02-01-2010, 05:54 PM
I have read both of Holland's books in question (Rubicon and Persian Fire) and I did enjoy the former much more than the latter. Now I attributed this to my deeper interest in Rome than Persia, but in reading Jona's critique of Persian Fire it seems clear there are some problems with that book's scholastic roots (so to speak).
Perhaps Holland was on firmer ground or more familiar with the territory of Republican Rome than he is ancient Persia. Or it my be that the success of Rubicon induced Holland to crank out another book without spending sufficient time doing the research. This is really a shame for it is a fascinating topic and Holland writes enticing prose. As Neil Faulkner put it in the notes to his book Rome: Empire Of The Eagles, "T. Holland's Rubicon has been deservedly praised: when has Roman history ever been such a compelling and convincing read?" (It should be noted, for the sake of full disclosure, that Faulkner and Holland worked together on a TV series so there may be some bias in that judgement.)
You make several good points Jona, and I agree with you that we must be vigilant lest we lose history to those who would re-write it for their own ends, political or economic.
However, I do think that Holland's book Rubicon is a better introduction to the history of the Late Republic than say the HBO/BBC series Rome, or any number of films like Gladiator.
Finally, I bow once again to the scholarship on this site -- I am reminded, almost on a daily basis, just how much more I have to study. :oops:
:wink:
Narukami
Perhaps Holland was on firmer ground or more familiar with the territory of Republican Rome than he is ancient Persia. Or it my be that the success of Rubicon induced Holland to crank out another book without spending sufficient time doing the research. This is really a shame for it is a fascinating topic and Holland writes enticing prose. As Neil Faulkner put it in the notes to his book Rome: Empire Of The Eagles, "T. Holland's Rubicon has been deservedly praised: when has Roman history ever been such a compelling and convincing read?" (It should be noted, for the sake of full disclosure, that Faulkner and Holland worked together on a TV series so there may be some bias in that judgement.)
You make several good points Jona, and I agree with you that we must be vigilant lest we lose history to those who would re-write it for their own ends, political or economic.
However, I do think that Holland's book Rubicon is a better introduction to the history of the Late Republic than say the HBO/BBC series Rome, or any number of films like Gladiator.
Finally, I bow once again to the scholarship on this site -- I am reminded, almost on a daily basis, just how much more I have to study. :oops:
:wink:
Narukami
David Reinke
Burbank CA
Burbank CA
