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Binding: Mass Market PaperbackDewey Decimal Number: 813.54 EAN: 9780061057540 ISBN: 0061057541 Label: Eos Manufacturer: Eos Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 880 Publication Date: August 01, 1997 Publisher: Eos Release Date: June 14, 1997 Studio: Eos Editorial Review: Product Description: Born to rule Although born to rule, Aidan lives as a scribe in a remote Irish monastery on the far, wild edge of Christendom. Secure in work, contemplation, and dreams of the wider world, a miracle bursts into Aidan's quiet life. He is chosen to accompany a small band of monks on a quest to the farthest eastern reaches of the known world, to the fabled city of Byzantium, where they are to present a beautiful and costly hand-illuminated manuscript, the Book of Kells, to the Emperor of all Christendom. Thus begins an expedition by sea and over land, as Aidan becomes, by turns, a warrior and a sailor, a slave and a spy, a Viking and a Saracen, and finally, a man. He sees more of the world than most men of his time, becoming an ambassador to kings and an intimate of Byzantium's fabled Golden Court. And finally this valiant Irish monk faces the greatest trial that can confront any man in any age: commanding his own Destiny. Average Rating:
 Rating:  - Truly epicThis is by far the best historical fiction book I have ever read. The author created characters who you actually grow to care about as you read, which is something rare in books today. None of the majore characters in the book are black and white. While the Vikings are bloodthirsty marauders motivated by greed and belief that death in battle will grant them access to a warrior's paradise, they also have deep convictions about honor, and once Aidan, the main character gains their respect, they would ... Read More Rating: - A magnificent adventure taleThis novel tells the story of Aidan, a tenth-century Irish monk who takes part in an expedition to bring the Book of Kells to the emperor in Byzantium. Before his small group of traveling companions reach the coast of France, however, they are attacked by Vikings and Aidan is carried off alone. The remainder of the book chronicles his adventures. Aidan is by turns a slave, interpreter to a king, ambassador of the emperor, suitor to an Arab lady, and again a slave. His journey brings him to distant lands ... Read More Rating:  - Galloping Adventure - Shaky TheologyThis book reminded me a lot of Noah Gordon's "The Physician" which uses a similar plot device, namely, the adventures of a European into the exotic East during the Dark Ages. Likewise, both novels deal with the protagonist's spiritual pilgrimage which unfolds together with the action sequences. To my mind, Gordon's book succeeds better in this. As to plot, you can't get much more "rousing" than the epic journey from a tiny monastery in Erie (Ireland)to Constantinople and beyond. The author ... Read More Rating:  - Cheesy fantasy posing as historical fictionThis book was readable but fairly unintelligent. Many others have already discussed the abounding historical inaccuracies so I will just skip that information. It was a lot like a poorly written fantasy book. There were cool warrior barbarians, sophisticated Eastern peoples, and dilluted, greedy, all-powerful bad guys. The uber-pansy, ultra smart, yet naive main character somehow survives countless hazardous situations and traverses most of the known world at the time starting as a simple monk in Ireland. ... Read More Rating: - Will keep you on the edge of your seat!This is an excellent novel. So many twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The book starts off a little slow but it doesn't take very long and you are hooked into the suspense of dramatic events. Written so well with descriptions that you feel you are experiencing history in the making. |
