Rome Legions

Advantages Small, well written, Lots of brilliant ideas, simple and concise, and it fits in your pocket ( well ... Almost )
Disadvantages not sure there are any!

...standing, something which would have been attainable if a purely home grown force had been used. The example of Carthage can be used as well, as it was a state almost overrun by its need to rely on mercenaries, after the crushing defeats by the Romans. A good example of using mercenaries yet not consolidation is Hannibal, who on his long trek from Carthage and southern Spain up through France and into northern Italy to beat up the Romans thanks to some Elephants and Celtic tribes for hire. He knew how to win a battle that is unquestioned, but what he couldn't do was hold onto what he'd claimed, the first of the Punic wars was lost due to being too far away from home and becoming isolated, while Hannibal was marching on the grand prize of Rome, legions of soldiers had been set down by boat in southern France too block off his retreat... Read review

Advantages None
Disadvantages We have no Idea what is going to go next.

...people of the late 1930s imagined themselves to be brave. They saw themselves as the heroic Germans depicted by the Wagnerian Operas, the descendants of the fierce Germanic warriors who had hunted wild boars with nothing but spears and who had defeated three of Rome's mightiest legions in the Tuetenberg Forest. But in truth, by the 1930s, the German people had become civilized and tamed, culturally obsessed with fine details in both science and society. Their self-image of bravery was both salve and slavery. Germans were required to behave as if they were brave, even when they were not. It's easy to look back and realize what a jerk Hitler was. But at the time, Hitler looked pretty good to the German people, with the help of the media. He was TIME Magazine's Man Of The Year in 1938. The German people assumed they were safe from... Read review

Advantages exciting, good characters, believable world
Disadvantages lack of historical accuracy

...This book is about the youth of Gaius Julius Caesar and Marcus Brutus. They grow up together, sharing a deep friendship, and getting into trouble as a pair. As they grow older, Gaius' father hires a famous ex-gladiator to train them, which he does with plenty of abuse. When the ex-gladiator wounds Gaius, it is Marcus who takes revenge. Gaius' father is killed in a slave revolt, and Gaius assumes his adult name of Julius. He goes to his uncle for help, and the two boys become more involved in Roman politics. Julius lives a life of luxury, while Marcus leaves Rome to join a legion. It ends after a battle defending Rome itself; which, of course, Julius is involved in. The ending then sets up the next book in the series. As a novel, it's an excellent book. There's warfare, politics, romance, and intrigue. Iggulden has created a very... Read review