Caesar's Legion: The Epic Saga of Julius Caesar's Elite Tenth Legion and the Armies of Rome | 
 enlarge | Author: Stephen Dando-collins
Publisher: Wiley
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
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Rating:  45 reviews
Sales Rank: 172603
Media: Paperback
Pages: 336
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1
ISBN: 0471686131
Dewey Decimal Number: 355.10937
UPC: 723812705757
EAN: 9780471686132
ASIN: 0471686131
Publication Date: September 27, 2004
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Product Description
"A unique and splendidly researched story, following the trials and triumphs of Julius Caesar's Legio X-arguably the most famous legion of its day-from its activation to the slogging battle of Munda and from Thapsus, Caesar's tactical masterpiece, to the grim siege of the Jewish fortress of Masada. More than a mere unit account, it incorporates the history of Rome and the Roman army at the height of their power and gory glory. Many military historians consider Caesar's legions the world's most efficient infantry before the arrival of gunpowder. This book shows why. Written in readable, popular style, Caesar's Legion is a must for military buffs and anyone interested in Roman history at a critical point in European civilization."br #8212;T. R. Fehrenbach, author of This Kind of War, Lone Star, and Comanches p Stephen Dando-Collins paints a vivid and definitive portrait of daily life in the Tenth Legion as he follows Caesar and his men along the blood-soaked fringes of the Empire. This unprecedented regimental history reveals countless previously unknown details about Roman military practices, Caesar's conduct as a commander and his relationships with officers and legionaries, and the daily routine and discipline of the Legion. From penetrating insights into the mind of history's greatest general to a grunt's-eye view of the gruesome realities of war in the Classical Age, this unique and riveting true account sets a new standard of exellence and detail to which all authors of ancient military history will now aspire.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 40 more reviews...
 Too short and either lacking in detail or simply wrong. June 27, 2008
Justin D. Holmik (Buffalo, N.Y.)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I picked up this book and read it because someone on amazon.com suggested Dando-Collins along with Colleen McCullough and being familiar with McCullough I thought that this book and author must be pretty good. After reading it however I was very disappointed. Dando-Collins attempts to cover the history of Legio X in 350 pages which leaves much to be desired. Not only does he make ridiculous comparisons of ancient Legion officers to contemporary officer titles but allot of his history is simply wrong or not covered in it's appropriate entirety which is no doubt a short-coming due to the length of the book. I can understand that he was attempting to write a book that was consumable for the weekend-historian mass but he goes too far to simplify totally disregarding the fact that most people reading the book are interested in the gross detail facts or else probably wouldn't be reading the book. He tries to cover the creation of the 10th legion through to the fall of the Republic and Pompey all in 77 pages! It leaves out SO much...it's like trying to get real history out of one of those 45 minute history channel shows which is something that simply cannot be accomplished. Whoever compared Dando-Collins to McCullough must be smoking crack. To be fare though I did consume a few interesting details that I did not know before but those few instances certainly would not compel me to buy the book. Borrow it from the local library if you can, skip wasting your money on it and buy yourself lunch instead.
 Follow the 10th Legion with (and without) Caesar. June 13, 2008
William J. Romanos (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is a fun and easy read if you are interested in Roman history, Caesar, military history and strategy, or history in general. br / br /It is a serious and in-depth work, but is also very interesting in terms seeing the action - the boots on the ground - view. It is about leadership and honor. And loyalty. It is about virtue. br / br /This book takes the reader through the success, the trials and and the tribulations of the 10th Legion. Most often a most loyal legion to Caesar, a most important legion, and probably Caesar's best legion. br / br /We see how a military unit follows its leader, how the leader shapes the behaviour of his men and his unit in the face of grave danger, in the face of fear in the troops - disrupting unit cohesion and even endangering the outcome of the battle, and how Caesar inspired and motivated his men - literally from the front - men who where most often, most loyal and daring (but not always, and thus the issue of whether or not to carry out the penalty of decimation may arise); yet also at times straying into disloyalty or cowardice in the face of grave odds or "political" or other disagreement. br / br /Through the book, we see Caesar and his men on the battlefield, in the famous battles, and in the famous and inspiring stories of courage, loyalty, duty, and honor. br / br /We also see the psychology of leadership and the psychology of decisive leadership and decisive action. We also see the 10th's evolution over time and its activities after the death of Caesar. The 10th, through its history as unit - gaining recruits and losing them, etc. fought from the shores of England to the Middle East. br / br /A very interesting and excellent book for the military history buff or for anyone interested in Roman or other history or leadership and command. br / br /This book is excellent and highly recommend it.
wargamer April 4, 2008
Joseph Capozello (Brooklyn Ny USA)
Great reading.Historical description of the "famous" or "infamous" Tenth Legion from Caesar to Nero. Valuable to wargamer in recreating certain battles that Caesar initiated in Gaul.
Caesar's Legion March 27, 2008
John R. Fox (Yoknapatawpha County)
Magnificent book!! Very in depth, painstakingly researched, and an absolute pleasure to read. I've read very, very few books that are so well researched, yet are so easy to read. If you're a Roman Army buff you must read this book. If you're not, read it and you will be!!
 Flawed March 2, 2008
Ajdin Alibegovic
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
I can't bring myself to reading past the first dozen pages. br /How can I read a book on Rome that somehow tries to tie roman officers to modern army ranks and is full of colonels, lieutenant generals and empty of legates, tribunes or consuls?
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