The New Achilles

By: Christian Cameron

Narrated by: John Telfer

Alexanor is a man who has seen too much blood. He has left the sword behind him to become a healer in the greatest sanctuary in Greece, turning his back on war.

But war has followed him to his refuge at Epidauros and now a battle to end the freedom of Greece is all around him. The Mediterranean superpowers of Rome, Egypt and Macedon are waging their proxy wars on Hellenic soil, turning Greek farmers into slaves and mercenaries.

When wounded soldier Philopoemen is carried into his temple, Alexanor believes the man's wounds are mortal but that he is not destined to die. Because he knows Philopoemen will become Greece's champion. Its last hero. The new Achilles.

©2019 Christian Cameron (P)2019 Orion Publishing Group

Worth the listen

“The New Achilles” is really good and definitely worth a listen in the historical fiction genre. Mr. Cameron has written so many great books, however, that I cannot say it ranks among his best. It drags at times, and I don’t feel like you really get to know enough about the main characters to understand their thought process - something that in other books (like The Long War series) I never would have even considered.

That said, and average book by this author is still better than 90% of the historical fiction I’ve read. I highly recommend everything he’s written.

Terrific Historical Fiction

One of my favorite authors of Historical Fiction, I want to do some visual research. wish Netflix or HBO would do a series. Way better than GOT, which I liked--up to a point.

The narrator was great too. There were parts where he sounded like he was caught up in the narrative and was enjoying the moment as much as I was.

The New Iliad

this book is incredible in giving super human life to it's characters appearing entirely human and as heros of old. A modern masterpiece for today's audience told in gripping manner.

Adventure, Medicine and Philosophy in Greece

I have loved every book by Christian Cameron. This is one of his best yet. Besides top notch historical detail he also works in discussions of what is courage, position of women in the ancient world, philosophy etc. Overall and amazing book!

worse than Tyrant and Killer of Men but still good

the book was uneven. first third (no spoilers - until main character departs from Macedonian court) was very good. raw and deep description of life, war and mentality of the era. then when the book dives into characters personal lives it gets terrible: one dimensional baddies, bad melodrama plots and so on. honestly I wanted to drop the book and get a refund. however this ends closer to final third and the author shows great skills in depicting psychology and warfare once again.
in the end, it would be a great book without its 20-25% of horrible and poorly written content somewhere in the half (after Macedonia and just before Crete, to speak in geographical description of the plot).
still it is one if the top examples of historical action fiction, very close to Steven Pressfield works and Cameron's own best works.