What do you think?
Rate this book
The Antagonists #1
Masada
An exuberant historical tale which returns to the days of heroes larger than life silhouetted against the desert sky above the rock of Masada. Eleazar ben Yair & General Flavius Silva, the antagonists in that brief conflict when the Romans were pursuing the last remnants of resisting Jews, shared the common nobility of men who face impossible odds. Eleazar confronted the overwhelmingly superior military force of Rome; Silva, a sensitive, intelligent man, faced the subtler threat of spiritual & physical impotence. Then there is Sheva, a Jewish beauty determined to save her people Jael-fashion; the influential Roman Falco with his two pretty boys; noble Masadians & grousing Romans. It all ends with a Roman desert victory entailing their psychic defeat. Within its traditional frame, some convincing commotion & the publisher anticipates a strong commercial success.--Kirkus
316 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
About the author
Ernest K. Gann
51 books86 followersErnest K Gann was an aviator, author, filmmaker, sailor, fisherman and conservationist.
After earning his pilot license, Gann spent his much of his free time aloft, flying for pleasure. The continuing Great Depression soon cost him his job and he was unable to find another position in the movie business. In search of work, he decided to move his family to California. Gann was able to find odd jobs at Burbank Airport, and also began to write short stories. A friend managed to get him a part-time job as a co-pilot with a local airline company and it was there that he flew his first trips as a professional aviator. In the late 1930s many airlines were hiring as many pilots as they could find; after hearing of these opportunities, Gann and his family returned to New York where he managed to get hired by American Airlines to fly the Douglas DC-2 and Douglas DC-3.
For several years Gann enjoyed flying routes in the northeast for American. In 1942, many U.S. airlines' pilots and aircraft were absorbed into the Air Transport Command of the U.S. Army Air Forces to assist in the War Effort. Gann and many of his co-workers at American volunteered to join the group. He flew DC-3s, Douglas DC-4s and Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express transports (the cargo version of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber). His wartime trips took him across the North Atlantic to Europe, and then on to Africa, South America, India, and other exotic places. Some of his most harrowing experiences came while flying The Hump airlift across the Himalayas into China. In the years to come Gann's worldwide travels and various adventures would become the inspiration for many of his novels and screenplays.
At the end of World War II, the Air Transport Command released the civilian pilots and aircraft back to their airlines. Gann decided to leave American Airlines in search of new adventures. He was quickly hired as a pilot with a new company called Matson Airlines that was a venture of the Matson steamship line. He flew from the U.S. West Coast across the Pacific to Honolulu. This experience spawned ideas that were developed into one of his best-known works, 'The High and the Mighty.' Matson ultimately soon fell prey to the politically well-connected Pan American Airlines and failed. After a few more short-lived flying jobs, Gann became discouraged with aviation and he turned to writing as a full-time occupation.
Gann's major works include the novel The High and the Mighty and his aviation focused, near-autobiography Fate Is the Hunter. Notes and short stories scribbled down during long layovers on his pioneering trips across the North Atlantic became the source for his first serious fiction novel, Island in the Sky (1944), which was inspired by an actual Arctic rescue mission. It became an immediate best-seller as did Blaze of Noon (1946), a story about early air mail operations. In 1978, he published his comprehensive autobiography, entitled A Hostage to Fortune.
Although many of his 21 best-selling novels show Gann’s devotion to aviation, others, including Twilight for the Gods, and Fiddler's Green reflect his love of the sea. His experiences as a fisherman, skipper and sailor, all contributed storylines and depth to his nautical fiction. He later wrote an autobiography of his sailing life called Song of the Sirens.
Gann wrote, or adapted from his books, the stories and screenplays for several movies and television shows. For some of these productions he also served as a consultant and technical adviser during filming. Although it received positive reviews, Gann was displeased with the film version of Fate Is the Hunter, and removed his name from the credits. (He later lamented that this decision cost him a "fortune" in royalties, as the film played repeatedly on television for years afterward.) He wrote the story for the television miniseries Masada, based on 'The Antagonists.'
After earning his pilot license, Gann spent his much of his free time aloft, flying for pleasure. The continuing Great Depression soon cost him his job and he was unable to find another position in the movie business. In search of work, he decided to move his family to California. Gann was able to find odd jobs at Burbank Airport, and also began to write short stories. A friend managed to get him a part-time job as a co-pilot with a local airline company and it was there that he flew his first trips as a professional aviator. In the late 1930s many airlines were hiring as many pilots as they could find; after hearing of these opportunities, Gann and his family returned to New York where he managed to get hired by American Airlines to fly the Douglas DC-2 and Douglas DC-3.
For several years Gann enjoyed flying routes in the northeast for American. In 1942, many U.S. airlines' pilots and aircraft were absorbed into the Air Transport Command of the U.S. Army Air Forces to assist in the War Effort. Gann and many of his co-workers at American volunteered to join the group. He flew DC-3s, Douglas DC-4s and Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express transports (the cargo version of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber). His wartime trips took him across the North Atlantic to Europe, and then on to Africa, South America, India, and other exotic places. Some of his most harrowing experiences came while flying The Hump airlift across the Himalayas into China. In the years to come Gann's worldwide travels and various adventures would become the inspiration for many of his novels and screenplays.
