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**richsc** · 02-16-2001, 01:31 PM

Good sources are great: getting your hands on the books however can be very frustrating. While Amazon and others have huge selections of in-print books, finding the out of print is frustrating and time consuming. Sander and Jenny both seem to have huge libraries. I for one would like to know where they found all these books. Maybe they'll share some secrets? 
 
Used Books in the US: I've had good luck with both Abebooks.com and Half.com. Both had agents that look for you and send email alerts when the books show up. I found two copies of HR Robinson this way. 
I was looking for books on drill and the MilitaryBookman.com had a lot of these, including originals from the 18th century for $$$ . 
 
Any other sources for Roman history and Roman military history ?? Your secrets are safe with us!

JRSCline · 02-16-2001, 01:58 PM

Hi Rich, 
 
When looking for new titles, I always check www.oxbowbooks.com first. Their U.S. outlet is David Brown Books, accessible from the same webpage as Oxbow. Start there first. If you have an in-print book you want, they can get it for you (at full price, of course). They also help smaller publishers unload overstock so good deals on recently-OP titles can be had. 
 
The Museum Bookshop next to the British Museum has a terrific stock of ancient history and archaeology. I'm not sure of their website URL but I'm certain they are online. Also, try the Scholar's Bookshop. Waterstone's are the official bookstore for UniLondon and are also online somewhere. 
 
Powell's Books is a good new and used bookshop. Beware -- low prices there sometimes mean slightly damaged books. 
 
Sometimes you get lucky on Ebay or other auctions services, but very rarely. I did find a copy of Bishop's RME that way. About fell on the floor when I spotted the listing! 
 
I used to use Amazon.com but their searches turn up more O/P titles than available ones, at least in Roman Studies. Do NOT use their used book search service -- the resulting middleman's fee can result in a doubling or trebling of the price. 
 
You can do your own used book searching much more easily through services like www.alibris.com. You also seem familiar with abebooks, another good choice. 
 
As for huge libraries -- It was that or a BMW. E EM I chose to buy books. Funny how one leads to another, and another... 
 
If you're interested, want to know how to find the MAVORS Roman army series? 
 
 
Jenny

**richsc** · 02-16-2001, 07:16 PM

thanks Jenny! I have no idea what the MAVORS is? Can you describe it? 
 
I'm busy with Lupercalia preparations. Seems the entire Legio XX is showing up as well as new recruits. I just hope everyone leaves their hobnailed caligae behind. Except for Matt/Quintus, I don't think anyone in this forum lives nearby, or I'd invite them.

02-16-2001, 08:30 PM

my local library has been a good source for second-hand books. they have started a policy of selling off books which haven't been out for some time.--so now I don't borrow any books! 
 
I'm watching a copy of Holders Auxilia from Augustus to Trajan.......making sure no-one takes it out. 
 
it will be mine....hahahaha 
 
sorry I have a problem with books

JRSCline · 02-16-2001, 09:10 PM

MAVORS is a series of compilations of papers by various renowned Roman army scholars. 
 
Vol 1, Michael P. Speidel (1984) is out of print and I've never been able to find a copy. So I've had to borrow one and photocopy the entire thing. EM 
 
Vol 2, J. F. Gilliam (1986). I'm not sure if it's also O/P but if not, J.C. Gieben in Amsterdam offers it. 
 
Vol 3, Geza AlfÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¶ldy. (I've forgotten the title.) (1987) in print, J.C. Gieben. 
 
Vol 4, Eric Birley. Roman Army Papers. (198 possibly in print, Gieben. 
 
Vol 5, G. Forni. Esercito e Marina di Roma Antica. (1992) in print, Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart, Germany. 
 
Vol 6, H. Devijver. Pannonien und das roemische Heer. (1989) in print, Gieben. 
 
Vol 7, A. Mocsy (1992) in print, Steiner Verlag. 
 
Vol 8, M.P. Speidel (1992) in print, Steiner Verlag. 
 
Vol 9, H. Devijver. Equestrian Officers of the Roman Imperial Army II. (1992) in print, Steiner Verlag. 
 
Vol 10, D.J. Breeze and B. Dobson. Roman Officers and Frontiers. (1993) in print, Steiner Verlag. 
 
Vol 11, D. Baatz. Bauten und Katapulte des roemischen Heeres. (1994) in print, Steiner Verlag. 
 
Apparently there is another MAVORS volume going to press soon. Sander, who was it again? 
 
J.C. Gieben Publishers can be emailed at [email protected] 
 
Steiner Verlag can be contacted through [email protected] 
 
Be warned -- these are expensive volumes. US$100 is a fair estimate for each. 
 
