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Emperor: The Field of Swords (The Emperor) | 
 enlarge | Author: Conn Iggulden
Publisher: Dell
Category: Book
List Price: $6.99
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Rating:  21 reviews
Sales Rank: 11124
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 624
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.3
ISBN: 0440240964
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780440240969
ASIN: 0440240964
Publication Date: December 27, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Excellent customer service. Order inquiries handled promptly.
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Product Description
With his acclaimed Emperor novels, author Conn Iggulden brings a dazzling world to life–the rich, complex world of ancient Rome as seen through the eyes of one extraordinary man: Julius Caesar. Now Iggulden returns to the story of Julius Caesar and a realm that stretches from the sands of North Africa to the coast of Britain. Against this magnificent backdrop, Caesar, his first victories under his belt and a series of key alliances in place, makes his move toward power and glory–and commands his famous legions on one of history’s bloodiest and most daring military campaigns.
It is the heart of the first century B.C. For Julius Caesar, the time has come to enter the treacherous political battleground that has become Rome. Having proved his valor in the slaves’ revolt, Caesar is strengthened by the love and vision of a beautiful older woman, and by the sword of his loyal friend, Marcus Brutus. And when he is appointed to a new position of power, Caesar manages to do what none of the other great figures of his time could: capture the hearts of the Roman people themselves. Crushing a rebellion, bringing order to the teeming city, Caesar then makes the move that will change history. He leaves Rome for the foothills of the Alps. And with an army made in his own image, he begins a daring charge through Gaul, across the English Channel, and to the wilds of tribal Britain.
Here, in a series of cataclysmic clashes, the legend of Julius Caesar will be forged. And while Caesar and Brutus pit their lives–and those of their men–against the armies of the wilderness, their political adversaries in Rome grow at once more fearful and more formidable. So when the fighting at the dominion’s edge is over, the greatest danger to Julius Caesar will await him on the Tiber–with a man who wants Rome himself.
From the clash of armies to the heat of a woman’s seduction, from the thunder of battle to the orgies of pleasure and plunder that follow in a warrior’s wake, Emperor: The Field of Swords captures in riveting detail a world being shaped by a brilliant civilization. And in this extraordinary novel, the fate of Rome is being driven by the ambitions of a single man. A man with an unmatched genius for power.
From the Hardcover edition.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 16 more reviews...
 A gripping tale but historically poor March 1, 2005
nessiemonster (Hampshire, UK)
30 out of 38 found this review helpful
Knowing full well that Igguldens' retelling of Gaius Julius Caesar's life owes very little to actual historical fact and much to pure fantasy I set about this third installment curious to know precisely what period had gone through the mangle this time and what the result would be. Apart from the wincing at the total exclusion of Marcus Tullius Cicero's finest hour in 63BC in stopping the Catiline Conspiracy (Julius gets the credit here and it's brought forward 4 years as well - never mind), the blatant chronological reversal of Clodius' death in 52 and the invasion of Britain in 55/54, and the casual use of Cabera to act as the soothsayer for the infamous Ides of March quote nearly a decade ahead of reality... I was cautiously optimistic by page 200 or so.
The third in Iggulden's Emperor series opens with our young praetor with his Tenth legion in Spain with Brutus and his extraordinarii cavalry. Dark, moody and brooding the mix is swiftly stirred as Brutus' courtesan mother, Servilia, turns up with three girls to make a handsome profit and catch Julius' eye. From there he swiftly returns to the political mire of Rome, coming up against both Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus and Marcus Licinius Crassus as he seeks to establish himself in Rome and take his first consulship. Much of this is given over in two very lengthy episodes - the first his quelling of the Crassus backed Catiline conspiracy, the second over a gladiator contest for Marcus Brutus to be First Sword in Rome. Once this has been achieved Caesar hotfoots it to Gaul with his comrades in tow wearing silver armour to start conquering the land. Battles against the Averni, a quick trip to Britain and back and the infamous siege of Alesia are all dealt with in a thrilling loose style with an interim trip back to Rome by Brutus to get involved with Caesar's daughter, Julia, and quell the infamous street gangs of Milo and Clodius whilst Julius' relationship with Servilia is explored.