At the end of World War II, the Air Transport Command released the civilian pilots and aircraft back to their airlines. Gann decided to leave American Airlines in search of new adventures. He was quickly hired as a pilot with a new company called Matson Airlines that was a venture of the Matson steamship line. He flew from the U.S. West Coast across the Pacific to Honolulu. This experience spawned ideas that were developed into one of his best-known works, 'The High and the Mighty.' Matson ultimately soon fell prey to the politically well-connected Pan American Airlines and failed. After a few more short-lived flying jobs, Gann became discouraged with aviation and he turned to writing as a full-time occupation.
Gann's major works include the novel The High and the Mighty and his aviation focused, near-autobiography Fate Is the Hunter. Notes and short stories scribbled down during long layovers on his pioneering trips across the North Atlantic became the source for his first serious fiction novel, Island in the Sky (1944), which was inspired by an actual Arctic rescue mission. It became an immediate best-seller as did Blaze of Noon (1946), a story about early air mail operations. In 1978, he published his comprehensive autobiography, entitled A Hostage to Fortune.
Although many of his 21 best-selling novels show Gann’s devotion to aviation, others, including Twilight for the Gods, and Fiddler's Green reflect his love of the sea. His experiences as a fisherman, skipper and sailor, all contributed storylines and depth to his nautical fiction. He later wrote an autobiography of his sailing life called Song of the Sirens.
Gann wrote, or adapted from his books, the stories and screenplays for several movies and television shows. For some of these productions he also served as a consultant and technical adviser during filming. Although it received positive reviews, Gann was displeased with the film version of Fate Is the Hunter, and removed his name from the credits. (He later lamented that this decision cost him a "fortune" in royalties, as the film played repeatedly on television for years afterward.) He wrote the story for the television miniseries Masada, based on 'The Antagonists.'
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 7, 2024
The last stand of the Jewish patriotic freedom fighters at Masada occupies a special place in the hearts of the people of Israel.
It was here that 960 Jewish refugees from the Roman destruction of Jerusalem, set up a fortress and for three years fought off the might of Imperial Rome.
Every year the swearing-in ceremony of soldiers who have completed their Tironut (IDF basic training) takes place on top of Masada. The ceremony ends with the declaration: "Masada shall not fall again." The soldiers climb the Snake Path at night and are sworn in with torches lighting the background This is a reference to the Jewish revolt in 70 CE, where the Jewish fighters and their families committed suicide, leading to the fall of the fort to the Romans.
A compelling and fast read, most of the book focuses on three figures, the Roman general Flavius Silva, procurator of Roman occupied-Judea, his beautiful Jewish
concubine, Sheva and the leader of the Israeli freedom fighters Eliezer Ben Yair.
While less was written of the Jewish resistance than I would have liked, and much on the Roman politics and interrelationships, Gann has always never departed far from the documented facts.
when Masada could not longer be held by the Jews, the defenders decided to kill themselves together with their families rather than face the cruelties which would be inflicted on them by their Roman conquerors. For the three years of trouble that the Jews gave in resisting Rome, Eliezer knew that the Romans would capture as many men as possible so the father could be tortured to death in front of the son, the children of those Jews who had defied Roman hegemony would be raised on spears so that the seed of those stubborn Jews who held so fiercely onto their land would not be allowed to ever flourish again. The Jewish women would be raped until their bodies were torn apart.
And well the Jews know that if they ever submit to Arab hegemony which they have defied for 75 years and more, these horrors will be visited on the entire Jewish population of Israel - as we saw on October 7 , 2023.
It is this final act of defiance that will bring tears to your eyes.
This is ultimately a book about the resilience of the Jewish people on their ancient soil of the Land of Israel.
It was here that 960 Jewish refugees from the Roman destruction of Jerusalem, set up a fortress and for three years fought off the might of Imperial Rome.
Every year the swearing-in ceremony of soldiers who have completed their Tironut (IDF basic training) takes place on top of Masada. The ceremony ends with the declaration: "Masada shall not fall again." The soldiers climb the Snake Path at night and are sworn in with torches lighting the background This is a reference to the Jewish revolt in 70 CE, where the Jewish fighters and their families committed suicide, leading to the fall of the fort to the Romans.
A compelling and fast read, most of the book focuses on three figures, the Roman general Flavius Silva, procurator of Roman occupied-Judea, his beautiful Jewish
concubine, Sheva and the leader of the Israeli freedom fighters Eliezer Ben Yair.
While less was written of the Jewish resistance than I would have liked, and much on the Roman politics and interrelationships, Gann has always never departed far from the documented facts.
when Masada could not longer be held by the Jews, the defenders decided to kill themselves together with their families rather than face the cruelties which would be inflicted on them by their Roman conquerors. For the three years of trouble that the Jews gave in resisting Rome, Eliezer knew that the Romans would capture as many men as possible so the father could be tortured to death in front of the son, the children of those Jews who had defied Roman hegemony would be raised on spears so that the seed of those stubborn Jews who held so fiercely onto their land would not be allowed to ever flourish again. The Jewish women would be raped until their bodies were torn apart.
