The Sword of Attila: A Novel Of The Last Years Of Rome

by Michael Curtis Ford

For centuries, Rome had ruled from Africa to the wilds of Britain. Now, from across a broad plain of waving grass, a new enemy had poured out of the East--to be led by a man whose goal was not just victory in battle, but the end of an empire...In his novels of ancient warfare, Michael Curtis Ford captures the roar, clamor and horror of battle as well as the intimate moments of human choice upon which history turns. In his extraordinary new work, he brings to life the buckling Roman empire in 400 A.D., a jagged, sprawling realm of foreign fighters, unstable rulers, and battle lines stretched too far. At this pivotal moment, General Flavius Aetius is forced into a battle he does not want but cannot afford to lose. Once Flavius lived among the wild Huns, rode their stout warhorses and became like a son to their king. Now, he faces a man who once saved his life, a man he fears, loves and admires... a man named Attila--the most dangerous enemy Rome has ever known....

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, Historical, War, Novels, World History

404 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Michael Curtis Ford is an American historical novelist, writing novels about Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece. He has worked variously as a laborer, a ski patrolman, a musician, a consultant, a banker, a Latin teacher, and a translator. He holds degrees in Economics and Linguistics and lives in Oregon, where he and his wife homeschool their three children. He has also written numerous articles on ancient military themes.

Reviews

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the author admitted he didn't use correct informations at all times, on a few points using superstitions or non-verrified facts, I loved every second of this book.

I usually want my historical fiction to be accurate because most of the history I know comes from books and if I get mislead about an information I don't feel too good. But I do appreciate good writing, and I think Michael Curtis Ford is a good writer.

The book is at its core the story of two men and the battle bewteen them. One of them is Flavius Aetius, commander of the Roman legions in Galia (basically running the Roman empire) and the other is Atilla, one of the Huns. They met when they were children, running through the streets of Ravenna, and they separate when the exchange of prisoners forces Atilla to remain in the Roman empire and Aetius to go and live with the Huns in their capital. They are both raised by other people than their families, and in the end, they both remain with things from the other's world. Atilla learns lating and greek, what diplomacy means, how to acts in society and how to hide your feelings against all other men. Aetius learns about honour, about fighting the right way, of what a life lived in camps and dirt what mean and most of all, he learns that a man can make his own path without destroying the path of others.

These two are sent back to their families, where Aetius becomes the leader of the legions and has all the power of the Roman empire in his hands, and Atilla becomes the king of the Huns and ultimatelly, Aetius biggest enemy.

Besides the subject, which was extremely interesting, what kept me reading this book with such pleasure was the really good rythm. The pace is fast and it doesn't slow down until the last three pages, when still you want it not to stop.

I do hope this books gets around and more people read it, it's really good!

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical novel is around 400 pages long and I was turning those pages fast. Ford brings the decadent Roman Empire vividly to life in this book published in 2005. This is about the Rome of the 5th Century, an empire unable to defend itself and needing to rely on its allies, who are Germanic "barbarians" such as the Visigoths. In fact, Rome has already been sacked by barbarian raiders and the capital of the Western Roman Empire has been moved to Ravenna, a defensible port city on the Adriatic.
By 450 A.D., the Romans face their greatest challenge--the Hunnish Empire under Attila, pressing their borders on the Rhine and Danube Rivers. Attila threatens to overrun the western empire and absorb it into a super Hun empire. The man who will lead the Romans and their allies is General Flavius Aetius, a man who had lived among the Huns and understands their thinking...So the showdown between the Roman and Hunnish empires and their leaders--Aetius and Attila--comes down to a place in Gaul ( modern-day France) at the Battle of Chalons. You should know who wins ( after all the language I'm using here has many words based on Latin and not on Hunnish!), but you have to see how it happens...
This may be a spoiler, but the book ends with the battle and we don't know what happened to both Aetius and Attila after the battle. I believe there is a sequel and I will look for it!

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

No one I have read is as good a teller of war stories than Michael Curtis Ford. However, everything else he writes seems just kind of there. I mean there is little romance in his novels and in general interpersonal relationships are pretty boring. However, in terms of war history, making battles and conflicts come alive, etc... he is second to none.

