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**richsc** · 08-07-2002, 05:49 PM

I was surprised to see Simon's third book out on Amazon UK. I have already ordered it, but for those who already have it, what do you think? Richard Campbell, Legio XX.
http://www.geocities.com/richsc53/studies/

08-08-2002, 07:44 PM

Richard, are these books comparible to Jack Whyte's "A Dream of Eagles" series? What are these books about, and can we get them here in the US/Canada? I looked up his first one, and it looks like it is a special order book. "Only Trajan could go to Dacia." 
 
Magnus/Matt 
Optio 
Legio XXX "Ulpia Victrix"

**richsc** · 08-08-2002, 09:52 PM

These are fast moving Roman army adventures, not like the, to me, ponderous Whyte novel series. The first novel starts in 43AD, the Claudian invasion, and they proceed from there. More like the Sharpe series than Whyte's. I thoroughly enjoy them so far, and recommend them. Have you looked at Amazon.com? They might also be available used, and I thought I noticed second printings of them. Simon shows up here occasionally, and he has his own website: 
 
www.scarrow.fsnet.co.uk/ 
 
which has been updated, I see. Richard Campbell, Legio XX.
http://www.geocities.com/richsc53/studies/

derek forrest · 08-13-2002, 06:38 PM

I have the book and will report further when I have read more. It starts with a storm and Macro trying to have it away with a young Icini lady called Boedicea.

**richsc** · 08-17-2002, 01:21 PM

Rousing book! Another great adventure. My congratulations to Simon. Richard Campbell, Legio XX.
http://www.geocities.com/richsc53/studies/

08-17-2002, 08:48 PM

Cheers mate! I thought it was the best adventure of the three, seems like every reader agrees thus far. (Ducks to avoid flak from discontents).

08-19-2002, 10:01 AM

I loved the first book and am looking forward to getting the other 2. My only criticisms are that the first book was too short, I'd love to see a 600 page novel and I have to wait so long between installments here in the US.

08-19-2002, 05:54 PM

The only way you're going to get 600 pages out of me is by buying the large print edition!

***Praefectusclassis*** · 08-19-2002, 06:00 PM

Just read the first one this weekend, or rather just Saturday. Nitpicking aside, I loved it! Greets 
 
Jasper

08-21-2002, 10:18 AM

"The only way you're going to get 600 pages out of me is by buying the large print edition!" 
 
As I just got my first pair of bifocals, that might not be a bad idea.

08-23-2002, 11:04 AM

Simon's books were new to me until last month when i read the first two back to back whilst on holiday.....and thoroughly enjoyed both i might say. 
 
I'm looking forward to number 3 and however many more will follow, which will i hope be many. There is an awful lot to get through before the year of the 4 emperors...and Vitellius gets what's coming to him! 
 
Seeing as Macro and Cato aren't exactly best mates with Vitellius it'll be interesting to see how they even survive his short rule. 
 
 
Time will tell i guess. 
 
regards 
 
Simon

08-24-2002, 02:00 PM

Hi, 
If you havn,t yet read these books you are in for a treat! They are impossible to put down once begun...(-: 
Looking forward to number 4..any idea when that might be Simon? 
Mark.

derek forrest · 09-10-2002, 05:57 PM

Here is the promised review 
WHEN THE EAGLE HUNTS 
 
 
VespasianÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s suicide commando has its third excursion. 
 
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp This time in the spring of 44 and as the Legions prepare for the second stage of the invasion of Britain , the Governors wife and children are shipwrecked and fall into the hands of the Druids the Ist century equivalent of the Taliban. 
 
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The problem for Scarrow is how to get Cato and Macro involved, ensconced as they are in a regular legion of heavy infantry. This is highlighted by the earlier battle where a cohort has to lurk in ambush in a village .What did they do with their belts and aprons? Otherwise any slight movement will start an unholy rattle and spring the ambush. 
 
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Fortunately there seems to be marked shortage of auxiliaries. The Augusta sends a cohort into hostile territory with only a small detachment of legionary cavalry as escort. Fortunately too there is a bit of local help on hand in the form of Boudica and fiancÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â©e Prasutagus who at one stage are able to disguise Cato as a full blooded tribesman wode and limed with the best of them. 
 
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Well that is one of the joys of writing. You can sweep such inconsistencies aside and get your characters involved throughout.This involvement takes them up to and beyond the walls of Maiden Castle in their most daring adventure yet .Necessarily they have to leave the rest of the commando behind. This greatly enhances the Commandoes' chances of survival but means that the full wrath of the Durotriges falls upon our two heroes. 
 
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Our knowledge of the Druids is so limited that the author can take considerable licence and in so doing create a foe every bit as fearsome as Smersh and as cruel as the inquistion.If the real druids were only half the threat of the Dark Moon Druids It is not surprising that the bulk of the Roman Army in Britain were committed to their destruction on Anglesey. 
 
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp The author has deliberately kept the action small which provides quite a contrast to the second book. In so doing he deprives the reader of one of his main skills that of describing large action sequences. The next book will no doubt make amends. 
 
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp This is an action novel and therefore the reader is not diverted by a lot of description of characters and scenery. However we have more of the banter between Centurion and Optio and some humour from the giant Prasutagus. 
 
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Romance is virtually absent whether by authors intent or editorial advice. What there is has an intriguing inter racial aspect and some plotting possibilities for the future. 
 
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp We in the re-enactment world are so often constrained by lack of evidence so that we feel unable to write appropriate songs or put ties on tents. An author can justifiably shed these constraints and Scarrow does to a surprisingly trivial extent. He gives his Optio some white on his shoulder as a badge of rank and puts blue edges around the tunic of the medicus. Maybe in future he will give vent to his imagination and we shall have distinctive shields; salutes and unit badges say. 
 
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp One suspects that the next book will see considerable changes in the lives of Cato and Macro. The writer certainly looks forward to those events as will many others of that growing band of readers who follow Macro and Cato lin the same way they followed Hornblower and Sharpe. 
 
Derek

09-12-2002, 05:04 PM

Thanks for the feedback Derek. Sounds like you enjoyed the third book. 
You might like to peruse some interesting Kirby Hall pictures at my website on the what's new page.... 
Best wishes 
Simon

derek forrest · 09-17-2002, 06:55 PM

Hi Simon 
You have set the old saliva running again with this talk of wolves. Next August seems so far away!!! Maybe there wont be another Kirby.

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