The ASSYRIAN

Rating:
Summary: One of the best I have ever read
Review: Being a German national who happens to read English, I cannot accurately express my admiration for Mr. Guild who has written this magnificent story. And for those who like to read the seond part, it is available under the name "The blood star"

I can only implore (is that the right word ?) Herr Guild to write more about Tiglath Ashur. His work ranks right alongside with Wilbur Smith's novels.

Rating:
Summary: Nicholas Guild - The Assyrian
Review: Guild's "The Assyrian" is right at the top of my favorite book list, right on with Tolkien's masterpiece. I study Assyrian culture at university level, so my interest has its source there. Guild gives a very nice and detailed description of the Assyrian culture in a genuine historical setting, and even manages to write one of the most exciting storylines I've ever read; a good mixture of adventure, love, war, sex and violonce. Guild tries not to veil any Assyrian custom which would not fit in our culture; on the contrary: he seems to take delight in describing them in detail, albeit through the eyes of someone who has just a little bit (but not too much) of Western conscience, so the reader will more easily feel at home in the rich Assyrian culture. It's also nice that Guild doesn't try to write around the religion being dead; by using divine incidents, but also by describing superstition, you get the idea that all the Assyrian gods and goddesses really exist, giving this book an almost Tolkien-like fantasy flavour. This means you will find no ethical Biblereferences or settings a la Ben Hur here. The fantasy effect is made even stronger by the adventurous kind of story, in which you will also get descriptions of other cultures through the eyes of an Assyrian. Love and sex are also certainly not neglected. If you like ancient cultures, fantasy and adventure I recommend this one. Too bad Guild never wrote a sequel (for as far as I know), as he half-so promised in the epilogue. Also too bad this title is out of print... I wonder why?

Rating:
Summary: Nicholas Guild - The Assyrian
Review: Guild's "The Assyrian" is right at the top of my favorite book list, right on with Tolkien's masterpiece. I study Assyrian culture at university level, so my interest has its source there. Guild gives a very nice and detailed description of the Assyrian culture in a genuine historical setting, and even manages to write one of the most exciting storylines I've ever read; a good mixture of adventure, love, war, sex and violonce. Guild tries not to veil any Assyrian custom which would not fit in our culture; on the contrary: he seems to take delight in describing them in detail, albeit through the eyes of someone who has just a little bit (but not too much) of Western conscience, so the reader will more easily feel at home in the rich Assyrian culture. It's also nice that Guild doesn't try to write around the religion being dead; by using divine incidents, but also by describing superstition, you get the idea that all the Assyrian gods and goddesses really exist, giving this book an almost Tolkien-like fantasy flavour. This means you will find no ethical Biblereferences or settings a la Ben Hur here. The fantasy effect is made even stronger by the adventurous kind of story, in which you will also get descriptions of other cultures through the eyes of an Assyrian. Love and sex are also certainly not neglected. If you like ancient cultures, fantasy and adventure I recommend this one. Too bad Guild never wrote a sequel (for as far as I know), as he half-so promised in the epilogue. Also too bad this title is out of print... I wonder why?

Rating:
Summary: not what I expected....not so great
Review: I searched for this book and bought it used, something I seldom do.....It was slow and didn't really go anywhere, I was hoping for more....

Rating:
Summary: Ancient history of glory and gore
Review: It has to be hard to write about a time as ancient as 700 B.C., but Nicholas Guild successfully transports us to the land and people of Assyria in this epic historical novel. I haven't done any research on this culture. I don't know what the people believed, or with whom they battled, or how they dressed, but Guild has painted here a credible picture of this setting in substantial detail.

Tiglath Ashur is King Sennacherib's favorite son because of his heroism in battle. Sennacherb wishes Tiglath to succeed him as king, but when the priests interpret a goat's entrails, Tiglath's less capable brother, Esarhaddon, is designated as the future king instead. In countless cases of history, brothers, fathers, cousins, etc. kill one another to claim the throne, but honorable Tiglath remains loyal to his brother and to the god's wishes. He does so at a price, however, losing the woman he loves and possibly the superiority of his country if placed in the hands of his incompetent brother.

