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Vindolanda
Vindolanda
Author: Adrian Goldsworthy
AD 98, Vindolanda. A fort on the edge of the roman world. The bustling army base at Vindolanda lies on the northern frontier of Britannia and the entire Roman world. In just over twenty years time, Emperor Hadrian will build his wall. But for now defences are weak as local tribes rebel against Rome. It falls to Flavius Ferox, Briton and Roman ce...  more »
ISBN-13: 9781784974701
ISBN-10: 1784974706
Publication Date: 11/16/2017
Pages: 416
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 2

3.5 stars, based on 2 ratings
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 1
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review
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maura853 avatar reviewed Vindolanda on + 542 more book reviews
Scholarship overwhelms a thin plot.

The scholarship is absolutely fascinating. Roman military tactics, military gear, colonial diplomacy, Roman dining habits, and their love of a nice, hot bath on the fringes of Empire ... Not so good if you were hoping that such insights might be woven into an engaging narrative.

Goldsworthy provides plenty of conflict -- his hero, Flavius Ferox, must protect a lovely Roman aristocratic lady, the wife of his commanding officer, from a Druid uprising -- and there are battles galore, and tricky encounters with local British and Celtic tribes. But the threat to the lovely Sulpicia Lepedina feels contrived, an excuse to make the long lists of legions engaging with the Druids, and their tactics personal for Ferox. It fails, because Goldworthy's characters feel like little more than the metal figures used for tabletop wargames, being moved around brilliantly plotted battlefields without much consideration of the real relationships between the people involved.
reviewed Vindolanda on + 11 more book reviews
Probably the best Roman Army novel, and there are many, that I've read. Plenty of battle scenes in the style of Bernard Cornwell. Appealing main characters who are not stereotypes or cardboard cutouts. Believable and well worth the read. Written by a historian who specializes in the Roman army.


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