Eagles at War (Eagles of Rome) Paperback – May 1, 2015

Having read Simon Scarrows excellent books I was not expecting Ben Kane to be able to compete. I was surprised to find such a level of detail and understanding of the interaction between the roman troops and the germanic tribes that led to the Teutoburger forrest trap. The actions of Arminius, the germanic leader, is given in a way that provides an understanding of motives and what was driving him. The actions of Varus, the roman general, who underestimated the clever and cunning Arminius and the germanic tribes, is also given in a reasonable perspective. Tullus the main character is not this common superhero, but felt as a real and engaging character. Really well written. I had to continue directly with the next book in the series. Recommended if you are interested in roman army and history, and like me have tried to understand what really happened with those lost legions in the Teutoburger forrest.

I just when I find a new author who is great. If you love historical fiction, that is strongly based on actual events, then I would highly recommend this book. Below are some of the major reasons I loved this book.First, Ben Kane is a very good writer. In terms of action scenes, he is one of the best. He does not make his characters into supermen, which is something I really like. After a fight they are extremely tired, and sore. Because of physical fatigue, they sometimes want to just give up. Carrying a heavy shield into battle, tires out their arms. I really like when an author describes the physical and mental tolls battle has on the soldiers.Second, in majority of books, the author in his writing will make you root for one side or the other. In this book, your are invested as a reader in both the Romans and the Germans, He explains both sides, and you can see why both sides are willing to fight. My two favorite characters in the book are both a Roman, and a German, as the author wanted.I highly recommend this book, I have already bought the next book in the series, and I am reading it now.

Can't say enough about the writing of Ben Kane. I have read all of his books and have never been disappointed with any of them. In the "Eagles of War" he brings you into the action and keeps you there. He has a way of depicting people and scenes that involves you not just as a spectator but somehow involved emotionally. Graphic it may be, but how else could you describe men in battle, and the trauma that they were anticipating. If you like to read an exciting book then this is one of them. If you also want to get to know and resonate with the characters then this is one. It doesn't matter the time it was written as it could well be the Gulf War or any war of their motivations and feelings of the men involved.

In the spring of AD9, Roman legions were in the process of subjugation of the German frontier. A highly decorated and respected German, Arminius, had risen through the ranks, serving under Governor Varus, leading 500 fellow Cheruscans. Behind the scenes, he was organizing varied Germanic tribes to unite in a major ambush of the Romans on their march northward. The plot is deliciously sneaky, the battle scenes graphic and the blood and gore are plentiful. Even with first hand knowledge of how men at war talk, I felt the use of vulgarity and the number of F-bombs used throughout the story was a distraction... especially some of the expressions that had a 20th century tone. At story’s end, Kane provides a nice review of the history behind the tale.

This book actually had everything going against it if gauging my normal reading interests. There were no women characters, no heroines, the book was full military jargon, the (raunchy) details of lives of soldiers, and the author even liberally sprinkled the story with different maneuvers that the different armies would perform. Yet, the author’s storytelling was so even and he blended the storyline so well with militaristic “stuff” that I was hooked from beginning to end. I first considered the book because it detailed how Romans and Germans (though I found out that they were loyal only to one of many tribes that lived in the region) interacted with each other and northern Germany is where my ancestors hail from. But he was such a skillful writer that as the book progressed I changed my empathy for the “German” tribal warriors to caring how the Roman soldiers fared. This book does a great job chronicling a famous event in history. I also am putting this author on my to-read list!!

Going into this book I wasn't entirely sure how I would like it. I knew about the ambush in the Teutoburg Forrest so I assumed that knowing the general outcome of the book already it might not be one of my favorites. I was completely wrong! This is a great book and Ben Kane has a way of writing that draws you into the pages, and makes you feel and experience the events as if you were there. I found myself rooting for Tullus and unable to put this book down. The Eagles Series has quickly become my favorite from Ben Kane and maybe my favorite series of all time. Give it a read and find out for yourself!

While a work of fiction, this is probably the most interesting and stirring account available of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, where several Germanic tribes united to vanquish the previously invincible Roman legionnaires.

I really like Ben Kane, and have read and enjoyed his previous series. This one was ok, but not as good as his prior books. There's nothing really wrong with it, but it didn't grab me like his previous books.