Each of the characters in this book has a distinct personality and role to fulfill. There is Kephalos, Tiglath's roly-poly, loyal and entrepreneurial slave. Shaditu, Tiglath's royal sister, is an immoral seductress. The Lady Naqia, Esarhaddon's mother, is cunning and conspiratorial. All the characters are enmeshed in intrigue, politics, love, and revenge, and within this scenario, Tiglath searches for his own destiny. As honorable as Tiglath tries to be, he also is caught up in a culture which kept control of the surrounding lands through bloody battles, and horrifically gory punishments of its enemies.

With its journeys through far-away lands, its intrigue, passion, and details of battle, this book kept me entertained through its 550 pages, and I look forward to reading its sequel, Blood Star.

Rating:
Summary: This book is awesome.
Review: It is quite a shame that this book seems to be out of print. If you are lucky maybe you can find it in your local library. It is a magnificent book with cultural notes on the different peoples which lived during that time. It also delves deep into the main character's soul whom you cannot help but to admire for his loyalty to others and love of honor. I love epic tales and this is definitely one of them. I have already read the book more than 3 times in the 5 years that I have owned it. It just gets better each time. Its a must read.

Rating:
Summary: I LOVE THIS BOOK!!
Review: Sorry this is a repeat of what I posted for the sequal book "The Bloodstar"

Just couldn't praise one without the other :P

I first came across these books in my local library (many many years ago in Jr. High) and they blew me away.

I've always been a fan of historical fiction and these books are among my all time favorite. I don't know if they ever gained much popularity or critical acclaim and the fact that they are now both out of print lends me to believe that they probably didn't do so well when they came out in the 80's... but nevertheless, I hold them in the highest regard and I encourage any lover of historical fiction to read them.

I just recently bought the Assyrian again, but Bloodstar is a little steep for me. Guess I'll hunt a copy down at a public library and keep paying the late charges :P

Like some other reader before me said: SOMEONE SHOULD PICK UP THE RIGHTS TO THESE BOOKS AND MAKE AN EPIC MOVIE! THANK YOU!

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Book!
Review: This book is an absolute must read for lovers of historical novels and even fictional books.

Tiglat Assur, the protagonist of this book, is a really great and strong hero who has to face intrigues and great battles as a commander of the Assyrian army.

There is not much what this book does not give to the reader.
It includes fabulous battle scenes, some hot sex, a true love story, many intrigues, a hero like protagonist and many interesting random characters.

Reading it I wished I had once seen the majestic Assyrian empire which was the world's greatest power at its time.
Thereby I now have an idea why this Assyrian empire could be doomed and you might feel so after having read the books as well.

In all it is on me to wonder why this author, Nicholas Guild, never became an absolutely well known name in the author business.
The book is simply marvelous for me because it includes many elements, even fictional ones, but all this makes the story even better.

At last I have to promt you to give this extraordinary book a try.
It will not disappoint your expectations for sure.

Rating:
Summary: Magnificent read!
Review: While reading this wonderful book for the first time I felt I personally took part in all the great battles and adventures of the protagonist of this book, Tiglat Assur!

The books contains everything that marks an extraordinary book:
A significant protagonist, some strong opponents, a great love story, a story full of intrigues, little cruelties and unforgettable battle scenarios.

In addition to all these singular incidents the author tries to emphasize why such an august realm as the Assyrian one which was the greatest realm of its time could perish!

If you ever find this book in any bookstor or library, then go buy it!

This is simply the best book I ever had the honour to read, better even than "The Lord of the Rings" by Tolkien.
You will find many fictional elements in book as well:
Different godhoods that really seem to exist, and a floridness atmosphere on all the places the plot takes place!

All the approximately 550 pages are fraught with tension and interesting information about the Assyrian realm.