The Pict

A reviewer

Jack Dixon has done an great job of writing an historical novel that is highly readable, action filled, and evocative. The book begins with the background of the Picts, a mysterious people who lived in what is today Scotland. From the distant mists of the past they come fleeing the barbaric hordes from Eastern Europe, who come to destroy the Picts and drive them from their homeland on the European continent. They cross the North Sea, to the British Isles, are befriended by the Scoti of Ireland and settle in the highlands in the north of Brittania. The book¿s hero, Calach, leads his people in a heroic, though sometimes almost hopeless, campaign against the powerful, invading Romans, with the love of his life, Fiona, at his side. The battle scenes are well drawn. I would rate them R this is not a book for children under fourteen. Mr. Dixon creates loads of righteous outrage at the depredations of the Romans against defenseless Pict villagers, which impels his hero to wage merciless war against the invaders. There is romance, though it is secondary to the primary action, the life and death struggle against the mighty Roman Empire. The last half of the book truly is a page turner, with enough surprises along the way to keep the book from becoming just another muscles and blades saga. I believe anyone who enjoys ancient history should find this an interesting, informative and entertaining work. Congratulations to Mr. Dixon on a fine first novel.