Rating: 
Summary: Living History
Review: Mr. Ford's book is a fine example of why people love history and for those people who don't love history you may change your mind after reading this book. It breathes life into an age of history that is already fascinating. The book also portrays the characters vividly and makes them very real. As you read you can picture people you know that fit the descriptions and actions of the characters, and the world is so well realized that you picture them in those ancient circumstances. A true marvel, you can almost feel the relief of the Greeks at the end of the journey, as if you were one of them. If you like reading good stories, or if you like history, this is a book you should take a look at. Beware, once you've started the journey you'll have to see it through to the end, put your trust in Xenophon and he will lead you home.
Rating: 
Summary: better than average
Review: A relatively unknown event in history to the average Joe. When i saw the title i knew right away what it was....actually i was concidering writing a novel about it myself, because that historic event was begging to be brought out to the general public..........one of the most underrated true events in all of history.
The author knows this , and for a rookie, does a good job. He wasted precious pages on boring over-philosophizing from time to time but, not to the point of wrecking the mood. He could have left out the "rooster " joke, as it is a common known modern joke
and, for a moment took me back to the 20th century. Xenophon had an interesting event at the end of the real ordeal that could have been brought into the book ,in exchange for the philosophical passages .....,and the author stillcould have kept the book at the 375 pages the he seemed intent on keeping it down to. Some reviewers didn't read the end closley enough and interpreted the girl's final confession too literally when she said she was Tissafernes...she was speaking retorically because she was his daughter....and the readers have this figured out early on. it's no big give-away. The first try at "the Ten Thousand" by anybody is o.k..........hey!not bad!
Rating:
Summary: Better than Pressfield? Think again.
Review: Having spent a great deal of my life reading, travelling and studying adn teaching Greek and Roman history, I have to admit that I can be a bit jaded about historical novels about the era. In my experience, only a few novelists have come forward to tackle the crowded and oft overwritten era of the Greeks and Persians. One is Steven Pressfield and the others all run far behind.
Michael Curtis Ford has risen above the fray and put forth a novel that puts ancient Peloponnesia into focus for the non-historian. The book is an excellent look at the larger picture and the story of the "The 10,000," but it really doesn't delve into the essence of being GREEK.
The story is amazing. Epic, even. . .but the novel is not. Some of the literary tools left me longing for Pressfield's descriptive skills and some of the actions seemed forced.
Is this a book that should be read? Yes. Is it the best of the genre? No.
Other good authors in this area include:
Steven Pressfield
Peter Green andMargaret George (Cleopatra)
Rating:
Summary: Some Have Greatness Thrust Upon Them
Review: This book tells the story of how by default a young warrior from ancient Greece ends up at the head of an army deep within enemy territoy and has to use every means necessary to get back home.
I was quite familiar with the history that this adventure was based on and was very happy to see how well Curtis Ford brings it to life. The hardship the army goes through on its trek home is brutal. The battles are fierce. The love story within the story is fascinating. The transformation the main character goes through is Oscar material. The book never has a dull moment. I heavily recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Less Historical - More Fiction
Review: I would have given 4 stars except for the constant use of period incorrect language. I don't want to split hairs and I'm not aching to be hyper critical - I know this is Historical FICTION. However, periodic use of the "F" word - which didn't even take form until much later keep pulling me out of the story and much others such as "pallbearer" (chapter 1) kept reminding me that the author isn't all that concerned with "getting it right." Too bad. It's a good freshman attempt, but given all the other solid HistFic writers - I'm gonna pass.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Perfect
Review: What can I say, I found this book by chance and figured I would give it shot. I was completely surprised at how much I loved it. The Author really brings the historical figures in this book to life. As other reviewers have noted he has a way of placing the reader onto the battlefields and you really feel the emotion and mood of the book. I would highly reccomend this book to anyone. I sure hope this author plans on writing more novels such as this. There are some odd, negative reviews of this work. Notice that the criticisms mainly come from people who are farely knowledgable of this part of history. The sharpshooting nitpickers may not have liked this work, however for a novice like myself it truly brings this period to life in a way I have never seen.
Rating:
Summary: READ IT FOR WHAT IS IS - GOOD STUFF HERE
Review: A pretty well reasearched novel of interesting times. Well written and enjoyable. Hey folks, this is a NOVEL! It is NOT a
history book written by some moldy academic. Read it and enjoy it! Thank you Mr Ford for going to the trouble of writing it for us. I look forward to more!
Rating:
Summary: Well Done!
Review: Very well thought out incorperating all the points in history. Engorssing and hard to put down. This novell makes you feel like you were actually there.
Rating:
Summary: A tale of ancient Greece
Review: As other reviewers and the comments at the beginning note, the tale has great potential but its even pace, without really capturing the reader, and some time monotony does not fully deal with the times. That said, the book does possess great authenticity in terms of characters: Xenophon who would later become a famous philosopher in the vein of Socrates (who was also a soldier), Artaxerxes, the Persian King and even a small part by Socrates himself. The story is told by a freedman Themistogenes, a pseudonym for Xenophon, and is based on his epic "Anabasis" which tells of the Greek/Spartan army's route as mercenaries in the army of Cyrus who is attempting to wrest the throne from Artaxerxes with 100 000 men and the 10 000 Greeks who are feared soldiers. Cyrus hoodwinks the Greeks making them believe his interest lays not in the throne but the desire to put down a rebellion in the Empire. After agreeing to go along with an attack on the enormous 1 million strong Persian army the Greeks lead a powerful charge right at the Persians and route them, no wonder they were so feared. On the loss of their suplies, the death of Cyrus and most of the Greek officers in a trick, the army is broken up leaving the Greeks to fend for themselves against the huge Persian force. With impressive maneouvering, discipline and the use of slingers which can hit a target at 300 yards the Greeks under the new leadership of Xenophon decide to treck all the way through hostile Persian territory and Armenia suffering great hardship until finally making it to the Black Sea coast and Hellenic towns. There is an underlying story of rather cold love of Themistogenes with a Persian royal lady but this never really flames into hot passion. One never gets the feeling of really suffering with these men but always feels outside of them looking on. It is helped by Homeric verse and ancient myths, Gods and legends but could have been much better.
Rating: 
Summary: Good story, characters
Review: This was a well told story, kind of the good parts version of the actual campaign. I decided to read this when I came upon it at the library. As I totally enjoyed Gates of Fire, this was a necessary and natural follow up. If you are interested in ancient battles, especially Greek, this is a good choice for you.
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