This excellent book is a must for anyone who writes historical novels. It provides entertaining fact based pictures of areas of history which are all too often poorly researched by novelists. Very good. I think this is a clever idea for a book: mixing history in with personal experiences so it becomes relevant and interesting... It’s hard to get teenagers interested in history but this could be the book that does that. Excellent, I enjoy the way it starts off as a kind of travelogue and then the history curve ball sweeps in. A fine example of historical research... Clear and well written and interesting. I like the personal involvement too... Six stars and definitely one of the most impressive things I have read here. A beautifully researched piece of history... The depth of knowledge at play here is refreshing. The text is not dry, but draws the reader in and through to the end. That's what they said but what do you think? Check out the Battles are the Best Bits and see what you could learn today: Everything you wanted to know about ancient history in one entertaining volume. All quotes taken from my page at http://www.authonomy.com/books/45557/the-battles-are-the-best-bits