The Quest for the Lost Roman Legions: Discovering the Varus Battlefield

This is an exceptional book, perhaps even a unique book, deeply moving yet archaeologically precise and correct. Major Tony Clunn is to be commended for his achievement.The last time I had such praise for a book was Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire, which involved another slaughter, but that is a historical novel. One expects a lot of emotionalism from a novel, but not from a book detailing the progression of archaeological digs. The major purpose of a historical novel, or any novel for that matter, is to tell a story in such an entertaining way that the reader keeps turning the pages, and then likes is well enough to recommend it to friends. In the process, the reader should learn something about the historical era, but the author's first purpose is to entertain, not teach history, so details may be changed to make a good story. That includes characters and events.Perhaps the most exceptional thing about the Major Clunn's book is that the author is an amateur archaeologist, not a professional, an accomplished and especially competent one, yes, but an amateur nevertheless. The details he recounts, both material and emotional, are simply amazing. This is made possible because from his first visit to the area, he kept detailed notes and diaries, something most non-professionals wouldn't bother with. What I find most unique about this book is how the author was able to stitch together a detailed and totally believable tapestry telling the story of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest by weaving in various actual discoveries from several digs in almost the same exact sequence they were discovered. Absolutely stunning!It's a great book as it is, but I have a couple of suggestions for improving the next edition. More and better detailed maps would be a big help in orientating a reader unfamiliar with the area and in visualizing the course of the battle. More photographs and an enlarged glossary that included more German terms would also make the going easier..In conclusion, anyone interested in Roman history, early German tribes, archeology, German history or civilization-changing battles should own this book.

There is an element of delight in the thought of an amateur archaeologist, in his spare time, pottering around muddy fields, munching his sandwiches and using a handheld metal detector to solve one of the great mysteries of time...ie. where did the four lost legions of Varus meet their end...they just seemed to vanish in the mists of a sodden Germanic forest..leaving little or no trace.The excitement builds with the discovery of a handful of coins from the period...the amateur looking at the lie of the land deducing the probable path taken, the reference to various sources that others have tried to decipher without success, and inspired guesswork...no high tech. here....the ghosts have been laid to rest...In this technological age it is good to think that there is still a place for the patient,persistent amateur....the story is well written in easily comprehensible layman's term and in my opinion overshadows the discovery of the grave of the Titanic..a good sleuthing read

The author managed to take what would have been a boring narration and turn it into a very readable piece.

The Battle of the Teutoburger Forest is one of the most decisive battles of all time (as mentioned in the book). Based upon the recent archeological finds in Kalkriese, three books have recently been published on this battle. Having read all three, this is the best.The author is initiator of the archeological digs that occurred, having found coins and other items that generated a series of formal searches that found a mask and many more coins and Roman artifacts. Based upon this work, it has been recognized that the lost Roman legions (17th, 18th and 19th) that were ambushed and massacred in 9AD met their end at this site (Kalkriese).This book has two parts: (1) the author's experiences in searching for coins and artifacts in the Kalkriese and other sites and (2) an historical novel laying out the best guesses on what happened to the three Roman legions. Both parts of the book are fascinating as the interweaving of the artifact search provides more value to the historical novel.Although there could be better maps to provide a perspective of the locations mentioned in the book, to me this was not a problem. (Partially, because I used a Michelin map of Germany to find the locations and possibly plan a visit in the future.)If you are interested in Roman history, I highly recommend this book. It is a powerful story of a past time.

If you’re into ancient history then this is worth reading.

A

I'm a sucker for Roman and British Dark Age history, but I was absolutely unaware that Tony Clunn had written this history and that investigations had progressed so far, until just recently I saw this listing in a book club catalogue which I put aside for safekeeping and promptly lost! But, having just gone on line at home, I turned to Amazon and Amazon found it for me.I simply could not put this book down;whether at home,on the train or 'bus it was with me. Tony Clunn, together with writing of his archeaological findings, has retold the history of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest and turned accepted historical opinion on it's head. One may argue against his account of the Varus disaster but one cannot argue of his grasp of history, and that is, mind you, of a gifted amateur. Unhesitatingly, I commend this opus to anyone who has an interest in it's subject or the wider world of Roman history.Peter Lloyd, Port Talbot, South Wales.

Intriguing book and well thought through. Well worth reading.

A detailed and informative book about how 3 Roman legions were destroyed in the forests of Germany in AD9. An easy to read book that doesn't require a PhD in history to follow. Author skillfully weaves together historical fiction of what people, said, saw and felt during the events, with description of how he found the battlefield plus archaeology of the battlefield. That's why it gets 5 stars. Highly recommended.