- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: Macmillan; First Edition, First Impression edition (1 Feb 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0230530311
- ISBN-13: 978-0230530317
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 13.4 x 4.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 783,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Of Merchants & Heroes
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More About the Author
Product Description
Dorset Echo
`a superior example of the sword-and-sandals ethos.'
Paul Cartledge, Professor of Greek History, Cambridge University
'Naomi Mitchison, Mary Renault, Rosemary Sutclif, William Golding - and classicist Paul Waters deserves to be mentioned in the same breath'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is so much better than the normal adventure novels set in Roman times a la Iggulden at al. Don't get me wrong I enjoy those too, but this is altogether a more serious project. It's set at the end of the Third century BC, at the culmination of Rome's wars with the Carthaginians, when the Macedonians, under Philip V, moved against the independent Greek city states. It's a novel about the philosophy and mores of the time. It's also a beautiful and moving coming of age novel. The settings of the authentic Roman and Greek lifestyles add real colour to the narrative. Friendship, politics and intrigue pervade Marcus's world as he falls in love with Menexenos, a beautiful Greek athlete. But this love story is a universal one of honour, nobility and mutual understanding - so it mustn't be pigeon-holed. I really enjoyed this book - couldn't put it down!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Paul Waters is a well-travelled classicist, and though educated in Britain, he has lived much of his life abroad - in Africa, America, Greece among other places. He now writes full time.
This is a first rate novel in its own right but for anyone interested the classical world of Greece and Rome is an absolute must. Set in a period when Republican Rome's long and arduous war with Carthage is at long last drawing to a close, it was almost inevitable that another power would have it's eyes on the gates of Rome. The new enemy would be Philip of Macedon.
Woven into this backdrop is the story of Marcus, a young Roman who father has been brutally murdered by pirates while on a sea voyage to the island of Corfu. Marcus vows to avenge his father's death by finding his killer. While doing this he visits some of the great cities of the 3rd century BC and makes many decisions that help to make him the man that he becomes.
The book reflects the beauty of the period and on the other side of the coin the barbarity that existed, at a time when human life was cheap and sometimes the toss of a coin decided whether a man lived or died. Undoubtedly the author has a love and passion for the period of history in which the book takes place. Well worth a read. Personally I hope that the author writes another one quickly.
This is a first rate novel in its own right but for anyone interested the classical world of Greece and Rome is an absolute must. Set in a period when Republican Rome's long and arduous war with Carthage is at long last drawing to a close, it was almost inevitable that another power would have it's eyes on the gates of Rome. The new enemy would be Philip of Macedon.
Woven into this backdrop is the story of Marcus, a young Roman who father has been brutally murdered by pirates while on a sea voyage to the island of Corfu. Marcus vows to avenge his father's death by finding his killer. While doing this he visits some of the great cities of the 3rd century BC and makes many decisions that help to make him the man that he becomes.
The book reflects the beauty of the period and on the other side of the coin the barbarity that existed, at a time when human life was cheap and sometimes the toss of a coin decided whether a man lived or died. Undoubtedly the author has a love and passion for the period of history in which the book takes place. Well worth a read. Personally I hope that the author writes another one quickly.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this book thanks to a recommendation by another Amazon reviewer, and I am very glad that I did. Of Merchants and Heroes is an extremely well-written book, full of beautiful described scenes and wise words. Readers can find the basic plotline in the book description, but the story arc follows a Roman youth, Marcus, into early adulthood; this takes place against the backdrop of the end of the final war against Carthage and Rome's ensuing entanglement in Greece's politics. There is revenge here, as well as romance, yearning, and the understanding that can come through suffering. Far more than a 'sword and sandals' epic, this excellent book is about love, loss and emotional maturity.
Ben Kane, author of The Forgotten Legion.
Ben Kane, author of The Forgotten Legion.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fans of Paul Waters beware!
'The Republic of Vengeance' by Paul Waters, apparently published in 2011 by Overlook is actually just a rebranding of an earlier novel called 'Of Merchants and Heroes' published in... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Sam M
Paul Waters - Of Merchants and Heroes
Thank-you. The book arrived in good condition and on time. The author obviousy has a passion about what he writes.
Published 7 months ago by Dee
History on paper
I would like to start off by saying that the author writes beautifully and his description of events and places is first rate but I have to compare it with an earlier work : Frank... Read more
Published 22 months ago by leigh beresford
Not my thing
I bought this on the back of recommendations from others in the community.
I have to say, it wasn't for me, but if you are into a pretty long and drawn out story that... Read more
I have to say, it wasn't for me, but if you are into a pretty long and drawn out story that... Read more
Published 22 months ago by S. Warren
An inspirational book
This was one of the best books I've read in recent years.
The author develops his characters with gentle subtlety and conveys strong philosophical messages throughout... Read more
The author develops his characters with gentle subtlety and conveys strong philosophical messages throughout... Read more
Published on 16 May 2010 by R. E. Evans
Annother triumph(e?) :)
I first read "cast not the day" his second book and was swept away into the fantastic world of ancient rome so I just had to read this book too and wasn't dissapointed (except by... Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2010 by FUTURESTARdelux
eclectic reader at large
I like faction but this wasn't the best. Character development was shallow and too simplistic to be very thought provoking. It is easy to read though. Read more
Published on 21 Jan 2010 by Yo Landa Hoy
Simply Beautifal
A simple, fast moving and beautifally writen book that challenges how you look at what life throws at you and helps you to search for the best in everything and everyone! Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2009 by K. D. Maynard
Much more than a mere adventure story
I read this book with great pleasure, following the adventures of Marcus as he comes of age in the third century BC. Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2009 by Didier
Of Merchants and Heroes by Paul Waters
An excellent book , well written and with a very good storyline based on historical facts....congratulations!
Published on 2 Mar 2009 by Mrs. Jenny C. Riley
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