A Druid victory
Ididn’t realise how many contemporary historians there are until I began reviewing their books. However, their interests don’t vary greatly. Ancient Rome and the Tudor periods are predominant. Followed by World War II and the Templar knights. Then Ancient Egypt and the Napoleonic Wars.
The American Civil War and the Russian Revolution are running out of gas. The American Revolution and French Revolution have passed their literary peaks. When was the last time historians tackled the Korean War and the Vietnam War? Only SAS veterans keep the Gulf War afloat.
Initially, I could not have cared less about many of these subjects, but I allow that the historians piqued my interest. Especially those who write well. Regrettably, more than a few turn out dry.
Granted that the reader is spoiled by the likes of John Grisham writing about law, Kathy Reich about surgery, Ernest Hemingway about bull fighting, Dan Brown about religious secrets.
Brit Simon Scarrow is a historian who writes better than most. He combines thorough research with a gripping style. Ancient Rome is his field of choice, particularly its occupation of his homeland. Truth be told, Britain was much invaded — by the Danes, Angles, Saxons, Druids, Normans.
The local tribes always fought them, always lost. Well, not always. Scarrow notes in Britannia in his “Eagles of the Empire” series that the “invincible” legions met their match battling the Druids. The year is 52AD, the venue North Wales. Cato the Prefect and Macro the Centurian are back.
The author’s literary creations are ongoing best friends and comrades-in-arms. The Druids are barbarians, anything but stupid, adept at mountain fighting. For all the legion’s experience and skills, they are out-fought and flee with many deaths. A true story, we are assured.
Despite Il Duce’s efforts to re-create the Roman Legions two millennia later, he failed. I’ve heard reasons why the task was beyond him, but have yet to hear a convincing one.
In a future book, Simon Scarrow would do us a boon by addressing this question.