The Druid King

While not exactly famous, Norman Spinrad is well-known in the world of science fiction as a reliable veteran who has been producing stories for several decades. With The Druid King, he departs from that genre to tell a historical tale of Gaul during the last days of the Roman Republic. The protagonist in The Druid King is Vercingetorix, a young man who is destined to become the King of Gaul. At the beginning of the story, however, he is merely the teenaged son of a Gallic chieftain. His father has visions of uniting the tribes to oppose Rome, but Vercingetorix's uncle ends that with murder. Vercingetorix is forced to flee and takes refuge with the Druids. Meanwhile, Julius Caesar has his own ambitions, and the conquest of Gaul is a mere stepping stone for him. A master manipulator, he is able to defeat his foes as much with wiles as with force. Briefly, he makes Vercingetorix his protégé, but soon enough they are foes, leading opposing sides. Unfortunately for Caesar, Vercingetorix has picked up enough from his former mentor to become a difficult adversary. This is a story of Rome vs. Gaul, but not just in terms of peoples but also ways of life. Much is made of the different approaches to battle: the Gauls believe in honor in battle, the Romans are merely concerned with victory. This difference in philosophy will prove to be a major problem for Vercingetorix as he realizes the Roman approach is necessary to overcome his foes, but his followers are less willing to break with tradition. Spinrad is a good writer, but the edginess that makes him excellent in his science fiction is missing here. As a result, this is merely another good historical novel. Also, Spinrad's story suffers in comparison to Colleen McCullough's outstanding Roman history series (which also describes the Caesar vs. Vercingetorix battles). I can only give this book four stars as a result: this is not Spinrad's best work (he should probably stick with science fiction), but it is a good, entertaining read.

By 60 BC the might of the Roman legions had conquered most of the known world and to be fair had improved the lot of most of the defeated nations. Those who continued to oppose Rome were ruthlessly crushed. Now Julius Caesar has turned his attention to the invasion of Gaul. He is seeking a victory that will give him the power to cast out the old guard and become Emperor of Rome the greatest city in the world. But a formidable foes stands against him, the Druid King, Vercingetorix. The conflict that is about to happen will start to shape the future history of Northern Europe. The Gauls know that they must fight to the bitter end or face the destruction of everything they believe in. But can the tribes be brought together as one unit to fight this relentless enemy. More importantly can they gain a victory and save themselves from oblivion. This books relates one of the most brutal military campaigns of all time.

Like the fictional Hagar the Horrible and the real, post 911 e-mailer/apologiser Jo - now would be a good day to bury some bad news - Moore, Norman Spinrad sucks on a lemon and charges his way through the conflict between the realpolitik of an expanding Roman Empire and Gallic mysticism.This should appeal to readers of titles by Tom Holt. And those who enjoyed Norman's, The Iron Dream.

Norman Spinrad makes a fine debut in historical fiction, with occasional lapses into fantasy, in this riveting tale about the legendary Celtic chieftain Vercingetorix, the leader of Gallic resistance against Roman legions commanded by Gaius Julius Caesar. Spinrad does an excellent job in describing Druid religious rites, and the profound influence they play on the thoughts and actions of Vercingetorix. He also provides us with mesmerizing descriptions of Gallic leaders and of Caesar and his generals. I thought I could see and smell the Gallic towns and their people, as well as the bloody battlegrounds of the Gauls and their Roman invaders. Without question, Spinrad's sympathies lie with Vercingetorix and his relationship with the woman warrior Rhia and Marah, his potential queen of a unified Gallic state. Although this isn't Spinrad's best work of fiction, it is still among his finest novels, rich in the vivid detail and lyrical prose that he is noted for in his science fiction.

In Ancient Gaul, after watching treachery lead to the defeat and subsequent death of his tribal leader father, Vercingetorix flees, taking shelter with the Druids. The Arch Druid Guttuatr and the swordswoman Rhia become the lad's teachers training him in the art of magic and war.Gaius Julius Caesar recruits the young man to become Rome's client ruler over Gaul. Vercingetorix accepts the position thinking that Caesar is now his mentor. However, their relationship abruptly changes when Vercingetorix learns that Caesar was the devious force behind the death of his father. Now Vercingetorix turns feral against his former benefactor leading his people in war against the Roman legion.This exciting insightful historical fiction provides the audience with an interesting look at Ancient Gaul without the victorious Roman filter altering the view. The story line is very vivid as Norman Spinrad points quite a panorama. The hero is an engaging individual who comes to life in THE DRUID KING. Though Mr. Spinrad's loyal science fiction fans should be aware that this book is not anything like his Sci Fi tales, readers will appreciate the rest of the story from the loser's perspective as opposed to the victors goes the history books.Harriet Klausner