Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

I love Douglas Jackson’s books, so anything written in a similar fashion, with excellent characters foremost. I prefer the military aspect accentuated, rather than the politics within Rome itself.

Here's Goodreads' Listopia list of books about Rome.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

Thank you!!

These would be my suggestions for military vs. political:

Wounds of Honour
Eagle in the Snow: A Novel of General Maximus and Rome's Last Stand
Rome: The Emperor's Spy
Ship of Rome
Under the Eagle

Thank you, Dawn! I've been looking through the list in message 2, but I think they are mostly non-fiction. I should have been more clear in my request :)

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

This one would be more your speed but I think there is a lot that is not military.

Thank you!

Simon Scarrows series certainly focuses on the military side with the first five in the series about the conquest of Britannia.

Check out this book on Goodreads: War at the Edge of the World https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... this is another full of action and involves the Picts, the second in the series is good too but more of a political read than pure military like this first in the series

Thank you, too, Andy!

my third for the night is....... maybe more politics than your after but the early career of Vespasian is military orientated. Check out this book on Goodreads: Tribune of Rome https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Andy wrote: "my third for the night is....... maybe more politics than your after but the early career of Vespasian is military orientated. Check out this book on Goodreads: Tribune of Rome https://www.goodread..."

That's one I have tried, but it just didn't grab me for some reason. But please keep 'em coming:) I have added a slew from this thread to my TBR!

Andy wrote: "Check out this book on Goodreads: War at the Edge of the World https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... this is another full of action and involves the Picts, the s..."

This looks good. But worrying that Andy rated it 4 stars. That means I have an 80% chance of hating it!!

Dawn wrote: "Andy wrote: "Check out this book on Goodreads: War at the Edge of the World https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... this is another full of action and involves the..."

:D Sorry my polar twin!

Michelle wrote: "Thank you, too, Andy!"

Yer welcome, those are the ones that ive enjoyed with military themes. I did read the first of Douglas Jackson's series & bookmarked it to continue but that was back in 2015! so guess i wasn't totally sold on him :) John Stack's ship of Rome is another military themed one ive read although this time at sea, found it rather staid & dry tbh. all the rest ive read have been much more political. Conn Iggulden did a series too which has mixed reviews, might be worth checking out.

Good luck :)

I loved the Conn Iggulden books. I think Gates of Rome was the first one.
Manda Scott’s Boudica series is superb (IMO).
Also - quite difficult to get hold of now, but Patricia Finney wrote a pair of books set in the Roman era. I read them many years ago and have never forgotten how much I enjoyed them. A Shadow of Gulls and The Crow Goddess.

Thank you, Jim!

Vicki wrote: "Here's Goodreads' Listopia list of books about Rome.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1..."

Most of these books are history rather than historical fiction. Is there one for just historical fiction?

S.J.A. Turney has written some good historical novels, along with Gordon Doherty.

The best, in my opinion, were the late Colleen McCullough's novels about Rome, especially the early books. Steven Pressfield has a new one I haven't read yet - A Man at Arms. I would also recommend checking out Steven Saylor's novels.

Andy wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Thank you, too, Andy!"

Yer welcome, those are the ones that ive enjoyed with military themes. I did read the first of Douglas Jackson's series & bookmarked it to continue but that..."

Jim wrote: "I loved the Conn Iggulden books. I think Gates of Rome was the first one.
Manda Scott’s Boudica series is superb (IMO).
Also - quite difficult to get hold of now, but Patricia Finney wrote a pair o..."

I loved the Conn Iggulden books too; until I paid to meet him at Waterstones, did a thirty-mile round trip, and he didn't turn up because they hadn't sold enough tickets. Waterstones offered a refund but as I'd paid cash I would have needed to do another thirty mile round trip to collect it.

Elizabeth Bell wrote: "Andy wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Thank you, too, Andy!"

Yer welcome, those are the ones that ive enjoyed with military themes. I did read the first of Douglas Jackson's series & bookmarked it to cont..."

Oh no- that's terrible!

Eileen wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Here's Goodreads' Listopia list of books about Rome.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1..."

Most of these books are history rather than historical fiction. Is there one fo..."

Thank you, Eileen & Elizabeth. And Dawn posted a list for historical fiction in message #6 that is very helpful.

I wouldn't say that the Conn Iggulden books are really military though. More life history, and with some very great deviations from history.

I only read the first 2 before I got bored and annoyed.

I haven't tried him because he has such a mixed bag of reviews.

Here's a list with many fiction selections.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...

Thank you, Vicki!

I enjoy the Marcus Didius Falco mysteries by Lindsey Davis, set in the time of Vespasian.

I was considering that series, Betsy! But does it take place in the legions, or is it more civilian?

