Customer Reviews

Imperial Governor: The Great Novel of Boudicca's Revolt (Cassell Military Paperbacks)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Among the many statues of national heroes in London is one of Boudicca, the Queen of the Iceni (a Celtic tribe) who led a major revolt against the Roman occupiers in 61 AD. The event is usually portrayed as some sort of national uprising, which it was not: the Celtic Britons were intensely tribal and many of the victims of the revolt were Britons who belonged to other tribes. But it remains embedded in British national consciousness.
This highly detailed and well-written novel purports to be the memoir of Suetonius Paulinus, the Roman general who finally - and against huge odds, given the military resources at his disposal - crushed the uprising. It gets inside his mind, which is a fascinating, if chilly place. Suetonius is the consummate professional soldier and he succeeds because of his professionalism and his refusal to panic when all seems lost. But he has no respect for the people he has been sent from distant Rome to govern, and as events proceed this develops into a blind hatred for the rebels. This brings him into dispute with his political masters in Rome, who want a quick "reconstruction", and causes his downfall.
The account of life in the Roman army, how it worked (and conquered almost all its foes in the process), and of the mind set of its commanders is absolutely gripping. The author takes you back to a totally different time, a different society, a different way of thinking, and immerses you.
I first read this book some thirty years ago. When it was reprinted I went back to it and think I have gained even more from it now. If you are interested in the ancient world, this is a must-read.

I first read a library copy of George Shipways Imperial Governor shortly after it was published in 1968. I've reread it twice since, books checked out a decade apart from libraries half a continent apart. With the passing years, the novel has become increasingly elusive. Its reissue in a new paperback edition is a service to all readers of historical fiction.
Imperial Governor is a non-New Age, non-Wicca, and non-feminist novel of Boudiccas great revolt in 61 A. D. (in other words, it is historically accurate and does not view the Iceni as lovable proto-hippies). The novel is extremely well written. It is, roughly speaking, an autobiographical history of the revolt as seen by Suetonius Paulinus, the Roman governor and brilliant general whose army  outnumbered more than ten to one  crunched the tribal armies of Queen Boudicca into pieces.
The depiction of barely conquered Roman Britain circa 60 AD is by itself worth the price of the novel. When I bought this paperback version I felt (echoing an earlier reviewer) as if Id made contact again with an old and valued friend.
The portrait of Paulinus is absorbing, not least because he is a Roman of the Old School and so his personality is on the chilly side. Our narrator can be likeable and amusing and is certainly brave and efficient, but he is also ruthless, demanding and vindictive. The general is a just man, at least by his own lights, but not merciful. He is often -- without regret -- brutal. In Britain to conquer and rule, Paulinus is incapable of seeing rebellious Britons as anything but destructive savages. As governor he dominates this novel but is not exactly its hero. Nor is he meant to be.
Separated from us by nearly 2,000 years, naturally Paulinuss values, amusements and ethics are different from our own. That this makes him a man with whom modern readers are not always comfortable adds realism to his story. Shipway neither softens Paulinus nor apologizes for him, one of the strengths of this fine, subtle novel.
Imperial Governor has a decidedly downbeat but appropriate conclusion. Although Paulinus has led his army to a string of shattering victories, he leaves the island a failure. He has won Rome glory but not gold; his triumphant army is viewed as an economic liability. His future in the capital is bleak and perilous; his recall a sign that the expansionist Rome of the Republic and early Empire has irretrievably changed.
Cold and harsh he may be, but S. Paulinus is vigorous and competent as well. I could not help but think that this ancient Roman's methods would, in one way, be a solution to America's current troubles in a disintegrating Iraq, offensive as they would be to contemporary morality. The oil would be flowing again in no time, but the price would be Iraqi casualities in the millions. The Romans inflicted comparable casualities, given the difference in populations, in subduing Boudicca's revolt and during the retribution that followed.
Paulinus is a first-rate imperial governor, with all that the adjective "imperial" implies. The book suggests that his is the only successful model for expanding imperial states to follow. Of course, Shipway's many-sided novel also shows the many costs, overt and hidden, of imperial rule. Perhaps the general, or at least the situation he faces, may have more in common with contemporary America than I thought.
Read this excellent book. Decide for yourself.
A final note: readers who enjoy Imperial Governor should make it a point to read Wallace Breem's neglected masterpiece Eagle in the Snow. They'll find it a treat, the kind of historical novel one dreams about stumbling upon but hardly ever does. Taken together, the two works are bookends for Roman involvement in Britain, with the first taking place shortly after the original conquest and the latter set three and a half centuries later as the last Roman military presence in the island is being removed.