And well the Jews know that if they ever submit to Arab hegemony which they have defied for 75 years and more, these horrors will be visited on the entire Jewish population of Israel - as we saw on October 7 , 2023.
It is this final act of defiance that will bring tears to your eyes.
This is ultimately a book about the resilience of the Jewish people on their ancient soil of the Land of Israel.
September 3, 2017
3.5/5. I was excited to find this novel after having seen on Netflix the old Peter O'Toole "Masada" television drama [1981] which I had missed when shown on television originally. Both the original novel and its adaptation covered the siege of Masada and its shattering climax through the eyes of both the Roman and Jewish commanders, the titular "antagonists." After a long introduction to the setting and characters, the story moves quickly and inexorably to the siege from both Roman and Jewish sides and its immediate aftermath. Not much is known factually, so most of the novel is fictionalized. The author even admitted as much.
In spite of any differences in physical appearance of Flavius Silva, the Roman general and governor of Judaea between novel and teleplay, I couldn't visualize anyone but O'Toole as that figure. Eleazar ben Yair was presented as the stalwart military leader of the rebellious Jews, originally a fisherman, defending his people against Roman conquest, and trying to keep in balance the different Jewish sects with him but I felt the author was more sympathetic to Silva, whom he presented as a lonely middle-aged widower, only desirous of putting down this rebellion at Emperor Vespasian's orders, then dreaming of retiring to his villa near Rome, living in peace with his Jewish mistress. Even after 40-some years, this novel is still worthwhile reading.
In spite of any differences in physical appearance of Flavius Silva, the Roman general and governor of Judaea between novel and teleplay, I couldn't visualize anyone but O'Toole as that figure. Eleazar ben Yair was presented as the stalwart military leader of the rebellious Jews, originally a fisherman, defending his people against Roman conquest, and trying to keep in balance the different Jewish sects with him but I felt the author was more sympathetic to Silva, whom he presented as a lonely middle-aged widower, only desirous of putting down this rebellion at Emperor Vespasian's orders, then dreaming of retiring to his villa near Rome, living in peace with his Jewish mistress. Even after 40-some years, this novel is still worthwhile reading.
December 21, 2011
Originally released as The Antagonists, Ernest K. Gann's fictional account of the battle for Masada. He creates an antagonist and protagonist who become more of the same person as the story progresses. Gann's speculation that General Lucius Flavius Silva's fall from grace was fueled by his sympathy for the Sicarii is intriguing. Silva's name and likeness were stricken from Roman history during the Damnatio memoriae or "condemnation of memory" Gann's follow up to Masada is The Triumph which brings General Silva back to Rome as a hero but he turns from Rome and Rome turns from him. I would suggest reading Masada and The Triumph together as two books of a single work. I would say that these two works are, to me, the greatest stories that I have had the pleasure to read.
September 2, 2022
En lidt sort/hvid portrætteret men spændende historietime fra den gang, hvor romerne var de (meget) onde, og hvor jøderne (igen) er de meget forfulgte, og meget heltemodige. Klimaks er nærmest åndeløst spændende, og kun i Fluernes Herre har jeg læst en så gribende slutning.
March 31, 2011
I read this up at the Michigan cottage during the fall when one had to heat the living room with the wood-burning stove. I believe it may have been left up there by Dad's former wife, Lin. In any case, it is a fair reconstruction of the taking of the final Jewish stronghold during what they came to call the first Roman War--the one Josephus reported and participated in, albeit in Galilee. The characterizations are a bit too modern perhaps, but the material facts are held to well enough. The sympathies of the author are not entirely confined to the doomed Jewish defenders. In 1981 the book was made into a miniseries and reissued as Masada.
June 26, 2010
I did NOT like this book at first. The author seemed heavy handed while establishing characters but then the plot took off and it got better. However I think most of what I liked was the story (which really wasn't the author's doing... the story was written 2000 years ago) as opposed to the writing. A better author could have written a much better book, but this one was okay. My problem with historical fiction is I always want to know where the research ends and the fiction begins. Maybe I'll read something more scholarly on the seige of Masada.
October 14, 2013
Excellent and well written, this historical piece of fiction captures one of the momentous events that took place during rebellion in Judea during the reign of the emperor Vespasian, and how a people valiantly refused capitulation to their Roman conquerors.
May 17, 2009
Definitely reads like true history. I remember being deeply touched by the ending of this book.
