Spartacus returns!

parthianbow · Post by **parthianbow** » Thu November 25th, 2010, 11:43 am

I'm very happy - indeed thrilled

- to announce that my publishers have agreed to publish my account of Spartacus. I'm going to write that next, before the next Carthage book. It will be published in the UK in early 2012. Here's hoping that many of you fellow HFOers see fit to read it, and to enjoy it!

wendy · Post by **wendy** » Thu November 25th, 2010, 1:48 pm

Congratulations! Spartacus is one of my favorite characters. I look forward to the book.

LoveHistory · Post by **LoveHistory** » Thu November 25th, 2010, 3:50 pm

Wow! Very cool. Best of luck, Ben. I predict awesome sales numbers for you.

sweetpotatoboy · Post by **sweetpotatoboy** » Thu November 25th, 2010, 8:34 pm

Great news! Coincidentally, last night my book group to discuss "Spartacus" by Lewis Grassic Gibbon - to mixed reactions. But it's made me want to visit the other novels on him and the movies etc.

annis · Post by **annis** » Fri November 26th, 2010, 3:06 am

Look forward to this one, Ben! Now's probably a good time with the Spartacus: Blood and Sand series in people's minds

Howard Fast's version is the best I've read to date. The story behind Fast's book is pretty interesting - he was inspired to write this story as an allegory after he was imprisoned for contempt of Congress for refusing to "name names" to the House Un-American Affairs Committee. Fast had to publish the book himself after J Edgar Hoover put the frighteners on various publishers the manuscript was submitted to.

There's an interview with HF here where he discusses this:
http://www.trussel.com/hf/ancient.htm

Russ Whitfield · Post by **Russ Whitfield** » Fri November 26th, 2010, 8:32 am

Awesome news, mate. Made up for you, I can't wait to read this as I have an interest in all things gladiatorial. I've got some wicked research books on the subject, give us some time and I'll list 'em out. If there's any of use, I'll drop 'em in the post for an extended loan if you like?

parthianbow · Post by **parthianbow** » Fri November 26th, 2010, 10:16 am

Thanks everyone for all the good wishes!

Annis, thanks for the link. I'd heard before about the reasons that Fast wrote the book, and I'd love to read the interview, but I won't look at it until after I've written my novel. Ditto reading Fast's book, or Gibbon's.

Russ, thanks, I may well take you up on that, if there are books I haven't already got.

fljustice · Post by **fljustice** » Fri November 26th, 2010, 3:47 pm

Great news, Ben! I finished the non-fiction The Spartacus War by Barry Strauss just a couple of months ago (review coming soon.) Spartacus is one of those iconic, but shadowy figures, that writers can really get their teeth into. I'm looking forward to your version!

Leo62 · Post by **Leo62** » Sat November 27th, 2010, 8:13 pm

Congratulations Ben and happy writing

Look forward to seeing the book hit the shops in 2012.

annis · Post by **annis** » Tue November 30th, 2010, 4:29 am

I imagine that you're already up with original sources, Ben, but in case it's useful thought I'd add this list of links to ancient sources on the Spartacas War from the excellent Roman History Books and More website, where Barry Strauss' Spartactus book mentioned by Faith has recently been under discussion.

http://romanhistorybooks.typepad.com/ro ... rauss.html