Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion
The A&M Group LISTOPIA Recommended Reading List
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Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd
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Oct 01, 2013 04:11PM
I really liked the book. I found much of it utterly delightful. Would have liked to include it on the recommended reading list. :)
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I am not sure whether this is the place to make suggestions for the recommended readings, but I was thinking of
and
.
I will confess. I know there are fans here and I mean no offense, but no Simon Scarrow books will ever be on the list or in our group reads. There is a reason for it and it regards bad author behaviour.
Terri wrote: "I will confess. I know there are fans here..."I like to separate the author from his/her books, but ok, point taken. Although it never fails to surprise me if I actually like the books and then the author is not a very nice person. How come it doesn't show in their writing?
Authors harassing reviewers with insults and abuse is a bit different to 'seperating an author from his or her books'.If they come after reviewers and insult them in awful ways on their review it is against GR policy as well as this groups. He wasn't reported to Goodreads, but if he had been he would likely have been removed from the site. or at least should have been.
What goes for Indie and self pub authors goes for traditionally published too. There isn't one rule on GR for self pub and one rule for Trad. Nor is there one rule for struggling authors and a seperate rule for bestselling authors.
If an author harasses any of our reviewers, whether that is a member or one of us mods, especially in the way Scarrow did, then they are not supported here.
No matter how many books he or she sells, or how popular they are.
Terri wrote: "Authors harassing reviewers ..."Wow, that sounds horrible, couldn't imagine someone would actually do that! Can see why the group does not recommend his books. Not sure whether I am glad that I know about it now, tho...was quite looking forward to his new book, but I am not sure I want to support him now.
Is there somebody else who is on the black list?
Fabbri is really good tho. Not sure how accurate the books are, but Vespasian's carrier was really rich and during very eventful times, so the books give quite a rich picture of Roman empire under Caligula.
Oh dear, I have read and liked any Scarrow the library has--several of the Eagle series. You have to pity the authors who engage in this behavior. They certainly have no self-confidence and it puffs them up to pull others down. I echo Michal's question: who else is on the 'blacklist'?
Michal wrote: "Terri wrote: "I will confess. I know there are fans here..."I like to separate the author from his/her books, but ok, point taken. Although it never fails to surprise me if I actually like the bo..."
I'm guessing it comes down to one face they show through their writing, and another they show to the 'real world.'
Jane wrote: "I'm guessing it comes down to one face they show through their writing, and another they show to the 'real world."Yup, but then again, you can superficially pretend to be a nice person, but it must be rather hard to do it in the book...it describes the inner life of the characters after all. It might come to how the person defines who is his/her ingroup (people they see as sharing the same values or other aspects that they treat nicely) and outgroup (the rest).
Of the Trad authors, no others are on the 'black list'. :) There are a couple self pub authors, but so far the black list is not very long..thank goodness.
Basically, the author you mention, members can talk about his books as much as they want, there is no problem there.
It is just that they won't get support in the form of publicity through the recommended reading list, a dedicated thread (in the Author Folder) or the group read polls because they can't be trusted to have the best intentions towards reviewers who leave negative reviews.
Some of you guys are tough enough to handle an aggressive author, but those who are not, and those shy GR members who are building up the confidence to start leaving reviews, should not have an author tearing them down for speaking their mind about their book.
p.s for the record, and many here know this of me. I don't think Scarrow has any talent. :) Each to their own though.
Fair Dinkum Terri.Have to say I like his style when it comes to following a "bosh" style of read, a bit like Sven hassel back in the day! It's not cultured for sure but a decent read for when yer in that frame of mood.
Bring it on Scarrow! :)
Each to their own. ;)
Added to the Recommended Reading List. our four December Group Read nominees.https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
I was casting my eye over the Listopia A&M Recommended Reading List and I must say, that is one damn fine recommended reading list.Then again, maybe I am biased because I set it up and run it...*grin*
There is quite a collection building there. Diverse, interesting.
Jaq wrote: "Loads of my favourites aren't there, but then I haven't been around enough to nominate books for group reads. I'm hoping to rectify that in the new year."We don't do nominations but you are welcome to talk about your favorite books in the threads. :)
Jaq wrote: "Loads of my favourites aren't there, but then I haven't been around enough to nominate books for group reads. I'm hoping to rectify that in the new year."If you want to suggest any of your favourites, Jaq, I am happy to consider them.
