Ranks of Bronze

Rating:
Summary: "Roman' through the Galaxy"
Review: Altho this book is not "new" , I was pleased to find that it has been reprinted. This was actually my first introduction to David Drake and his exciting style of military sci-fi. I am now able to replace my tattered copy!

To summarize the story line without belaboring the details , a Roman Legion is taken into captivity by starfaring aliens. The aliens then utilize the military prowess of the Romans to subjugate other low-tech planets (it seems that a galactic league of some sort prohibits the use of hi-tech force aginst primitives!). The Roman soldiers don't realize that they have been captive for several thousand years due to the time altering effects of light speed space travel , and sieze upon an opportunity to overthrow their captors. Drake then concludes the novel in a uniquely "Roman" manner! Great read--fun!

Rating:
Summary: "Roman' through the Galaxy"
Review: Altho this book is not "new" , I was pleased to find that it has been reprinted. This was actually my first introduction to David Drake and his exciting style of military sci-fi. I am now able to replace my tattered copy!

To summarize the story line without belaboring the details , a Roman Legion is taken into captivity by starfaring aliens. The aliens then utilize the military prowess of the Romans to subjugate other low-tech planets (it seems that a galactic league of some sort prohibits the use of hi-tech force aginst primitives!). The Roman soldiers don't realize that they have been captive for several thousand years due to the time altering effects of light speed space travel , and sieze upon an opportunity to overthrow their captors. Drake then concludes the novel in a uniquely "Roman" manner! Great read--fun!

Rating:
Summary: Good Mix of Combat, Science Fiction, and History
Review: Although I've been a fan of military science fiction books for a while, this was my first introduction of David Drake. I'm glad to say that I wasn't disappointed. Other people have already done a great job of covering the plot, so I won't bore you by going over it again. However, I would like to point out that this book is not a collection of short stories. The book has several independent military campaigns in it, but they involve the same people and are interconnected. Also, while this book was written several years ago (mid-80's, I think), it doesn't feel dated they way many books from that era do.

The characters have a lot of dimension to them and they react in very human ways to the situations that they face. They also grow over the course of the book. I often found myself wondering how I would react if I was in their place.

Unfortunately, there is nothing in this book that you can point at and think "Wow, everyone should read this book!" There really are no grand or unique ideas presented; however, if you're looking to kill some time, this is a fine book to pick up. This would also be a good book to get someone interested in the Roman Empire, military fiction, or science fiction. Cheers!

Rating:
Summary: Good Mix of Combat, Science Fiction, and History
Review: Although I've been a fan of military science fiction books for a while, this was my first introduction of David Drake. I'm glad to say that I wasn't disappointed. Other people have already done a great job of covering the plot, so I won't bore you by going over it again. However, I would like to point out that this book is not a collection of short stories. The book has several independent military campaigns in it, but they involve the same people and are interconnected. Also, while this book was written several years ago (mid-80's, I think), it doesn't feel dated they way many books from that era do.

The characters have a lot of dimension to them and they react in very human ways to the situations that they face. They also grow over the course of the book. I often found myself wondering how I would react if I was in their place.

Unfortunately, there is nothing in this book that you can point at and think "Wow, everyone should read this book!" There really are no grand or unique ideas presented; however, if you're looking to kill some time, this is a fine book to pick up. This would also be a good book to get someone interested in the Roman Empire, military fiction, or science fiction. Cheers!

Rating:
Summary: Lots of fun
Review: Good premise, good action and a great ending. Remember - don't mess with the Roman Empire.

Rating:
Summary: I didn't know Drake could write a bad book.
Review: I like Mr. Drake's writting, but this book stunk; I got so disgusted with it that I stopped at page 171 out of 314.

The book is made up of a several short stories in which a group of Roman Soldiers battle Primitive Aliens. This Roman Legion lost a battle and their captors sold them into slavery. Unknown to the Roman's or the people who sold them, the buyer is an alien. The alien belongs to a Trade Confederation that is only allowed to war with people at the technological level of their opponent. That's where the Romans come in.

