I didn'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.
The Guilty by David Baldacci Pam 596pp Available at Asia Books and leading bookshops 350 baht
A human killing machine
Crime is at least as old as Homo sapiens, as are laws to deal with it. Hammurabi's Code and the 10 Commandments went into effect millennia ago. They naturally focused on men and women, yet largely ignored crimes against children. Children could well be culprits, but not victims.
Because of this, it was common practice to beat children, mutilate, rape, sacrifice them. They were turned into beggars, prostitutes, sex slaves. Alas, child trafficking is common in this day and age. Though this is played down by governments, it is no less as widespread as the drug trade.
The public is largely unaware of this because it's so awful, the perpetrators both genders. In fact, examples are easily found in pornographic shops. Secret exhibitions are shown for a price. The bottom line is that paedophilia remains an active crime.
Novelists are aware of this, but as it is a touchy subject and it's best avoided. In parts of the world it is acceptable. However, now and then it is made the plot of a work of fiction. Popular Yank author David Baldacci does it in The Guilty.
This reviewer regrets to say that he pussy foots around it for 300 of its 500 pages. The setting is the state of Mississippi which, he informs the reader, has 40,000 alligators and numerous poisonous snakes. His literary creation Will Robie is a carry-over from several earlier stories.
Robie is an assassin for a hush US government agency. All he does is kill enemies targeting national security abroad and at home. With his sniper's rifle, Glock handguns, knife, arms and legs he is responsible for more corpses than he can count. His female assistant is Jessica Reel.
His father Dan is a retired judge arrested for murder, and Robie and Reel return to the town he left as a teenager to clear his name. He finds that his high school girlfriend is Dan's second wife. Girls are being kidnapped and murdered, evidence pointing to the local casino.
Our hero is attacked -- big mistake -- his assailants treated with extreme prejudice. The casino is a front for paedophilia. If you like a human killing machine, Will Robie will appeal to you. He even puts a gator out of action. Needless to say, Dan is innocent. Not his spouse, though.