[Scott Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this book. I think historical novels tend to be stale, but Ford writes the ancient world with a thrilling and efficient style. I've always been fascinated by the Greek and Roman worlds and Ford's books transport me there. I highly recommend this and any of his work.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the book was entertaining, I found it nowhere near as engaging or well-written as his first novel, 'The Ten Thousand.' Now, I'm not sure if that is because I read the earlier novel when it was first published, and his writing-style is much better suited to people around the age of 14 or 15. As Mr. Ford admits, he left out much of the information from both Atilla's and Aetus' lives in order to make the story shorter and more readable. Personally, I felt that I missed out on a lot of important information about the growth of the characters in the time lapses-- especially the later ones. The change in Aetus especially is quite drastic between his return to Rome and his assumption of the governorship of Gual and his marriage quite a few years later to Priscilla. I would have liked very much to at least witness the reasons, or at least have some points of reference, for these important changes. Overall, it was an enjoyable book, but definitely one that did not pull me into it and keep me riveted in a way that his earlier novels did. This is a good book for a light read, especially if you are interested in military history or the period of transition between what we think of as the traditional Roman Empire and late-antiquity.

[Talip · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is entertaining to read but I think it should have been named after Flavius Aetius as it focuses on him rather than Attila.

I admire the effort of the author who does his best trying to remain loyal to the actual history. Depiction of the Hun riders and their fighting techniques are awesome. The narration makes the reader feel like watching a movie, especially during the passages of war.

However, I may say that I am disappointed with the description of Attila and the way he is compared to Aetius. Attila is presented as a fearless leader and a skilled warrior but lacking some moral qualities such as compassion and care for honour. His modest way of life and genius is shadowed under his ambition. He is presented as a man rejecting the importance of honour that he can do anything to win. However, Aetius is standing as a more humane and honourable man. I must admit I cannot blame the author, because like many nomadic races, Huns did not record anything and left no documents. That causes a one sided look over the matter and makes way to prejudice.

I may say i liked the book, had a good time reading, learned new things, met Flavius Aetius and recommend it to anyone interested in historical events.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent novel of Attila the Hun and Aetius, the General of Rome who faced him down in a battle of epic proportions; one that many historians believe was a turning point for all of Western Europe.

What makes this "story" fascinating is that Attila was a political hostage of Rome and Aetius, his Hunnish counterpart, so they were both more than familiar with the cultures they eventually fought against.

Per this book (I am not well-versed with this chapter of history and this is the first book I have read on the subject), they became friends in Attila's first months as a hostage and prior to Aetius being sent to the Huns. After Attila's term was finished and he returned to his people, this friendship was renewed for a number of months before Aetius returned to Rome, where he became the most powerful man in Rome(after the emperor). When they finally meet in battle, they are in their 50's and have been friends for 30+ years.

This book was well-written, the characters were nicely developed and the battles (both minor and major) were highly descriptive without becoming overbearing; I definitely recommend reading it.

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

The second novel I've read of MCF's ancient historical fiction epics and I can safely say he is a brilliant descriptive author. His ability to cause the reader to visualize the environment is his greatest strength, which also happens to be a major weakness. The lack of brevity in developing the setting distracts from the overall very strong storytelling. Another flaw is the campy dialogue that does not match the quality of descriptive prose. It's like watching Ben Hur with the cast and script of Conan the Barbarian. Additionally, while I really enjoy the well-researched and presented piece depicting an era that is rarely explored, I find the lines between creative license and historical accuracy are far too blurred to consider offer a serious recommendation such that would be awarded to novels by Gore Vidal. Having said that, this novel is certainly very readable. More so, if you know when and what to skim.

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was superb, from historical descriptions to characters and army battles. The way that battles are depicted, in this novel and the next volume that continues the story, is breathtaking and seems very real. Another aspect that I liked is the description of the way of life of huns and romans and the differences between the two very different cultures. And what is even most interesting is the clash between this two cultures and between the two leaders who were friends, raised and educated on both sides. The writing style is also very good, with intriguing action, intense atmosphere with slow building pressure. I recommend this book to all historical-fiction fans as well The Fall of Rome, that continues the historical events.

[Lori Clark-Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lexile: 1110
Historical Event/Time Period: The Roman Empire around 500 A.D.
Liked: The book was very engaging and exciting and showed interesting facts about two very different cultures.
Disliked: At points the book was repetitive but for the most part it was really interesting.
Summary: This book goes into the lives of two teenage boys, but these boys aren 19t regular teenage boys. These two boys are the sons of the Hunnish king and a great Roman general. The boys are traded to the other empire to keep an alliance between the empires. They have to adapt to the others 19 life styles and ultimately better themselves.