I will also be able to explain why your favourites can't be on the list if that be the case.
As explained on the reading list information, and the start of this thread, books that get onto the reading list have to be popular amoung members and in discussions, they have to be available in multiple countries and there needs to be a good chance of finding them in the libraries or bookstore, used or new.
Or, if they have been in the Monthly group read polls.
But suggestions are always welcome.
The group reads
As Dawn explained. We don't do nominations for group reads in A&M. By members nominating you get two problems.
You get a vast selection of what individuals want, usually without any consideration for what the group as a whole might be into.
And, you get 'popular' books winning monthly reads while less popular books lose out.
On top of that, the format of me choosing books for the group read polls adds a unique flavour to our particular group and its group reads.
Sometimes it is just nice to be surprised by what books are in the polls.
I pick four books per month for two polls. An Ancient Poll and a Medieval or Later Poll.
Two books in each poll.
I take into consideration the discussions in group, the availability of books, the ratings of books, and many other smaller things like picking books that compliment the books from the previous month.
That's a good idea. :)
Just went through the whole list and added some 40 books! One had 11 books in its series so added all those as well. Don't know whether to be happy because I know about some amazing new books or angry that my tbr list is uncontrollable now. Grrr.
haha! Wow. I hope your tbr can handle the extra weight. :)
I was pleased when taking gander at your list to see a solid group of selections at the top. That the wonderful Pressfield and Gremmell works made it near to the top, impressed me. The "Gates of Fire" may be the best HF book ever written IMO (and I don't care for fascists nor Spartans normally - Pressfield has grown quite ripe in that regard and his more recent work reflects this ripening IMO). I was surprised that many of the books seem to extend beyond what in history the group's name implies as its period of interest. Not a big deal - actually, better for it IMO.
Another observation is that many (most) of the books are newer releases. I would suggest that there is a wealth of older (getting hard to find classics that are deserving of being looked at here and being listed)
A quick incomplete list of some other authors - most older
H Pyle: E.G. Otto of the Silver Hand, Men of Iron,The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. A pathfinder and a giant in many ways. A must read author IMO.
Howard Fast: All in his Steinbeck-esque age clean style of writing from ancient through the Revolutionary War. His "The Hessian" is a classic example.
Cecelia Holland (the Queen of American HF): E.G. The Firedrake, Rakossy, Until the Sun Falls and too many more to mention - She is more than a queen to me - she's the Goddess. Her Medieval/Renaissance period is super stuff.
Hugo: The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Let's not forget Dumas either.
Arturo Perez Reverte: His Captain Alatriste series is worthy of any historical fiction list. His "Fencing Master" is later HF - mid 19th century is a great book. Sadly, too much of his HF work has not made into English yet - at least not here. Love this writer. His "Painter of Battles"(not HF) is his best novel IMO. He seems to have stopped writing. Hope not.
Rafael Sabatini: Mr. HF himself. The God Father of HF by any measure. The Captain Blood and Scaramouche series. And plenty of other target period stuff too. The "Sword of Islam" is a fine example of his now almost lost to reading work. A great read regarding the naval wars with the Turks. He is incredible reading.
Samuel Shellabarger: E.G. The "Prince of Foxes" (has to be right up there near the top of any HF swashbuckler weighted list). Swashbuckler heros don't come any better than the silver tongued Andrea Orsini/(Andrea Zoppo) nor do characters get much more complex than Mario Belli, the assassin. And "Captains of Castile" another great tale. Sadly, these are disappearing from library racks everywhere.
There are plenty of others. Just dig about in the library catalogs or reference sections for "Fiction" by a historical period as the subject of the search and you'll find them.
***** Note my list is American slanted for two reasons - First, I'm American - Second, these were written before America and AmeriKans became toxified with fast foods, an undeserved national hubris, Hollywood/TV culture and an Empire for the profit of the few.
A current Brit Swashbuckler quality yarn spinner that I missed on the list is Simon Scarrow and his fun "Under the Eagles" series - Great fun stuff, that. Sadly, he was cut from American publishing mid series for conservative morality and political reasons (FACT = author confirmed via direct correspondence). I'm enraged by this.
