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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Just good, April 20, 2008
This review is from: Beyond the Desert Gate (Paperback)
Apollodorus is a merchant at Philadelphia in the Decapolis of ancient Palestine. Since the beginning of the Jewish War, his excursions have been more perilous and on his most recent return trip, he has brought back a man left to die by the Romans--a man who has no memory of what happened to him or even his own name. "Xenos", as he is called, is befriended by Apollodorus's young son, Philo--one of three, the others being Conan and Nicanor.
On his next caravan, however, Apollodorus is killed and his sons are forced by financial concerns to lease their property to the Roman garrison. Conan decides to join the Roman federated troops to earn his living while Nicanor steals off to join the Jewish resistance. Philo remains at home to serve the Roman garrison and care for Xenos, who soon recalls his past--a past which goes back to a previous book in this series, The Ides of April (Ray, Mary, Roman Empire Sequence.). Events will bring the three brothers back together as each tries to make sense of the war and the suffering of the Jewish people.
In terms of historical research, Beyond the Desert Gate recreates life in Roman Palestine very well. My major gripes with the book are the ponderous plot and insufficient character development. The book is the fourth part of a series of five books and has trouble standing on its own. The description of the siege of Macherus was well done, particularly the climax which was very affecting, and the Christian elements were also appreciated. But over all, I think this book will have trouble holding the attention of the audience it's intended for--older kids ages 14 and up. If you like books about the Christian Roman Empire, a better choice might be Belisarius: The First Shall Be Last.
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29 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The sequel to The Ides of April (a book description), June 28, 2005
This review is from: Beyond the Desert Gate (Paperback)
THIS IS NOT A REVIEW, but as at the time of my post here, there is not a good description of what the book is about.
So, with that in mind, I give the description here to be helpful...
Description from the publisher:
"Palestine in the first century A.D. is as disturbed and divided as it is today. The Jews have revolted against Roman occupation and as they grow more restive, Rome clamps down harder. The ten Greek cities of Palestine-the Decapolis-want only to continue their peaceful trading existence, but they find themselves caught in the middle of the uprisings.
Apollodorus, a merchant of Philadelpia, takes a risk and rescues a man whom a Roman patrol has left to die in the desert. When Apollodorus is killed by robbers, his three sons are left almost penniless. Conan, Nicanor and Philo must each find a way for themselves. Philo, the youngest, is befriended by Xenos, the man saved from the desert, the man who has lost his memory. From him the boy learns the art of the scribe, and together they try to find their identity-one from the past, the other for the future. A serious story of an important time in history."
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good for historical perspective, June 29, 2011
This review is from: Beyond the Desert Gate (Paperback)
The other reviews give a good outline of the story in this book, so I won't repeat it. I read this aloud to my children (ages 14, 12, and 8) to go along with our study of the the first century. The book really gave us a good idea on how it was to be Roman, Jewish, or one of those stuck in between during the time when Rome finally put Judea down once and for all. In that way it enhanced our understanding of the history; yet, it is not a book that you finish and feel good about. How can it be when it is set in Palestine in 70 A.D., the year Jerusalem burned? Even the victors, the Romans, had to exert so many men and so much time for such little benefit. The story is good, compelling, and draws you in, but leaves you feeling sad at the loss and the uncertain and possibly bleak future awaiting the characters. Will I read this book again when my little children study this time period years from now? Yes. But will I look forward to reading it again? No.
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