Conn Iggulden

[Connavar]

I lurk around at him and his brothers site and forums i found by googles.

 

[nj1]

Just to add, I've read all the books by both Scarrow and Igullden and thought they were great, I didn't expect them to be overfactual as a bit of scope adds to the story.If all storys were fact then what's the point in other writers tackling the tale as wouldn't all books on an event be bassically be the same.

Was suprised how much I warmed to Napoleon in Young Bloods and then to Wesley in Generals.

 

[nj1]

While on the topic of ROME, has anyone else read HANNIBAL (pride of carthage) by David A. Durham. A great book about how close Rome nearly came to defeat by Carthage.

 

[Connavar]

I have wanted to read Durham. He is an interesting author it sounds. Hannibal has always been interesting to me cause of him and his people history and thier connection to my home continent of Africa.

There is another famous Historical Fiction about what if Carthage won and deafeted Rome.

What you mean about Conn and Scarrow being overfactual? They both are famous for military history. Heck many snobs find them bad just cause Conn didnt write Ceasar's history 100 accurate and both of them focus more on the history of famous military readers. They dont care to make dramas of ancient Rome like the snobs excpects things like I,Claudius....

Which books of Conn have you read? He is my fav and Scarrow is my second favorit

 

[biodroid]

Haven't read him yet, looks very interesting. Where would I start though?

 

[Connavar]

It depends on what you want.

Would you enjoy fictionalized historical story about Ceaser's life? Its written very well.

He changes some important things but not things that hurt the story.

If you want 100% accurate history you would enjoy reading his Ghengis Khan book first.

 

[biodroid]

I'm not bothered by histroical accuracy. Yes the history of Caesar has always been intriguing to me. Does Conn write well? Are they fairly action packed novels with good stories? Looks like Gates of Rome is the first novel in the series.

 

[Connavar]

He has good balance of action packed novels and he also is very good at making that world come alive.

For example The Romans in Ceasar's series talk and act like romans at that time.

If you dont mind historical accuracy then you will enjoy Ceasar series.

Then if you like it, you are lucky enough to have two Ghengis Khan books cause the sequal is out in January 2008.

Plus its very interesting to see how he grows from Ceasar to Ghengis Khan series.

 

[biodroid]

Thanks Connavar! Lucky for me I have seen his books in stores by me so will have a look.

 

[nj1]

I have wanted to read Durham. He is an interesting author it sounds. Hannibal has always been interesting to me cause of him and his people history and thier connection to my home continent of Africa.

There is another famous Historical Fiction about what if Carthage won and deafeted Rome.

What you mean about Conn and Scarrow being overfactual? They both are famous for military history. Heck many snobs find them bad just cause Conn didnt write Ceasar's history 100 accurate and both of them focus more on the history of famous military readers. They dont care to make dramas of ancient Rome like the snobs excpects things like I,Claudius....

Which books of Conn have you read? He is my fav and Scarrow is my second favorit

Was referring to SVALBARD's comment earlier stating that he didn't enjoy Conn because he expected the story to be more factual.
I don't think that a historic type story has to be overfactual.

I've read all conn's emperor series and the first genghis bookand am ashamed to add that I didn't read the back cover and did'nt know the Gates of Rome was about JC until the end. After that I had to read them all and thought the battle against Vercingetorix was excellant.
Although I must add I prefer Scarrow's Eagle books which I've read all of. I really enjoyed the humour and action and can't wait for CENTURION which I think is out in Dec?
Also read both Young Bloods and the Generals. I posted some where that I was supprised how much I warmed to napoleon in YB and the opposite in Generals.

Again I would recommend Hannibal (pride of Carthage) by Durham, Started a little slow in my opinion but once he got going I really enjoyed it.

 

[Connavar]

I like Macro most in Scarrow works. I liked Young Bloods and the two legion books i have read. I think Conn is alittle better making great historical character come to live and better prose too but not much different other than that.

Scarrow has more humor. I like the way he writes about the daily life of historical soldeirs in his two series. I hope he improves in Legion series as a writer cause there is huge difference in quality beteween the first book of Legion and Young Bloods who are one of his newest books.

About Young Bloods, i couldnt stand Wesley. He seemed unlikeable even when he became a soldier. Alittle more interesting in the latter half when he became a leader in battles. Napoleon i adored, he was very interesting even as alittle boy. He seemed like the real Napoleon,the little you know about him. He was a force of nature. I hope as you say that Wesley is more likeable in Generals.

Also its easier liking Napoleon going from an immigrant from a small island to a french military genius and hero so fast. His backround history of the avreage man against the rich noble Irish guy who cant do anything without his family doing everything for him.

 

[nj1]

I think he does improve as a writer in the later legion books, the plots and character building are better than the first two books. You've alot to look forward to.

 

[nj1]

Anyone read Conn's LORD OF THE BOW yet, which was out in Jan.
I haven't got round to getting a copy yet, so was wondering if it's as good as his previous novels?

 

[biodroid]

Read "Wolf of the Plains" a few weeks ago and thought it was brilliant. I really did feel like I was in that time, even though it was very harsh I thought it was depicted very well. It was gruesome in some parts and you wonder how these people used to think in those days reflecting their actions. I have yet to read Gates of Rome have got it waiting

 

[Connavar]

Anyone read Conn's LORD OF THE BOW yet, which was out in Jan.
I haven't got round to getting a copy yet, so was wondering if it's as good as his previous novels?

I have read like 40 pages of it. Sampled it, it was very good. Im sure it will be better the great Wolf of the plains.

I have it in TBR pile since my brother just finished it and gave it to me.

 

[Tambo]

I'm a big fan of Iggulden over here. Reading his books tweaked my interest in the historical fiction genre, and the more I delve into it, the happier I am.

I do think that the Emperor series started a little slower than the Conqueror series. An earlier poster in this thread mentioned something similar.

The books got me thinking about the depths of hopelessness to which both Julius Ceaser and Genghis Khan had sunk before they begun their rise to greatness.

Perhaps it is only through extreme adversity that extreme greatness is born?

 

[chump]

I picked up Wolf of the Plains at the airport because I reconised Conn's name from this site and I am very glad I did. I have hardly been able to put the book down since. I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the series and his roman series as well.

 

[sloweye]

I'm working my way through 'field of swords' now and i have to say it's fantasticly writen. He really makes you feel like you are a part of the story.

I'm finding Iggulden much easyer to read than the scarrow books i've tried (i have reading problems), the pace of writeing is keeping me interested.
I find myself looking at the other books of his in my TBR pile and willing myself to finish this one so i can get to the next.

All in all I'd put him right up there with Bernard Cornwell (he is my HF addiction) as a HF writer.

 

[Connavar]

The Emperor series was fantastic almost my fav historical fiction series only Hornblower beats it. Despite you know the history of Ceasar,those times of Rome it was an imaginative take,story,great military historical series.

Scarrow books are not really as well written when it comes to characters,battles,history.

 

[sloweye]

I've never really got in to the Rome stories before, but he really has me gripped. I'm more for the Saxon/Northmen stories. But i shall be on the look out for more of his from now on.