In Real History the Roman Legions proved that Soldiers will defeat Warriors every time, discipline makes all the difference. That's one of the truism that makes Military Fiction enjoyable, the idea that hard work and discipline will get you through tough times. The problem with this book is that there is no hope of a reward for the heroes at the end. The get injured, patched up, fight, get injured, patched up, and fight in a never ending cycle. There is no hope of freedom from slavery, no hope of every doing anything but fighting and dying, no hope of finding a wife, no hope of children; there's no hope of anything. A story with no hope is a drudgery. I'm still a fan of Mr. Drake's and I will still read his books, but I cannot recommend this one.

Rating:
Summary: Did I miss something?
Review: I'm new to the Military Sci/Fi genre and I had been reading a lot of good things about David Drakes' writing. In essence I got interested after reading Cornwells' Sharpe Series and the Prince Roger series by David Weber/John Ringo.

I read a review where someone said they stopped at page 171 and put the book down. Well they're better than me, I've struggled to get to page 126, then decided to stop at and write this review.

After seeing so many references to Drake as being 'the man' in Military Sci/Fi I finally decided to pick up one of his books.

I tried to read "Birds of Prey" also by Drake and could not even finish it. I thought maybe it was the premise. I think I like to see the story of someone growing into a command position, i.e. Richard Sharpe (Sharpe Series) and Roger McLintock (Prince Roger Series). However, that was not the problem.

After a day of reading "Birds of Prey" I realized I had made a mistake and exchanged it for this book [Ranks of Bronze], since this is supposed to be the story of a 'group' and how one character goes from being a "raw kid" to a "leader of men". Well I see now that it was NOT the premise, it is his writing style.

Even in "Birds of Prey" I noticed that his style is...hard to follow. It doesn't flow smoothly. In this book as well, it just reads...bad. I have one more Drake book "Grimmer Than Hell". However, if it reads anything like the first two I've read, it will be the last Drake book I read.

I don't know if Bernard Cornwells' (Sharpe Series) is considered Sci/Fi, Alternative History, or just simple Fiction. What I do know is regardless of which one was written first; Cornwell reads better, the battles are easy to follow, they're action packed, and they seem to be what Drake is/was trying to achieve.

Lastly, if you want a better written, in my opinion, story that involves essentially the same plot try David Webers "Excalibur Alternative".

Rating:
Summary: Romans among the stars.
Review: I've always believed that some of David Drake's best works are his novels mixing science fiction and the Roman Empire. Having been a Roman history buff for as long as I can remember one could argue that I'm rather biased, but in my opinion Ranks of Bronze rates up there with another of his Roman novel's, Birds of Prey. Ranks of Bronze takes it's inspiration from an actual battle that occurred in the year 53 B.C. Marcus Crassus - one of the three members of the first triumvite along with Ceaser and Pompey - led a Roman army into Parthia ( modern Iran ) to take care of the Parthian empire once and for all. Instead his army was defeated and Crassus was killed. What we do know is that some ten thousand legionaires survived and were either sold into slavery to owners as far away as China and India or the Parthians put them to work as slave soldiers setteling frontier land within the Pathian Empire,just like the British did in Austraila. David Drake has the survivors being sold to aliens - in disguise - who work for a star spanning commercial league. Rather like the organization that was attacking Naboo in The Phanthom Menace. The League isn't allowed to use modern weaponry against primitives who refuse to deal with them. I gather the rules are put down by an organiztion similar to our U.N. So in order to stay out of trouble the aliens buy the Roman legionaries and put them to work fighting their wars. The clincher is that excluding total destruction of the brain the aliens can ressurect the dead soldiers, even if they are decapitated. The main character is a young tribune who eventually rises to command of the legion and the realization that their masters aren't Human. The battles are graphic, but show some serious research on Drake's part. The book gives a nod to the Human ability to overcome obstacles by brain power and nothing else. It's also an intersting contrast of Iron Age soldiers living among advanced technology. I don't want to spoil the ending, but suffice to say you will be kept on the edge of your seat.To paraphrase the previous review, Don't mess with the Romans.

Rating:
Summary: David Drake knows Rome!
Review: When I mean he knows it, I am not just talking about history, I am talking about how Romans thought, fought, lived and dealt with every day life. Add his knowledge of military tactics, and his skill at making belivable science fiction settings and what you get is a great novel you should try to get no matter how old the copy or how much it costs!