April 26, 2023
Ladies and gentlemen taking advantage of the fact that I have brought pleasure to work with your permission will review the last novel that has been read. Sometimes life is full of small coincidences I found this novel in second-hand books, and almost a few days apart my friend Maria Elena Venant the cat seriefila reviewed a few series of Easter Peplums, or Sword and sandals as my friend Julie Davis calls them, and one of the series she commented on was Masada of which a series was made, or adaptation starring the great Peter O'Toole, and Richard Strauss in the roles of Flavio Silva, and Eleazar Ben Yair (both real characters who starred in the events described in this novel). Like the author Giambattista Vico https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... I first met the facts of Masada in the first year of History when I was studying the subject of Theory of History taught by Professor Don Enrique Gavilán Domínguez (apart from that a great connoisseur of India), and there I became familiar with the history of the fierce Jewish resistance against the Roman legions. They told me about Jotapata (where there were survivors including Flavius Josephus, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... curiously he is not mentioned in this novel. That he prophesied to Vespasian, that he would become emperor, although as the protagonist says Vespasian usually entertains any ragged, that I prophesied that he will become emperor), and the other site was Masada. The leaders of the Jewish resistance were three John Gislora, Simeon Bargiora of the siege of Jerusalem, and Eleazar Ben Yair, who has in common with Jesus Christ that he also comes from Galilee, being a charismatic leader, who speaks Greek and who, like the apostles Peter, Andrew, James, and John was also a fisherman.
This story focuses more on the Roman general Flavio Silva (who I do not know if he is a relative of the Flavians) the novel cost me to enter because it is very veristic, and naturalistic with many tacos, many swearing, and a very bad language with naturalistic dyes, and expressionists. It is not a virtuous literary style, and everything is described down to the protuberances of the legionaries. Flavio Silva (someone explain to me how you can have two nomen Cornelio, and Flavio). At first Silva is seen to be a frustrated, bitter man, and that he is very burned. He has been laying siege to Masada for three years, fighting 9,000 Jews. The legions are already beginning to mutiny. There is even talk of relieving him. In fact, it seems that Vespasian does not trust him, and sends him a supervisor (although after reading the novel he asked me if he had not been sent by Domitian, who is more prone to these companies so unrecommended). A certain Pomponius Falco (who I hope was not the inspiration for the Marcus Didius Falco of the writer Lyndsey Davis https://www.goodreads.com/series/4217... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... a robed detective like Quilon https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5..., Gordian Hound https://www.goodreads.com/series/1333... etc... Even Aristotle himself will do some work as a detective so think Dorothy Leigh Sayers, and Margaret Doody https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.goodreads.com/series/6340...) of course this character I do not like very much to gender ideologues, since he gives pedophilia, sado, and has two lovers Cornelius Tertullian, and Albinus. He is a despicable being moved only by pleasures, and money (in fact, he thinks that in Masada there is a hidden treasure). This nice gentleman has a bad opinion of women, and goes so far as to say that pregnant women should be kicked as Nero did with Poppaea . Luckily today's ideologues have not read this book, otherwise they would cancel it. Regarding the misogyny of this character can be seen in the opinion he has of Berenice https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... (I admit that I am a great lover of this historical character, and I loved the drama of Racine. I did not like Fast's at all, but it helped me to know the different Jewish factions, and the doctrines of Hillel, and Shamai, the latter being those who will incite the armed revolution against Rome. Berenice appears together with her brother in the Acts of the Apostles, and not too badly. Here he speaks of accusations of incest with his brother, and of his romances with Vespasian, and Titus, though older than him. In order to accede to the throne, Titus was forced to renounce his love.) Nor does Cenis the lover of Vespasian who makes fun of it. Falco will have a disgusting subplot with the Uspiates, who are even more despised than the Jews by the Roman legions.
Silva is also a neurotic, noting that the heat, drinking (alcohol), and being trapped in Masada has not been good for his mood. He is a very irritable man, and angry very given to outbursts of anger. His Jewish lover Sheva threatens to leave her to the entire troop. His love reminds me of Amon Goeth's for Embeth David's character on Schindler's List https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3.... However, as the novel passes that despite his bad character is an honorable character, and that has many of the signs of Hard Boiled reminds me of a Sam Spade https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... a Philip Marlowe (plus the latter) with toga leading an army. It has something Conradian https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., and Jack Londonian https://www.goodreads.com/author/show.... Despite the mutiny, he treats his men with camaraderie, and seems immune to corruption, even if he accepts bribes like Sheva, who was the gift of a corrupt Egyptian-born general named Quadrato. He has come to admire Eleazar, and Eleazar also comes to admire Flavius Silva. He feels a great friendship for his engineer Galio Subrio who was played by Nigel Davenport the Lancelot of Excalibur. He knows what's going on in the camp. Also very interesting is the relationship with the physicist with Timoleón who is a disciple of Dioscorides https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... who is much talked about in Pharmacology, and in History of Medicine, and whose work was translated by the Spanish Renaissance doctor Don Andrés Laguna https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... . There are criticisms of how things are done in the legion in which there are more and more foreigners (especially Syrians, Egyptians, and Greeks, who for Silva are a product of the decline of the empire, if he had lived with Caracalla I do not know what he would have thought), and inexperienced people like Sextus Cerealis whose father made a mistake that could cost the siege of Jerusalem. Sheva is an Alexandrian Jew, who was going on a pilgrimage in the middle of the conflict, and was captured, and is torn between hatred, and love for the schizophrenic Silva, apparently only concerned about his survival, and does not take his Jewish identity very seriously his family treats her as a harlot, although thanks to her they have safeguarded their lives. The legions are resentful, they do not have the best commands, as in the trilogy of the foreign legion of P.C. Wren https://www.goodreads.com/series/1414... they are affected by the heat (le Cafard). They are torn between hatred and admiration for Silva, who is lame and one-eyed. But he doesn't move awkwardly, and the alcohol he says he's giving up doesn't wear him down. He is harder on his tongue than on actions, only once is he stern, and unforgiving, but given the time not cruel.