I'd also recommend the John Maddox Roberts SPQR novels about Decius Caecilius Metellus. Although not military per se, this well-written mystery series follows an aristocratic Roman through political developments in the first century BC. What makes the books particularly enjoyable is Metellus's snide sense of humor. Great if you want a broader perspective on Roman life.

Thank you!

Sherry wrote: "I'd also recommend the John Maddox Roberts SPQR novels about Decius Caecilius Metellus. Although not military per se, this well-written mystery series follows an aristocratic Roman t..."

The SPQR series is great. My favorite Roman mystery series is by Steven Saylor, starting with Roman Blood.

Can't forget Ruth Downie's books. The Gaius Petreius Ruso series about a Ex Legion Doctor who falls into solving mysteries. It's a 7 book series. She hasn't released a new one in a while.

Thank you all for your help!

I hope you found a few military ones as requested as despite the Romans reliance on their legions there doesn't seem to be as much written about them bar a few prolific authors and even then they stray into a lot of the political machinations as the series develop.

I came across another in my list that is written by a historian whose ventured into fiction, telling the tale of soldiers in a remote fort fighting barbarians, the Fort is also based on an ongoing dig in the North of England so could give a fair bit of detail about legion life too too authenticate?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...?

Some more authors

Geraint Jones - Romans fighting Germanic Hordes https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...?

Nick Brown - Although titled Agent of Rome, the first book is about soldiering which was sound
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...?

Ben Kane - I haven't read this series, I have struggled with this author's works but know he is popular among many & of all the series he has written this appears to be more about military than others
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...?

If you are into cozy detective stories, anything by Steve Saylor. Catilina's Riddle for example.
His books are incredibly well-researched, and the novels are set in the 1st century BC. He clearly read Cicero, Sallust, and the other classic historians but the references are so well-woven into the text that it remains quite a light read. As immersive as it gets, everything from literature to architecture to daily life objects comes to life!

Thank you, Andy! I've added all three of these to my list.

Thank you, Lara! So far I haven't developed an enjoyment of the mystery genre. I dabble here & there, but it's rare. Since I'm very much a mood reader, though, I will keep this in mind.

Another author that I don't think has been mentioned is Harry Sidebottom

he has two series

https://www.goodreads.com/series/4604...
https://www.goodreads.com/series/1200...

I like Ben Kane's books more than Andy

He has several series including one on the Battle of the Teutoburg
Forest, one on Hannibal's invasion and yet another on Spartacus

If you're willing to tackle really long, but excellent, fiction about Rome, check out the Masters of Rome series by Colleen McCullough. It starts with the rise of Gaius Marius and Sulla, through Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra. Wonderful maps and drawings by the author.

Thank you, happy and Vicki!

happy wrote: "Another author that I don't think has been mentioned is Harry Sidebottom

he has two series

https://www.goodreads.com/series/4604...
https://www.goodreads.com/series/..."

Actually, I see that Fire in the East is in my TBR pile, so I must have come across that author somewhere. Maybe it was one of those rare on-point GR recommendations from reading Douglas Jackson. Those recs are usually way off base, but obviously not in this case!

Andy wrote: "I hope you found a few military ones as requested as despite the Romans reliance on their legions there doesn't seem to be as much written about them bar a few prolific authors and even then they s..."

Andy, if you can suggest anything to me that I may not have read, I'd appreciate it. I've read the first 2 series and the Kane--I've read his one on Teutoberg. There's also the Jackson series which I've read. Thanks. It doesn't necessarily have to be military; in fact, the latter-day books are beginning to sound alike.

I highly recommend the Marching With Caesar series by R.W. Peake. A lot of military action here and very well researched.

I tried that recently, David, but I couldn't get into it. I think maybe it was the style of the writing. Does it improve? I may have to give it another shot.

Vicki wrote: "If you're willing to tackle really long, but excellent, fiction about Rome, check out the Masters of Rome series by Colleen McCullough. It starts with the rise of Gaius Marius and ..."

I second that, MoR is a wonderful and highly detailed series. I can also vouch for the maps, I'm re-reading 'Caesar' and it has 10 maps, and if I remember right each book comes with a glossary as well.

Thank you!

Hi I know I'm coming into this topic late but I recommend the Eagle series by Simon Scarrow. Its your typical roman novels, about 2 men in the army who become best mates and they're just fun easy to read action packed books.

Dan wrote: "Hi I know I'm coming into this topic late but I recommend the Eagle series by Simon Scarrow. Its your typical roman novels, about 2 men in the army who become best mates and they're just fun easy t..."

Better late than never, Dan- thank you!

https://www.audible.com/author/Lindse...

Thank you, Dana!