Memnon

... because I was at a lost there for a little while trying to find a good historical-fiction novel to read. I read 'Men of Bronze' and really enjoyed it. Enough time had passed between me reading his first work, and I NEEDED something good to read. I was in a reading funk and needed to get back to my favorite genre with one heck of a read! Insert 'Memnon'. Memnon is soldier in the Great Kings army who fights, bleeds, kills, and destroys his way up the ranks. Through the course of his life he fights a lot of leaders and kings, but his greatest adversary is the great Alexander. History knows the havoc that Alexander the Great wrought on the world so you wonder how Memnon will fare and you have mixed feelings on who you "root" for. Alexander was a military genius but you grow to love and respect Memnon. This is a read that has what it should have in it. Brutality, honor, bloody, with a moving plot that really moves. There are a few but very small slow parts. Recommended highly for fans of this genre and for those interested in this genre.

After reading Scott Oden's "Men of Bronze", I was very impressed with his characters and writing style. "Memnon" did not disappoint me. The book was very pleasurable to read, holding interest, and followed a good historic, but fictional, line. I felt as I was transformed into an identity of that time and was participating in the story, seeing the battles first hand. "Memnon" is great reading for those of us who like ancient world studies and wish to settle back and enjoy reading a book that makes the camera roll in your mind!

I liked this book a lot: the writer took the minimal historical information that is available about Memnon of Rhodes and wove it into one of those wonderful epic novels that are cinema - like in scope. Everything works well: good characterization; excellent story telling and a good writing style. I enjoyed Oden's first book, "Men of Bronze" and trust that he will continue to provide readers with this type of literate, yet action packed stuff.

Being of Greek descent and having been born and raised on the Island of Rhodes, Memnon dreams that he will become the equal of his hero Achilles. However, when his father was beheaded during an uprising, Memnon fled his hometown barely escaping with his life. He becomes a mercenary for hire joining the militia of a Persian provincial governor as a lieutenant. He quickly realizes emulating his hero Achilles is not his fortitude, as he proves an able military strategist. When Alexander invades Asia Minor, Persian King Darius III hires Memnon as a general officer to defeat his foe and repel them back to Macedonia. The ensuring battle makes one of these fierce leaders a name for the ages and the other a footnote buried in encyclopedia. MEMNON is a superb ancient biographical fiction novel of a leading figure of the fourth century BCE who fought against Alexander and obviously lost as he became the footnote while his opponent became one of the Greats. The story line is action-packed yet provides the audience a deep look into Aristotle's Greece, Alexander's Macedonian Empire, and Darius' Persia. Though confessing that he was forced to "have taken spectacular liberties" to fill the holes in the historical record, Scott Oden, as he did with the powerful MEN OF BRONZE, provides a fantastic fascinating ancient historical tale focusing on the exploits of Alexander's most capable opponent whose scorched earth advice on preventing the invaders from a sure win was rejected. Harriet Klausner