Memnon [Import] [Paperback]

Scott Oden (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 688 pages
• Publisher: Bantam Books Ltd; paperback / softback edition (August 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553818953
• ISBN-13: 978-0553818956
• Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 1.7 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,757,100 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"Scott Oden was born in Columbus, Indiana, in 1967. The youngest of five, he was raised in rural North Alabama, near Huntsville, where he still resides. Scott's fascination with Egypt and the ancient world began in 1976, when his third-grade teacher showed the class slides from the traveling Tutankhamen exhibit. He studied history and English at Calhoun College and the University of Alabama before pursuing the usual variety of odd jobs--from delivering pizza to working in the bindery of a printing company to clerking at a video store. Men of Bronze is his first novel."



That's me in less than a hundred words. It's pretty concise, and it covers all the basics. But, it doesn't say anything, does it? Since you've been kind enough to visit my website, and hopefully to read one of my books, I feel I should tell you something more . . .

Did you know that, if you write a book set in the ancient world, people for whatever reason assume you're some kind of genius? The most common refrain I hear is this: "All that research! I don't know how you do it!" That skews the meaning of 'genius', if you ask me. An interest in Antiquity is no different from any other hobby or passion. The ability to breakdown and rebuild a carburetor appears as arcane to my eyes as a passion for recalling what happened in Egypt in 525 BCE might seem to others. We could argue which is the more useful skill . . .

I'm often asked why I write. The answer is simple, really. I write because I love to read. Nothing surpasses that feeling you get when you go into a bookstore and find that perfect piece of literature. Not technically perfect, mind you. But that one book that speaks to you, that tugs at your soul and draws you in with promises of warmth, love, adventure, whatever your heart's desire. Then, as you come to the end, you realize the author has kept those promises he made you. It's that connection I strive for in my own books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Memnon Wasn't African - That's a Different Story., October 19, 2006

By 

Die Morgenröte (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Memnon (Hardcover)

The "Memnon" the Reviewer named "Dazjae" is referring to in his review (see below) is not the same one found in this book. (The Review in question has since been deleted, either by the reviewer or by Amazon. I am leaving the first portion of this Review up for now though in case any others might make the same mistake.)

This book is about the historical Memnon of Rhodes (a Greek) who fought against Alexander the Great.

The Memnon that the reviewer "Dazjae" has confused this book's protagonist with is a mythical hero in a Fantasy/Sword & Sorcery series set in ancient Africa that is entitled "Shades of Memnon" - Book One being written by Gregory Walker (a series that has gotten excellent reviews). The only association here is the name being used.

Dazjae obviously didn't read Oden's "Memnon", or for that matter even the description of it presented here. Had he done so he would have avoided this mistake, avoided giving this book an unfairly bad rating and most importantly, avoided accusing this author of historical inaccuracy/dishonesty (to say the least of implying intentional "ethnic manipulation").

I'm posting primarily to offset the rating impact caused by Dazjae's mistake and to correct his error lest it unfairly hurt this book's sales (accusing an author of changing a character's ethnicity from African to White isnt exactly going to leave a good impression on potential buyers who may be unfamiliar with the subject and believe the comment).

About the book itself -

I have read both "Memnon" and Oden's earlier work "Men of Bronze." I liked the latter a little more than this one, but that doesnt mean Memnon wasnt good - it was. Its style was just as fast paced and engaging as Men of Bronze, and again showed Oden's ability to move the story with and within the history, rather than let it get bogged down by it (too many writers of historical fiction have a tendency to not know how to blend historical details into their stories without resorting to the "speed-bump" effect - sudden stops for clumsy info-narratives). The fact that Memnon provided a different angle to an era usually written from the Alexandrian perspective made it especially worth reading, since the viewpoint on this often written about ancient era was the reverse of what is normally seen. Seeing Alexander as the enemy rather than the hero put quite a different spin on things. Those interested in Alexander and this time should like this book even just for that reason alone.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reading!, January 9, 2007

By 

Candace S. Wilde "imhotep" (Michigan City, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Memnon (Hardcover)

After reading Scott Oden's "Men of Bronze", I was very impressed with his characters and writing style. "Memnon" did not disappoint me. The book was very pleasurable to read, holding interest, and followed a good historic, but fictional, line. I felt as I was transformed into an identity of that time and was participating in the story, seeing the battles first hand. "Memnon" is great reading for those of us who like ancient world studies and wish to settle back and enjoy reading a book that makes the camera roll in your mind!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Crafted Historical Fiction, November 11, 2006

By 

John G. Gleeson Sr. (Frederic, Mi USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Memnon (Hardcover)

I liked this book a lot: the writer took the minimal historical information that is available about Memnon of Rhodes and wove it into one of those wonderful epic novels that are cinema - like in scope. Everything works well: good characterization; excellent story telling and a good writing style. I enjoyed Oden's first book, "Men of Bronze" and trust that he will continue to provide readers with this type of literate, yet action packed stuff.