Eager for Glory: The Untold Story of Drusus the Elder, Conqueror of Germania [Hardcover]

Lindsay Powell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2011

"Drusus the Elder, illuminated at last in this the first biography of an important personality from the beginnings of Rome's empire and for which Lindsay is to be congratulated."
-- Graham Sumner, co-author Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier

Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus (Drusus the Elder) was regarded by the Romans as the first conqueror of Germania (The Netherlands and Germany) and a hero in the mold of Alexander the Great. Yet there has never been a full volume dedicated to his remarkable story, achievements and legacy. EAGER FOR GLORY brings this heroic figure back to life for a modern audience.

Drusus was a stepson of Augustus, through his marriage to Livia. As a military commander he led daring campaigns by sea and land that pushed the northern frontiers of Rome's empire to the Elbe River. He oversaw one of the largest developments of military infrastructure of the age. He married Marc Antony's daughter, Antonia, and fathered Germanicus, Rome's most popular general, and the future emperor Claudius. He was grandfather of Caligula. He died when he was only 29 and was revered in death.

Drawing on ancient texts, evidence from inscriptions and coins, the latest findings in archaeology, as well as astronomy and medical science, Lindsay Powell has produced a long overdue and definitive account of this great Roman.

Renowned author and illustrator Graham Sumner writes in the foreword to EAGER FOR GLORY, "Lindsay has produced a highly entertaining, thoughtful and readable account of a great Roman, which I am sure will be a treasured work on any Roman enthusiast's bookshelf". This ground-breaking book will appeal to all interested in ancient world history, biography, military history and adventure stories, and will be of particular interest to those studying classics in academia, Roman period re-enactment and numismatics.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lindsay Powell is a historian, media communications professional and writer who has a passion for the military history of the Roman Empire. A graduate of The University of Aston in Birmingham, England, he is a veteran of renowned The Ermine Street Guard re-enactment society. He is a regular feature writer and podcaster for Ancient Warfare and has written for Military Heritage magazine.

Lindsay is currently working on a new book for Pen and Sword about Drusus the Elder's son, and Rome's most popular general, Germanicus.

He divides his time between Austin, Texas and Wokingham, England.

Visit him at lindsay-powell.com/

Product Details

• Hardcover: 226 pages
• Publisher: Pen and Sword (July 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184884333X
• ISBN-13: 978-1848843332
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #288,980 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

LINDSAY POWELL is fascinated by the under-reported personalities and events of history and believes their stories deserve to be told if our knowledge of the past is to be complete. He is a historian, media communications professional and writer who has a passion for the military history of the Roman Empire. A graduate of The University of Aston in Birmingham, England, he is a veteran of renowned The Ermine Street Guard re-enactment society. He is a member of the Archaeological Institute of America and the Classical Association of the UK. A regular feature writer and podcaster for Ancient Warfare, Lindsay has also written for Military Heritage magazine.

He began writing EAGER FOR GLORY when researching the Battle of Teutoburg, AD9, and learned of the critical role Nero Claudius Drusus (Drusus the Elder) played in establishing the Romans' presence in Germania Magna. He was astonished to find there was no book about him. EAGER FOR GLORY: The Untold Story of Drusus the Elder, Conqueror or Germania is the book he had hoped to find. "I think readers will be very surprised," he says, "at how important this relative of Augustus was in the formation of the early Roman Empire. He was a successful military commander, a gifted governor, a daring explorer, and a monumental builder. He was a loving husband and father, and a man admired by friend and foe alike. In this book I hope to have restored him to his rightful place in the eventful story of Ancient Rome".

Lindsay is currently working on a new book for Pen and Sword about Drusus the Elder's son, and Rome's most popular general, Germanicus.

