MANFREDI TRILOGY

[marcus]

The Vulgate covers those which (certainly at one time) were believed to have used Cleitarchus as their main, base source. Effectively Curtius, Diodorus and Justin.Plutarch's different, because it's biography (etc. etc. etc.); and Arrian, of course, primarily used Ptolemy and Aristobulus.ATBMarcus

[ruthaki]

Just because someone is a history prof. or whatever Manfredi is, doesn't mean he's necessarily a good novelist. And Marcus, I can't understand how anyone who knows how to write a novel can write a book without direct speech. It's called 'balancing the modes': a bit of action/narrative/dialogue/internal thoughts/ description etc etc. With the facts and history woven in. But, when I get time I'll have a look as I'm interested in the Ptolemies.

[marcus]

Hi Ruth,Well, with "The House of the Eagle" it has a lot to do with the style in which it's written. I now know, however, that I was slightly wrong when I said there was no direct speech ... but even though there is some, it doesn't read like direct speech.Confused? I was, and I'm in the middle of reading the darned thing! But if/when you get round to reading it, you'll see what I mean. It's good, but it's very hard work.ATBMarcus