Legion: A Novel of the Army of Rome

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Legion (eBook) Pub. Date: 5/1/2003 Publisher: Imperium Books
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Legion: A Novel of the Army of Rome Pub. Date: 5/28/2003 Publisher: Virtualbookworm.com Publishing, Incorporated
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Legion: A Novel of the Army of Rome Pub. Date: 5/1/2003 Publisher: Imperium Books

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Overview

LEGION is a stunning recreation of the life of Roman soldiers at a fort on the Gallic frontier in the late First Century B.C. Centurion Quintus Flavius Rufio returns to Gaul near the Rhine to finish his career with the Twenty-fifth Legion. An invasion by the Germans is imminent, and the veteran Rufio takes command of a century with many recruits whom he must train on the eve of the German onslaught.

Rufio's return to Gaul has a wider significance as well. Twenty years earlier, he accidentally killed a young Gallic woman in battle. Still haunted by this, he is confronted by her daughter, orphaned as an infant and now an adult, and his search for redemption takes an unexpected turn in his relationship with her.

LEGION climaxes with the outnumbered Romans attacking the Germans in a savage battle as the barbarians storm into Gaul in a war of annihilation.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780972872607
Publisher: Virtualbookworm.com Publishing, Incorporated
Publication date: 5/28/2003
Pages: 300
Sales rank: 345,024
Product dimensions: 5.80 (w) x 8.90 (h) x 0.80 (d)

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Anonymous

Posted October 6, 2005

Wonderful Roman Adventure

This book is a wonderful story about a centurion trying to redeem himself for accidentally killing a pregnant woman, a Greek historian trying to write an account of what life was really like in the army, and a young woman who falls in love with a man she should despise, yet does not. I read this book in a day while traveling and fell in love with all of the characters, especially Rufio, Diocles, and Flavia. Altimari takes us directly into life as a soldier, showing us the fears, hopes, and dreams of a Roman man, tempered by extraordinary discipline and honor. If you want to eat, sleep and breathe life in a legion pick up this book. You won't regret it.
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Anonymous

Posted February 13, 2004

Forward the Eagles!

Legion is the story of Diocles, a Greek scholar, given the task of Immortalizing the Roman Legions by training with a group of recruits,experiencing Army life, and writing about his experiences. All this takes place at an Legionary Fortress near the Rhenus(Rhine) river in Gaul, modern day France. Through Diocles, we meet the other characters in the book, including the man who comes to dominate the book, Rufio, a grizzled veteran centurion, haunted by the past. All this takes place under the threat of an imminent invasion from the barbarian German hordes. The characters are fleshed out well, especially from the Roman side and the plot moves smoothly. Legion is more two books than one. The main plot detailed above and also the training and practices of the Roman Legionnaire. This should not daunt anyone unfamiliar with the Roman Army as the author explains this aspect in an educating and entertaining manner that is easily grasped. Legion is a rip-roaring read that leaves you wanting for more! It is Historical Fiction at its best!
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Anonymous

Posted December 8, 2003

What If Sharpe Used A Gladius Instead Of A Rifle?

Simply put... A GREAT READ. I want more, no, I need more.
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Anonymous

Posted August 21, 2003

Rapax Rampant

Legion William Altimari I have long bemoaned the absence of Sharpe type adventure novels set in the 1st century and giving the general reader an idea of life in Caesars Army. We had a plethora of detective novels but as one who ordinarily never reads detective stories they had to be pretty good at their period and character to make up for their lack of violence. Now with Scarrow and here Altimari our thirst has been satisfied. Legion is set in 15 BC and follows the adventures of a centurion Rufio serving with the fictitious XXV Rapax on the German frontier. We also have a Greek writer Diocles giving us what we would love to have ion reality a contemporary lay description of the training and life in a Legion. The two compliment each other well and we warm to them both as the novel proceeds. Rufio is a bit of a super centurion who is a natural leader of men and adept in all matters military. He could perhaps be a little more fallible as you never doubt his survival and triumph. The Novel is populated by a wide range of minor characters not least of which is the beautiful Flavia who provides the love interest and a bit of al fresco sex. The novel is well written with a lovely turn of phrase 'Germans tumble out of the womb and reach for their swords' and¿ while you were still defaecating yellow I was putting arrows into Germans'. He does not use the bad language of Macro in Scarrow's books and maybe he loses a bit of humour as a consequence. He does too have tendency to put words into his characters mouths which would be more appropriate on the deck of a US carrier. Indeed he seems to be swept on wave of us patriotism reminiscent of G. A.Henty who fired a generation of English kids to get out and build an Empire. The plot turns around a German invasion of Gaul and the attempt of Rufio to anticipate and defeat this and is reminiscent of another of my favourites Eagle in the Snow. Altimari has a talent for maintaining tension keeping the reader guessing so Legion is a good page turner. Is it written with attention to history? Yes it gives a vivid picture of a frontier legion. He does not shy away from quite detailed descriptions for example the exact .construction of a ditch of a Legions camp or the production of a sword. It¿s not too laboured though and he can be read easily by the general reader or the military anorak. This is evidently the first of a series so we look forward with interest to the further adventures of Rufio and co... Derek Forrest Ermine St Guard
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Anonymous

Posted July 3, 2003

Hail Rufio!

LEGION by William Altimari is the best work of fiction I have read in a very long time. I found myself staying up far too late at night as the end of each exciting chapter drew me into the next few pages. Oh just a peek won¿t hurt; just had to know what was going to happen next! LEGION is a fresh take on the armies of Rome, not set in Rome, but in a far-flung outpost. Altimari has skillfully recreated the day to day existence of a Legion, and woven into the fabric of historical details a compelling tale. From the first day that the main character, a Centurion named Quintus Flavius Rufio, arrives at the Roman fort in Gaul, life for men of the 25th Legion changes. Set in the First Century B.C., on the eve of a massive invasion of German Barbarians, Rufio takes command of a century of raw recruits, whom he must not only train to fight, but to stand their ground, and push back the onslaught. LEGION is a thrilling tale, made hugely enjoyable by Altimari¿s tight writing, with well developed, strong male and female characters, [and I ain¿t talking muscles]. The narrative is inviting, tense, pithy, witty, and often laugh out loud funny. The battle scenes left me firmly gripping my copy of LEGION. Altimari has created a ripping yarn that deserves to be made into an epic film. LEGION is the book I am recommending to all my friends. Hail Rufio! Hail Altimari!
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