Connections between the present and the past also fascinate him. Combining a researcher's skill at finding unexpected connections in everyday events and a historian's knowledge of source material, in ALL THINGS UNDER THE SUN: How Modern Ideas are Really Ancient, Lindsay takes a clear eyed and often witty look at modern times through the longer perspective of ancient history and reveals that, as the old adage goes, 'all things under the Sun, there's nothing new'. "Human societies have faced many of the same problems before," says Lindsay, "and if we're smart, we'll learn from the Past and pick the solutions that worked - and avoid those that didn't."

Visit him at http://www.lindsay-powell.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eager For Glory, Biography. Drusus the Elder, July 30, 2011

By 

GySgt Red Millis USMC (ret) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eager for Glory: The Untold Story of Drusus the Elder, Conqueror of Germania (Hardcover)

I received my copy of this work and within a short time discovered to my immense pleasure, that I actually had two superior works in one volume!

While the title and primary subject of the work is of course the first comprehensive biography written on Drusus The Elder, the bonus contained between its covers is that the author, Lindsay Powell, has also included a very good historical account of not only the subject, but his times, culture and associated events connected to him!

This dual representation makes this work even more valuable for historians or even those with a casual interest in the period.

The author's style is light, comprehensive and immensely readable making both works I have read by him serious "shelf keepers".

This work deserves a five star rating and is highly recommended.

GySgt D.A. "Red" Millis II USMC (ret) Curator, Marine Corps Legacy Museum

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A work of considerable research., July 31, 2011

By 

Ned Middleton (British professional underwater photo-journalist & author) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Eager for Glory: The Untold Story of Drusus the Elder, Conqueror of Germania (Hardcover)

There are names from history which always spring readily to mind - even if we may not correctly remember the relevant dates or deeds - Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Attila the Hun and so forth. In all my years of hearing such names in whatever context, I have never previously heard of Drusus the Elder. On reading this book, two thoughts occurred to me. The first is that I really do not understand why his name is not as widely known as any other from ancient history. Certainly his achievements are worthy of such acclaim. My second is that, somehow, I rather fancy I will be hearing his name again and again in coming years now that this important job of research is published.

Drusus the Elder. You heard it first here - in this book!!!

Described as the "... most important Roman who has not been written about - until now", Drusus was stepson of Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, through marriage. His exploits included successful, and very daring, military campaigns by land and sea which expanded the Roman Empire as far as the River Elbe in Germany and supervising one of the largest military infrastructure developments of the time. He even married Marc Antony's daughter Antonia with whom he fathered the Emperor Claudius and Germanicus who became Rome's most popular general.

And yet, he somehow remained a footnote to the many historical documents which testified to his achievements and greatness. To me that is something akin to reading a potted history of WW2 where Churchill is only mentioned right at the very end - as an afterthought - you know - "and he was also involved!"

As an historian who spends countless hours immersed in research, I am able to recognise dedicated investigation wherever I see it. This book is an absolute triumph of such hard work and I congratulate the author on his investigative prowess. Having said that, I did find the style rather difficult to get into. The writing is somewhat hard going and lacks relaxation. Nevertheless, that should not prevent anyone from enjoying the exploits of one of the most important and overlooked Romans of all time.

NM

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The `must have' book on a real Roman hero, July 31, 2011

By 

STJAustin "Sonia St. James" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eager for Glory: The Untold Story of Drusus the Elder, Conqueror of Germania (Hardcover)

I was drawn to this book because it promised to tell an untold story. And what a story it turned out to be! The Romans considered Nero Claudius Drusus one of their all-time greats, and reading this book you can see why. Lindsay Powell brings evidence from the ancient world and pieces together the story of this little known Roman's life. The book is brim full of information about Drusus' life and times. The author seems to have meticulously researched his topic and it shows because the book is crisply written and easy to read. I especially liked maps that really help to bring the story to life.

It's wonderful to be able to read about a real flesh-and-blood Roman hero, rediscovered and vividly brought back to life. Between the antics of the Roman imperial family, the politics, great building projects, the adventure, two wars, a medical mystery (which he solves) - even a ghost makes an appearance - it's a great non-fiction story and 'must have' book!