The entourage of Eleazar is very varied has Sicarios like Esau (who will marry an Essenia), warriors like Alexas (who has survived several combats in the amphitheater, and has managed to escape), rabbis like Hillel, Pharisees like Sidon, or Matthias who do not come out very well, since they are branded as cowards, Sadducees like old Ezra, that he will try to provoke tumults using the superstition of the legions, but it does not go well. It is very interesting the face-to-face between Ezra/Sidon, and Silva, and how they avoid death. There is Assur, and the women Eleazar's wife Miriam, and his son Reuben (who within the evils will get what they want). However, the most lethal seems to me Sem. There is no doubt that Eleazar is a great warrior because he has 3 years to the legions in check, but the credit goes to Herod who made a fortress on the best ground, and provided with food, and water, and very difficult to attack. The appearance of Eleazar is spectacular, and as Silva as the novel passes both will improve over the course of the novel. Eleazar becomes more religious, and Silva despite his irritability better man. You realize when you read the letter that Tito writes to him, and how he speaks of his wife (Livia), and his concubine, and how despite wanting the triumph he is inclined more to piety. This novel is for me a twilight peplum (almost grimdark also has a lot of western at the end and after the duology of these books is called the antagonists, and it is a face to face between two generals. Ernest K. Gann had written novels of aviators, and war) , has something of Spartacus of Howard Fast https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9... more than that of Koestler https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... (of this subject I speak the French writer Max Gallo in his pentalogy about the Christians putting Spartacus, and the Jews in the lot https://www.goodreads.com/series/9025... ) , and the ending reminds me of that. Silva looks like Crassus, because he wins, but he eludes the triumph he longs for. There is only one thing that comforts you at the end (it has not been spoken, but in Eleazar's entourage there is an old woman named Abigail, who acts as Eleazar's advisor, and supporter, and who will be decisive for the plot). It's a pity that they chose that cover because it's a spoiler (the cover in Spanish I mean). This novel has a second part, but no longer in Masada. I don't know if Ernest K. Gann is very merciful, or very cruel, because he cuts the novel at a very crucial moment when the character discovers a piece of news, which will destroy his happiness, after his bittersweet triumph (more sour than sweet). The reader knows what happened, but Silva does not. No, I don't mean Masada, which people can look for, and they know what happened. Something very similar to the sieges of Numantia, Astapa, and Calagurris being more meritorious the Numantine https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1.... In the end we are left with a praise of freedom, and that however magnanimous the victor may be as Spartacus taught, and Braveheart https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... life without freedom is useless. At the beginning Ernest K. Gann in his foreword pays homage to the victims of communism in Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and in the two Vietnams. As it was said in King Kings it seemed that the best of the Jews had perished, but in Hadrian's time they would rise again, and be defeated again, but in the long run they ended up winning because today Rome only survives in the history books, and they are still with us, and this is the great lesson that can be drawn from all this. My grade is (2'5/5).
This story focuses more on the Roman general Flavio Silva (who I do not know if he is a relative of the Flavians) the novel cost me to enter because it is very veristic, and naturalistic with many tacos, many swearing, and a very bad language with naturalistic dyes, and expressionists. It is not a virtuous literary style, and everything is described down to the protuberances of the legionaries. Flavio Silva (someone explain to me how you can have two nomen Cornelio, and Flavio). At first Silva is seen to be a frustrated, bitter man, and that he is very burned. He has been laying siege to Masada for three years, fighting 9,000 Jews. The legions are already beginning to mutiny. There is even talk of relieving him. In fact, it seems that Vespasian does not trust him, and sends him a supervisor (although after reading the novel he asked me if he had not been sent by Domitian, who is more prone to these companies so unrecommended). A certain Pomponius Falco (who I hope was not the inspiration for the Marcus Didius Falco of the writer Lyndsey Davis https://www.goodreads.com/series/4217... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... a robed detective like Quilon https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5..., Gordian Hound https://www.goodreads.com/series/1333... etc... Even Aristotle himself will do some work as a detective so think Dorothy Leigh Sayers, and Margaret Doody https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.goodreads.com/series/6340...) of course this character I do not like very much to gender ideologues, since he gives pedophilia, sado, and has two lovers Cornelius Tertullian, and Albinus. He is a despicable being moved only by pleasures, and money (in fact, he thinks that in Masada there is a hidden treasure). This nice gentleman has a bad opinion of women, and goes so far as to say that pregnant women should be kicked as Nero did with Poppaea . Luckily today's ideologues have not read this book, otherwise they would cancel it. Regarding the misogyny of this character can be seen in the opinion he has of Berenice https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... (I admit that I am a great lover of this historical character, and I loved the drama of Racine. I did not like Fast's at all, but it helped me to know the different Jewish factions, and the doctrines of Hillel, and Shamai, the latter being those who will incite the armed revolution against Rome. Berenice appears together with her brother in the Acts of the Apostles, and not too badly. Here he speaks of accusations of incest with his brother, and of his romances with Vespasian, and Titus, though older than him. In order to accede to the throne, Titus was forced to renounce his love.) Nor does Cenis the lover of Vespasian who makes fun of it. Falco will have a disgusting subplot with the Uspiates, who are even more despised than the Jews by the Roman legions.