[Oscar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It started with a scene near the end, then digressed to many years before, keeping me interested, wanting to get to the resolution of the first chapter. It kept my interest throughout; I did not want to put it down at times. Author constructed this historical fiction very nicely. Maybe a little disappointing was the final ending, but I guess that is how history happened.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Having not read any of Ford’s other books, and being quite rusty on my end-of-Rome history, I appreciated the details. As he mentions, it’s not a textbook, but a novel. And a good one at that.

[Kir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book about the near-end of the Roman empire. I liked the parts set in the Hunnish community, but the battle scenes were really long...

[Jordi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muy interesante conocer acerca de los hunos y de Atila como personaje mítico. El libro es formativo y ameno al mismo tiempo, si bien comentar que, en realidad, está más centrado en Flavio Aecio que no en el teórico protagonista y también que el libro narra desde la juventud de los personajes -lo cual está bien pero tampoco tiene mucha relevancia histórica- hasta la batalla de los Campos Cataláunicos, con lo que la historia queda interrumpida, debiendo acudir, si acaso, al siguiente libro del autor.

[DKSDGM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well written historical fiction left me hungry to learn more about these real-life warriors, especially Flavius Aetius. Wonderful page-turner. I will definately be on the look-out for more historical novels by this author!!

[Andrés Valerio · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Twenty years after buying this book I finally got to it. Honestly it was pretty good, amazing action scenes and I also felt I learned a few things. Character work is kinda lacking but serviceable. I'm glad I finally read it.

[Петър Стойков · Rating 2 out of 5]

Елементарно и не особено кадърно написано историческо романче, което сигурно ще се хареса на по-млади или по-непретенциозни читатели. Има го на български, но ме мързи да го добавям.

[Helmont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encantó esta novela, la interacción entre los personajes fue tan natural, bello , que quedas encsriñandote con ambos

[Constanza Zuniga · Rating 3 out of 5]

me estás diciendo que la guerra fue porq Atila quería que una de sus 300 esposas fuera romana??'

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth reading but one of those books you feel could’ve been something more

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

History was decent. I enjoyed the story.

[Ema · Rating 5 out of 5]

La forma en que comienza esta novela ya es muy atrapante..no conocía mucho acerca de esta historia y gracias a este libro pude sacar un poco de información de todas formas se nota una especie de favoritismo que tiene el autor por los Romanos en varias ocaciones deja a los Hunos en segundo plano pero me gusto mucho igual.

En fin son 400 paginas que valen la pena y además se leé bastante facil ✌

"Vista al éste"🌅

[Iceman · Rating 4 out of 5]

História

Em 450 DC, o Império Romano do Ocidente estava a perder, de uma forma gradual, o poderio militar assim como o controlo das suas províncias, entre as quais a Gália, a Bretanha, a Lusitânia, entre outras.

De Oeste uma nova e poderosa força, alicerçada em alianças de povos que odiavam os romanos, os Hunos, liderados por Atila, avançam sobre Roma com um exército de 1 milhão de homens, algo nunca visto em toda a Europa.

A liderar o exército romano estava o general Flávio Aécio que, de acordo com documentos da época, comandava um exército de 500.000 homens, exército composto pelas legiões romanas e por povos que se mantinham fiéis a Roma, os Visigodos, os Francos e os Alanos. No entanto deixo aqui a ressalva acerca destes números, pois há historiadores que avançam com cerca de 300.000 homens para cada lado.

Entre Flávio e Atila um pormenor sobressaia: eram amigos de infância.

Flávio, por causa da política da altura do Império Romano, havia sido entregue como refém aos Hunos e aí criado durante 14 anos (409-425). Atila, através da mesma política, esteve entre os romanos pelo menos período. Tornam-se amigos no período (409) onde convivem durante alguns meses.

Esse período, obviamente, irá moldar o carácter desses dois homens. Ambos aprendem a conhecer o povo com quem vivem, mas ambos vão mais longe, ambos aprendem os costumes e tradições desses povos e, sobretudo, aprendem a pensar como um deles. Isso acontece principalmente com Aécio.
Esses factos vão ter uma preponderância sublime nos acontecimentos futuros. Ambos conhecem a mentalidade do inimigo e ambos tiram disso vantagem.


Opinião

O livro está sublime!

