Clash of Empires, Ben Kane
Clash of Empires, Ben Kane
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Clash of Empires
A thrilling novel about the Roman invasion of Greece

Author: Ben Kane

Narrator: Steven Pacey

Unabridged: 16 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Orion

Published: 05/17/2018

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included

Synopsis

'A triumph!' Harry Sidebottom | 'Exceptional' Anthony Riches
'One of our generation's most ambitious and engaging writers' Manda Scott

WHEN A NEW EMPIRE RISES, AN OLD ONE MUST FALL

After sixteen years of bloody war, Hannibal Barca is on the verge of defeat. On the plains of Zama, Felix and his brother Antonius stand in the formidable Roman legions, ready to deliver the decisive blow. Victory will establish Rome as the pre-eminent power in the ancient world. Meanwhile, young senator Flamininus is set on becoming one of the Republic's greatest military commanders with his eyes on the as-yet-unconquered Macedon and Greece.

But in the north of Greece, Philip V of Macedon has his own agenda. He is determined to restore his kingdom to its former glory but needs a strong army to help him do it. Young Demetrios dreams of fighting in the phalanx but is just a poor oarsman. Thirsty, hungry, burnt by the unforgiving Mediterranean sun, dreams are his only sustenance, until a chance encounter changes everything.

Flamininus will stop at nothing to bring Philip V to heel. The Roman wolf has tasted blood, and it wants more. But the sun of Macedon will not set without a final blaze of glory.

The gripping first novel in a new series from the master of historical fiction

About Ben Kane

Kenya born, Irish by blood and UK resident, Ben Kane's passion for history has seen him change career from veterinary medicine to writing, and taken him to more than 60 countries, and all 7 continents. Eleven of his novels have been Sunday Times bestsellers, and his books are published in twelve languages; a million copies have sold worldwide. In 2016, his research was recognised by Bristol University with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree. Kane lives in Somerset, where he writes full time.

About Steven Pacey

Steven Pacey is best known for his role as Del Tarrant in the third and fourth seasons of the sci-fi series Blake's 7. He has worked extensively in Theatre, TV and film for many years and in 2009 played opposite Graham Norton in La Cage Aux Folles at London's Playhouse Theatre. He has read numerous audiobooks including Joe Abercrombie's First Law Trilogy, Best Served Cold and The Heroes, and abridged titles by Matthew Reilly.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Xabi1990 on July 19, 2021

7/10, pero comparada con su saga de La Legión Olvidada, que me gustó muuuuuuucho, no puedo sino dejarlo en tres estrellas. Va de la lucha entre romanos y macedonios (que no griegos) y se narra desde 4 protagonistas: Filipe, líder Macedonio, Flaminino, líder romano, Demetrios, un soldado de la falang......more

Goodreads review by Javir11 on December 12, 2019

7,75/10 Novela bastante entretenida sobre la guerra entre el Imperio Romano y Macedonia. Se centra sobre todo en aspectos militares, por lo que si uno busca una novela con un trasfondo muy profundo y centrada en el modo de vida de estas sociedades, obviamente le va a saber a poco. Por el contrario si......more

Goodreads review by Shirley on July 05, 2018

This is the first time I have read a book by this author and it certainly won't be the last. I have never read a book covering this era in history and it was brilliantly written and researched. Would give ten stars if I could. Very highly recommended.......more

Goodreads review by Clemens on June 21, 2018

This fantastic book is the 1st volume of the "Clash of Empires" series from the author Ben Kane. The historical details, which you can find at the end of the book in the Author's Note, concerning this wonderful story are very well researched and documented, and these details are superbly implemented......more

Goodreads review by Kate on April 15, 2018

A thrilling and action-packed novel which takes a look at the conflict between the Republic of Rome and Macedon and Greece. This is the final struggle between those two great powers of ancient Europe - Greece and Rome - and it is bloody, with disasters and very few triumphs on both sides. We follow......more

Quotes

It's a broad canvas Kane is painting on, but he does it with vivid colours and, like the Romans themselves, he can show great admiration for a Greek enemy and still kick them in the balls

Exceptional. Kane's excelled once again in capturing the terror and the glory . . . of the ancient battlefield, and this story is one that's been begging for an expert hand for a long time

Carried off with panache and Kane's expansive, engaging, action-packed style. A complex, fraught, moving and passionate slice of history from one of our generation's most ambitious and engaging writers.

Grabs you from the start and never lets go. Thrilling action combines with historical authenticity to summon up a whole world in a sweeping tale of politics and war. A triumph!

The word epic is overused to describe books, but with Clash of Empires it fits like a gladius in its scabbard. What Kane does, with such mastery, is place the big story - Rome vs Greece - in the background, while making this a story about ordinary men caught up in world-defining events. Men bonded by friendship and blood. Some seeking acceptance or honour or revenge. A few grasping for power and glory, but most ultimately just trying to stay alive. I for one was fascinated by the differing tactics, fighting styles and weapons, as represented by the Roman cohort and the Greek phalanx. Or, as exhibited close up and personal in the flashing melee of the gladius and pike. These contrasts seemed to speak, with horrific eloquence, of the slaughter of the classical world of Homer and Alexander. In short, I haven't enjoyed a book this much for ages.
There aren't many writers today who could take on this story and do it well. There might be none who could do it better than Ben Kane.

Ben Kane manages to marry broad narrative invention with detailed historical research . . . in taut, authoritative prose . . . his passion for the past, and for the craft of story-telling, shines from every page of Clash of Empires

Fans of battle-heavy historical fiction will, justly, adore Clash of Empires. With its rounded historical characters and fascinating historical setting, it deserves a wider audience The Times

This thrilling series opener delivers every cough, spit, curse and gush of blood to set up the mighty clash of the title. Can't really fault this one - pure man joy. WEEKEND SPORT

A powerful and vivid historical novel that moves along at chariot-race speed. THE LADY

Ben Kane's new series explores the bloody final clash between ancient Greece and upstart Rome, focusing on soldiers and leaders from both worlds and telling the story of a bloody war with style Sunday Express S Magazine

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