I am Cyrus [Hardcover]

When I saw this title, I believed I was going to read a historical novel about Cyrus de Great, founder of the Persian Empire who would be telling his own story to a scribe or somehow writting his memoirs. This belief was reinforced by the book's subtitle (the story of the real Prince of Persia). This is NOT what I got. Instead, the book is a mixture of some historical facts, quite a heavy dose of fiction and fantasy and a tale told as if it was a legend. It made me think of something out of Sheherazade and the tales of the one thousand and one nights. At the outset, that rather put me of. Then there was the book's tone and the story telling. Not only did it not "sound and feel" real - quite the opposite in fact - but I also got the impression that this was for teen-agers. The latter, of course, is not a criticism, it's just not what I was expecting, given the way "the goods" had been advertised.

Having said that, the book is worth reading as long as you do not mind you novels taken liberties with what little historical records we have on Cyrus. First of all, Smerdis was NOT the son of Roshan. He was the full brother of Cambyse, with an inscription from Darius the First explicitly mentioning that they had the same father and mother. Second, the so-called tolerance exhibited by Cyrus is true, but only to a point. It was more politically motivated and self-interested than really driven by any "humanitarian" considerations. As for Cyrus' supposed drive against slavery, this would had quickly contradicted his supposed tolerance policy with regards to the vanquished kingdoms who heavily relied on slave labour (Babylon, in particular). Neither were any of his campaigns the kind of "walk-overs" that they are made to be in the book.

In fact, each of them was hard fought. It took at least three years of war for Cyrus to conquer Media. If Harpagus did rally Cyrus against Astyages, this was not enough to tip the scales straight away and Cyrus initially suffered a couple of defeats. Moreover, Astyages lead his own troops on at least one occasion and, since he was supported by at least some of the Medes, he probably was not the "arch-villain" that he is portrayed to be, neither was he killed when Cyrus and Harpagus entered Ecbatana. The same can be said of the two other great conquest, the kingdoms and their monarchs, whose name has been deliberatly blackened.

Croesus was no fool and did not surrender easily. A first battle that took place near the Halus was a bloody draw. However, Cyrus caught his ennemy by surprise by continuing to campaign after the Lydians had withdrawn for winter. This is how Cyrus won his second battle against the Lydians and close to Sardis: Croesus was forced to fight with whatever troops he had been able to gather. So, while the story of the camels frightening the Lydian cavalry is a good one, strategic surprise and the fast moving Persian army are probably much more likely explanations, although, of course, less romantic and colourful.

As for Babylone, it seems that the hostilities started well before 539 BC - at the vey least one year before and possibly even earlier as the eastern province of Babylonia was first conquered and its governor rallied Cyrus (and would latter be Cyrus' Governor of Babylone). Then a pitched battle was won by the Persian at Opis. Although not mentioned at all in the book, it seems to have been hard fought. Only then did the siege of the city start. Diverting the waters of the city did lead to its surrender. So, the city was not stormed. There was no lengthy siege but the Babylonians did not give up without a fight.

As for the wars against the "Massagetae", these were in fact part of the almost constant (or at least endemic) warfare that the Persians (and the Medes, the Assyrians, Babylonians and many others) had to wage against the Skythian nomadic tribes that were roaming between Central Asia and the Danube. Most historians accept that Cyrus had to wage war against them at least three times during his reign. Once possibly after conquering Media. The second time, and for several years, after conquering Lydia, and the third time in 530 BC leading to his death. THis does not mean that there was constant war on the Persian Empire's north-west borders, although they probably was almost constant raids and incursions. Some of these must have been wide-scale enough so that the local governor was unable to tackle them on his own, forcing the King of Kings to take matters in hand.

So, a rather good read, despite being non historical and more of a story telling bordering on the fantasy-side. Not bad, in fact, but not at all what I had expected and was looking forward to read...

Cyrus The Great was truly one of the most amazing leaders that ever existed. Alexander Jovy has written a book that I hope one day will become a movie.

I bought this book on recommendation from a friend because I was looking for an enjoyable, pacey read over the holidays, and perhaps to learn a little history along the way. After all, most of us have heard of Cyrus the Great, even if - in my case - I wasn't sure why.

What I loved best when I started reading was how the author transported me so vividly to the world of ancient Persia (modern-day Iran), its sights, smells, food & drink, deserts and wildernesses, palaces and bustling streets, and of course the people of 2,500 years ago, who he brings so vividly back to life. I felt I was there, and it was a dramatic and exhilarating place to be.

The author weaves into his story a cast of wonderfully alive and three-dimensional characters- Cyrus of course - the wise and tolerant King of humble origins who conquered many lands to create a vast empire, his life's great love Roshan, his almost-too-perfect wife Cassadane, King Croesis does a splendid comic turn, as does an elderly Greek named Thespis- (originator of modern-day theatre and drama ). There are a few nasty emperors, plenty of warriors and more than enough concubines to keep the male readers entertained.

The author doesn't dodge the unpleasant facts of the time. The fate of Harpagus's son, in particular, will remain with me for a while yet.

What this book gave me was some pacey, vivid story telling that kept me hooked to the end. In fact, writing this, I'm still feeling pretty disappointed that I've finished it. Maybe author Alex Jovy is working on a sequel, or better yet is putting his film director credentials to good use and taking this epic tale to the big screen?