Silva is also a neurotic, noting that the heat, drinking (alcohol), and being trapped in Masada has not been good for his mood. He is a very irritable man, and angry very given to outbursts of anger. His Jewish lover Sheva threatens to leave her to the entire troop. His love reminds me of Amon Goeth's for Embeth David's character on Schindler's List https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3.... However, as the novel passes that despite his bad character is an honorable character, and that has many of the signs of Hard Boiled reminds me of a Sam Spade https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... a Philip Marlowe (plus the latter) with toga leading an army. It has something Conradian https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., and Jack Londonian https://www.goodreads.com/author/show.... Despite the mutiny, he treats his men with camaraderie, and seems immune to corruption, even if he accepts bribes like Sheva, who was the gift of a corrupt Egyptian-born general named Quadrato. He has come to admire Eleazar, and Eleazar also comes to admire Flavius Silva. He feels a great friendship for his engineer Galio Subrio who was played by Nigel Davenport the Lancelot of Excalibur. He knows what's going on in the camp. Also very interesting is the relationship with the physicist with Timoleón who is a disciple of Dioscorides https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... who is much talked about in Pharmacology, and in History of Medicine, and whose work was translated by the Spanish Renaissance doctor Don Andrés Laguna https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... . There are criticisms of how things are done in the legion in which there are more and more foreigners (especially Syrians, Egyptians, and Greeks, who for Silva are a product of the decline of the empire, if he had lived with Caracalla I do not know what he would have thought), and inexperienced people like Sextus Cerealis whose father made a mistake that could cost the siege of Jerusalem. Sheva is an Alexandrian Jew, who was going on a pilgrimage in the middle of the conflict, and was captured, and is torn between hatred, and love for the schizophrenic Silva, apparently only concerned about his survival, and does not take his Jewish identity very seriously his family treats her as a harlot, although thanks to her they have safeguarded their lives. The legions are resentful, they do not have the best commands, as in the trilogy of the foreign legion of P.C. Wren https://www.goodreads.com/series/1414... they are affected by the heat (le Cafard). They are torn between hatred and admiration for Silva, who is lame and one-eyed. But he doesn't move awkwardly, and the alcohol he says he's giving up doesn't wear him down. He is harder on his tongue than on actions, only once is he stern, and unforgiving, but given the time not cruel.
The entourage of Eleazar is very varied has Sicarios like Esau (who will marry an Essenia), warriors like Alexas (who has survived several combats in the amphitheater, and has managed to escape), rabbis like Hillel, Pharisees like Sidon, or Matthias who do not come out very well, since they are branded as cowards, Sadducees like old Ezra, that he will try to provoke tumults using the superstition of the legions, but it does not go well. It is very interesting the face-to-face between Ezra/Sidon, and Silva, and how they avoid death. There is Assur, and the women Eleazar's wife Miriam, and his son Reuben (who within the evils will get what they want). However, the most lethal seems to me Sem. There is no doubt that Eleazar is a great warrior because he has 3 years to the legions in check, but the credit goes to Herod who made a fortress on the best ground, and provided with food, and water, and very difficult to attack. The appearance of Eleazar is spectacular, and as Silva as the novel passes both will improve over the course of the novel. Eleazar becomes more religious, and Silva despite his irritability better man. You realize when you read the letter that Tito writes to him, and how he speaks of his wife (Livia), and his concubine, and how despite wanting the triumph he is inclined more to piety. This novel is for me a twilight peplum (almost grimdark also has a lot of western at the end and after the duology of these books is called the antagonists, and it is a face to face between two generals. Ernest K. Gann had written novels of aviators, and war) , has something of Spartacus of Howard Fast https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9... more than that of Koestler https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... (of this subject I speak the French writer Max Gallo in his pentalogy about the Christians putting Spartacus, and the Jews in the lot https://www.goodreads.com/series/9025... ) , and the ending reminds me of that. Silva looks like Crassus, because he wins, but he eludes the triumph he longs for. There is only one thing that comforts you at the end (it has not been spoken, but in Eleazar's entourage there is an old woman named Abigail, who acts as Eleazar's advisor, and supporter, and who will be decisive for the plot). It's a pity that they chose that cover because it's a spoiler (the cover in Spanish I mean). This novel has a second part, but no longer in Masada. I don't know if Ernest K. Gann is very merciful, or very cruel, because he cuts the novel at a very crucial moment when the character discovers a piece of news, which will destroy his happiness, after his bittersweet triumph (more sour than sweet). The reader knows what happened, but Silva does not. No, I don't mean Masada, which people can look for, and they know what happened. Something very similar to the sieges of Numantia, Astapa, and Calagurris being more meritorious the Numantine https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1.... In the end we are left with a praise of freedom, and that however magnanimous the victor may be as Spartacus taught, and Braveheart https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... life without freedom is useless. At the beginning Ernest K. Gann in his foreword pays homage to the victims of communism in Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and in the two Vietnams. As it was said in King Kings it seemed that the best of the Jews had perished, but in Hadrian's time they would rise again, and be defeated again, but in the long run they ended up winning because today Rome only survives in the history books, and they are still with us, and this is the great lesson that can be drawn from all this. My grade is (2'5/5).
