Dawn of Empire

Great story. This was one of those books where you cant wait to have time to keep reading more. I just finished this novel and I am gonna pass the book on to a friend who I have already talked it up to. Ive been reading mostly historical fiction lately: Manfredi, Pressfield, Ford. When I saw this novel was about ancient Mesopotamia I bought it because I think that time period is very interesting, and the authors basic plot only made it more so. I wasnt disappointed in what I found. Plenty of action, intrigue and great characters, details on what life may have been like at that time, plus some intelligent ideas on what it takes to be a good leader and motivator of people. I also thought this book was well researched, though I think the author obviously had to stretch or guess on some things since there isnt much recorded history from that far back in time. The real work here for the author was in tying all the pieces together to create a believable setting and plot, while still writing a good story that kept the readers attention. I think he succeeded at it. One way I judge a book is how long it takes me to go back to it once I put it down. A book that I dont go back to quickly when I have the chance, or that I dont have that urge in the back of my mind to make time for, fails. This book I did have that urge to go back to, and I found myself making time to finish. That to me is a successful story. Trella was really a surprise. My girlfriend has no interest in books like this, but I am trying to get her to read it because I think she would like that character very much and Id like it if we had something more to talk about. In some ways she kinda stole the show in parts but in a good way. I liked how her characters beauty was more her intelligence than her body and how that was what impressed those around her. She didnt pull a Cleopatra by trying to seduce people to manipulate them which was what I would have expected. She was a strong character without behaving in a masculine or trampy way. As a nobleman's daughter in Sumeria, her father had taught her how to be an intelligent wife to a chieftain and her relationship with Eskkar gave her the chance to put these lessons to good use, even if the death of her family had led to her being made a slave just before they met. Eskkar was already a natural warrior and leader, but she gave him the extra insight he needed to truly grow into his role. I liked it that the author spent a good amount of time detailing the defenders planning. This made me get more into the story because instead of just writing about them building a wall, he went into the thoughts behind their plans. Those who read military history would recognize many of the basic leadership and strategy ideas the author went into, and he connected them together in the right way. These people are in the early bronze age so they didnt know all of the answers already, instead they were learning as they went. So its mostly them using their common

I really enjoyed this book. I stumbled on it at the bookstore and bought it after reading the jacket. The author hooked me into the lead character (Eskkar) and the reader gets to see his progression from just a warrior who puts his trust in brute force to a leader of a future city who puts his trust in intellect and wisdom. One of the more interesting parts is learning (along with Eskkar) about the "glue" of civilization - namely agriculture and how everything in civilization springs from surplus food supplies: math, writing, money, and trade. Moreover, the author shows how so little has changed across the many centuries with political maneuvering and literal back-stabbing. The lead-up to the battle with the barbarians is very exciting and while the outcome is somewhat predictable the means to that end are not - in fact, I couldn't put the book down as the final battle materialized. One can see how these types of warring themes undoubtedly occurred in ancient agricultural-based communities with their nomadic neighbors and unlike a boring documentary on the History Channel the author makes learning about the rise of walled cities time well spent. Isn't it so true that the the ability to survive as a people or a nation is essentially decided by how efficiently you can kill those that threaten you and your way of life? Well done.

I read this book this past week while travelling back and forth cross country. It is an excellent book for such a journey; it absolutely makes the time fly by. I agree totally with the gist of the comments given below, so won't repeat them. My wife is in three women's book clubs. When I mentioned it yesterday on my return, she balked due to the perceived violence. And, the Prologue could drive away a woman, I suppose. That's unfortunate. The character Trella, truly the main character in this novel, is quite the Bronze Age feminist and the relationship she and Eskkar establish is one with which any woman would find worth the read. I'll see if I can get my wife to agree to read 50 or 60 pages. She might just find it as enjoyable as I. Looking forward to that sequel.

What an awesome book! I lost quite a few hours of sleep staying up late to read this book--truly couldn't put it down. Supposedly, there's a sequel in the works. It won't be released soon enough for me. In fact, the minute I finished this book, I started reading it again. The struggle of two disparate cultures, both trying to survive, is shown through the eyes of the two leaders. Thutmose-sin is the leader of the barbarians--ruthless, arrogant, and born to lead. Then there's Eskkar, himself a barbarian, a lowly soldier in the village of Orak. With the barbarians about to attack the village, Eskkar the quintessential anti-hero, with the help of his slave/wife Trella--herself raised to be a leader--rallies the villagers in an attempt to thwart the attack. They build a wall, the first walled city. Of course, they succeed. Come on, if you studied ancient history at all, you know that. Even if you didn't, duh. Unlike the Clan of the Cave Bear series by Jean Auel, which I also loved, this book didn't ramble on and on for pages about native flora and the sex life of the mammoth. It had lots of well-researched details about construction techniques, tribal customs, farming, weapons, and the day-to-day life of that era, but it was never boring. Even knowing the people of Orak would eventually win, I couldn't stop turning the pages to see how they did it. I completely neglected my house, my work, and my family to read this book. It took me two days to read it, and it's close to 500 pages, not counting all the historical notes at the end. I haven't finished a book that fast since The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown. Guys will love this book--it's gory and full of action. Girls will love this book, too, for the love story between Eskkar and Trella. She's the real hero of the story! Either way--action or romance--this was a wonderful book.

WOW! Excellent historical novel - and ought to come with a warning label - you'll find this intricate, fast-paced, well-written and heroic Bronze Age story fascinatingly addictive! I sat down around 10:00 pm with this excellent book the day I received it, just to read a few pages before I went to bed. The next time I looked at my watch it was 2:00 am! I reluctantly went to bed because I was so tired, I kept dropping the book. Fortunately, I was off work the next day. Up early with a cup of coffee in hand I plunged back in -and 480 plus pages later - I'm looking for the sequel. You mean I have to wait until January 2007??? Rats!!! "Dawn of Empire" introduces a wide range of interesting and diverse characters, as well as both emerging and declining cultures. The Bronze Age itself was a time when radical changes were taking place in how people defined themselves - farmer, blacksmith, soldier, town dweller or nomad and Sam Barone has created an intricate and believable story about the inevitable conflicts. "Dawn of Empire" is well-written, flows fairly seamlessly, and has just been pushed to the top of my Recommended Reading List. And at least 2 lucky people on my Christmas list will be given a copy as soon as it comes out in hardback.