I confess I find my reaction to Iggulden is to sigh deeply. The historical purist in me reads on in horrified fascination as to what's going to happen next in this historical alternative history, but it is somewhat compelling. I know many reviewers will say that historical accuracy is not what Iggulden's about but it's taken too far. You can get away with the odd explained change for dramatic purposes but it's so wrong it really does detract from what could be so good.
History aside I find this the weakest of the three as it is somewhat directionless and the chacterisation fill between major episodes is creating more of a sense of gallivanting adventurers rather than mature personages. Plot and characterisation is all too wooden and I find myself disliking Julius more and more. If it wasn't for the exceptionally brief reference to Caesar's lamentation that he is older than Alexander was when he conquered the world right at the start (and you knew little of Caesar's history) you'd have to ask what his motive for any of his actions was in this novel.
What saves the entire series is that Iggulden CAN tell a story.
So utterly compelling, but, unfortunately, for all the wrong reasons. Another one is due and I have to complete the series but I know the same complaints will probably be there after the next one.
Read it before the movie comes out! April 10, 2005
G. OCHOA (California)
7 out of 11 found this review helpful
Both the first and second installments of this series were exciting reads and I waited with much anticipation as to this third installment. Although I was not dissapointed, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading Field of Swords, I did feel that the first two books were slightly better thus deserving of my 5 star rating previously. That said, I found it difficult to put down and frequently found myself re-reading sections just to enjoy the visualations painted by the author. Disregard all gobleygook from the history purists as there grumblings should be of no concern to the reader who wants to simiply enjoy the immersion into the lives of the ancient Romans. YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE THERE. I hope the book is made into a Hollywood blockbuster but until then, I'm just going to wait for the final book four to come out. Bye the way, as a lark, I suggested to my 75 year old mother to read the books (knowing full well she hates history) and now she is hooked too! These are fun books to read whether you love history or not.
"Field of Swords" -- Fun Ahistorical Historical Fiction April 22, 2005
Scott Schiefelbein (Portland, Oregon United States)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Conn Iggulden's "The Field of Swords" continues his "Emperor" series, to borrow a phrase, it's like the first two books, only more so.
From his first book in the series, Iggulden has demonstrated a willingness to depart from the historical record. When it comes to Julius Caesar, that's playing with fire, if for no other reason than that Caesar's life is astounding enough on its own that it leaves little room for editorializing. However, we must respect Iggulden is writing fiction, not another biography of the historical giant (and to Iggulden's credit, he repeatedly recommends Christian Meier's masterful biography, Caesar, for folks who want the straight story).
By making some rather harsh choices (for example, Cicero merits barely a mention in Iggulden's novels), Iggulden has offended many readers, to be sure. For readers familiar with the historical period, it is harder to suspend our disbelief when reading about certain events when we know that they just did not transpire in the manner described. I imagine that the less familiar one is with the subject, the more entertaining the series is.
Fortunately for all concerned, even Roman history buffs, Iggulden is a fine writer and creates many memorable scenes in "Field of Swords." Several battle scenes quicken the pulse, but Iggulden also writes excellent scenes around more domestic fare, such as a bunch of humbled Roman blacksmiths learning the intricate art of Spanish swordmaking.
And the broad strokes are all here to create a fine theater for our favorite characters. Caesar rides from Spain to Gaul to Britain and eventually comes to a crisis point at the Rubicon. Crassus builds his astounding fortune but chafes under his less-than-stellar military reputation. Pompey rules Rome with an iron fist and yet fears this upstart running rampant on the frontier. Servilia's love for Caesar burns white-hot. Brutus continues his quest to be the perfect sword, yet cracks form in his friendship with Caesar. (And there are many other storylines of note.) Not all the characters make it through to the end, and we generally are sad to see them go - a testament to Iggulden's ability to spin an entertaining tale.
Again, for readers looking for a highly factual fictionalized account of Julius Caesar, look to Colleen McCullouch's titanic "Masters of Rome" series. (Her research is impeccable, and she includes a glossry and highly detailed maps -- for some bizarre reason, Iggulden's novels do not include a single map, which is a bizarre omission.) But for fans of a leaner, lighter, more action-packed treatment, Iggulden's series will do just fine, thank you very much.
a good read for a long flight or a rainy day December 28, 2005
John A. Hamilton
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
Overall when i was reading Field of Swords i was sucked deep into the life of Julius Caesar and the Tenth Legion. i haven't had the chance to read the first two books in the series since i just bought this in an airport with nothing better to do. that did not pose a problem however, as ample introductions and references were made so that any lack of knowledge was made up for very well and kept the story moving anyways.
