Customer Reviews

Dawn of Empire LP

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Great story. This was one of those books where you cant wait to have time to keep reading more. I just finished this novel and I am gonna pass the book on to a friend who I have already talked it up to. Ive been reading mostly historical fiction lately: Manfredi, Pressfield, Ford. When I saw this novel was about ancient Mesopotamia I bought it because I think that time period is very interesting, and the authors basic plot only made it more so. I wasnt disappointed in what I found. Plenty of action, intrigue and great characters, details on what life may have been like at that time, plus some intelligent ideas on what it takes to be a good leader and motivator of people. I also thought this book was well researched, though I think the author obviously had to stretch or guess on some things since there isnt much recorded history from that far back in time. The real work here for the author was in tying all the pieces together to create a believable setting and plot, while still writing a good story that kept the readers attention. I think he succeeded at it. One way I judge a book is how long it takes me to go back to it once I put it down. A book that I dont go back to quickly when I have the chance, or that I dont have that urge in the back of my mind to make time for, fails. This book I did have that urge to go back to, and I found myself making time to finish. That to me is a successful story.

Trella was really a surprise. My girlfriend has no interest in books like this, but I am trying to get her to read it because I think she would like that character very much and Id like it if we had something more to talk about. In some ways she kinda stole the show in parts but in a good way. I liked how her characters beauty was more her intelligence than her body and how that was what impressed those around her. She didnt pull a Cleopatra by trying to seduce people to manipulate them which was what I would have expected. She was a strong character without behaving in a masculine or trampy way. As a nobleman's daughter in Sumeria, her father had taught her how to be an intelligent wife to a chieftain and her relationship with Eskkar gave her the chance to put these lessons to good use, even if the death of her family had led to her being made a slave just before they met. Eskkar was already a natural warrior and leader, but she gave him the extra insight he needed to truly grow into his role.

I liked it that the author spent a good amount of time detailing the defenders planning. This made me get more into the story because instead of just writing about them building a wall, he went into the thoughts behind their plans. Those who read military history would recognize many of the basic leadership and strategy ideas the author went into, and he connected them together in the right way. These people are in the early bronze age so they didnt know all of the answers already, instead they were learning as they went. So its mostly them using their common sense to apply things they had already learned in new ways to build a defense that hadnt really been attempted before. Different minds and talents who mostly had nothing to do with war being turned to a new idea and working together to solve the problem. The author also made good use of these conversations to not only detail plans for the city and its defense, but also explain aspects of life during that timeperiod. A much smoother blending of story and facts than some writers take.

The last like hundred and fifty pages of the book is the siege. Not nonstop fighting which would be crazy, but the assaults on the walls mixed with the drama of waiting between attacks, preparing for the next assault and dealing with plots and betrayal within the city itself. A lot happens in this story. This novel isnt dry historical fiction, it has the qualities of an adventure.

Someone made a comment about the book being too long. I think thats just a matter of opinion. I like long books and long movies, so long as the story keeps my attention. So I didnt have a problem with the length of the novel, but I know other people may feel differently. This book is near 500 pages long. Ive read 250 page books that have felt much longer than this one, all because the story wasnt written well and didnt move. For me the length of a book is how long it takes me to read it, and if reading it is enjoyment or a job Im trying to get done with. Reading this didnt feel like a chore.

I was almost turned off to the book by the negative post a reviewer made here which says the book's history lacked evidence of research. I saw the book's author had replied to him here which surprised me so I read more about it here and then on my own. I looked up the things that he complained about in an online encyclopedia and some books I have. Whats wrong is that the reviewer only read 3 chapters of the book which is like 50 pages. He makes assumptions based on the little he read and he is way off. Some of what he says is actually historically incorrect, but the rest is just his confusion since he didnt read the book.

I took the time to look up the details about what he said so I want to write something about that here since it might help others. The information is easy to find and prove on the internet even. 1- There is nothing wrong with the horsemen having lances or the author calling them that. A lance is just another word for a spear type weapon used by someone on a horse. They have been used since people first rode horses and were probably the first weapons used from horseback. 2- There were nomadic tribes who were both herders and raiders way before the Huns and Mongols, and I dont know why he is confusing the nomads in the book with them anyway. Its like comparing a single apple to a whole huge orange grove. Mongol-type raiders are way later and much different. 3- The nomads in the novel didnt survive totally on plunder. They were hunters, herders, and raiders, just like many tribesmen in history. 4- Early swords date to ancient Sumeria which is just south of the book's city, and the ones mentioned in the story werent the main weapons used anyway. It was bows and spears, and rocks from the walls. 5- Trella wasnt born a slave, she was free through her childhood and was educated during that time. She was born to an important family and educated fittingly. 6- Cunieform writing existed in ancient Sumeria at this time, and this is where Trella was born and raised.

