- Paperback: 240 pages
- Publisher: Phoenix; New Ed edition (7 July 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0753818264
- ISBN-13: 978-0753818268
- Product Dimensions: 19 x 12.7 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 551,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Felix, treasurer of Britain, having served at the court of the Imperial court itself, struggles to maintain the same elaborate standards in provincial Britain. And, cut off from Rome by the barbarian invasion of Gaul, and needing every penny to pay the army, he soon finds it impossible. Preoccupied with status and finances, he barely notices that his wily father-in-law Gratianus, with the help of Felix's sadistic wife is engineering a coup - one which embroils Felix dangerously in politics. Forced to flee for his life, Felix finally understands that lax etiquette is the least of Britain's problems...
About the Author
Alfred Duggan was born in Argentina in 1903. He was educated at Eton College and Oxford. He worked for the British Natural History Museum collecting specimens and travelled extensively pursuing his job for the museum. From 1938-1941, when he was discharged as medically unfit, he served in the London Irish Rifles and saw active service in Norway. His first book was published in 1950.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This story is set in the fith century AD with the decline of the power of Rome and follows the fortunes of Felix (the treasurer of Britain) through one of the most momentous periods in British history as barbarians invade Gaul and the last of the Roman legions depart to prop up the tottering empire cutting Britain off from the rest of the civilized world. For Felix life becomes a matter of survival. As treasurer he is used by the powerful and ambitious men of his time to aid them to the top, to help make them 'Little Emperors'. Manipulated by his wife and father-in-law, Felix must walk a fine line between the different factions all competing for the ultimate prize.
This is an excellent historical novel from Alfred Duggan. It is well paced with just a hint of dark humour. You can feel the beginnings of decay and of isolation in Britain that seems totally real and the all-or-nothing scrambel to fill the power vacuum which must be somewhere near the truth. A truly worthwhile read.
This is an excellent historical novel from Alfred Duggan. It is well paced with just a hint of dark humour. You can feel the beginnings of decay and of isolation in Britain that seems totally real and the all-or-nothing scrambel to fill the power vacuum which must be somewhere near the truth. A truly worthwhile read.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Alfred Duggan's hero is the completely un-heroic senior administrator, Felix, - who as the treasurer of Britain in the early years of the fifth century AD is struggling to presve his province and himself.
Duggan writes well, because we see the crisis of these years therough Felix's eyes. His is initially a world dominated by court protocol and administrative problems. But gradually he comes to realise - as do we - the overwheening political ambitions of those around him as they jockey for power - the 'Little Emperors' of the title.
Duggan's tale is set against a fully-functioning Roman Britain -- which collapses suddenly almost overnight as a result of the disruption caused to the province by the barbarian invasions of Gaul and its consequent separation from the rest of the Roman Empire.
Whether things really happend like this I am not sure, but what I am sure of is that Duggan's work is well worth reading. I am so glad that this, and his other books are now being re-published - it's about time.
Duggan is one of a wonderful quartet of British fiction writers of the last century. Duggan, along with John Masters, Wallace Breem and George Shipway all wrote stories on imperial themes. The common link betwewen them was India. Masters, Breem and Shipway had all served in the British Indian Army. Duggan did not, but he was stepson of Britain's grandest imperial viceroy, Lord Curzon, and he did serve in the British army in WW2.
Duggan writes well, because we see the crisis of these years therough Felix's eyes. His is initially a world dominated by court protocol and administrative problems. But gradually he comes to realise - as do we - the overwheening political ambitions of those around him as they jockey for power - the 'Little Emperors' of the title.
Duggan's tale is set against a fully-functioning Roman Britain -- which collapses suddenly almost overnight as a result of the disruption caused to the province by the barbarian invasions of Gaul and its consequent separation from the rest of the Roman Empire.
Whether things really happend like this I am not sure, but what I am sure of is that Duggan's work is well worth reading. I am so glad that this, and his other books are now being re-published - it's about time.
Duggan is one of a wonderful quartet of British fiction writers of the last century. Duggan, along with John Masters, Wallace Breem and George Shipway all wrote stories on imperial themes. The common link betwewen them was India. Masters, Breem and Shipway had all served in the British Indian Army. Duggan did not, but he was stepson of Britain's grandest imperial viceroy, Lord Curzon, and he did serve in the British army in WW2.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It is the early Fifth Century: the Roman Empire in the West is coming to an end, and with it Roman rule over Britain. Actually much of its dominion has already ended, with control passing to "federated" "allied" or otherwise de facto independent regional rulers. Felix, the Treasurer of what remains is not happy. His tax base is no longer enough to maintain the civilised system to which he has devoted his life, let alone restore the past glories he dreams of seeing once again.
It is perhaps inevitable that, as has happened before, local figures start to think of going it alone, of breaking the link with Rome and keeping the money and power at home in an independent Britannia (and therefore in their particular hands). Felix, much against his will, finds himself playing a part on the ensuing events, events that lead to an outcome.... Well, read the book.
Duggan has, as so often, found a byway of history and brought it to life. He captures the atmosphere of a different time very well - we find ourselves sympathetic to Felix, for instance, trapped and out of his depth, even as we see him tolerate or inflict what by our present-day standards would be extreme cruelty.
It is a delight to see Alfred Duggan's books coming back into print. We have been without these well-researched, well-written, literate historical novels for too long.
It is perhaps inevitable that, as has happened before, local figures start to think of going it alone, of breaking the link with Rome and keeping the money and power at home in an independent Britannia (and therefore in their particular hands). Felix, much against his will, finds himself playing a part on the ensuing events, events that lead to an outcome.... Well, read the book.
Duggan has, as so often, found a byway of history and brought it to life. He captures the atmosphere of a different time very well - we find ourselves sympathetic to Felix, for instance, trapped and out of his depth, even as we see him tolerate or inflict what by our present-day standards would be extreme cruelty.
It is a delight to see Alfred Duggan's books coming back into print. We have been without these well-researched, well-written, literate historical novels for too long.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not as engaging as his other books
I have read a few of Duggan's books and enjoyed them immensely. The writing is typical of Duggan with enough dry humour and cynicism to entertain. Read more
Published 9 months ago by will1957
Exceptional
A very impressive novel charting the ups and downs of the 'Little Emperors' who attempt to seize control of Britain after it is cut off from Italy by the barbarian invasion of... Read more
Published on 7 Feb 2010 by SJJones
Little Emperors - Disintegration of Roman Britain
An excellent and atmospheric fictional speculation based on the events of the early 5th. century in Roman Britain told from the perspective of a high ranking civil servant of the... Read more
Published on 26 Jan 2003 by Mrs. Alison D. Woodhouse
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