine, smiling).

You'll like it. I'm going to go on ahead (but not fast) and see where I go...

I've finally found my copy again and have begun it. Though my copy is old enough that the series was called The Marathon Series. I guess Cameron changed his mind.

I'm kind of liking it so far. Like Diana, the use of certain esoteric terms break the fluidity of the prose, but eventually one learns to train the brain to automatically translate those words to make a less bumpy ride.

I got through the first 20 pages before I paused it and I'm with you on thugater. It was annoying.
I too was relieved to find, when I read those first chapters, that his writing wasn't amatuer hour. I remember when I read a few pages at the start of another book of his that it read simple like YA, but then, I am fairly sure that 'other' series of Cameron's is classed as YA. This one is adult.

Diana,
Are you still cruising along with this one? I have managed to postpone my buddy read of another book with friends, so I will be all guns a blazing at Killer of Men as soon as I finish Martyr.

Hi I'm new to this group and am loving seeing what others have written about things I love historical fiction, history, the classical world and of course books. I did my degree in history and classical studies, and have been teaching history at high school level for many years. In the last year I've also been teaching a classical studies class, which has been great.
I've read a couple of other novels by Cameron and really liked them. Killer of Men is on my wish list on several book selling sights, so perhaps I'll try and read it this month as well.
I also really like Angus McBride's work, Diana, as I'm very much into military history.
Cheers
Chris

You'd be most welcome to join in with this group read , Chris. The more the merrier.
We have a few members who bought it and are waiting for it to arrive still.

I enjoy those elements about this group also. That it isn't just a place to talk books. It is a place to talk history too.
With your background I look forward to hearing what you have to say in discussions. :-)

Welcome, Chris!

I see you're one of the wonderful teachers who does not do the thing that always boggle my mind: make history boring. We need more like you!

I have my book and have nipped in a little, but am delaying a little till more have it.