"A terrific insightful Ancient Egypt historical thriller"
In 526 B.C. in Egypt, the kingdom is in deep trouble with
duplicity from the inner circle of dying Pharaoh Khnemibre
Ahmose abetting an immense deployed Persian force prepared
to invade. Phoenician mercenary Hasdrubal Barca, loyal to
the Pharaoh, leads the military defending Egypt's eastern
flank normally from Bedouin raiders but now prepares for
the Persians. Barca is the best leader when it comes to war as he shows
no mercy to his own force let alone the enemy. He learns
that a critical Greek unit commanded by Phanes has joined
the other side plotting to assist the Persians at a
pivotal moment. Being at a strategic locale, this
treachery could destroy the kingdom, which has a newly
anointed Pharaoh. Barca feels he must protect Egypt, but
Phanes knows for his nefarious scheme to succeed he must
eliminate the only person who could save the kingdom
Barca. However, the wannabe savior has no allies even
amongst those still devoted to Egypt except an Arabian
slave Jauharah who Barca loves, but questions her
loyalties. MEN OF BRONZE is a terrific insightful Ancient Egypt
historical thriller. The story line provides a deep look
at Egypt at a time when a Pharaoh who ruled for over four
decades dies and is replaced by a shaky newcomer at a
critical point in time when the Persians are coming and an
empire is on the brink of collapse. Scott Oden provides a
deep look at court pageantry and in counterpoint
devastating battles while the romance between the finely
developed lead couple enhances the era. The inner circle
intrigues including treason augments a deep look back over
two and half millennium ago. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 10, 2005
Summary"Sing, O Goddess, of the ruin of Egypt . . ."
It is 526 B.C. and the empire of the Pharaohs is dying,
crushed by the weight of its own antiquity. Decay riddles
its cities, infects its aristocracy, and weakens its
armies. While across the expanse of Sinai, like jackals
drawn to carrion, the forces of the King of Persia
watch . . . and wait.
Leading the fight to preserve the soul of Egypt is
Hasdrabal Barca, Pharaoh's deadliest killer. Possessed of
a rage few men can fathom and fewer can withstand, Barca
struggles each day to preserve the last sliver of his
humanity. But, when one of Egypt's most celebrated
generals, a Greek mercenary called Phanes, defects to the
Persians, it triggers a savage war that will tax Barca's
skills, and his humanity, to the limit. From the
political wasteland of Palestine, to the searing deserts
east of the Nile, to the streets of ancient Memphis, Barca
and Phanes play a desperate game of cat-and-mouse -- a
game culminating in the bloodiest battle of Egypt's
history.
Caught in the midst of this violence is Jauharah, a slave
in the House of Life. She is Arabian, dark-haired and
proud -- a healer with gifts her blood, her station, and
her gender overshadow. Though her hands tend to Barca's
countless wounds, it is her spirit that heals and changes
him. Once a fearsome demigod of war, Hasdrabal Barca
becomes human again. A man now motivated as much by love
as anger.
Nevertheless honor and duty have bound Barca to the fate
of Egypt. A final conflict remains, a reckoning set to
unfold in the dusty hills east of Pelusium. There, over
the dead of two nations, Hasdrabal Barca will face the
same choice as the heroes of old: Death and eternal
fame . . .
Or obscurity and long life . . .
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