The Sword of Attila: A Novel of the Last Years of Rome

I can't believe all of the negative comments directed at this fine novel by people decrying it's lack of historical authenticity. What ever happened to the idea of "artistic license"? If a reader is desiring truthful history, I'd suggest that they look in the Non-Fiction section instead of the Fiction section. This book can and should be enjoyed for what it is instead of what it is not. I've read numerous such books by different authors and Mr. Ford is as good or better than any. His characters are well developed and interesting. His description of ancient warfare is so vivid that you can almost smell the blood and hear the anguished cries of the wounded. I can't speak for the historical accuracy of his words, but neither will I judge the novel by it. I can say that if you're looking for a great read that will keep you up late at night turning pages, you can't miss with this one. Enjoy the ride.

While there are many inaccuracies throughout the book with regards to the various ages of the characters, the equipment and terminology of the Roman legions (Ford writes as though they were the legions of Marius and Gaius Julius Caesar, but the legions of the 5th century AD were as different from those as Revolutionary War soldiers are from the soldiers of today) this book is nevertheless an entertaining page turner and I enjoyed it a great deal. The story revolves around the two great generals who fought each other at the Battle of Chalons (aka the Battle of Catalaunian Fields) in 451 AD. On one side is Flavius Aetius, the "last of the Romans," who is depicted as the epitome of the intensely disciplined, completely honorable, upright and puritanical Roman male ideal. (The reality was that Aetius was as ambitious as Julius Caesar and had numerous intrigues in the political arena) On the other side is the King of the Huns, Attila. The story begins with them as teenage boys - each spending considerable time in the royal courts of each other's homelands as "hostages" to guarantee that alliances would be observed. While Aetius learns the art of Hunnish warfare and indeed is treated as a son by the Hunnish King Rugila, Attila impatiently passes the years in the Roman capital, Ravenna, learning little of Roman ways, but observing their decadence, their weakness, their need for material comforts. As they grow in martial stature and skill, they eventually become friends and develop a genuine admiration for each other, but their destinies are to lead their respective nations against one another. All of this eventually comes to a head at the Battle of Chalons. Attila and his Hunnish horde had been invincible to this point. Although the book makes only scant mention of it, up until Chalons, Attila's army had lay waste to more than a dozen cities in Gaul (modern-day France) after successfully crossing the Rhine. Aetius finally catches up with Attila when Attila is attempting to attack the city of Orleans (this is also not mentioned in the book) and Attila is forced to turn and fight. The description of the battle is similar to what I read in other accounts, but the numbers involved are frankly, not believeable. Ancient historians had a penchant for hyperbole, and in any event, one million men is just a ridiculous number. Even great modern-day battles like Stalingrad did not involve a million men at a time - but I digress. The Battle of Chalons is technically a draw, since neither side carried the field, but because the Huns had been stopped, finally deprived of clear-cut victory, they were forced to retreat and eventually return to the Hunnish lands beyond the Danube River. It was this victory that preserved the Western Roman Empire from Hunnish domination, even if only for a few more decades... In all, this was a very entertaining book, and can serve as a good introduction to someone wanting to know more about that period in history, but without havi

Everyone has heard of Attila the Hun. I have watched stories of him on the History Channel and read some tidbits here and there. But I didn't realize how little I knew of him until I read Ford's book. The idea that Attila - generally regarded as one of the most feared barbarians in recorded history - spent many years of his life as a "hostage", or guest, in the royal palaces of the Western Roman Empire, and was actually friends with the man (Flavius Aetius) who would eventually face him in one of history's most significant battles (the Battle of Chalons), was so astounding to me that I began to wonder whether this was historical fact or a product of the author's creative license. Truly, fact is stranger - and vastly more interesting - than fiction. It seems like Ford's literary skills - as evident in his vivid and enthralling depiction of the gruesome aftermath of a colossal battle - are growing even finer with each new novel he writes. Attila's and Aetious's tale, the contrasting worlds they lived in, the battles they fought - they all came to life in the pages of this book. "The Sword of Attila" is a real page-turner. You will surely love it.

This novel is very hard to put down. The book depicts the violence and politics of men, ca. AD 450. I found myself relating these politics and war of about 1,500 years ago to the present. (Man has not learned much except how to kill each other more efficiently). I also learned that Attila was not always the bad guy. I recommend this book to anyone who loves history and adventure.

I really enjoyed the topic and the interaction between the Romans and Huns. The battle scenes are terrific and Ford has a good grasp of the historical background to the events -- yes it is fiction but very good fiction nonetheless. The battle and all the confusing aspects surrounding it are very well written. A very good book and some rather odd and interesting characters.