As an American I would add, there are plenty of wonderful western HF reads.. Sorry, have to do this.
"DOC" Mary Doria Russel 2011: The story Doc Holliday, Dodge City and Wyatt Earp and a super fantastic HF read. Not to be missed. A beautifully written and researched stunning read. The author came out of left field with this one into this genre and it was missed by many
True Grit - Charles Portis: Yes, the movie one - an older magazine serial story that has reestablished itself a western classic. Great reading..
Little Big Man - Thomas Berger: A Western Classic that is becoming a forgotten read. Fun, funny and worthy of any HF best read list.. One of my favorite books ever.
Again, sorry for getting off the track here.
Chalk it up to my Amerikan hubris and my unhealthy fast food breakfast.
Seeing how there are Age Of Sail Naval novels/series up on the list.I'll add my favorite HF series ever.. I live for these to come out. Yes, they are even better than Cornwell's.
I have read Hornblower, Kent, O'Brian and all the others. They are now boring to me in comparison.
In my mind, nobody has ever done it better than Dewey Lambin in his - Alan "Ram Cat" Lewrie series.
They are adult and outrageously hilarious (LOL stuff).. Yes, I do believe Lambdin drinks sometimes when he writes - at least, he has the courage to submit it - spills, delirium induced ravings and all.
A libertine with a conscience, is how I would describe our Ram Cat Alan Lewrie. Trouble follows him in ways no other fictional RN officer would ever expect to encounter. Much of it is of his own making too.
The books thrive by being inside of Lewrie's often twisted, usually guilty and sometimes brilliant mind and listening to his internal dialogues with himself. WOW!!!
The "King's Coat" is the first of 20 great ones in the series so far (They are longer than most too). They somehow manage to come up fresh each time he sets sail. All are well researched; loaded with great high seas action, super detailed period history, great characters and plenty strange unexpected circumstances.
Love these books. GO DEWEY!!!
Hi T,I am afraid I have to mention this. You haven't a single link to a book in your posts and in many cases nobody knows what books or authors you mean because of that.
Here is an outline of how to add links to books or authors in posts. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
We have a rule that one must add a link to a book or author if that book or author has not been mentioned in the last four posts.
This helps people who aren't familiar with the books we are talking about to find the books or the authors.
Of the books you have mentioned that I know. Simon Scarrow books will never get on the list for reasons stated previously in this discussion thread.Some of the books you have mentioned are Classics (ones contemporaneous with the author writing the book) and not historical fiction.
Then the rest..
If you check out the Recommended Reading List in Listopia, there is a description at the top that outlines how a book gets onto the list.
I'll paraphrase that description.
Books must be one of two things. Either a book that was in one of our two monthly Group Read Polls. (we have two group read polls every month with two books in each poll).
OR
The book must be one that has proven popular in discussions and amoung members.
There are many books that I personally would regard as good books that are not on the list. But it isn't my personal list.
It is a list that serves two purposes. It is a list meant to reflect the most popular books in discussions, and a list that keeps track of all the books we have voted on in group read polls.
It is especially important in the latter.
That way any member, new or not, can always check the list when they need to be reminded of what books have been in the group read polls.
Help Wanted here! I have been reading historical fiction since I discovered this Group last year. It is fantastic and I am now a fan of Bernard Cornwell (Wyrd bið ful aræd everyone please).But I have a burning question here: How can I read every single book on the list if some (or most) of them are a series?
My rules so far has been: I am only reading Ancient and Medieval (sorry, Sharpe) and I am only reading Three books in a series, Uhtred has been my only guilty pleasure of six books so far.
Any suggestions on the best way to keep on the loop in this exquisite group?
Thanks!
First off..I love that you love the group and we are helping you find some great reads.Sad to say that these days stand alone books are rare across most genres. Modern crime & thriller, sci fi, fantasy. Series' do dominate. I don't like it either.
I like a series, but I like stand alone just as much.
There are lots of stand alone on the recommended reading list. Have you a preferred era in history that you like?
Reading every single book on our list would be hard task. Even I have not read them all. I have read over half. :-)
I did a count. About 34 stand alone books on the list. Some of which are outside of the Medieval cut off that you gave yourself. So maybe about 25 if you take out those that aren't Ancient nor Medieval.Do you think you would like many of those stand alone books, Carlos?