The fighting scenes and blatant reference to love scenes make this book a little too graphic for those under 13, but even so the book is an incrredible and kept me entertained the whole way through. Even though some complain of historical accuracies, i personally find them to be irrelevant to such a well-written book and any discreptancies are explained thoroughly at the end, as well as some more accurate sources for the real history buffs. but any changes to the factual story are simply to carry on the story so as to not put to sleep those of us who aren't able to read through 600 pages of historical details.
the reason i did not give Field of Swords the full 5 stars is simply due to the fact that some of the parts seemed over-extended, and, while interesting nonetheless, tended to try my patience to get to the main story again
 BLATANT HERO-WORSHIP DISGUISED AS HISTORICAL FICTION July 4, 2006
Dawn Marie Martin-Ali (Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. of China)
4 out of 37 found this review helpful
Simply put, this novel is a lot of horse manure. As I am someone who has studied the very interesting and complex civilization of the Celts, this author shows his vast ignorance of the actual superiority of their morality compared to the spiritually bankrupt, cynical, enslaving romans. For one instance, the so-called "wild" tribes held their women in vaster esteem than romans did, for one example: no Roman woman could be a citizen, whilst ALL Celtic women were equals with their men millenia before the modern equal rights struggle. As a woman, I would much preferred to have been a free Celtic woman than a rich but patronized and enslaved Roman lady. Julius is always "grinning", smiling viciously, chuckling at the suffering he and his grasping, greedy lust for conquest caused to others who were defending their own lands! Iggulden tries to make him seem a paragon of unstoppable might, arrogant and heedless of others, who never feels fear and pain....BALONEY!! All he has managed to do is make Caeser unrealistic and totally unlikeable. Besides which, in point of FACT, he did not have such an easy time of it as is portrayed in this twisting of true events of the past, and he lied constantly to the Senate and as we well know nowadays, in his written descriptions about the Celt's culture and heritage, not to mention religion. All for what? To give to a nasty, lazy, filthy citizenry(aka the roman mob)lands to plunder that were not theirs by right?? His justifications to Adan wring as hollow as his personality in this book!
The thing that I disliked the most was the arrogant, patronizing tone throughout; that Rome had come to "civilize", to bring "art", to bring "justice", to peoples who supposedly "lived in squalor"?? PUH-LEEEZE. Firstly, Celtic art was inherently beautiful in its own right, centuries before Rome even existed as such. Also, they worked steel in a much superior way to the Etruscans and later the Romans, a fact which is well known today! And what justice is this ridiculous Julius speaking of? The justice of selling a free people, an independant people, into slavery because most of the citizenry were too foul and indolent to actually apply themselves to trades instead of watching their bloody arena fights day and night? As for squalor, the Celts lived much simpler, that is true, but in no ways were they filthy, nor did they live in squalor, as they valued cleanliness. The cities of Rome bred many a disease born of their horribly sewage-strewn, nasty streets, never suffered by the free peoples of Northern Europe until Rome came and stole their lands.
Yes, Julius comes off as arrogant, insulting, and vain....and wooden, as some here have noted. He variously grins, smiles or chuckles at everything from people being killed to his enemy facing him, as if he is some kind of bully, or at best, a moron.
I highly doubt the real Julius Ceaser was as hideous a charachter as this author makes him out to be. I found myself actually rooting for the Suebi king who told him where to go in no uncertain terms!
Small wonder the entire world hated the Romans, and small wonder the Germanic tribes crushed them in centuries to come, as they were soulless conquistadores bent on their own personal greed, just like the Caeser of this tale. Who gets his own comeuppance too.
The first two were a bit better, but the ridiculous fabrications all over this tome and the totally unrealistic personality of the main charachter just left me wanting to hurl this book in the trash. Too many glaring inconsistencies, fabrications and outright insults to intelligence in this one!
I will not be buying the last one.
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