Among the many statues of national heroes in London is one of Boudicca, the Queen of the Iceni (a Celtic tribe) who led a major revolt against the Roman occupiers in 61 AD. The event is usually portrayed as some sort of national uprising, which it was not: the Celtic Britons were intensely tribal and many of the victims of the revolt were Britons who belonged to other tribes. But it remains embedded in British national consciousness.
This highly detailed and well-written novel purports to be the memoir of Suetonius Paulinus, the Roman general who finally - and against huge odds, given the military resources at his disposal - crushed the uprising. It gets inside his mind, which is a fascinating, if chilly place. Suetonius is the consummate professional soldier and he succeeds because of his professionalism and his refusal to panic when all seems lost. But he has no respect for the people he has been sent from distant Rome to govern, and as events proceed this develops into a blind hatred for the rebels. This brings him into dispute with his political masters in Rome, who want a quick "reconstruction", and causes his downfall.
The account of life in the Roman army, how it worked (and conquered almost all its foes in the process), and of the mind set of its commanders is absolutely gripping. The author takes you back to a totally different time, a different society, a different way of thinking, and immerses you.
I first read this book some thirty years ago. When it was reprinted I went back to it and think I have gained even more from it now. If you are interested in the ancient world, this is a must-read.

Anyone interested in military history or Roman history will undoubtedly love this wonderful book. I savored every minute I spent reading it, and I wish there were other similar books written by the author that were available. This is one of those books I intend to keep and re-read every 5-10 years.

In my opinion, this is a significantly better novel than _Under the Eagle_, and it is even a more satisfying story than _Eagle in the Snow_, although _Imperial Governor_ and _Eagle in the Snow_ are both very well written and will satisfy those looking for a literate story.

Imperial Governor is the fictionalized story (based on true historical events) of the Roman governor of Britain, Suetonius Paulinus, who must deal with a revolt of the native Britains lead by Queen Boudicca, who nearly succeed in driving the Romans from Britain. The details of the military strategy he employs are fascinating, although someone with no interest in these matters would probably find it boring in parts. The story contains many other matters of the Roman colony besides the military campaigns, but this is really the heart of the story.

Don't miss this great read.

I first read this book as a young private stationed in the US Canal Zone back in 1979. The dust cover picture of a gladuis stuck in waving beach grass as always struck me as one of the most powerful book covers I've ever seen. Despite the fact this book was written decades ago, most of the militaria/Roman history has stood the test of time. I read it in less then a day, it flowed so fast. What a movie this would make! The Governor stood out as the hardened leader on the outskrts of Empire. The background just glowed with detail....Then there was the situation, few resources and a brewing war...kind of like our situation in the Philipines in 1941 except we weren't as lucky with our choice of viceroy (MacArthur)

There are plenty of reviews dealing with the plotline; so, if it's o.k., I'm mainly going to deal with my impression of the book . . .

"Imperial Governor" is one of the better historical novels I've read. If you like your reading to be seamless, entertaining, as close to a "page turner" as possible AND chock full of factual history, then this is a very good book for you to pick up. The story deals with Rome's occupation of Britain, or at least the few years involving Paulinius' reign as governor, which spans Boudicca's revolt. The perspective is definitely that of the Roman, particularly Paulinius. Nothing wrong with that, but if you are looking for something more from the side of Britain or Boudicca, keep looking (but don't fail to read this too.)

Well written, vastly entertaining, and enlightening . . . If you're into history in general or Roman in particular, get this book.

If you want more on the occupation of Britain, you might also look at "Island of Ghosts" by Gillian Bradshaw . . .

I will agree with a previous review (except for the number of stars, 5 instead of 2): This book covers a fascinating period in British history. "Unfortunately, the prose is dry as toast and the characters -- arguably the most important figures in British history -- remain ciphers."

Now this is what makes this book interesting. Mr Shipway's attention to detail and historical backround accuracy are second-to-none. Simply excellent historical fiction.

It basically describes the difficulty of managing a province during the Roman Empire, and the usual dilemnas fo the manager (colelcting data, assessing options, taking decisions, planning, assigning tasks, etc) are well described. The book could have been a bit more developped (the spying opeartions are mentioned repeatedly but without details)

If you are looking for romance, story-telling and well developed characters you can empathize with, do not bother. But if you an intelligent reading that shows you how the Roman bureaucracy worked, then this is a good book.
(Do not get me wrong, sometimes I like to empathize with characters).

One weakness though regarding navy operations and battle description: No way 5,000 Legionaries can charge 50,000+ Britons and rout them without being encircled. In the real battle, the Legion first withstood the onslaught and then steadily ran down their less armored and less disciplined opponent.

One final word: the main character is human and not a hero, he makes mistakes, learns from them (not always), fights back, wins sometimes not always. This is like real life, not fantasy.

I will investigate other books by this author.

This is a well considered and thought out book. The historical detail is excellent and one would have thought that it was written by Seutonius Paulinus,Governor of Britain reincarnate. The author leaves nothing to chance and the military decisions are probably what the Governor would have made himself with the set of circumstaces presented.

I read this book decades ago and spent 20 years trying to
obtain a hardcover copy. Now I can buy two paperback copies and wear them out! It blows away almost every other
historical novel I'ver ever read - once read, never forgotten!
Buy this book and read it immediately!

A good historical novel not encumbered with inaccurate information. Not for those seeking Historical romance but decent military history about an era in time