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The Encircling Sea cover art

The Encircling Sea

By: Adrian Goldsworthy
Narrated by: Peter Noble
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Summary

Flavius Ferox, Briton turned Roman centurion, is charged with keeping Rome's empire intact. But from his base at Vindolanda on the northern frontier of Britannia, he feels enemies closing in on him from all sides. Ambitious leaders await the chance to carve out empires of their own while men nearer at hand speak in whispers of war and the destruction of Rome. 

And now new threats are reaching Ferox's ears. Stories about the boat-dwelling men of the night who have cursed the land and come ashore only to feast on men's flesh. These are just rumours for now. But Ferox knows that rumours stem from truth. And that no one on this isle is safe from the great encircling sea.... 

©2018 Adrian Goldsworthy (P)2018 W. F. Howes Ltd

What listeners say about The Encircling Sea

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

It's okay - Not marvellous

It's listenable - just. Far too much battle line description and far too little story. Too many characters to get very interested in any of them and the outcome is predictable from about half way through.
Not the worst Roman book you'll read but not exactly compelling either.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A good enjoyable listen.

This is the second Adrian Goldsworthy book I have listened to and have enjoyed them both. It appears to a layman that Mr G knows a great deal about Roman Britain which makes the story more believable for me. I look forward to the next book.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

another great listen

if you're a fan of roman history and gritty adventure, I can't recommend this book enough. the author pens an authentic feeling tale which as he is a noted historian isn't surprising. listen to the first one, then this one. they're great and the narrator does a great job of drawing you in. a must listen!

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • 14-08-19

Excellent

This is the second book in a trilogy. I have enjoyed the first two immensely.
The story is cleverly woven through historical fact and the narrator is among the best I have listened to.
I would highly recommend it

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great listen

This is the second book in the series and is as much of a good listen as the the first one, Vindolanda. All the characters are well drawn and rounded, not there just as bit players for the main characters but people with back stories and personalities. The historical detail is impressive and supports what is an exciting and gripping sword and sandals type tale. I’ll be starting the third book in the series soon. Highly recommended. Great fun and gripping, lots of humour and sadness too.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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"I think there is trouble brewing, sir."

At the turn of the first century and some twenty years before the building of Hadrian's Wall, Flavius Ferox, Briton turned Roman centurion, is based at Vindolanda on the northern frontier of Britannia. With constant whispers of war and the destruction of Rome, new threats are reaching Ferox's ears. Stories about the boat-dwelling men of the night, who only come ashore to feast on men's flesh. Based around a short mention in Tacitus's "Agricola" about the mutiny of a cohort of a German tribe, the Usipi, who revolted against harsh punishments, seized ships, and sailed to Germania only to be captured and enslaved, Galsworthy has constructed this new fearsome story taking Ferox and his 'You are not my friend' Vindex into further dangers and battles.

Ably constructed and beautifully read by Peter Noble, who brings extra life to the characters and emotion to the narration, this, the second in Galsworthy's trilogy is a must for all who enjoy historic novels with accurate background, set in Roman Britain. For this reader, the battle tale was just a little too long and it was not always easy to keep track of the numerous characters, but, with trouble always in the air, I'm looking forward to book three.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable read

Looking forward to the next in series., not read much by this auther but so far so good

Matt

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Great story. Well narrated. Second of three and will definitely listen to the third. Get it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

I'm not sure why but I found this boring

I really dont know if it is me, the story or the narrator, but I just found both the books in this series boring. I cant put my finger on what it was that didn't grab me, but I was glad it was over when i finished.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Gory, too much fighting,well narrated

Excellent narration. Story dragged for me and though there are some great imaginative elements to the story I felt the unending fighting and gore got very boring. For me , it felt like a missed opportunity for a genuinely broad ranging intelligent story given the author’s academic background

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