Customer Reviews

Masada: A novel of love, courage and the triumph of the human spirit

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When I found "Masada" in an used-books store, I'd never heard of Ernest Gann. Being a fan of historical fiction, and because the main subject of the book interested me, I bought it. When I got home, I browsed the net and found out Ernest Gann had been a very prolific writer and adventurer until his death in 1991. Apart from being a writer, he had been an aviator, a sailsman and an artist, and had accomplished many things in his life. Most of his books deal with aviation and non-fiction, and many of them have been transformed into movies, like "Soldier of fortune" and "Fate is the hunter".

"Masada" is one of Gann's fiction books. In Judea, 70DC, the only piece of land the romans have not conquered is the table-like rock-formation called Masada. In it, for the past three years a group of a thousand-odd rebellious jews have refused to become roman slaves and defy the mighty army of Emperor Vespasianus.
Based on true events, the book narrates the last few days of the rebellion, when the roman army only awaits the last moments of building a huge, incredible ramp that will lead them to the gates of the jewish stronghold. "Masada" concentrates on three main characters: Silva, the roman general in charge of the local army, Eleazar, the jewish rebellious leader, and Sheba, the jewess who is Silva's lover.

Silva, an ugly, limping man, has been in the desert for three years and his only thoughts concern placating Emperor Vespasian's urgent requests that he delivers Roman Judea from the shame of having a piece of unconquered land. He has to deal with whispered commentaries within his own army concerning his competence, his love for the wine and, worst of all, his love for an outcast woman. Eleazar is the strong jew leader, thorn between despair of having not much else to do to hold the romans back and the shame of not being able to know certainly what to do. And Sheba is the jewess divided between the struggle of her own people and her love for the hated roman general Silva.

Gann's book is not long (315 pages), and the chapters are fast-paced, even if Gann always and at lenght displays what his characters are thinking. Silva, Eleazar and Sheba are very well developed and credible as characters. The outcome of the book is great. "Masada" was a good surprise for me and should be for all those who like good historical fiction.

Grade 8.6/10

The last stand of the Jewish patriotic freedom fighters at Masada occupies a special place in the hearts of the people of Israel.
It was here that 960 Jewish refugees from the Roman destruction of Jerusalem, set up a fortress and for three years fought off the might of Imperial Rome.
Every year the swearing-in ceremony of soldiers who have completed their Tironut (IDF basic training) takes place on top of Masada. The ceremony ends with the declaration: "Masada shall not fall again." The soldiers climb the Snake Path at night and are sworn in with torches lighting the background This is a reference to the Jewish revolt in 70 CE, where the Jewish fighters and their families committed suicide, leading to the fall of the fort to the Romans.

A compelling and fast read, most of the book focuses on three figures, the Roman general Flavius Silva, procurator of Roman occupied-Judea, his beautiful Jewish
concubine, Sheva and the leader of the Israeli freedom fighters Eliezer Ben Yair.
While less was written of the Jewish resistance than I would have liked, and much on the Roman politics and interrelationships, Gann has always never departed far from the documented facts.

when Masada could not longer be held by the Jews, the defenders decided to kill themselves together with their families rather than face the cruelties which would be inflicted on them by their Roiman conquerors. For the three years of trouble that the Jews gave in resisting Rome, Eliezer knew that the Romans would capture as many men as possible so the father could be tortured to death in front of the son, the children of those Jews who had defied Roman hegemony would be raised on spears so that the seed of those stubborn Jews who held so fiercely onto their land would not be allowed to ever flourish again. The Jewish women would be raped until their bodies were torn apart.
And well the Jews know that if they ever submit to Arab hegemony which they have defied for sixty years and more, these horrors will be visited on the entire Jewish population of Israel
It is this final act of defiance that will bring tears to your eyes.
This is ultimately a book about the resilience of the Jewish people on their ancient soil of the Land of Israel.

This superbly written novel based on the siege of Masada is a novel of relationships. Relationships between friends. Relationships between enemies. Relationships of love. Flavius Silva is highly understandable and likeable. Sheva though two dimensional is understandable in her conflicts.

Fine drama. Extremely well written. A joy to read.

They Were All Captives of Masada...

Masada... The Great Rock. The high fortress in a hard place of torching sun - where the rebel Jews take their last stand against Caesars' glittering legions...

ELEAZAR - the proud young zealot who led his people through the wilderness to Masada - and a mad promise of freedom - if only to die...

SILVA - The Roman General. Polished, sensual, commanding - it was his destiny to take Masada and to meet Eleazar, his blood enemy, on the hill...

SHEVA - The exotic Jewess, enslaved by General Silva's passion. To love him, she must betray her own ancient heritage...

MASADA