Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Men of Bronze
by
Scott Oden (Goodreads Author)
It is 526 B.C. and the empire of the Pharaohs is dying, crushed by the weight of its own antiquity. Decay riddles its cities, infects its aristocracy, and weakens its armies. While across the expanse of Sinai, like jackals drawn to carrion, the forces of the King of Persia watch and wait. Leading the fight to preserve the soul of Egypt is Hasdrabal Barca, Pharaoh’s deadlie...more
Paperback, 483 pages
Published
July 1st 2006
by Medallion Press
(first published 2005)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
524)
bought this book in 2010, I think. I started reading it but abandoned it. I always intended to get back to it, one day. It took awhile, though. What spurred me was the fact that I decided to rebuy it in epub, to replace the pdf copy I bought in 2010. And I am glad I did.
One word can describe this book: Epic. At times, it felt almost like I was reading fantasy novel, with minium of magic. This isn't fantasy, but Historical fiction. This isn't my favorite genre, since it often involves bloody, g...more
One word can describe this book: Epic. At times, it felt almost like I was reading fantasy novel, with minium of magic. This isn't fantasy, but Historical fiction. This isn't my favorite genre, since it often involves bloody, g...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The setting was well-researched, the descriptions were imaginative, and I was greatly interested in the character's fate.
The best aspect, though, was the action. The action in this book comes frequently and unflinchingly, and in a wide variety: individual duels, prison tortures, street brawls, small skirmishes, large scale battles. This book has all the sword-and-shield fighting one could want, and it never felt stale or repetitive. Another thing I appreciated is...more
The best aspect, though, was the action. The action in this book comes frequently and unflinchingly, and in a wide variety: individual duels, prison tortures, street brawls, small skirmishes, large scale battles. This book has all the sword-and-shield fighting one could want, and it never felt stale or repetitive. Another thing I appreciated is...more
A very good debut and a historical book i enjoyed very much.
Well done characters,quality vivid action,historical realism wise solid.
Well done characters,quality vivid action,historical realism wise solid.
Aug 11, 2012
Matt
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Historical fiction fans, fans of ancient warfare and politics
I was sucked into this book the very first time I opened it. I just couldn't put it down! The first paragraph paints such a beautiful and vivid picture. It was clear to me that Scott Oden did a lot of research for this book. I've owned two copies of this book, because I lend it to anyone who asks me if I have any good reading suggestions. This is always at the top of my list.
I love how there is something for every mood, in this book. There is action, history, romance... everything one could wan...more
I love how there is something for every mood, in this book. There is action, history, romance... everything one could wan...more
I originally gave this review three stars. In thinking things over, I concluded that the original rating reflected my own reaction to a terrible event in history - the fall of Egypt to that madman Cambyses - and did not accurately reflect the quality of the writing which, if it had a flaw, was just a tad too gritty. I have upgraded my review to a 4 and fleshed my rating out with a few more words.
I liked it - well written, evocative. There were one or two passages that I thought unnecessarily exp...more
I liked it - well written, evocative. There were one or two passages that I thought unnecessarily exp...more
Scott Oden is one of the best of the current crop of historical novelists today. MEN OF BRONZE starts out with action and continues right on never flagging in interest. He has a mix of historical accuracy combined with an old fashioned pulp sense of action. Set during the eve of the Persian invasion of Egypt and the intrigues and then battles, you hope the hero will triumph. This book leaves you wanting more.
It is 526 B.C. and the Egyptian Empire is under attack not only from foreign Persian aggressors, but from treachery within its own borders as well. When Hasdrubal Barca, a mercenary in service to the pharaoh, learns of a treasonous plot, he uses his years of military experience and expertise in an attempt to save Egypt from invasion.
Political strife, riveting battle scenes, haunting regrets, betrayal, love and revenge…this historical fiction encompasses them all. The battle scenes were so well...more
Political strife, riveting battle scenes, haunting regrets, betrayal, love and revenge…this historical fiction encompasses them all. The battle scenes were so well...more
This book is a pretty good book, its historical / fictional meshing make it a fun read for those who enjoy both like myself. Although I think the author obsessed a little to much on the sexual exploits in the book, true it is no secret during this time moral values were not strong, the author only achieves belittling himself in his desire for over description in sex. Over all a fun read.
Epic military adventure, political double-dealing and a touch of romance, set against a convincing background of collapsing empire during the Persian invasion of Egypt in 526 BC.
Review: http://www.carlanayland.org/reviews/m...
Review: http://www.carlanayland.org/reviews/m...
Oden is one of those authors who thinks why use one word when you can use ten.
Gave up on this after getting nearly half way :( I hate doing that.
Men Of Bronze by Scott Oden (2005)
This is actually marketed as historical fiction but I don't have that label in my list. Besides, the book reminds me quite a bit of the historical fiction that Robert E. Howard wrote, and there isn't a large leap from that to Howard's more fantasy tales of Conan and Kull.
Oden does do a great job with the history here, though, and he has a real feel for the age of the pharaohs. His hero, Barca, is as tough a hombre as you're likely to meet anywhere in historical fiction or heroic fantasy.
Oden does do a great job with the history here, though, and he has a real feel for the age of the pharaohs. His hero, Barca, is as tough a hombre as you're likely to meet anywhere in historical fiction or heroic fantasy.
526 BC - Egypt - Weakened from centuries of decay and threatened by the growing power of the Persian Empire pressing its borders, the land of the Pharoahs sits on the verge of collapse. A deadly Phoenician mercenary and his elite group of men stand determined to defend Egypt against not only its foreign enemies, but those plotting within the royal palace itself
Great historical epic, rich in details from daily life to battlefield carnage. Setups and payoffs work well from the opening skirmish, through the political intrigue through to the crescendo of the final battle.
This was a fun read. The History in it was really interesting, but the writing style was very reminiscent of the pulp novels of yore. It reminded me a lot of the John Carter of Mars books. It became a little tough to slough through at about the 3/4 point, but picked up for a pretty good ending.
Didn't finish it. Libraries are great; I check out piles of books and then I don't bother finishing the ones that don't grab me. I can tell if a book is worth finishing within the first several dozen pages.
This was a great read. There was plenty of action and even though fairly political in venue, the personal story of the main character and his female lead left me with a warm fuzzy in the end.
Very good yarn , good characters and plenty of action
Review to come.......
read 08.09.05
No. Just... no.
Jun 16, 2013
Amina
marked it as to-read
Jun 16, 2013
Malc Brown
marked it as to-read
Jun 15, 2013
Dale Barkwell
is currently reading it
Jun 14, 2013
Allie
is currently reading it
Jun 14, 2013
Ella
marked it as to-read
Jun 12, 2013
Cynthia
marked it as to-read
Jun 12, 2013
Shaynah Kowitz
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Hailing from the hills of rural North Alabama, Scott Oden's fascination with far-off places began when his oldest brother introduced him to the staggering and savage vistas of Robert E. Howard and Harold Lamb. Though Oden started writing his own tales at the age of fourteen, it would be many years before anything would come of it. In the meantime, he had a brief and tempestuous fling with academia...more
More about Scott Oden...
Share This Book
1 trivia question
More quizzes & trivia...
