The Lost Legion

I used to visit Harold every week-end, and he read to me this entire novel. It was the work of his lifetime, perhaps too ambitious, but he put his heart & soul into the researching and writing of it. He would oft times become extremely emotional while reading certain passages, his eyes brimming with tears. He felt this tale in the core of his soul, as he did with his other book, THE BANNER OF JOAN, a long poem devoted to his beloved Joan of Arc. I have read the book twice since Harold's death, & it continues to enthrall me as it did when I heard it read by its amazing author. I'm certain that he got some of the historical aspect wrong, or neglected aspects thereof; but he was, first and foremost, a storyteller--and this is one amazing tale, richly yet simply expressed. It is a beautiful book penned by a beautiful soul, a writer I so respect and love and miss with all my heart.

Why isn't it still in print? It was a pretty good read.

An adventure story about a Roman Legion sent on a suicide mission to find information about survivors of Crassus's defeated legions in ancient Parthia (modern Afghanistan and Iran.)The story is told mostly from the eyes of a young Roman woman recently married to a "recruit" captured by a Roman press gang and by the commander of the legion who learns that he was sent on the mission out of jealously by the Emperor Caligula of the commander's popularity and lineage.The material of daily Roman life is pretty well fictionalized and it is easy to suspend belief as to some of the improbalities and licenses taken.

The prior review gives you details regarding the book. If you enjoy epic books with many climaxes, turns and twists, this is a book for you. It's as good as any book I have ever read.

I'm not sure what I thought this book would be like when I started it, but I had a feeling it would not be that great. Boy, was I wrong. This book is an epic - a fantastic journey through time to the ancient Roman Empire where the mad Emperor Caligula can send a whole legion off on a useless, suicidal mission, all to get rid of one man. We follow the XIIIth Legion, the 'Emperor's Own', as they meet obstacle after obstacle thrown in their path, but they press ever onward. This is the best, most complete picture I have ever read of what the daily life of the legionaire was really like. But there is more to this book than that. We meet a whole company of raw recruits who are more or less fooled into 'signing on the dotted line', including a newlywed poet. His bride hears 'a woman's place is with her husband' and off she goes to follow the legion. At first we see her as a childish fool but as the legion moves on and she manages to stick with it, we come to appreciate her commitment, her love and her loyalty. And so do all the others in the XIII. This crack Roman legion now has a female member, Lilia. Off they go to strange lands, exotic and dangerous, make new friends and many new enemies, all the while being followed by a stranger alone. We see the raw recruits become tough, hardened soldiers, and we know each as individuals and mourn their loses. The final 100 pages will bring tears to your eyes and joy to your heart as this brave group of men and one brave woman, both fail and suceed in their mission. And they changed the fate of half the world as well. This is an outstanding novel that left me at 4 am, with my mouth hanging open, saying "Wow". I couldn't sleep for hours, remembering all these characters who became my friends and being happy they had entered my life and allowed me to know them. This is truly an epic work. One of the best. Read it.