Books - Conn Iggulden #1: Bringing History to Life, One Page at a Time

**TheAngel** · 10-22-2009, 11:09 AM

So, I think it's about time we have a Conn Iggulden thread on the Books Board. It's long overdue. Anyway, to those of you who have never read/heard of Conn Iggulden, he's a historical fiction writer who so far, has addressed the legendary character of Julius Cesar and Genghis Khan. He has also written the book The Dangerous Book for Boys with his brother.

His Emperor series follows Julius Cesar from birth to death and all the ups and downs of his life and it's really a beautiful series that is fairly historically accurate but allows for some artistic license which actually enhances the story. The books in this series are:
The Gates of Rome
The Death of Kings
The Field of Swords
The Gods of War

He's also written the Conqueror series, which follows Genghis Khan from birth to death and really is fascinating. I've only read the first book in this series, but I really enjoyed it. The books in this series are:
Wolf of the Plains
Lords of the Bow
Bones of the Hills

So, has anyone else read anything by Conn Iggulden? What did you think?

Samwise Gamgee · 10-22-2009, 04:01 PM

Yay!
Another thread for us to chat alone!

I don't care! Way cool!

Anyway...
I related some print errors I found in Cornwell's Agincourt to the brazilian publisher. They were all happy and told me to chose any of their books as a gift! And I chosed The Gates of Rome!

I can't wait to start reading!

**TheAngel** · 10-22-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samwise Gamgee (View Post)

Yay!
Another thread for us to chat alone!

I don't care! Way cool!

Anyway...
I related some print errors I found in Cornwell's Agincourt to the brazilian publisher. They were all happy and told me to chose any of their books as a gift! And I chosed The Gates of Rome!

I can't wait to start reading!

That's excellent. It's a great book. Iggulden does an amazing job painting pictures of ancient Rome. It's really fascinating if you like historical fiction, which obviously we both do.

Samwise Gamgee · 10-23-2009, 07:04 AM

Yes!

I was willing to read Igulden for awhile, but I couldn't buy Igulden cause I was still reading Cornwell. Now that I finished Cornwell (I really don't feel like jumpin into Sharpe's universe right now...) I can go dor Igulden!

I love fantasy/epic/medieval/historical fiction!

**TheAngel** · 10-25-2009, 07:38 AM

I really need to buy the books in the Conqueror series. I've got the Emperor series and read the first Genghis Khan book from the library, but I really want to get them for myself since they're really just fantastic books.

Samwise Gamgee · 10-25-2009, 12:45 PM

They sound.
But you better try Bernard Cornwell before!

I'm about to begin my Emperor Experience!

**TheAngel** · 10-26-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samwise Gamgee (View Post)

They sound.
But you better try Bernard Cornwell before!

I'm about to begin my Emperor Experience!

That's awesome. I really hope you enjoy them.

Samwise Gamgee · 10-26-2009, 07:17 PM

I know I will!

I just don't know what to do.
Once I start reading Igulden, I'll need to read the whole Emperor series.
And I'm almost dying to re-read LoTR again and that takes sometime!!

Lord help me!

**TheAngel** · 10-31-2009, 10:03 AM

Well, good luck with whatever you decide. Since I haven't been able to get any BC books yet, I don't blame you for waiting to read Conn Iggulden. He's a good read, though, so you definitely have to read him sometime.

Samwise Gamgee · 10-31-2009, 10:20 AM

Yes.
The book is already here, waiting for me.
But I really need to check out LoTR before!

I'll read LoTR as fast as I can!

**TheAngel** · 11-02-2009, 10:11 AM

I just picked up copies of Birth of an Empire (which is the title of the reprint of Wolf of the Plains) and Lords of the Bow. I'll have to reread the first one before I start on the second one because it's been so long since I've read it but he really tells an interesting story of Genghis Khan. The Emperor series is still my favorite thought.

Samwise Gamgee · 11-03-2009, 05:10 AM

I'll get Genghis series right after Emperor.
I'm goin to read these both series after LoTR!

**TheAngel** · 11-03-2009, 05:26 AM

Awesome! They're such fun series. Iggulden has a great narrative voice he tells the story with and it really just draws you in. If you like Cornwell (just after the little I've read of him) then I think you'll really like Iggulden.

Samwise Gamgee · 11-03-2009, 04:14 PM

Yeah... people use to say they both have the same style!

**TheAngel** · 11-07-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samwise Gamgee (View Post)

Yeah... people use to say they both have the same style!

They do have some strong similarities. I'm just on page 48 in The Winter King so I can't compare too much, but I really do enjoy the historical elements of the novel. Iggulden definitely writes about history and about more factual elements, while Cornwell seems to write about the mystical side of history but actually adds more history to it, or at least makes it more historically plausible. As soon as I finish The Winter King, I'm going to start on the Genghis Khan series. I'll probably ask for the third and fourth books for Christmas, if the fourth one is out by then. I'm not totally sure when it's supposed to come out actually...I should check on that