February 16, 2017
Masada is an older book from 1980. I remember it as the mini-series with Peter O’Toole when I was a kid. I didn’t watch it because it seemed scary and serious. In other words, too adult! I didn’t know it was also a novel until I happened to look for it a couple of years ago.
Masada is a historical novel that is about the Roman siege of Masada, an isolated fortress in the middle of the desert in 73 AD. It was the site of the last stand of 900 Jews who, after the fall of Jerusalem, resisted the Romans for three years. When defeat was inevitable, they chose to kill themselves rather than submit to Roman slavery.
I don’t feel like this is so much a book about Masada as a book about its characters. In fact, the novel’s original title was The Antagonists. Even then, however, the Roman general Flavius Silva dominates the character of Eleazar ben Yair, the leader of the Jewish rebels. He is just so much more compelling. He has a world weary sense of humor and a deep humanity. He is a Roman to the core though and I respected that. He never felt any sympathy for the Jewish cause, just a healthy respect for ben Yair and a sense of the absurdity of life and war. This is a realistic depiction of a Roman in those times. Silva is also a sad and lonely man and I felt a great deal of compassion for the character.
I also never get over how organized, efficient and disciplined the Roman legions were. Even today, it’s impressive to read about.
Masada is a historical novel that is about the Roman siege of Masada, an isolated fortress in the middle of the desert in 73 AD. It was the site of the last stand of 900 Jews who, after the fall of Jerusalem, resisted the Romans for three years. When defeat was inevitable, they chose to kill themselves rather than submit to Roman slavery.
I don’t feel like this is so much a book about Masada as a book about its characters. In fact, the novel’s original title was The Antagonists. Even then, however, the Roman general Flavius Silva dominates the character of Eleazar ben Yair, the leader of the Jewish rebels. He is just so much more compelling. He has a world weary sense of humor and a deep humanity. He is a Roman to the core though and I respected that. He never felt any sympathy for the Jewish cause, just a healthy respect for ben Yair and a sense of the absurdity of life and war. This is a realistic depiction of a Roman in those times. Silva is also a sad and lonely man and I felt a great deal of compassion for the character.
I also never get over how organized, efficient and disciplined the Roman legions were. Even today, it’s impressive to read about.
October 2, 2009
Several years ago we had the chance to visit Israel and of course one of our tours was to Masada. Walking among the ruins it is hard to imagine what they must have felt while the Romans were building that ramp.
March 24, 2011
An intriguing tale of two men and a woman. And history. The characters are well developed and ending is stunning, even though you know it's coming.
September 13, 2013
Truly a riveting book. I enjoy books that explore first century Rome and Israel. This book has both with an epic clash.
Read
November 21, 2013Outstanding if you're looking for a good soap opera mixed with ancient Israeli history.
January 27, 2022
The original title of this historical novel is THE ANTAGONISTS, and it was what caught my attention and curiosity at first when I saw the name on its spine. Picking it up and seeing that it was a fictional account of the siege of Masada increased my curiosity and interest even more (since I had loved to watch as a kid the 1980s mini series MASADA with Peter O'Toole). Finally, reading the first few pages and scanning through the beginning of another chapter, I was impressed by the writing style and prose. I didn't think twice before buying it at my favourite second hand bookshop.
It truly transports you back in time to the scorching landscape and inhospitable environment at the barren base of the impenetrable Masada in 73 AD. You are made privy to the human drama, realities, concerns, doubts and dilemmas of both the besieged and the besiegers (mostly through the viewpoints and inner monologues of the two protagonists/antagonists, Flavius Silva and Eleazar Ben Yair).
I immediately took an affinity to the widowed, war-and-world-weary, cynical, alcoholic, impotent, veteran Roman General, Silva, charged with annihilating the last dregs of Jewish resistance against all odds (time, climate, terrain, resources, impending mutiny etc.); and I felt Eleazar's own frustrations and doubts atop the cul-de-sac, desert mountain citadel, as he wrestled with keeping faith and his divided people's hopes of outlasting the siege in their last rebellion against the unrelenting, military might of Rome.