Another reviewer said this was the kinda tale that makes you want to go learn more about the peoples that inspired the book. Hes right, thats just what I did. Lot of interesting things Im finding out but this isnt the place for that.

This was a much better told story than a lot of the historical fiction I have read, which usually turns out dry and unevenly paced. Not all historians are good story tellers, no matter how much they know about their subject. Its not the absolute best book Ive ever read in my entire life, but I liked it very much and I would definitely recommend it. I wish other authors would try writing about very early time periods like this one too.

Publishers Weekly has the date wrong. The story starts at 3,158 BC, not 2,500 BC.

I really enjoyed this book. I stumbled on it at the bookstore and bought it after reading the jacket. The author hooked me into the lead character (Eskkar) and the reader gets to see his progression from just a warrior who puts his trust in brute force to a leader of a future city who puts his trust in intellect and wisdom. One of the more interesting parts is learning (along with Eskkar) about the "glue" of civilization - namely agriculture and how everything in civilization springs from surplus food supplies: math, writing, money, and trade. Moreover, the author shows how so little has changed across the many centuries with political maneuvering and literal back-stabbing.

The lead-up to the battle with the barbarians is very exciting and while the outcome is somewhat predictable the means to that end are not - in fact, I couldn't put the book down as the final battle materialized.

One can see how these types of warring themes undoubtedly occurred in ancient agricultural-based communities with their nomadic neighbors and unlike a boring documentary on the History Channel the author makes learning about the rise of walled cities time well spent.

Isn't it so true that the the ability to survive as a people or a nation is essentially decided by how efficiently you can kill those that threaten you and your way of life?

Well done.

What an awesome book! I lost quite a few hours of sleep staying up late to read this book--truly couldn't put it down. Supposedly, there's a sequel in the works. It won't be released soon enough for me. In fact, the minute I finished this book, I started reading it again.

The struggle of two disparate cultures, both trying to survive, is shown through the eyes of the two leaders. Thutmose-sin is the leader of the barbarians--ruthless, arrogant, and born to lead. Then there's Eskkar, himself a barbarian, a lowly soldier in the village of Orak. With the barbarians about to attack the village, Eskkar the quintessential anti-hero, with the help of his slave/wife Trella--herself raised to be a leader--rallies the villagers in an attempt to thwart the attack. They build a wall, the first walled city.

Of course, they succeed. Come on, if you studied ancient history at all, you know that. Even if you didn't, duh. Unlike the Clan of the Cave Bear series by Jean Auel, which I also loved, this book didn't ramble on and on for pages about native flora and the sex life of the mammoth. It had lots of well-researched details about construction techniques, tribal customs, farming, weapons, and the day-to-day life of that era, but it was never boring. Even knowing the people of Orak would eventually win, I couldn't stop turning the pages to see how they did it.

I completely neglected my house, my work, and my family to read this book. It took me two days to read it, and it's close to 500 pages, not counting all the historical notes at the end. I haven't finished a book that fast since The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown. Guys will love this book--it's gory and full of action. Girls will love this book, too, for the love story between Eskkar and Trella. She's the real hero of the story! Either way--action or romance--this was a wonderful book.

WOW! Excellent historical novel - and ought to come with a warning label - you'll find this intricate, fast-paced, well-written and heroic Bronze Age story fascinatingly addictive!

I sat down around 10:00 pm with this excellent book the day I received it, just to read a few pages before I went to bed. The next time I looked at my watch it was 2:00 am! I reluctantly went to bed because I was so tired, I kept dropping the book. Fortunately, I was off work the next day. Up early with a cup of coffee in hand I plunged back in -and 480 plus pages later - I'm looking for the sequel.

You mean I have to wait until January 2007??? Rats!!!

"Dawn of Empire" introduces a wide range of interesting and diverse characters, as well as both emerging and declining cultures. The Bronze Age itself was a time when radical changes were taking place in how people defined themselves - farmer, blacksmith, soldier, town dweller or nomad and Sam Barone has created an intricate and believable story about the inevitable conflicts.

"Dawn of Empire" is well-written, flows fairly seamlessly, and has just been pushed to the top of my Recommended Reading List. And at least 2 lucky people on my Christmas list will be given a copy as soon as it comes out in hardback.

One word to sum up Dawn of Empire: Epic. I have always been a fan of historical fiction, but I was a little unsure about this one because it is such early history. My fears were laid to rest by page 2! This is a wonderful, exciting, fast-paced, intricate novel that will take readers back to the Bronze Age!

Every so many years, the barbarians of the Steppes descend on the towns of the river valley, but this time the citizens of Orak are looking for someone to save them. Eskkar, an exiled barbarian who lives in Orak has an idea for how to protect the town, and make it impervious to the marauders. But, does he have the time? And also, will the established elites of Orak allow him to make the sweeping changes that will be necessary?

