The Ten Thousand: A Novel of Ancient Greece

I love military history--which is really--whether we like it or not--all of history! At my prep school, we had to read "interesting" texts, in Greek and Latin, along with the required, boring, texts. The exciting Greek text we got to read was Xenophon's Anabasis--"The March Up Country". What a story: 10,000 Greeks totally trapped behind hostile lines; didn't really speak their language, hadn't a clue as to whom the local despot was that week, etc., yet, they travelled nearly two thousand miles--all through enemy territory, and they lost very few troopers! Even the absolutely amazing Lewis and Clark Expedition pales by comparison! To this day, I marvel as to how HOW THEY DID IT! One might have thought that he (Xenephon) must have made up so miraculous an adventure--but, as historical scholarship has now confirmed; he REALLY DID DO IT! As our poor girls and boys now suffer in _________ (fill in the blank, our war du jour (doesn't that sicken you? it sickens me, and I am an arch-conservative!)), it is hopeful to see that, at least, there was once actually a military leader who knew what he was doing (hint--ability is inverse to the number of ribbons on chest). As I understand it, Xenephon was essentially the equivalent of a US Navy SEAL Team leader--he, and his team, could do anything, anywhere, if only they were permitted to do so. I am not a war monger: I, like General Sherman, had hoped that, since war is so very, very terrible, we will not have so much of it. I have been very disappointed, since, in my relatively short life, we (the U.S.) are now on our fourth major war! Mr. Ford, within only the first dozen pages of his book, embroils us right into the middle of a military action. I have never seen anything that captures the reality of war--any war--in such detail, and in such agonizing truth--as he does--in only a dozen pages! (It could be Saratoga, Bull Run, the Marne, Peliliu, the Bulge, the Chosin Resovoir, Khe Sanh, Fallujah, it doesn't matter--tragically, the experience of the soldier (marine, sailor, coastguardsman) on the ground is very much the same). He is the most amazing author I have ever read! (and I've read a lot--advanced degrees in Brit and French Literature). But, putting the peddle to the metal, even in the "historical fiction" gender that Pressfield, Hansen, and Cornwell (I dunno, but, unlike my son, who loves the Sharpe novels, but doesn't care for the videos, I think Sean Bean IS Sharpe) excel in, I think Ford has come out on top. I don't like to say that, because all the others I have mentioned are excellent writers; it just seems that this field, right now, in America, like philopshopy or drama in ancient Greece or drama in Elizabethan times, or chamber music in late-16th Century Germany, has generated an "embrassment of riches"! Pressfield, Hansen, Cronwell, and cetainly Ford, will be read many decades after we have "passed to Hades".

A tale of a little known era in history. The times were not as civilized as is the general impression, "western culture" was still in its infant stage. The book brings this out clearly besides being a rip-snorting tale of adventure and intrique. In some respects the brutality of 2 1/2 millenia ago are still prevalent today, we need to study this example to avoid slipping backwards. The well-drawn characters are an excellent guide in this regard.

Although the backdrop of ancient greece generally appeals only to academians and intellectuals (of which i am neither), I found a refreshing universality in Ford's tale of Xenophon. Conflicts ranging from father-son relationships, patriotism, familial loyalty, friendship, cultural differences, and romantic love are all covered in this very well written novel. Ford has shown great ability in describing both the boorish behavior of soldiers-at-war one moment, and the high brow intellectualism of Socratic thought, the next. His adept use of language enhances the reader's ability to visualize the trials and tribulations of the novel's hero, and the situations at hand. This book can appeal to everyone. Hopefully Ford's next novel will come very soon.

Michael Ford's meticulous research of his subject has brought us insight into the lust, greed, deceit, and loyalties of Ancient Greece. The Ten Thousand is a gripping, exciting and compelling novel and Ford has made Xenophon's tale come alive with each page. A must read for anyone who enjoys reading a book that's packed with action and intrigue.

Arguably one of the most interesting books covering the ancient world. Exceptionally well researched and drawing heavily on Xenophon's autobiography, Mike Ford does a wonderful job in bringing to light the wonders of a superstitious people considerd to be the founders of western civilization. The action scenes depict the harrowing trek of soldiers on the run in alien worlds, battling armies, tribes, themselves and the unrelenting destructive environment. The book however is not just about that. It is much more and that is what separates it from its peers. The ability to take the readers to an ancient world where animal sacrifices, dreams and gods dominate, where philosophy is as integral a part as war and farming, where travel outside of your known regions is truly adventurous, -- this and much more make this book remarkable. Socrates, Clearchus, Cyrus, Tissaphernes and Xenophon all come to life. The story is told by Xenophon's servant Theo. It chronicles their voyage from childhood to leaders of a demoralized polis on the move. It is not a mind numbing exercise in action, but a well researched and well written book transporting the reader to a different world. A very fine debut and in some ways superior to Pressfield's Gates of Fire. The Ten Thousand is unique.