The fall of Rome was just the beginning. A new empire will rise . . .

AD 439: the Roman Empire is on the brink of collapse. With shocking speed a Vandal army has swept through the Roman provinces of Spain and north Africa, conquering Carthage and threatening Roman control of the Mediterranean. But a far greater threat lies to the east, a barbarian force born in the harsh steppelands of Asia, warriors of unparalleled savagery who will sweep all before them in their thirst for conquest - the army of Attila the Hun.

For a small group of Roman soldiers and a mysterious British monk, the only defence is to rise above the corruption and weakness of the Roman emperors and hark back to the glory days of the Roman army centuries before, to find strength in history. But then they devise a plan of astonishing audacity that will take them to the heart of darkness itself, to the stronghold of the most feared warrior-king the world has ever known. In the showdown to come, in the greatest battle the Romans have ever fought, victory will go to those who can hold high the most potent symbol of war ever wrought by man - the sacred sword of Attila.

This is the second book in the epic Total War series

About the Author

David Gibbins is the author of seven previous historical adventure novels that have sold over two million copies and are published in twenty-nine languages. He taught archaeology, ancient history and art history as a university lecturer, before turning to writing fiction full-time. He is a passionate diver and has led numerous expeditions, some that led to extraordinary discoveries of ten-thousand-year-old artefacts.

David divides his time between England and a farm and wilderness tract in Canada where he does most of his writing.

www.davidgibbins.com

Reviews
A hugely entertaining novel, thoroughly researched and vividly characterised. Here are people I enjoyed, hailing as they do from all parts of the known world, the fictional, the semi-fictional and the factual figures all complementing each other perfectly. From the bloody retreat from Carthage through to the final pitched battle, I was glued to the pages of this book. The locations are painted beautifully and the novel moves along with such a pace, teaching us about 5th-century warfare but never at the expense of entertainment and fascinating stories. * forwinternights blog *



Book Information
ISBN 9781447237112
Author David Gibbins
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Pan Books
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Weight(grams) 318g
Dimensions(mm) 203mm * 127mm * 17mm