- Hardcover: 244 pages
- Publisher: iUniverse.com (7 Dec 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0595660754
- ISBN-13: 978-0595660759
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 627,282 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Midwest Book Review March 2004
... a gripping and deftly written narrative. Enthusiastically recommended... an exciting saga of blood, cunning tactics, and the few who dared...
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
In 480 B.C., Xerxes I, king of the Persian Empire, led a vast and uncountable army intent on the domination of Europe. Only a tiny collection of Greek city-states stood in his path. At Thermopylae the Persians annihilated a small holding force commanded by King Leonidas of Sparta, then quickly marched on to Athens, reducing the city to ruins. Outnumbered and beset by treachery, Sparta, Athens and their allies gathered near the town of Plataea for one final battle. The future of Western civilization hung on the outcome. In Kithairon's Shadow is the story of five men from ancient Greece and the parts they would play in determining their future, and ours.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Novels about Ancient Greece are not exactly falling off the bookshelves into the laps of prospective reader's, so whenever I find one I usually snap it up as Ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt are among my favourite reading material. The author Jon Martin is the advisory editor of the magazine Sparta. This is a journal of Ancient Spartan and Greek history. Such a position leaves little doubt of his love and knowledge of the subject he writes about. He has travelled to many areas of Greece with the sole intent of adding as much authenticity to his novels as possible.
The book is certainly not lightweight, in fact its historical content is so accurate that it is required reading as part of the Honours History curriculum at a major university in the United States. This is not said to put people off the book, quite the reverse. it is a meaty book that should be read by anyone who has a love of history and general and Greek history in particular. it is not a book that uses Ancient Greece as a glamorous backdrop for a throw away story from the author's imagination. This is about real people and real events that too place in history.
If you liked Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire, or the Virtues of War you will almost certainly like this book too.
The book is certainly not lightweight, in fact its historical content is so accurate that it is required reading as part of the Honours History curriculum at a major university in the United States. This is not said to put people off the book, quite the reverse. it is a meaty book that should be read by anyone who has a love of history and general and Greek history in particular. it is not a book that uses Ancient Greece as a glamorous backdrop for a throw away story from the author's imagination. This is about real people and real events that too place in history.
If you liked Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire, or the Virtues of War you will almost certainly like this book too.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have read all three of Jon Edward Martin's books and they are all excellent. The characters are rich and believable. The settings and scenes are well researched and described and there is plenty of action both military and political. The auther has obviously got a good knowledge of the era and culture of the time and uses this well to create stories that, for me and my friends, can't be put down.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
15 reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
History Disguised as a Novel
28 Jan 2006
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Fast-paced, peopled with well-fleshed out characters (some fictional, some historical) and historically accurate, this novel is a godsend for those who wish a familiarity with the subject matter, but hate to read history. Here is a blow-by-blow depiction of all the major events of the second Greco-Persian war in the order that they unfolded as observed by the various participants, yet the novel never seems stilted or contrived, but flows naturally.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
In Kithairon's Shadow - A fresh look at the battle of Platea
20 Dec 2005
Format:Paperback
Jon.E.Martin's first book "In Kithairon's Shadow" brings a refreshingly original but also historically accurate view of the events leading up-to and finally the battle of Platea in 479 B.C.
The book supplies the reader with a well balanced overview of the Spartan, Athenian and Persian views of the events at Platea.
New-comers to Ancient Greek history will experience an entertaining read and will be able to see the subject "brought to life". They will without a doubt have an abundance of material to "feed on".
Established students and fans of this period will easily recognise the references to the ancient sources but will be pleasantly surprised in not seeing the source being constantly quoted.
The battle itself is quite simply a pleasure to read.. fast moving, full of energy and detail.
Mr.Martin has written what has to be seen as one of the best fictional books on the battle of Platea.
A thoroughly entertaing read which I can easily recommend to anyone interested in Ancient Greek history.
The book supplies the reader with a well balanced overview of the Spartan, Athenian and Persian views of the events at Platea.
New-comers to Ancient Greek history will experience an entertaining read and will be able to see the subject "brought to life". They will without a doubt have an abundance of material to "feed on".
Established students and fans of this period will easily recognise the references to the ancient sources but will be pleasantly surprised in not seeing the source being constantly quoted.
The battle itself is quite simply a pleasure to read.. fast moving, full of energy and detail.
Mr.Martin has written what has to be seen as one of the best fictional books on the battle of Platea.
A thoroughly entertaing read which I can easily recommend to anyone interested in Ancient Greek history.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
The Battle of Platea comes alive in a readble and enjoyable way.
17 Jun 2007
Format:Paperback
I really enjoyed this read. This book packed in tremendous amounts of history, yet remained fun to read. As one reviewer says it took a bit to get started, but the build up was necessary to fully engage the characters. Some one unfamiliar with the battle of Platea would need those initial chapters. The characters are alive and fresh whether made up or historical. I would highly recommend this book and looking forward to reading Jon Martin's second novel (which I have ordered). This is a must read for fans of historical fiction, especially those that enjoy ancient Greece. Some may ask, why didn't you give it 5 stars if you liked it so much? Well I found several editing errors in the book, which once you re-read the paragraph you could figure out what was going on, but the fact that I had to stop and ask, "What just happened? Did the Character talking switch?" makes me unhappy. I expect the editors to do their job.
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