Rating: 
Summary: Reached its objective
Review: In an interview for Recorded Books, David Ball stated that he wanted to write a swashbuckling tale of the kind that he himself enjoyed reading as a boy, and to tell the story of the doomed Tuareg, a proud people whose way of life has been crushed by the European greed machine, and the ill-conceived French expedition into the desert, which was based on a true incident. He accomplished both of those objectives. So maybe the prose wasn't the best, and the sex scenes were excruciating. I admit I rolled my eyes many times. Nevertheless, after I read the opening boar scene, there was no turning back. The author wasn't aiming to be studied in Lit 402. He wanted to entertain and edify a little. And he did.
Rating: 
Summary: A Real Downer
Review: The subtitle for this book should be "Terrible Things Happening to People We Make You Care About" I had to read the whole thing because it was a Christmas present from someone that will ask me if I read it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have made it over half way.
Rating:
Summary: Too depressing for my taste...
Review: While this is a "sweeping" novel, filled with adventure, and a "rip-snorting" ride, it just has WAY too many depressing, mad, abusive and abused, evil characters in it. The French "irregular" soldiers, Sister Godrick, Murat, Elizabeth--sheesh! It's fine that Ball explains how they got that way, but I didn't feel it was necessary to be so graphic to make me sympathetic to the heroic characters. It was just too far on the gratuitous side for my taste. From the farmhouse scene onward, I was just plain angry through the rest of the book, which isn't entertaining to me. Sorry--but it's just not my kind of novel.
Rating:
Summary: historical fiction
Review: The year is 1870; Paris is under siege by the Prussian army. Empires of Sand takes you thru what was a very good relationship between two cousins who are the best of friends. They played together in the tunnels of Paris as the war raged above their heads on the streets. As Paul and Moussa get older they become separated by tragic events in both of their lives. They will meet again on the battlefield of the Sahara -- Moussa as aTurleg, a race of veiled warriors who live and die by the sword and a harsh desert code. And Paul as part of the Expeditionary Force. As you will learn, the two were destined to become the bitterest of enemies because of their mother's backgrounds and feelings for each other. A great read for those who love historical fiction! This is the first book by this author. I know he will be around for a long time to come.
Rating: 
Summary: Part Dickens, Part Dumas
Review: "Empires of Sand" is a panoramic tale of two worlds in which the best of times and the worst of times are parallel, where every loyalty begets a treachery and every intimacy foreshadows a great divide. As two friends now confront the ghosts of their intermingled pasts as they struggle with the true meaning of integrity and loyalty. In this sweeping yet precise epic, Ball has created a swashbuckler for urbane readers. Ball's voice recalls, by turns, Michener and Clavell, Sir Richard Burton, and even Alexander Dumas. As a narrative, "Empires of Sand" is part "Beau Geste," part "A Tale of Two Cities." He blends actual historic events and details with his engaging fiction. And it's not just *what* he says, but *how* he says it. His storytelling style is literate and graceful, erudite but adventurous.
Rating: 
Summary: This Book is Great!
Review: As a history major, this book was a pleasant surprise. David Ball presents a novel complete with powerful characters and gripping action. If you enjoyed, "The Pilliars of The Earth" by Ken Follett, this book is for you!
Rating:
Summary: Good, but no Dumas
Review: This novel is highly entertaining and enthralling. For adventures through the nineteenth century Sahara and France, one cannot go wrong with Empires of Sand. The characters are either highly likable or absolutely dispicable, which could be either a high point or a low point- depending on the reader's tastes. I had hoped for more dynamic characters. The only real change that occures- in Paul -is highly predictable. The Religious figures in the book are thoroughly thrashed in a one sided and ruthless manner. Ball obviously does not have very much respect for these religions (Islam and Catholocism alike, ironiclly- so at least he is evenhanded). This caused me to read the rest of the novel with guarded enthusiasm- because the absolute badness that these characters flaunt, is well,... offending. Stick with the Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas or Les Mis by Hugo if you have not read them already.
Rating:
Summary: Empires of sand
Review: Excellent book. Very good reading. I could hardly put it down once I started. I greatly anticipate his next novel.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book
Review: Rarely do I stray from the ranks of the mystery/thriller genre, unless it is one of those great epic adventure stories like The Far Pavillions, some of Mitchner's books, the Clan series and others... I picked this book up just to give myself a break and COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. It is an adventure to read with descriptions that make you think you are there. Do yourself a favor and take the time to read this book. You will not be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: one more reader in the "loved this book" camp
Review: It's interesting that this novel has received such widely differing reader reviews! I found the main characters well drawn and compelling, the narrative pace impressive (especially for a long book containing many descriptive passages), and the author's overall achievement is remarkable. To put it simply, I love the way David Ball writes. My only complaint is that the Tuareg women lack individuality; however, they (even Serena) are peripheral characters, seen through the eyes of the men who are in love with them. This novel is much more deserving of best-seller status than most that make it to the top of the lists.
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