Michael Curtis Ford, como nos tem habituado, efectua um trabalho de pesquisa história soberbo.

Os acontecimentos acima narrados são todos escalpelizados.

O livro inicia-se com a infância destes dois homens e aborda o seu crescimento. Centra-se mais em Aécio simplesmente porque de Atila sabe-se pouco, pois os Hunos não deixaram documentos e a sua civilização quase que não deixou vestígios. De Atila conhece-se alguma coisa mas isso deve-se a historiados romanos.

Dessa forma, Curtis Ford, com o pouco que tem, é sublime na forma como retracta os costumes e tradições dos Hunos. Mitos, histórias e modos de vida são-nos dados a conhecer, um povo “bárbaro” que dizimava à sua passagem.

As tricas e alianças, até a justificação de Atila em atacar os romanos, quando entre os romanos e os hunos existia um pacto de não agressão, está bem encaixada e de acordo com a História.

A culminar está a Batalha dos Campos Catalaúnicos ou a Batalha de Chalons.

A descrição da mesma é terrível, de uma violência inolvidável.

Nessa batalha, travada a 20 Junho de 451, pereceram mais de 1/3 do exército de ambos os lados. “Pilhas de Mortos”, “à sua frente, o chão estava coberto de cavalos e de homens, montes de corpos…”, “estavam empilhados casualmente em muralhas improvisadas e contorcidas no local onde tinham caído…”

Durante um dia inteiro e parte da noite, os exércitos digladiam-se de uma forma brutal, insana, para além do racional. Na confusão tudo é permitido, a brutalidade dessa batalha, que irá ter uma importância enorme no futuro da Europa, é soberba e excitantemente bem escrita por Michael Curtis Ford, dando-nos não só uma real percepção dos acontecimentos como, também, nos faz quase participar nessa mesma batalha e nos acontecimentos anteriores à mesma.

Um livro excepcional!

[Masen Production]

Rated 0 stars
“2nd book of MC Ford... The story of Attila the Hun. Thanks to him Rome was diminished in 50 years of his conquest. It's one of the bloodiest fights Romans ever had to the extent that Europe was without able bodied men for over 4 decades. Everybody knows of Attila and his conquest to annihilate Rome, the man that stood between him and his victory was Atieus - Genral of Rome, not much has ever been spoken about him ever. He was Attila's friend and grew up among the Hun's and knew their style inside out. Thanks to him Rome did not face defeat in the hands of the Huns but the battle left Rome too weak to sustain itself from other enemies. Thus within a century it started disintegrating itself. This is the story of Atieus & Attila and facts once again are constructed in a fictional story. A good read. ”

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

This retelling of the legend of Attila the Hun lacked primarily in the fact that too much time was spent following Flavius Aetius, the Roman who stopped the great warrior from conquering Rome. Fine I guess given that the book is told from his point of view, but if you are looking for more about Attila then this isn't the book for you. What was extremely well done, and Ford rarely does poorly with this, is the background. The detail he pours into every paragraph to help put the reader into the story and experience what it may have been like is second to none.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read by the author. Follows the story loosely of Aetius and Attila. The author couldn't do a serious in depth book, but did a fair job overall, and then focuses on the Battle of Campi Catalaunici (Chalons). Other then the obvious need to skip over some of Attila's history and the impressive things he did, there were a few jumps that kind of left one wondering how it went from one view and action to the next.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know, I'd really like to say I only casually enjoyed this book. I already read a book similar to it, so I didn't expect any surprises. But as I got into the thick of it, I became immersed in Aetius and Attilas' world. It was much better than I thought it would be. So I gave it a 4, because the story telling was masterful and it truly did impress me.

[Andreea · Rating 2 out of 5]

What did I think? First, eager to finish it, then desperate to finish it... it was so much of a Hollywood movie script and so less of a historical novel...what saved it was the author's last note where he acknowledged that lots of things shouldn't be regarded necessarily as historical facts. The thing that troubled me the most was the psychology of characters...so 20th century-like....

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story and fascinating true events, but lost a little something in the telling. Some of the side plots, while interesting in their own right, didn't add to the main narrative. The main plot line itself was somewhat jumpy and those events didn't often flow together well. Still, I enjoyed the book.

[Allen Bagby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another threat to Rome. Attila's goal was to end the roman empire. He went straight to the heart. General Flavius Aetius is called to face the horde. Attila was his childhood friend. Battles and drama ensue.