Brian's Book Blog

Written in the style of a manual for the would-be legionary in 100 AD, this book manages to both educate and entertain in equal measure.

Starts with requirements for joining up, looks at different parts of the army, explains where legions are based (and what can be expected there), then goes into everything from boot-camp up to taking part in a siege and the triumphal return (if you've managed to stay alive).

A lot is made of what the legionary has to help kill/pacify Rome's enemies, as well as what they will be using to try and pacify you.

Each chapter starts with a pithy military style saying in Latin (with translation), and there are several colour plates through the book as well as good line drawn illustrations.

The author is a historian, and has done an excellent job of writing a well researched book, which comes across as a veteran taking a green recruit to one side and filling him in on the things the recruiting officer may have neglected to mention.