A Man at Arms

De: Steven Pressfield

Narrado por: George Guidall

From an acclaimed master of historical fiction comes an epic saga about a reluctant hero, the Roman Empire, and the rise of a new power.

Jerusalem and the Sinai desert, AD 55. In the turbulent aftermath of the crucifixion of Jesus, agents of the Roman Empire receive information about a pilgrim bearing an incendiary letter from a religious fanatic calling himself Paul the Apostle to insurrectionists in Corinth. What's in the letter could bring down an empire.

The Romans hire a former legionary, a solitary man-at-arms named Telamon to intercept the letter and destroy the courier. Telamon fights for money, not principles. He's been promised a rich reward; should he fail, the punishment is death by crucifixion. But once he meets the courier, Telamon experiences an extraordinary conversion, and instead of carrying out the mission, takes on the Empire.

In his first novel of the ancient world in 13 years, the best-selling author of Gates of Fire and Tides of War returns with a gripping saga of conquest and rebellion, bloodshed and faith.

©2021 Steven Pressfield (P)2021 Recorded Books

Woah.

So good! Best novel I have read in years. Really neat discussion on faith, belief, love, and as always, the warrior ethos.

New Author for Me

Interesting story and characters. Good message. Not my favorite Guidall performance. First time experiencing a Pressfield book, and I’d try one more from this author.

Back in battle

Pressfield is back again. I love all his work but I am very happy to see him back in ancient times doing battle with honor and integrity and the fury required when men face off in conflict. Great read!

We'll Told Historical Fiction Fiction

The story is well told, although the ending is incredibly unsatisfying. We never get a really good understanding of the motivation of a main character.
The story is well researched, which makes some of the author's choices strange. He hits the high historical marks, but concerning transmission of the Pauline letters, and the nature of the Christian community in Corinth and *how* they experienced persecution is complete fabrication.
The narration is excellent. Guidall really communicated the story well.

Pressfield Never Disappoints

This book is a close second to Gates of Fire. I loved the story, the detail, and the narrator is my favorite narrator of "action" books. This one has lots of action, and makes one realize the tremendous fragility of the new religion of Paul, in its early years. Story and narrator were superb.

Life changing thank you for writing this book

Absolutely beautiful and strong and kind all mix in together in this book! I was at the edge of my seat and tears came down my face! Absolutely loved this book!

Spectacular take on world defining history!

Terrific story in the wonderfully descriptive Pressfield way. Students of history and religion alike can witness the world of their disciplines painted to life with a master's brush before their mind's eye.
Mr. Guidall is an oratory treasure.
As both an author and a narrator I look to craftsmen like these as guidons.

Phenomenal!

Steven Pressfield is my favorite writer of historical fiction. I enjoyed this book as much as Gates of Fire. I hated for it to end. The only problem with a Pressfield novel is the difficulty finding a book worthy of starting next. His style and command of language make his prose flow almost poetically at times. Unlike some reviews, I felt George Guidall was perfect. His rhythm works well reading Pressfield's rhythmic prose. Although I did bump the speed up to 1.1. If you liked Gates of Fire you won't likely be disappointed in the story or the narrator.

Historically inaccurate premise

In the company of Robert Harris, Steven Saylor, and Colleen McCullough, Stephen Presfiel stands as one of the best historical fiction writers treating the ancient world. His Gates of Fire is a brilliant window in the Spartan culture. A Man at Arms, however, did not live up to the high standard of his other works. The best historical fiction has two elements: a great story and a vivid and historically insightful depiction of life in a bygone era. While Pressfield’s writing is as crisp as ever, the historical premise of the book is dubious to say the least. Simply put, there was no sweeping persecution of Christians by the Romans in the mid-first century. The Romans barely made a distinction between Christians and Jews prior to the Jewish revolt of AD 70. While Nero persecuted Christians in Rome, using them as a scapegoat for his own burning of portions of the city, he did not extend that persecution outside of Rome. And in Pliny’s epistle 96 to the emperor Trajan it is clear that there was no official policy toward Christians around 112. If you like historical fiction that actually teaches you about history, this book will not give an accurate picture of Roman-Christian relations. A better read on the subject is Robert Wilkin’s book Christians as the Romans Saw Them.

Another great historical fiction by Pressfield

This book is a great read for any student of history and any person looking for an exciting adventure novel. The combination of the these two parties of appeal makes the book an instant-classic for all and it has my high recommendation.