Assyrian

Being a German national who happens to read English, I cannot accurately express my admiration for Mr. Guild who has written this magnificent story. And for those who like to read the seond part, it is available under the name "The blood star" I can only implore (is that the right word ?) Herr Guild to write more about Tiglath Ashur. His work ranks right alongside with Wilbur Smith's novels.

While reading this wonderful book for the first time I felt I personally took part in all the great battles and adventures of the protagonist of this book, Tiglat Assur! The books contains everything that marks an extraordinary book: A significant protagonist, some strong opponents, a great love story, a story full of intrigues, little cruelties and unforgettable battle scenarios. In addition to all these singular incidents the author tries to emphasize why such an august realm as the Assyrian one which was the greatest realm of its time could perish! If you ever find this book in any bookstor or library, then go buy it! This is simply the best book I ever had the honour to read, better even than "The Lord of the Rings" by Tolkien. You will find many fictional elements in book as well: Different godhoods that really seem to exist, and a floridness atmosphere on all the places the plot takes place! All the approximately 550 pages are fraught with tension and interesting information about the Assyrian realm.

It has to be hard to write about a time as ancient as 700 B.C., but Nicholas Guild successfully transports us to the land and people of Assyria in this epic historical novel. I haven't done any research on this culture. I don't know what the people believed, or with whom they battled, or how they dressed, but Guild has painted here a credible picture of this setting in substantial detail. Tiglath Ashur is King Sennacherib's favorite son because of his heroism in battle. Sennacherb wishes Tiglath to succeed him as king, but when the priests interpret a goat's entrails, Tiglath's less capable brother, Esarhaddon, is designated as the future king instead. In countless cases of history, brothers, fathers, cousins, etc. kill one another to claim the throne, but honorable Tiglath remains loyal to his brother and to the god's wishes. He does so at a price, however, losing the woman he loves and possibly the superiority of his country if placed in the hands of his incompetent brother. Each of the characters in this book has a distinct personality and role to fulfill. There is Kephalos, Tiglath's roly-poly, loyal and entrepreneurial slave. Shaditu, Tiglath's royal sister, is an immoral seductress. The Lady Naqia, Esarhaddon's mother, is cunning and conspiratorial. All the characters are enmeshed in intrigue, politics, love, and revenge, and within this scenario, Tiglath searches for his own destiny. As honorable as Tiglath tries to be, he also is caught up in a culture which kept control of the surrounding lands through bloody battles, and horrifically gory punishments of its enemies. With its journeys through far-away lands, its intrigue, passion, and details of battle, this book kept me entertained through its 550 pages, and I look forward to reading its sequel, Blood Star.

Guild's "The Assyrian" is right at the top of my favorite book list, right on with Tolkien's masterpiece. I study Assyrian culture at university level, so my interest has its source there. Guild gives a very nice and detailed description of the Assyrian culture in a genuine historical setting, and even manages to write one of the most exciting storylines I've ever read; a good mixture of adventure, love, war, sex and violonce. Guild tries not to veil any Assyrian custom which would not fit in our culture; on the contrary: he seems to take delight in describing them in detail, albeit through the eyes of someone who has just a little bit (but not too much) of Western conscience, so the reader will more easily feel at home in the rich Assyrian culture. It's also nice that Guild doesn't try to write around the religion being dead; by using divine incidents, but also by describing superstition, you get the idea that all the Assyrian gods and goddesses really exist, giving this book an almost Tolkien-like fantasy flavour. This means you will find no ethical Biblereferences or settings a la Ben Hur here. The fantasy effect is made even stronger by the adventurous kind of story, in which you will also get descriptions of other cultures through the eyes of an Assyrian. Love and sex are also certainly not neglected. If you like ancient cultures, fantasy and adventure I recommend this one. Too bad Guild never wrote a sequel (for as far as I know), as he half-so promised in the epilogue. Also too bad this title is out of print... I wonder why?

I have never read a better book in my life. I have been reading avidly since I was 8 years old. I have read thousands of books over the years. I do have a soft spot for Historical naratives, whether fictional or true, but I have never read a book the equal to this one. I purchased the book the night before I started a 5o mile hike with a boy scout troop, intending to use the book to go to sleep with. After the first night, I found myself reading the book constantly, while walking down forrested trails or sitting beside a water fall. I don't remember anything about that hike other than the book. I finished the book 2 days into a 6 day event, and decided to read it again, the work is masterful. Upon returning to civilization I ran right down to the book store to buy the sequal Blood Star. I knew it was coming. It took me 2 years and 30 stops at the book store to get my hands on the sequal. It is every bit as good as the first. I then went to all the used book stores and bought every Nicholas Guild book I could find. Unfortunately the rest were average of worse. Nicholas if you read this, get back to Historical novels where you shine! DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK!!