Wallace Breem first released ‘Eagle in the Snow’ in 1970. Despite being a little dated, and despite some words and sentence constructions not used today, it is highly readable and is as exciting as any of the top shelf works of historical fiction from recent years.
The story takes place around AD 406 and follows the exploits of General Maximus, commander of one of the few remaining traditional Roman legions. He is tasked with protecting the border from the various tribes who wish to leave their own lands and move into territory held by the Empire.
This is the time in history when Rome, in existence for more than a millennium, has outlived its glory days, has fallen from the time when the Senate and people governed, and has become divided into territories ruled by a succession of emperors whose concerns are with their own fortunes rather than of the empire at large. The emperors in particular, and the government in general, seem to have lost interest in maintaining a united Rome and instead seek to protect their friends, their wealth, and the lands in their immediate vicinity. Thus, the military, once composed of imposing legions of thousands of soldiers, has crumbled, and the remaining legions are under-manned, under-funded, and often set against fellow Romans rather than used to protect the Empire. Further, the military is often despised, and finds that it has great difficulty recruiting soldiers and acquiring equipment and supplies.
Under these circumstances Maximus is sent to the border to stand, without help, against throngs of invading peoples. He must raise an army, equip it, and prepare it for battle. He struggles with apathy and conspiracy from his superiors, and he struggles against fear, hatred, corruption, religious disputes, and indifference exhibited by the citizens which he is expected to protect. Over the course of a year he overcomes these and many other obstacles and succeeds in restoring the famous XX Legion [the 20th].
The largest part of this book follows Maximus as he fights to prevent multiple tribes, including the Vandals, the Alemanni, the Alans, and various others, from crossing the river Rhenus into Rome’s territory. He alternately meets with them and skirmishes with them. He stands unbending against their attempts to immigrate, and repeatedly refuses their offers to serve Rome if only they are allowed to enter. Outnumbered and faced with an unseasonably severe winter, the XXth is eventually worn down; one of the last Roman legions is destroyed to the last man, and the invading hordes begin their march toward Rome. In fact, only a short time later, Rome falls to Alaric and his invading Visigoths.
The book is very nicely written and is for the most part easy to read. Action is almost continuous, and something important happens on nearly every page, be it a battle, a negotiation, the capture of a hostage, the revelation of a conspiracy, a strategic withdrawal, or even a snowstorm. Because the action level is kept high, there is little time for character development. The only character described in any detail is Maximus himself; most others are not completely explored. This really doesn’t impede the understanding of the people and their motives, however, as the descriptions of the settings and the action are first rate, and the characters are somewhat less important than the action in the book. It may be said that “grass doesn’t grow under the author’s pen” as the story moves briskly. Only sometimes does this cause confusion. For example, warriors seem to change loyalties rapidly, sometimes aligning themselves with one or the other, sometimes fighting for or against Rome, and it is often difficult to remember which armies are allies at any one time. Nevertheless, interest never wavers, and the story stays exciting to the end.
“Eagle in the Snow” is a very good book, full of adventure, excitement, life, death, and history, and is the equal of the best of the current historical novels of the Roman Empire.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Hard Rock apparel
Outerwear, tees, and accessories. Discover the rock shop.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
Sean Dale
Outstanding example of the genre with a fascinating protagonist
Reviewed in Germany on July 10, 2017