In Kithairon's Shadow: A Novel of Ancient Greece and the Persian War

by Jon Edward Martin

Book Overview

In 480 B.C., Xerxes I, king of the Persian Empire, led a vast and uncountable army intent on the domination of Europe. Only a tiny collection of Greek city-states stood in his path. At Thermopylae the Persians annihilated a small holding force commanded by King Leonidas of Sparta, then quickly marched on to Athens, reducing the city to ruins. Outnumbered and beset by treachery, Sparta, Athens and their allies gathered near the town of Plataea for...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595299067
• ISBN13: 9780595299065
• Release Date: December 2003
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 244 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great historical novel

This is a quick paced, not too lengthy, robustly described story of Persian invasion of Greece in V century B.C. If you like books about real historical events with less fiction and more history, this is a story for you. There are few protagonists (not very well developed but in this case this is not a problem at all) who are 'eyes and ears' of several nations contending the war. We have heroes of Sparta, farmers of Teague and Megara, nobles of Athens, warriors of Thebes and Asiatic invaders of Persia well represented in their views on the conflict and future of the civilization. There is some gore of war, description of battles and enough human elements to keep the story intriguing and interesting. And you don't find here too much picturesque descriptions of countryside, romances and swashbuckling like in some other historical books, but real 'lance and sword' war. And that's why this book is much more real and appreciative.

Well Worth Reading

Novels about Ancient Greece are not exactly falling off the bookshelves into the laps of prospective reader's, so whenever I find one I usually snap it up as Ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt are among my favourite reading material. The author Jon Martin is the advisory editor of the magazine Sparta. This is a journal of Ancient Spartan and Greek history. Such a position leaves little doubt of his love and knowledge of the subject he writes about. He has travelled to many areas of Greece with the sole intent of adding as much authenticity to his novels as possible. The book is certainly not lightweight, in fact its historical content is so accurate that it is required reading as part of the Honours History curriculum at a major university in the United States. This is not said to put people off the book, quite the reverse. it is a meaty book that should be read by anyone who has a love of history and general and Greek history in particular. it is not a book that uses Ancient Greece as a glamorous backdrop for a throw away story from the author's imagination. This is about real people and real events that too place in history. If you enjoyed reading Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire or Virtues of War you will certainly enjoy reading this book.

History Disguised as a Novel

Fast-paced, peopled with well-fleshed out characters (some fictional, some historical) and historically accurate, this novel is a godsend for those who wish a familiarity with the subject matter, but hate to read history. Here is a blow-by-blow depiction of all the major events of the second Greco-Persian war in the order that they unfolded as observed by the various participants, yet the novel never seems stilted or contrived, but flows naturally.

tremendously surprised and pleased with historical accuracy.

After being disappointed with the Greek historical novel "Gates of Fire" that so many others seemed to rant over, I was suspecting something similar with this author. Was I ever pleasantly surprised and delighted ! Jon Martin knows his ancient Greek subject thoroughly, and is an excellent story teller. His knowledge of ancient Spartan customs is phenominal, and his manner of conveying this knowledge to modern readers is excellent. I very highly recommend this book to anyone who loves ancient Greece, especially ancient Sparta. Ken-Xyele

The few who dared to resist the might of an empire

Inspired by author Jon Edward Martin's lifelong study of ancient Greece, In Kithairon's Shadow: A Novel Of Ancient Greece And The Persian War is a gripping and deftly written narrative of Xerxes I's aggressive war of imperial domination against Europe which was fiercely waged in 480 B.C. Only a few of the Greek city-states opposed Xerxes seemingly limitless army, and the fate of Western civilization lay in the balance. Enthusiastically recommended for fans of historical fiction, In Kithairon's Shadow is an exciting saga of blood, cunning tactics, and the few who dared to resist the might of an empire.