Rolf Devinci

 Finally picked up this historical account of the naval battle of Salamis by Barry Strauss. It was on my "must read" list for some time and was not a disappointment. Often overshadowed by the Spartans at Thermopylae this critical naval battle in 480 BC by a combined Greek fleet against the Persians prevented Xerxes from conquering Greece and effectively destroyed Persian naval dominance of the Eastern Mediterranean. Stauss is easy to read,  extremely knowledgeable and examines the timelines, characters, outcomes and strategies of both sides in detail with insights into the naval technology of the ancient world

The histories of the Crusades are such an expansive topic it can feel daunting deciding on where to start. I stumbled up this biography of Saladin by John Man when surfing the internet and was intrigued enough to make the purchase. It is an excellent accounting of the life of Salah-Ad-Din and by extension that of the Crusades. Man's writing style is enjoyable and I enjoyed the read of one of history's most important characters. If you have seen Scott's movie The Kingdom of Heaven I suggest you give this biography a look.  Highly recommended.

Recently joined Book Outlet.ca as an alternative  book seller to Amazon. Not only is it a Canadian company but offers substantial cost savings. In this time of tariff and sovereignty threats from America I am supporting Canadian businesses as much as possible. I purchased The Sacred Band by James Romm as a followup read to Paul Cartledge's book Thebes. The city state of Thebes in ancient Greece has traditionally been a "poor cousin" to rivals Athens and Sparta but played a major role in antiquity, eventually forming the Boeotian League and becoming a dominate power until the Macedonian conquest in 338 BC. The title of the book refers to the existence of an elite hoplite unit of the Thebian army comprised of 150 same sex couples. Male eros was open, accepted and embraced within Theban society and the Sacred Band became the hammer of the army, being instrumental in the Spartan defeat at Leuctra in 371bc. That said the Sacred Band is not the entire focus in this well researc...

 The Athenian victory at Marathon in 490BC is examined in The First Clash by James Lacey. Detailing the history of Persia and the rise of Athens along with the military doctrines used by both sides Lacey offers an informative and compelling history of this pivotal battle.  Published in 2011 by Bantam books it is available in both soft and hardcover versions. Without illustrations and only a couple basic maps of Greece and Asia Minor/Middle East some knowledge of the region is helpful but not necessary. The text is laid out in easy to read short(er) chapters and is a fascinating read on the burgeoning competition between the Greek and Persian worlds prior to the second Persion invasion of 480BC.  Picked up a good quality used softcover copy online for less than $10. A definite score considering how much I enjoyed the book.

The Oracle by William J Broad, published by Penguin books is a historic and scientific examination of ancient Delphi and the mystery behind it's reputation. The first part of the book looks at historical Delphi and the political and social impact the Navel of the World had upon ancient Greece. The second half looks at the archeological evidence in combination with modern geological science to determine if there was a scientific explanation for the prophetic prowess of the Oracles. A very intriguing and enjoyable read. Highly recommended if you enjoy historic mysteries.

Focusing upon the British army after the French defeat at Waterloo until the end of the Crimean War Ian Knight's Warriors in Crimson discusses the challenging evolution of the army away from Napoleonic tactics and kit to a colonial army capable of building an empire facing unorthodox opponents and unfamiliar terrain. Examining rapid colonial expansion in South Africa, New Zealand, India, Afghanistan and Crimea Knight discusses the challenges and failures of the British army in the first half of the 19th century. A good read offering an indepth look at the tactics, campaigns and key battles it would be helpful if maps were included for reference but otherwise a solid book. Published by MacMillan the hardcover offering includes easy to read text size and two sections of photographs.

Published by Random House A War Like No Other by Victor Davis Hanson is an excellent review of the Peloponnesian War. Unlike a chronological accounting Hanson examined the conflict through the use of key strategies; fear, fire, disease, terror,armor, walls, horses and ships. The conflict was not short nor followed the traditional rules of Greek hoplite warfare and ushered in a new era of total war. The paperback version includes a few maps but no photos. Text is rather small and printed on duller newspaper style paper so can be a challenge upon the eyes. Otherwise it is a great read and resource for understanding the Peloponnesian War and the subsequent impact upon ancient Greece.

Purchased a copy of The Bronze Lie by Myke Cole from Osprey Publishing. The premise of the book is questioning the myth of Spartan warrior supremacy through a honest and accurate accounting of Sparta's role in ancient Greece. Well researched using archival, literary and archeological sources Myke examines the influence Sparta had upon Greece, the victories won and defeats suffered in the constantly changing geopolitical arena that was ancient Greece. Sparta's power and influence, like all empires, ebbed and flowed over the course of time. An excellent and refreshing look at the militarism of Spartan society not the Hollywood mythos of Frank Miller's fictional 300 that has so enraptured modern sensibilities. Color plates included along with some maps to support the text. A basic knowledge of ancient Greece and the various city states is helpful but not necessary.

Finally picked up the latest updated edition (2017) detailing the history and search for the missing Franklin expedition searching for the Northwest Passage in 1845. A captivating read published by Greystone Books that definitively solves the mystery of the fate of the HMS Terror and HMS Erebus. In an easy to read format this book uses 19th century sources, Inuit oral histories, modern forensics and archeological excavations to determine the underlying causes of the tragedy. Included are chapters detailing the forensic examination of three crewmen preserved in the permafrost and a brief chapter addressing the recent discovery of both shipwrecks. If you like Maritime history this book is a must read.

Being a fan of the Arthurian legend since childhood I was intrigued by Artorius and the book's premise that the roots of the legend lies with a second century Roman officer. Published in 2022 by Amberley this is an enjoyable read. Malcor and Matthew present a compelling argument backed up by in depth research, logical assumptions and convincing speculations. Purchased via Amazon the hard cover book details the life and career of Lucius Artorius Castus in an easy to read chronological format compete with illustrations and photos.

 Legions of Rome - The Definitive History of Every Imperial Legion by Stephen Dando-Collins. Purchased on Amazon this hardcover edition published by St. Martin's Press does not disappoint. Slightly oversized this book is definitely an impressive work of research. Not only does it offer chapters on the history of each imperial legion it also discusses the manpower, organization and tactics of the Roman empire. It also addresses the history of specific battles in detail.  To compliment the text are numerous illustrations, photos and maps. For such a grandiose subject it is an nformative, enjoyable and pleasant read. It is a fantastic resource and a must have for any fan of Roman history. Highly recommended.

 Purchased Gioal Canestrelli's Celtic Warfare from Amazon.  Published by Pen & Sword this is an excellent analysis on a subject that is often overlooked - the examination of Celtic martial culture from the fifth century BC to the first century AD. Too often the Celts of Europe are considered supporting actors and often overshadowed by the Roman empire. The irony being the influence the Celts had within the Roman world in terms of arms, armors and culture. The book is well constructed with bright white crisp pages and an easy to read text. It possesses an attractive cover art and comes with color plates depicting the evolution of Celtic military panoply. It also has numerous supporting illustrations of the text which is very helpful for the reader. Easy to read and follow as the author has presented the research in a nice chronological order. Great read. Recommended.