I was sent an advance copy of this novel by the publishers, Penguin/Random House and I was very happy to accept it as Iggulden was one of the writers who got me into this historical fiction stuff with his Emperor series. I enjoyed those immensely but must admit I’ve not read anything else by him as the periods he was covering didn’t really interest me. That is, until now. Protector is actually book two in his Athenian series and I really would have liked to start with the first, The Gates of Athens, but I simply don’t have time to read much fiction these days.

He has an Irish mother and says that from the time he as young he would tell him about stories and include dates from history. He says that he supposes that telling stories must be in the genes somewhere, since his great-grandfather was a Seannachie. Conn says that his father flew in World War II and taught math and science after. He says that his father loved telling good stories and poetry. The author recalls that when he started teaching, classes were told that girls were the only ones good at English.

Customer reviews

He also was one of the two hundred public figures who signed their name to a letter sent to The Guardian that was against Scottish independence in August of 2014 leading up to a September referendum regarding the topic. If Iggulden decides to tell that tale—of how the third Alexander from Macedonia’s royal family came to be known as “the Great”—I will absolutely devour it (top-down storytelling or not). Especially if Iggulden relates it with the same deft blend of pacing and politics he showcases in Protector. But even during times of peace, the threat of Sparta - Athens's legendary rival - looms large on the horizon. When a sudden catastrophe brings Sparta to its knees, Pericles sees a golden opportunity to forever shift the balance of power in his city's favour. Xerxes, Themistocles, Xanthippus, Aristides, Pausanias … names I remember from studying ancient Greek history last century. Names that Mr Iggulden brings to life in this novel, the second in his Athenian series. While I have not yet read the first book in this series (I missed it, somehow) it is possible to read this as a standalone.

Ten years later, Athens has betrayed its favourite son. When the Persians return, when they cross the Hellespont to take revenge on the Greeks, will Xanthippus come home to save his people? The historical fiction author is known for his Emperor series as well as his Conqueror series. He also wrote The Dangerous Book for Boys with Hal Iggulden, his brother, which was adapted into a 2018 Prime Original television series. He also became the first person to reach the top of the non-fiction and the fiction charts in the United Kingdom at the same time. The armies of Rome are forced to fight against each other lead by two greatest generals the empire has ever had. Julius will be closing on to his destiny which will be determined by two things; his best friend Marcus Brutus and Cleopatra, an Egyptian queen who will bear his son… The Blood of Gods Conn Iggulden is well-known for writing historical fiction books. He was born in 1971 to an English father and an Irish mother. He attended St. Martins School located in Northwood before transferring to Merchant Taylor’s School.

Retailers:

In this book we follow for the main part the resourceful leader of Athens of that time being, Themistocles, the one with his cunning and dare will be victorious against the Persians at salamis, where at first he'll be celebrated as a hero but later on will be treated as an outcast, with close associates by the name of, Xanthippus, Aristides and Cimon also important during this Battle, also in attendance are Agariste, wife of Xanthippus, and their children, Ariphron, Eleni, and a young man to remember, Pericles, while Epikleos is always by Xanthippus's side as a faithful friend. I was born in the normal way in 1971, and vaguely remember half-pennies and sixpences. I have written for as long as I can remember: poetry, short stories and novels. It’s what I always wanted to do and read English at London University with writing in mind. I taught English for seven years and was Head of English at St. Gregory’s RC High School in London by the end of that period. I have enormous respect for those who still labour at the chalk-face. In truth, I can’t find it in me to miss the grind of paperwork and initiatives. I do miss the camaraderie of the smokers’ room, as well as the lessons where their faces lit up as they understood what I was wittering on about. What will follow is a terrific novel where events leading to and eventually ending with this war between Athens and Persia are wonderfully written with great dialogue and human interaction, but where big brutal battle actions are somewhat less pictured, but in my opinion this series is at least an equal in comaprison with Christian Cameron's "The Long War" series, featuring Arimnestos of Plataea, and thus for me this author has his own interpretation and compelling fashion in telling his great tale. The key events this books covers are the battles of Marathon and Thermopylae, but the majority of the book is given over to events in between where the politics and life of Athens seem like the author's main interest.