The Falcon of Sparta

By: Conn Iggulden

Narrated by: Michael Fox

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Falcon of Sparta by Conn Iggulden, read by Michael Fox.

In the Ancient World, one army was feared above all others.

401 BC. The Persian king Artaxerxes rules an empire stretching from the Aegean to northern India. As many as fifty million people are his subjects. His rule is absolute.

The sons of Sparta, those whose fathers and grandfathers fell at Thermopylae and perished in the Peloponnesian Wars, work as mercenaries for Persian princes eager to play the game of thrones. When Cyrus the younger, brother to the Great King, lays claim to his father's crown, he does so with an elite army of Spartans at his side.

Yet battles can be won - or lost - with a single blow. Princes fall. And when the dust of civil war settles, the Spartans are left stranded in the heart of an enemy's empire, without support, without food and without water. Far from home, surrounded by foes, it falls to the young soldier Xenophon to lead the survivors against Artaxerxes' legendary Persian warriors.

Drawing on one of history's most epic stories of adventure, The Falcon of Sparta masterfully depicts the ferocity, heroism, and savage bloodshed that was the ancient World.

Critic reviews

His finest novel to date, brings alive the extraordinary world of ancient Persia, as well as the ruthless nobility of the Spartans. The battle scenes are thrilling and the men who fight in them are impeccably portrayed

Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction

Iggulden tells an absolutely cracking story. The pace is nail-biting and the set dressing magnificent

One of our finest historical novelists

Pacey and juicy, and packed with action

Enjoyed the narrating, liked Conqueror more

Enjoyed the narrating, liked Conqueror more. This story is a bit to straight forward and fast paced to my liking, missing some culture and depth. Even with the surprising developments that happen to some character. Still, enjoyed it a lot.

An Interesting historical fiction story

The story was very well told with characters which you become to care about. I didn't know much about this part of history but it is an interesting slice of history which I have found myself researching more on. I'm a massive fan of Conn Iggulden's writing and am happy to say this book doesn't disappoint.

I haven't listened to Michael Fox's narrations before I feel that he did a good job with narrating this book. Towards the end he started to really win me over. I think he is still quite new to narrating and will in time become an excellent narrator. For this performance I will give him a 4 star performance but I don't let that discourage you from listening to it. I would definitely listen to him read another book.

At the end of Conn Iggulden's books there is usually a note from him explaining where he made changes to history to help with character arcs and moving the plot on (I love reading this section). I was very disappointed to find there wasn't one for this audio-book.

An excellent retelling

Very enjoyable despite the somewhat apathetic tone of the narration. This author - except for the Rome series - is one of the best historical novelists of any period. Recommended.

Another Work of Art

Iggulden knocks it out of the park once again, it's gripping, from start to finish