BLOG TOUR - THE FALL OF ROMAN BRITAIN AND WHY WE SPEAK ENGLISH

 

TITLE - THE FALL OF ROMAN BRITAIN AND WHY WE SPEAK ENGLISH 

WRITTEN BY - JOHN LAMBSHEAD 

GENRE - ROMAN BRITAIN/EUROPE IN THE THIRD & FOURTH CENTURIES 

PUBLISHED BY - PEN & SWORD BOOKS 

PUBLICATION DATE - AVAILABLE NOW 

In “The Fall of Roman Britain and Why We Speak English”, prolific author, tabletop wargaming buff and designer of the “Fourth Protocol” computer game (I fondly remember playing it!), John Lambshead, explores the end of the Roman Empire in Britain and the circumstances that led to its inhabitants speaking what would become the language we know today as English. This is a thorough and enlightening history of the “bit in between” the end of the Romans and the beginning of Britain.

In many ways an historical detective story, John Lambshead undertakes a forensic study using geological, archaeological, climatological and biological evidence to uncover the causes of Roman collapse and the origins of the British people. At the end of each themed chapter, he draws convincing conclusions from the evidence. The chapter dedicated to “Londinium” supplies a wealth of knowledge about the Roman origins and purpose of the city that would become London. Also, Lambshead writes powerfully well about the domino effect of climate change and leadership battles leading to the devastating crisis of the third century.

The story is tied up in a convincing narrative at the end of the book, along with a bibliography and a timeline of events, using the dates generally accepted to be correct. John Lambshead, like all the best historians, has a command of his subject so, whilst complex in parts, his book is rigorously researched, always engrossing and easy to read.

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BLOG TOUR - ALEXANDER THE GREAT VERSUS JULIUS CAESAR | WHO WAS THE GREATEST COMMANDER IN THE ANCIENT WORLD?

 

TITLE - ALEXANDER THE GREAT VERSUS JULIUS CAESAR | WHO WAS THE GREATEST COMMANDER IN THE ANCIENT WORLD?
 
WRITTEN BY - SIMON ELLIOTT

PUBLISHED BY - PEN & SWORD BOOKS 

PUBLICATION DATE - AVAILABLE NOW 
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They are two of the most accomplished military leaders in history and both knowingly destined for greatness from an early age, but if you’ve ever wondered exactly which of them was the best - Alexander the Great or Julius Caesar - then this book will help you decide. 

In his quest to determine just who was the greatest military leader of all time, Simon Elliott’s book draws on surviving (but often exaggerated or incomplete) primary sources and the work of contemporary historians. An introduction sets out the structure of the book - each leader’s life and achievements considered in turn - and includes notes on terminology and timeline. Despite an admitted preference for Alexander, Simon Elliott covers each leader even-handedly. Starting with Alexander, he lucidly documents the almost continual conflict that led to Philip II (father of Alexander)’s reign. 

This is history at its most violent, a time of invasions, battles and intrigues when you could lose your throne to a member of your own family at the point of a blade. There is a wealth of detail on contemporary weapons and tactics and Elliott depicts the many battles with brutal drama. Five decisive battles and/or sieges are closely examined by the author as evidence of his military prowess. Similarly, with Julius Caesar, the author provides context to the Roman leader’s life with a chapter on the violent creation of the Roman Republic, (beginning with the legend of Romulus and Remus), a concise biography and a study of his major battles and campaigns. Elliott’s depiction of Caesar’s infamous murder is brutally compelling, and contains the heartbreaking fact that Caesar’s last act was to pull his toga over his head when he saw that his friend Brutus was one of his assassins.

 

 

In a climactic round of historical “Top Trumps”, Elliott ends the book with a summing up of his findings by directly comparing the leaders on factors such as brutality, conquests, strategic skills etc, and their enduring legacies. In short order, he reaches a perfectly logical conclusion - which I won’t spoil here. The book is further enhanced with annotated colour plate photographs of artefacts, maps, locations and models of soldiers in the armour of their time. There is also a bibliography, full index, and a striking, full colour dust-jacket.

If nothing else, then Simon Elliott’s book is a fresh reappraisal of the lives and legacies of two towering historical figures, with many myths exploded along the way. Elliott freely admits that we know, or at least think we know, more about Julius Caesar than Alexander, and indeed the former has always held more of a fascination for people. Simon Elliott’s excellent book certainly goes a long way towards redressing the balance by placing Alexander the Great in a wider historical context. Displaying an unprecedented depth of research into the structure of both leaders’ armies, their battles and campaigns, this book is indispensable for military and ancient history enthusiasts.

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About Dr Simon Elliott

Dr Simon Elliott is an award winning and best selling historian, archaeologist, author, broadcaster, Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent, Trustee of the Council for British Archaeology, Ambassador for Museum of London Archaeology, Guide Lecturer for Andante Travels and President of the Society of Ancients. He has published many well-received books on themes related to the ancient world, most recently the Amazon no.1 best-selling "Roman Britain’s Missing Legion", and frequently appears on broadcast media as a presenter and expert on ancient world and military themes.