As a student of ancient Mesopotamia, I am always on the look out for fiction set there, so I was very glad when this book fell into my hands. Overall, I found this to be a very interesting book. The subject is interesting, and I liked the way that the author handled the events within the city.

Now, it must be admitted that the book has some really odd anachronisms - coins (not invented yet, the ancients used jewelry and metal bits like hack silver), odd names (Thutmose-Sin (an Egyptian name with an Akkadian suffix?), Nestor, Subutai, etc.), the idea that the Sumerians and Akkadians spoke the same language but used different symbols for writing (the opposite was true), and so forth. Plus, where are the priests and temples that dominated Mesopotamian culture at the time?

But, that said, this is a wonderfully entertaining book. The author does a good job of telling an interesting and compelling story. I really enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it!

[By the way, if you want to read a book that does an excellent job of portraying Mesopotamian culture, then read The Three Brothers of Ur by Jennifer Grace Fyson.]

I love historical fiction, but wanted a change from Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and saw this potential gem and thought it had a promising angle being set in 3158BC. I must say it turned into a thoroughly enjoyable read. There are some novels you can gauge as having an impact on your psyche by virtue of the way they leave you wanting more when you finish them and put them back on the shelf. This is one of those.

It takes place at a turning point in our history where settlers (farmers, villagers etc) choose to make a stand against the roaming hordes of nomadic raiders. Always the outcome is defeat. The raiders in having the fighting power. The settlers always at their mercy. But this time its different. The village of Orac with 5 months of advance warning and the right man (Eskkar) to lead them will raise an army and a wall and with the right preparation - it hopes to succeed where no village has succeeded before - defeat the Alur Mereki tribesman. Eskkar is unique in the village in that he was born an Alur Mereki though his family fell out of favour and he survived to later seek revenge. This conflict gives him the chance to shrug off his "Barbarian" cloak and gain power and respect from the people of Orak who previously shunned him. When the Noble "Nicar" gives him the gift of a slave girl called "Trella", Eskkar finds a most worthy and intellectual partner to assist him in organising both his battle plans and his status among the people to a point where his future as their leader can become a reality.

The book has it all. Its splendidly researched. Well thought out, never a dull patch, Sam Barone paints with words so you feel you see the world he describes such is his elegant prose. His characters are memorable and you feel they are living and breathing beings as you read and follow their lives and not shallow representations of what people at that time would have been. Theres politics, power broking, the need to motivate others through fear, favour or reward, backstabbing, loyalty, action, revenge, honor, love etc etc.

The dialogue is flowing and the interaction between characters inspiring...theres humor, wisdom, doubt, everything that you would expect be it from a Barbarian warrior or those of the village of Orac as their moment of calling approaches. You will love the characters and feel the emotion of that culminates into the final battle where each man and woman depends on the other to survive.

If only our own leaders were as wise and efficient as Eskkar and Trella.

Did I find any flaws? Some reviewers say the plot leads the reader to know early on who the likely outcome wil favour. My answer..so what! I read Cleopatras Memoirs by Margaret George (all 1000 pages) and I knew she would commit suicide by Asp in the end but it was the quality of the writing that made me read it till the end. Loved that book still. Loved this book also. And its not just about building a wall in time to save your village from roaming Barbarian hordes - its much richer and complex a story than that.

Absolutely terriffic story. Highly recommended. Thanks Mr Barone - its a great novel let alone great Debut.

I read this book this past week while travelling back and forth cross country. It is an excellent book for such a journey; it absolutely makes the time fly by. I agree totally with the gist of the comments given below, so won't repeat them. My wife is in three women's book clubs. When I mentioned it yesterday on my return, she balked due to the perceived violence. And, the Prologue could drive away a woman, I suppose. That's unfortunate. The character Trella, truly the main character in this novel, is quite the Bronze Age feminist and the relationship she and Eskkar establish is one with which any woman would find worth the read. I'll see if I can get my wife to agree to read 50 or 60 pages. She might just find it as enjoyable as I. Looking forward to that sequel.

I had my doubts, as I am not a violence or historical fiction lover. But the characters come to life quickly and the vivid, fascinating detail of a time forgotten is so exciting, I felt I was there. Highly recommend it.

To write well grounded historical fiction set in 3158 BCE seems to me to be a prodigious effort. The accuracy of historical "fact" is always questionable, and to bring it off so well is superb. This is the story of the earliest city dwellers who organized to resist the marauders who regularly preyed upon them. The whole thing really works well! Characters are well drawn and the backgounding is spectacularly realistic: we get a real sense of insight as to how people live "back in the day". Yet the action scenes are as well crafted as the the characters, all of whom are quite believeable. I could not put this one down! Mr Barone is supposed to be "hard at work" on a sequel, and I hope he is! It's already on my list.