The Last King - Softcover

Curtis Ford, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 031293615X ISBN 13: 9780312936150

Publisher: Tor Books, 2005

Synopsis

To the Romans, the greatest enemy the Republic ever faced was not the Goths or Huns, nor even Hannibal, but rather a ferocious and brilliant king on the distant Black Sea: Mithridates Eupator VI, the last king of Pontus, known to history as Mithridates the Great. At age eleven, he inherited a small mountain kingdom of wild tribesmen whom his wicked mother governed in his place. Sweeping to power at twenty-one-years-old, he proved to be a military genius and a man intent on ousting the Romans from the Black Sea coast territories. For over forty years, Rome sent its greatest generals to contain Mithridates, but time and again he embarrassed the Romans with devastating defeats. Each time Rome declared victory, Mithridates considered it merely a strategic retreat and soon came roaring back with a more powerful army than before.From the author of the acclaimed "The Ten Thousand and Gods and Legions," comes a fascinating recreation of a wickedly cunning and ruthless king who would stop at nothing to protect his people-and who would go down in history as one of the greatest and most formidable warriors of the ancient world.

About this title

Review:

Michael Curtis Ford's love for the ancient world emanates from every page: in his magical settings and spectacular recreation of monuments and landscapes, in his bold portraits of the protagonists, and in his intriguing and swiftly-moving plot. "Valerio Massimo Manfredi, author of the "Alexander Trilogy" and Spartan" Ford captures the Roman first century B.C. from a novel perspective, viewing it through the prism of one of Rome's most formidable enemies. Battle scenes are described with great skill... the book demonstrates the author's ability to imagine the Roman world from its periphery and shows the same mastery of military history as his first novel, The Ten Thousand. "Publishers Weekly" The Ten Thousand and Gods and Legions, were so detailed that they seemed real. Now Ford has done it again. Brutal, straightforward, exciting and informative, The Last King is a hair-trigger ride on ancient sands and hills. This is Ford's best so far, and only those who have read his first two know just how good that makes this book. "The Statesman Journal (Salem, OR)" Powerful telling of historical drama. Michael Curtis Ford brings the Roman Empire to life. The Last King is complete with battle scenes and powerful storytelling about one of history's most feared warriors. "Oregonian" Ford has crafted a fascinating fictional biography of King Mithradates the Great. Eloquently narrated by Pharnaces, the illegitimate son of Mithradates and one of his favorite concubines, this rousing saga also provides an illuminating glimpse into the often vast divide that separated Eastern and Western warfare, culture, and philosophy during antiquity. "Booklist" A swashbuckling account of the exploits of Mithradates the Great. Solid fun: a good, old-fashioned adventure tale with plenty of action. "Kirkus Reviews""

From the Back Cover:

ROME'S MOST RESPECTED AND FEARED ENEMY...
To the Romans, the greatest enemy the Republic ever faced was not the Goths or Huns, nor even Hannibal, but rather a ferocious and brilliant king on the distant Black Sea: Mithridates Eupator VI, the last king of Pontus, known to history as Mithridates the Great. At age eleven, he inherited a small mountain kingdom of wild tribesmen whom his wicked mother governed in his place. Sweeping to power at twenty-one-years-old, he proved to be a military genius and a man intent on ousting the Romans from the Black Sea coast territories. For over forty years, Rome sent its greatest generals to contain Mithridates, but time and again he embarrassed the Romans with devastating defeats. Each time Rome declared victory, Mithridates considered it merely a strategic retreat and soon came roaring back with a more powerful army than before.

From the author of the acclaimed The Ten Thousand and Gods and Legions, comes a fascinating recreation of a wickedly cunning and ruthless king who would stop at nothing to protect his people-and who would go down in history as one of the greatest and most formidable warriors of the ancient world.

"A hair-trigger ride on ancient sands and hills. Ford's best book so far, and those who have read his first two know just how good that makes this book."
-The Statesmen Journal (Salem, OR)

"Magical settings and spectacular recreation of monuments and landscapes...bold portraits of protagonists...[an] intriguing and swiftly-moving plot."
-Valerio Massimo Manfredi, author of the "Alexander Trilogy" and Spartan

About this edition

• Publisher: Tor Books
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 031293615X
• ISBN 13: 9780312936150
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 432