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| Soldier of Rome: The Legionary:A Novel of the Twentieth Legion During the Campaigns of Germanicus Caesar | 
 enlarge | Author: James Mace
Publisher: iUniverse.com
Category: Book
List Price: £9.99
Buy New: £9.49
You Save: £0.50 (5%)
New (13) from £7.66
Avg. Customer Rating:  23 reviews
Sales Rank: 15964
Media: Paperback
Edition: New title
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 308
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 1
ISBN: 059541737X
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780595417377
ASIN: 059541737X
Publication Date: November 17, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
A promising first novel spoiled by far too many mistakes November 15, 2008
Sadly, I have to add my voice to those other reviewers who found the typos and use of modern-day expressions a source of more than a little irritation. I too read a lot and most of that is historical fiction, and this book is the first occasion when growing irritation at the seemingly relentless flow of typos almost made me want to give up reading it. There came a point when I even started to look out for them, which added to the spoiled enjoyment of the read. However, I also readily agree that the author does have obvious potential - and even more obvious enthusiasm! - and I do hope that his next book is much better served by his proof-readers. I also hope that what appeared to be an unexpectedly large proportion of the modern mannerisms, descriptions, anachronisms and expressions are replaced with items much more in line with the period of the story.
 Keith Jackson November 5, 2008
The frequent misspelling is mildly aggravating but I did find that I got used to it after a while. Whilst some of the modern idioms may be
out of place this is, after all, a tale of soldiering and soldiers throughout history have behaved pretty much the same. The characterisations are good and enable one to visualise individuals, it is possible to picture the excellent 'NCO' who is reluctant to accept a long overdue and deserved promotion! Soldiers like that exist to this day and perhaps it is that parallel perspective that appeals. I like the book very much.
 Has its moments but the historical context is badly researched September 21, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
As the first novel by the author, it seems he was quite badly served by his editors. The numerous typos and bad grammar as well as the occasional plain misuse of language distract from the fact that the part of the novel involving the organization of the Roman legion is very well researched. The author also manages to keep the pace up. Unfortunately, it seems the author mainly consulted the official Roman histories of the conflict, which by default are one-sided and not taken at face value by modern academia. Additionally, the between-the-lines moral of the story seems to be a straight adaptation of the American view on 9/11 and its aftermath to Augustus' Germanic wars, and as such 'Roman' could often just as well be replaced with 'American'. After the third or fourth battle the main protagonist's seemingly unquenchable thirst for vengeance - and with it the story per se - seems just too one-dimensional. As a serving soldier, on the other hand, I appreciate the author's effort to describe the sense of camaraderie and brotherhood that must have existed in the Roman Army just as it does in modern military units. This certainly achieves the desired effect (and not 'affect' as it is consistently written in the book).
Proof Reader Needed! September 21, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I am sorry to say that the typo issue does impact hugely on the enjoyment of this novel. As a person who reads a lot of historical fiction, I would love to be giving this book the four stars the story and command of the period deserves, unfortunately I could not in all conscience recommend it as the lack of even basic proof reading of the book is likely to leave any discriminating reader distraught. This is not the authors fault as you cannot proofread your own work, however a little more time could be spent on the flow of the work, and making sure that sentences actually make sense. I think there is a lot of potential in this author if more time is spent in preparing the finished product for its audience.
 Brilliant September 5, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I was so dissapointed to finally get to the last page because there was no more to read. I read the cover again, the credits anything to keep it going a bit longer. I cannot wait for a few more months to elapse so I can pick this book up again and read it once more. Will be in my top 10 list.
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