Customer Reviews

Memnon

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

... because I was at a lost there for a little while trying to find a good historical-fiction novel to read. I read 'Men of Bronze' and really enjoyed it. Enough time had passed between me reading his first work, and I NEEDED something good to read.

I was in a reading funk and needed to get back to my favorite genre with one heck of a read! Insert 'Memnon'. Memnon is soldier in the Great Kings army who fights, bleeds, kills, and destroys his way up the ranks. Through the course of his life he fights a lot of leaders and kings, but his greatest adversary is the great Alexander.

History knows the havoc that Alexander the Great wrought on the world so you wonder how Memnon will fare and you have mixed feelings on who you "root" for. Alexander was a military genius but you grow to love and respect Memnon. This is a read that has what it should have in it. Brutality, honor, bloody, with a moving plot that really moves. There are a few but very small slow parts.

Recommended highly for fans of this genre and for those interested in this genre.

Being of Greek descent and having been born and raised on the Island of Rhodes, Memnon dreams that he will become the equal of his hero Achilles. However, when his father was beheaded during an uprising, Memnon fled his hometown barely escaping with his life. He becomes a mercenary for hire joining the militia of a Persian provincial governor as a lieutenant.

He quickly realizes emulating his hero Achilles is not his fortitude, as he proves an able military strategist. When Alexander invades Asia Minor, Persian King Darius III hires Memnon as a general officer to defeat his foe and repel them back to Macedonia. The ensuring battle makes one of these fierce leaders a name for the ages and the other a footnote buried in encyclopedia.

MEMNON is a superb ancient biographical fiction novel of a leading figure of the fourth century BCE who fought against Alexander and obviously lost as he became the footnote while his opponent became one of the Greats. The story line is action-packed yet provides the audience a deep look into Aristotle's Greece, Alexander's Macedonian Empire, and Darius' Persia. Though confessing that he was forced to "have taken spectacular liberties" to fill the holes in the historical record, Scott Oden, as he did with the powerful MEN OF BRONZE, provides a fantastic fascinating ancient historical tale focusing on the exploits of Alexander's most capable opponent whose scorched earth advice on preventing the invaders from a sure win was rejected.

Harriet Klausner

Nice book, but it needs a map! Especially since some names are archaic and not found in a modern atlas.

Scott Oden was born in 1967 in Columbus, Indiana, and raised in rural North Alabama where he still lives. He has had a fascination with Egypt and the ancient world since boyhood. He studied history and English at the University of Alabama before pursuing a number of jobs. His first novel was the acclaimed Men of Bronze.

Memnon of Rhodes was born in 375 BC and rose from humble beginning to become one of the most feared and respected men in the known world. Many kings bowed before him and those that didn't feared what he might do. He was both a soldier and a sailor. He was a great general and his grasp of strategy was second to none.

To Darius III of Persian he was the one man capable of defending Asia Minor from the rising threat of the Macedonians Over many battles Memnon proved his worth over and over again. No gold and plunder for him. Everything he did was from a sense of loyalty and duty.

The life of Memnon is told through the eyes of a mysterious woman, confined to her death bed. It is a story of a man's triumphs, his loves and the tragedies in his life. It is about the determination that drove him to stand against the most famous figure of the ancient world, the young conqueror Alexander later called Alexander the Great.

It is obvious that the author has researched his subject well and the love of his subject comes through in his writing. I love books on ancient history, either fact or fiction and to use an old Yorkshire term, this one was right up my street.

I thought better than Men of Bronze. Would have been up in the 5 star range if there had of been a map included to show the various territories & cities. I would rate at 4 1/2 stars. I was unsure of the use of the term Iranians on a couple of occasions. I enjoyed the story,the detail & the descriptions of the battles. Very good

A well-written novel about an under-exposed historical figure. He was considered the only notable military commander of his time who could challenge Alexander; many have speculated that Memnon might have done more if his Persian employers had given him more authority. The author kept my attention and interest throughout a fairly lengthy story; I enjoyed it a great deal and recommend it to others who read fiction set in this era.

History, more often than not, is written by the victors. Here we get a view of how the grand conquest of the Persian Empire by Alexander the Great might have looked to the vanquished side. The point of view is that of Memnon - Alexander's ablest adversary and an interesting figure in his own right - who, alas, gets short shrift in most tellings of the story.

Scott Oden did an impressive amount of research, resulting in a convincing reconstruction of Memnon's long and chequered career. A real page-turner, a highly recommended specimen of a fine historical novel.

One small quibble: a pity there was no action set in Egypt, I'd loved to see Oden's take on that, perhaps least savoury, stage of Memnon's career. But never mind, the Macedonian scenes were an adequate compensation.

So just go out and buy the book, you wouldn't be disappointed.