Boudica: Queen of the Iceni [Hardcover]

Joseph E. Roesch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2006

Boudica, perhaps the most heroic figure in early British history, is vividly depicted in this gripping novel of her courageous struggle against the might of Rome. Wielding her legendary sword, this beautiful and charismatic queen of the East Anglian Iceni decimates Nero's legions, razes St. Albans, Colchester, and London, and cuts a swathe of fiery destruction that leaves 70,000 of her enemies dead. Caught in a tragic web not of her own weaving, she moves towards her inevitable destiny with heroism of the deepest dye, trusting in the ancient prophecy that her cause and her sword will one day be taken up by a mighty warrior-king. His name, the Druids say, will be Arthur.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joseph E. Roesch is a retired English professor and lives in New York with his wife, Linda. He holds a doctorate in Medieval English Literature and has taught at the University of Wisconsin and Syracuse University. This is his first novel and it draws upon a lifelong interest in history, language, literature and myth. For more information visit www.boudica-roesch.com

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Robert Hale; First Edition edition (January 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0709079583
• ISBN-13: 978-0709079583
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #560,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WISE WOMAN WARRIOR, March 22, 2006

By 

Dorothy L. Irwin (Brewerton, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boudica: Queen of the Iceni (Hardcover)

Thanks to the author, Joseph E. Roesch, for his in depth research on Boudica, the people of the period and for his presentation of a time in history told in a manner that made this reader feel as if she were living throughout the period of Boudica's reign.
The author presents the story of a historical character steeped in the archives of history and brought to the forefront by a man who did his homework in telling the story of this courageous woman warrior and wife. He did not stray in his apparent desire to give a factual accounting of Boudica, her intelligence and her allegiance to family and country as well as her quest to restore a heritage to her people that was slowly being striped away.
Thank you Mr. Roesch for introducing me to a woman I had no idea even existed and has now made me want to likewise research her history.
How proud you must be to have traveled the roads traveled by Boudica and to have brought her into the 21st century.
Boudica is a book to be digested, enjoyed and remembered.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Boudica Queen of the Iceni, January 22, 2007

By 

Debra Riddel "The Queen Of Everything" (Syracuse,NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boudica: Queen of the Iceni (Hardcover)

Joseph Roesch (pronouced Rush)turns prose into poetry in Boudica Queen of the Iceni, his debut novel. He's written a well reasearched, emminently readable piece of literary historical fiction. He obviously loves his heroine, and imbues her with a regal beauty denied her in previous historical accounts. Roesch deftly interweaves historical personages and well drawn fictive characters, and entices the reader to mentally move to the first century and witness Boudica lead an heroic, yet ultimately tragic uprising against her people's Roman oppressors.
I read the book once for the story, then again for the beauty of the prose. I recomemnd this lovely novel without reservation!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Storytelling, April 3, 2006

By 

Rosemary Agonito (Syracuse, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boudica: Queen of the Iceni (Hardcover)

Boudica: Queen of the Iceni is the product of a master storyteller. The book opens with a charming look at Boudica as a child; then one scene after another seduces the reader to want more. Joseph Roesch excels at writing descriptions so vivid the reader feels the mist in the glen, shudders against the driving snow and is blinded by the thick fog. His picture of the brutality of unchecked power is breathtaking. The book is an inspiring look at a people struggling to be free, told without sentimentality, yet with great passion. What a fantastic story. It really was hard to put the book down.