Attila: The Scourge Of God [Paperback]

Ross Laidlaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 31, 2004

This arresting historical novel deals with the rivalry between two great men whose friendship turns to enmity as one (Attila) becomes corrupted by power, while the other (Aetius) is ennobled by it. Ross Laidlaw's masterful portrayal of these two figures is based on his intimate knowledge of the times and is written in a narrative style that vividly evokes the brutality, decadence, and desperation of this fascinating period of history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A tremendous story . . . the incursion into the empire of the strangest and most frightening of the barbarian invaders and he tells it with great verve and vigour. His prose has a pace, he has a keen eye for the significant detail, and manages the big scenes confidently. --Allan Massie, The Scotsman --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Ross Laidlaw was born in Aberdeen and educated at Cambridge University. He has worked and travelled extensively in Southern Africa and currently lives in East Lothian. He has published a number of novels, including the much acclaimed The Lion is Rampant (1979), The Linton Porcupine (1984) and Aphra Behn - Dispatch'd from Athole (1992).

Product Details

• Paperback: 441 pages
• Publisher: Polygon (October 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1904598080
• ISBN-13: 978-1904598084
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,352,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Well Researched and Well Written Book, February 7, 2005

By 

J. Chippindale (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Attila: The Scourge Of God (Paperback)

This is a book to get your teeth into, not something to pick up and put down. It is a book about two great men, Attila, King of the Huns and Flavius Aetius one of the great Roman Generals, friends, who turn into bitter enemies.

The book is set in the early 5th century. The German tribes are overrunning the Western parts of the Roman Empire. Nothing and no one can stop the might of their forces. The government of Rome is forced to grant them federate status.

Aetius becomes the power in Rome even over the heads of a weak and viscious emperor and his mother. In a series of campaigns he takes on the might of the Huns and forces them to settle peacefully. His one time friend Attila, now his bitter enemy launches an attack on the Eastern part of the empire and in the ensuring battle both men have everything to lose if they are defeated.

The novel portrays brilliantly the brutality of war and the blatant disregard for human life in this period of history and is a must for anyone interested in that period.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a very good read, January 9, 2008

By 

T. J. Miller (AUCKLAND 1310 New Zealand) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Attila: The Scourge Of God (Paperback)

well researched with interesting notations and nice little side stories within the main plot. Well worth the time & price.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not up to par!, April 2, 2007

By 

D. DesLauriers "10ten" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Attila: The Scourge Of God (Paperback)

I have been reading historical fiction for a while. Pressfield is to Grrek history as Cornwell is to ancient Brit. However, this writer is neither. The story rambles, stumbles and falls several times per chapter. I make it a practice to never quit on a book, and this one tested my resolve. Attila must be turning in his grave!