Vardulli, if you can get the Holder title, it's a rare find! I've never been able to find a copy of BAR 70. I had to photocopy that one as well; spent some long nights at the copy machine... E EM 
 
 
Jenny

Catiline · 02-16-2001, 11:42 PM

Whilst hastening to add that in the strictest sense it's illegal to photoocopy more than 1 chapter or 10% of a book, and we can't condone doing that at all . MP3s anyone.... It's not a bug, it's a feature

02-17-2001, 09:22 AM

Salve, 
 
The last MAVORS series ad I saw was on a volume collecting papers by L. Keppie. 
 
My secrets for acquiring books and articles are not that secret or special. I have been collecting books on Roman army related subjects ever since I started working in vacations during grammar school. Most books I have bought directly of the shelves at book stores, with about 25% acquired by ordering them (I like to browse through books before buying). During my years as a student on the university I tended to photocopy rare or expensive titles in full, but now I am trying to get most books in original form. Articles on the Roman army I copy from magazines in the university library and the library attached to the museum of antiquities. There are two local bookstores with good specialist collections, one with titles on ancient subjects, one with the Osprey series in stock, in addition to general bookstores with an above average number of ancient history titles in store. In addition I prowl regularly second hand book shops both in Leiden and other cities, which occasionally leads to lucky finds (eg The armour of imperial Rome). It is a slow process, but every once in a while you can come across an out of print book you have been trying to find. Book pries tend to be higher in the Netherlands than abroad (in Germany, the UK and the USA) so when I am in England or Germany I will normally buy any books on the Roman army I can find. 
 
Regards, 
 
Sander van Dorst Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub45.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showLocalUserPublicProfile?login=sandervandorst>Sander van Dorst</A> at: 2/17/01 10:49:53 am

**richsc** · 02-24-2001, 12:58 PM

Ok, been looking up MAVORS and can't find a site, just a few indices. Is there a place you can get this from?

06-22-2002, 03:49 AM

Another possible source for out of print books would be alibris.com. I've had quite a bit of success finding some books that I had a tough time finding. 
 
Tim

Caius Fabius · 06-23-2002, 03:03 AM

If you live in the United States, you have a very good library as close as your nearest public library. It is called the ILL ( Inter-Library Loan) System. You have to do some basic research, having author and title, place and date of publication, and hopefully (for modern books) the ISBN. Then you go to your librarian and request that they order that book for you. You can either look at it in the library, when it arrives, or maybe even take it home. 
You can find much of the needed information in the "BIP" (books in Print) or the "NUC" (National Union Catalog). Most libraries have this work, either on computer or in volumes not over 5 years old. If not, ask them to get a copy of the BIP subject guide as your first inter-library loan. 
Yes, you may have to wait. Yes, you may have to help your librarian learn about ILL, but this will be a wonderful resource, for you and your research. 
I am not sure where the 10% copy rule comes from, especially if a book is out of print, and you are not "re-selling" your personal copy for educational use, but it may be a rule somewhere. With most books you only need to copy the footnotes/endnotes, bibliography and selected passages anyway The BIBLIOGRAPHY is your clue to the next books you need to request "Just before class started, I looked in the big book where all the world's history is written, and it said...." Neil J. Hackett, PhD ancient history, professor OSU, 1987

Buggnkat · 07-24-2005, 09:07 PM

Caesar's Legion Stephen Dando-Collins ISBN 0-471-09570-2 Publisher John Wiley & sons, Inc

Although he says that the book is about the Legio X, it is truly about Julius Caesar and his rise to power on the backs of the Spanish Legions. Not that it isn't a good book or well written, to the contrary, very well written and takes a lot to put it down. I really like the side bar notes on the characters that were to play important parts in his rise to power within the Roman Empire.One such man was Titus Labienus. Caesar's second, but would later side with Pompeii and fight his old commander was very interesting!

The author doesn't take anything for certain. He tells the story as if it were a story and not history. This makes the Legio X soldiers live again.

A good read in my opinion and I would suggest it. But no doubt most of you probably already are aware of the book and the history within.

Thanks

Greg Lee

Buggnkat · 09-23-2008, 06:23 AM

Salve Frater,

I am finishing "The Complete Roman Army" by Adrian Goldsworthy, pub Thames & Hudson INC in 2003 ISBN 0-500-05124-0

I found it a good read not too dry considering all that was covered. I am going through and noting items for my interest again. I would recommend the book!

Thanks

Greg Lee

Ioannes_Ahenobarbus · 09-23-2008, 06:14 PM

As Caius Fabius said, inter-library loan is very useful. I use it very often, typically getting 1-2 books a week that way. It is free, except for shipping costs (and some libraries cover that, too).

D B Campbell · 09-24-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:... inter-library loan is very useful. ... It is free, except for shipping costs (and some libraries cover that, too).

Not where I live ..!!

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