Even though I knew what the tragic outcome would be at the end, the brilliant narrative and delightful dialogues kept me hooked until the expected finale. This has been by far my most enjoyable historical novel.
5 stars well-deserved.
It truly transports you back in time to the scorching landscape and inhospitable environment at the barren base of the impenetrable Masada in 73 AD. You are made privy to the human drama, realities, concerns, doubts and dilemmas of both the besieged and the besiegers (mostly through the viewpoints and inner monologues of the two protagonists/antagonists, Flavius Silva and Eleazar Ben Yair).
I immediately took an affinity to the widowed, war-and-world-weary, cynical, alcoholic, impotent, veteran Roman General, Silva, charged with annihilating the last dregs of Jewish resistance against all odds (time, climate, terrain, resources, impending mutiny etc.); and I felt Eleazar's own frustrations and doubts atop the cul-de-sac, desert mountain citadel, as he wrestled with keeping faith and his divided people's hopes of outlasting the siege in their last rebellion against the unrelenting, military might of Rome.
Even though I knew what the tragic outcome would be at the end, the brilliant narrative and delightful dialogues kept me hooked until the expected finale. This has been by far my most enjoyable historical novel.
5 stars well-deserved.
April 27, 2020
An entertaining look at one of the defining moments of the ancient world. Mr Gann creates a whole cast of characters, many drawn from reality, others spun from his imagination and the sparse historical writings of the period and place, and tells a terrific story about a what should have been a straightforward campaign for the Roman conquerors. He does do that thing that so many historical novelists new to the genre do of sinking the reader so deeply into the milieu that the story gets lost for a time but that only lasts until the plot kicks in. A great read.
October 28, 2018
Den oprindelige titel ‘The antagonists’ (Modstanderne) siger det meget godt. Den massive romerske overmagt mod en mindre gruppe jøder, som har forskanset sig i Herodes’ gamle palads på toppen af Masada-klippen.
Man får sympati for både den romerske prokurator ‘Flavius Silva’ og den jødiske leder ‘Eleazar ben Yair’. Begge ledere er skeptiske over for de guder, de bør tilbede. Og de mærker ansvaret på deres skuldre - på hver deres måde.
Fint fortalt, underholdende og barsk på én gang.
Man får sympati for både den romerske prokurator ‘Flavius Silva’ og den jødiske leder ‘Eleazar ben Yair’. Begge ledere er skeptiske over for de guder, de bør tilbede. Og de mærker ansvaret på deres skuldre - på hver deres måde.
Fint fortalt, underholdende og barsk på én gang.
March 25, 2021
Not the greatest for me. The book was more about the people and their issues than about the siege. The story begins rather abruptly just before the end of the siege, without much backstory, so I'd likely be confused if I hadn't already known the history. It was written over 50 years ago, but I still squirmed every time "the Jewess" was mentioned! That whole "love story" part was icky on all counts. The ending was appropriately dramatic though.
April 18, 2019
Una gran y desconocida novela que en todo momento ha mantenido mi interés, a pesar que este pasaje de la Historia sea tan conocido. Podría sacarse una moraleja de esta ficción: que pueden hacerse de las derrotas, victorias... y al contrario: ¡Sólo hemos vencido a una roca! Pobre general Silva después, de la profesionalidad con que llevó el asunto y la lealtad que tuvo con sus rivales y su amante.
December 4, 2022
I could hardly put this book down! Such a powerful retelling of the historical event. The characterization and plot development are on point! This is truly a mind blowing story about one small group's powerful statement of resistance to what was then the most powerful empire in the Western world. Their refusal to be dominated speaks volumes about the human spirit.
March 2, 2018
Wow! Having no knowledge of the history of Masada, I was taken away. Reading, I could feel the heat and smell the dust of that great desert and, let me tell you, I was not expecting what became of the Jews! Such a great book, this one is!
August 23, 2019
What an awesome read! It was very difficult to close the book at night. The Roman Empire and its great need to control the world against one thousand Jewish people on a mountain top called Masada. Incredible.
Read
April 1, 2021Masada by Ernest K. Gann was one of those books given to me in a paper grocery bag. I will always remember how I enjoyed this book and became complete absorbed by it. I recommend it highly if you like Jewish and/or Biblical history.
February 16, 2022
3.5 stars. I saw this mini-series in the 80’s and even though I had forgotten a lot about it, I remembered how it ended. It had always haunted me. I’d had the book for years and finally got around to reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2018
It is a classic. Could have left out some language, but I realize it is supposed to be accurate for the era. Have to admit by the end I could see the tragedy from both sides.
February 24, 2019
I enjoyed this book immensely. I had read very little on the siege of Masada. The author does a great job telling if the conflict and the complexities of the time. A great read.
October 19, 2020
As a person of the Jewish faith, I found this very interesting to learn how this small group decided that living under slavery was not worth living. Very inspiring.
November 16, 2020
Now I know about the battle of Masada!
June 19, 2021
This is a phenomenal story. Uplifting, supremely tragic, and unforgettable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews