Discover the rise and fall of the world's greatest empire in the stunning first instalment of The Golden Age, an epic new series from the nation's finest historical novelist The third in a series set during the Graeco-Persian wars, The Lion depicts the triumph of Cimon, the man most responsible for the defeat of Persian king, Xerxes. The story covers the formation of the Delian League (the alliance of Greek states set up to combat the Persian threat), the hostility of Sparta to Athenian leadership, and the first fracture in the alliance caused by the rebellion of Thasos. It's unusual for me not to rave enthusiastically about a Conn Iggulden novel, but to me this was not nearly his best effort. I enjoyed these first two sections and appreciate the stories of Pericles’ interpersonal relations, thinking that I would prefer them to the more routine battle scenes. I did enjoy learning more about Athenian life and the whole Greek drama scene and Pericles friendship with Zeno and Anaxagoras. Another GR reviewer commented that Iggulden “excels in describing human emotions interwoven with great dialogue.” Yet I found myself first getting really excited by the book during the “routine battle scenes’ with the Persians that take place in the book’s climactic third part.

Conn Iggulden Books in Order | Complete Series List Conn Iggulden Books in Order | Complete Series List

Speaking of Attikos, why didn't anyone kill that old c*** already!? I absolutely adore how Iggulden create the villains in Lion. The worst kind of villains are wimps and fools who don't know their limitations. Never fail to get me frothing in the mouth. Nearly burst a vein or two at Attikos and Ephialtes. I'll be sure to read book 2 just to see them either get killed or redeem themselves (no hopes for Attikos, but Ephialtes might yet be saved, like Pericles - they're not entirely different, I think). The age of myths and legends has given way to the world of men. In the front rank stands Pericles, Lion of Athens. The Golden Age of Athens refers to the period of history that will start in 480 until 404 BC, where Athens and its allies will rise up and be victorious against Persia, as well as becoming once more an enemy of Sparta. Iggulden draws the Greek world convincingly and he is strongest writing battle scenes' THE TIMES on the Golden Age seriesAs always, I enjoyed learning a little more about life in Ancient Greece, particularly about theatre and The Festival of Dionysus. As before, the battle scenes are exciting and are seen from both sides of the field. The horror of what soldiers faced in the days of hand to hand combat is drawn in enough detail to appreciate it without being too gory, thankfully. No doubt, the fourth book of the series will follow Pericles in his later life and I will look forward to that. RRP refers to the Recommended Retail Price as set out by the original publisher at time of release.

Lion by Conn Iggulden (Hardback) - Coles Books Lion by Conn Iggulden (Hardback) - Coles Books

To make his own name he must prove himself in the liar's den of Athenian politics: pitting wits against friends, sceptics, enemies. The title of the book, Lion, refers to Cimon, the son of Miltiades, who will play the most dominant part in this superb book of victory and conquer of part of Persia, on land and sea, with Cimon in his role as Strategos of the Greek Alliance. The master historical storyteller. This swords-and-sandals epic brings the ancient world to life' DAILY EXPRESS Cymon and Pericles are the characters to watch. The Greek City States did not ally themselves except when fighting a common enemy. They pooled resources to build war ships to fight and destroy Persians on the seas, but no Persian ships could be found. The sea was empty. Pericles finds the Persians hidden on a river. The ensuing battle is exciting; but afterwards the alliance, the League as it was called, is not in a healthy state.Storytelling is excellent, and where Christian Cameron excel in describing famous battles and picturing these landmarks, Conn Iggulden excels in describing human emotions interwoven with great dialogue, so that all characters come vividly to life within this amazing story. This book follows, Pericles, who is also referred to “The First Citizen of Athens”, from a young man for the period of about a decade. Being eager to please and impress his father, Xanthippus, we see him grow into a reputable leader and strategist. He is a complex and flawed character, so to watch his development is exciting. It's time for a hero to rise. For his enemies to tremble. And for Athens, a city of wisdom and warriors, to shine with glory ... This will be an enjoyable read for anyone with an interest in history, military strategy, and the ancient world! Whether it’s due to getting to know the characters, the smoother pacing or just fewer confusing jumps between the narrators, I really enjoyed The Lion. It offers an insight into life as an Athenian at that time: not just war, but the more pleasurable aspects of life; friendships, laughter, the fun of putting on a new play and seeing a society coming together, united under a cause.

Lion by Conn Iggulden | Waterstones

For one thing, as soon as a woman was dragged roughly out by her hair, I could just tell she was going to be the love interest. She was such a weak character that I can't even remember her name, although that might be because she didn't appear in the entire second half of the book. The novel follows on directly from the author’s Protector which saw Greek victory in the Persian Wars and focussed on the Athenian leaders Aristides and Xanthippus, and the Spartan general Pausanias. That novel opened in the middle of the battle of Salamis and closed shortly after the Spartan victory at Plataea.

That brings me to my other big problem with this book. I'm fairly sure it was written originally as two stories and glued together because they weren't long enough. The battles of the past are still fresh in the memories of the current, this helps to fuel the need for a fleet and to have people with experience around those in control. There are politics that come into play, but this is not a main part of the story. Ancient Greece without its politics just wouldn't be right! The author brings the characters to life with decisions, friendships, battles and pretty much from the point of Pericles who will have a larger role in history. The book opens to a map of the region, as well as a pronunciation guide – which I usually love. Who doesn’t love a book with a map?