Has anyone else read the Masters Of Rome series by Colleen McCullough? I am reading the last of the series that just came out, THE OCTOBER HORSE. It's excellent. She must have done an unbelievable amount of research. Anyway, if you're interested in ancient, specifically Roman history, you should read these novels. The first in the series is THE FIRST MAN IN ROME.

I have not read the book. But for fun consider this: When doing a historical novel, a person can do a boatload of research or just make up a bunch of stuff based on a few facts at hand. It's been done before. If you don't like the true (alleged) version of history, make up your own. The Japanese are quite good at it.

We must consider how very little history there is; I mean real authentic history," wrote Samuel Johnson, back in 1755. "That certain kings reigned and certain battles were fought, we can depend on as true; but all the coloring, all the philosophy, of history is conjecture." There are few facts. There are few known truths. Everything else is pretty much up for intellectual and spiritual grabs.

Whether something is historical revisionism or a more accurate history seems to depend on who's ox is getting gored. In Texas, people are still in an uproar over the De La Pena documents. Even though they don't change the outcome at the Alamo a bit.

The winner usually gets to write the history. That said, I'm a sucker for history, biographies and historical novels. They sound interesting JR, I'll have to check them out. I just finished the 20 volume seafaring "Aubrey-Maturin" series by Patrick O'Brian. Like your author, the research that went into these books was incredible. Sort of like the "Horatio Hornblower" stories on steroids. The 1st in the series is "Master and Commander." It was instant addiction for me.

BTW, JR I often use your online store as a reference for the auctions at CI.

I wish I was that online store, but it was nice of them to name a line of cigars after me. LOL.

I read all the HH novels and loved 'em. I got tired of the Aubrey/Maturin novels. Have you read the Sharpe's series by Bernard Cornwell?

There is a Spanish saying, "History is a field where everybody makes hay".

Haven't read the Sharpe's series. Currently reading Shelby Foote's "The Civil War." Before that the bio's of Ben Franklin and Nathan Bedford Forrest. Maybe I'll go to ancient Rome next. That series sounds interesting.

How about "Patriots" by A. J. Langguth. The most interesting book on the American Revolution I have ever read. You really come away with an appreciation for Samuel Adams' contribution after reading it....aside from the ale lol

I tried to read the back of the Captain Crunch box this AM, but my spoon was so shiny that it distracted me.

Barry

THL, you should also read I, CLAUDIUS and CLAUDIUS THE GOD by Robert Graves, two of the best novels I've ever read.