Well, I loved Azincourt and Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae was simply put: amazing. But of course everything now is a series. Even Peter Jackson is doing a trilogy of one simple book (The Hobbit).So I'll keep reading on. Ancient and Medieval. Thanks for bearing with me.
Can I suggest Jean M. Auel to the list? and maybe Doomsday Book? The last one is a stretch but is up to You.
Carlos wrote: "Help Wanted here! I have been reading historical fiction since I discovered this Group last year. It is fantastic and I am now a fan of Bernard Cornwell (Wyrd bið ful aræd everyone p..."Hi Carlos
Cheat and get the audio books! The Bernard Cornwell Series are fantastic and reasonably priced. I tend to listen to and from work when valuable reading time is wasted sitting in the car. Try to avoid the abridged versions though.
Thanks Jon, but here in the small city in Mexico where I live (pop. least than a million) There's no much time lost driving (everything is nearby) one of the reasons I live here.So, I'll keep on on paper and electronic. Thakns again anyway.
Carlos wrote: "Well, I loved Azincourt and Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae was simply put: amazing. But of course everything now is a series. Even Peter Jackso..."Sorry Carlos, Doomsday Book is fantasy and with Clan of the Cave Bear most people's impression of it is based on them reading it decades ago. As a book that members are reading now, it hasn't proven very popular.
Have added the four March group read poll books to the Recommended Reading List.
It is going to lose. :( I voted for it, so I am sad it is losing.
Jaq wrote: "Maybe a buddy read? I have to wait for the end of the month to buy anymore books, but I would be up for it."I think I will be up for a buddy read. It all depends for me though as I will read both March group read winners and the Gedge one is a big book.
So the end of the month would work for me. :)
This is our 'reading the Poll Losers' thread.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Matthew wrote: "Hmmm...could I suggest:Robert the Bruce: Steps to the Empty Throne
The Gates of Rome"
AHH! Matthew! You have inadvertently solved a mystery for me.
Some dude added a heap of books to the list a few months back. Even though GR says 'anyone can add books to list', our list states, only Mods can add or remove books from the list. Because it is our recommended reading list.
Dawn discovered something like 15 books that this person had added to the list. Many weren't even HF.
She cleaned the list of these adds and in the process one book that should have been on the list went missing by accident.
We racked our brains trying to work out what book it was. It was gates of Rome by Iggulden. You mentioning it now has jogged my memory.
It has now been re-added to the list so if you want to vote for it, it is there. :)
RE: Robert the Bruce
I am thinking of adding that one one day. It is a good suggestion. Let me think on it.
It is on my personal list of potential group read poll books and it would have gotten on if it made it into a poll.
Terri wrote: "Jaq wrote: "Maybe a buddy read? I have to wait for the end of the month to buy anymore books, but I would be up for it."I think I will be up for a buddy read. It all depends for me though as I wi..."
If you guys do that, let us know! If my library has it (and that's a big if), I'd like to read it too!
I'm in if all goes to plan. Have posted in that 'Reading the Poll Losers' thread. :)
Right-o :)
Damn, there are way too many things to do when the polls are up. The books are on Listopia is you would like to vote on them.
July Group Read books were added to the recommended reading list (those that weren't on there already).
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...
Terri, you always manage to surprise me (I like that!). I voted the two that I've already read and liked much. I own them so I'll reread them with you if they win...cross my fingers.(Taita is one of my favorite characters ever).
I read River God so long ago and that Taita character is the only part of the book I remember. She must have left an impression on me.
Dearest, he's an eunuch, but "she"'s maybe a bit too much..:)
Loved River God, couldn't get into the follow-up books.
Simona wrote: "Dearest, he's an eunuch, but "she"'s maybe a bit too much..:)"Oh, haha! Isn't there a lead female character What was her name? Or maybe it is the eunuch I was thinking of...though I am fairly sure it was a woman character I remember.
I just realized that once I'm finished reading God of War, I'll have read 16 books on this group's listopia list. Yay! When I joined this group almost a year ago (August 6th, 2013), I had read none of them. Thank you Terri and mods for the wonderful finds and expanding my hf reading horizons!
I've read 27 apparently :p
I've read 53 out of the 114 on the list. I think 47 of them since joining the group 2.5 years ago. Not bad...
Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction
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