Nero's Killing Machine: The True Story of Rome's Remarkable 14th Legion

I was expecting an exciting, informative look back at the 14th's various campaigns; I ended up getting a lot more. Mr. Dando-Collins exhaustive research is evidenced by his attention to not only the battles but the day-to-day lives of the legionaries, the politics of Rome and in depth looks at their foes. Also, he delves into the personalities of the royals and fighting men, thus explaining why different battles turned out the way they did. It would be too easy to go on and on about this magnificent book. Rather than do that, let me sum it up by saying this is an outstanding history that is absolutely riveting and very readable. Outstanding!!

If you want a great book to read plus a very informative history lesson on one of Rome's most famous legions (the 14th Gemina Martia Victrix Legion) then this book is a must buy. Stephen Dando-Collins is a great writer. His prose is uncomplicated; it flows and readily draws the reader into the storyline with excellent descriptions of important historical figures, campaigns, major battles and military tactics associated with the 14th Legion. I especially enjoyed the section on the rebellion by Boudicca (around 60 AD). Heavily relying on the historians Dio and Tacitus the author presents in a most interesting way the reasons for rebellion, the weapons and tactics used by both sides, the battles based in Colchester, the resistance by the 14th Gemina Martia Victrix veterans sheltering in the Temple of Claudius and the hard fought victory by General Paulinus at Watling Street or on present-day Warvickshire/Leicestershire border. This book is a must read for Roman history enthusiasts.

Not a single line is sourced and so I consider Dando-Collins' work to be historical fiction. For all of his supposed research in the field, he should know better, too, than to define a Legion's Legatus as a Major General or Field Marshal or a Cohort as a Battalion or Company. Modern US military ranks are not compatible with Roman titles for numerous reasons that I won't delve into. All that said, the book is a fun read. It's just not good history. As for the book itself, both the hardback and paperback versions are well bound and the print is large and easy to read. The paper of both editions will yellow rather rapidly, I've noticed, but that's not a big deal.

I haven't read anything about Rome in quite a while and even then it was nothing in depth on any of the Legions. This is a very good book I thought although it can get boring at times.

I don't like the title, at 1st it's misleading, makes you think it's about Nero, but it's about the entire life & history of just the 14th Legion, from beginning to it's end & it's many lives & resurrections of the unit, it talks in detail of it's many exploits & battles, good & bad, I enjoyed reading it.

Dando-Collins has found the right blend: entertaining and informative. If you're a history buff, this book will be hard to put down. You get the facts, but you also get an enjoyable read. You will feel like you are on the ground with legions of Rome!

I love this book. I feel it the entire time I read it. Stephen Dando Collins does such an amazing descriptive writing I feel like I'm next to the characters the whole time. Even over the 150 year expanse.

This book, along with Caesar's Legion, just make you want to have lived during the time of the Legion. The historical detail in these two books are richly packed for the reader. Certain Legions built for themselves remarkable reputations to have lasted for two thousand years. Life amongst the Legions was a difficult, but often fulfilling life for the thousands of men who enlisted. They grew into one of the most disciplined fighting forces the world has ever known, and were it not for vicious civil wars, the Empire probably would have lasted another two hundred years. Greed and poor political decision making on the part of the Senate and People of Rome, with marginally quality leadership from the Emperor's office resulted in devastating destruction of the Empire in the end. Nero's Killing Machine details the remarkable devotion of one of Rome's greatest Legions, from success to failure to success. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in either military history, or the history of the Roman Empire's Legions.

Good

I have been fascinated with the Roman Empire in all it's glory and disgrace since leaving the British Army in 1987. This book is a brutal account of the pariah 14th's rise to glory over Boudicca at the battle of Wattling Street 61 years after the birth of Christ. Superbly written, the author brings reality to each page by careful attention to detail and reffering to by name soldiers involved in key actions in the heat of battle. Tatics,weapons,formations, the use of Cavalry,and the all important Esprit De Corps are explained in plain English and at just the right depth to give the mind a picture without going to deep. This book will appeal to anyone interested in military history as you will discover so much of what makes any modern army tick was invented by the hard as nails toe to toe men of the Legions and their beloved Emperors way back before gunpowder turned soldiers into pansies, hah!

The book is interesting and alive. The only trouble I had with it is that it uses army titles such as general, colonel, lieutenant, etc... which feel out of place - instead of consul, praetor, centurion... It's a big drawback and I would think twice before I buy any more books from this author.

Okay, firstly good price and swift delivery from Amazon. This is the second Dando-Collins read, Caesars X was first. Very enjoyable, if only history had been taught at school in the interesting way this is written. I find it amazing what some of these men did in their lives, apart from the wars all the travelling. Well worth a read, if you like me, want some history but not just facts and figures. As to the gentleman who mentioned the book was wrong because the XIV was multiple units crossed over...can I say most military units follow a loose attachment to the past, my own can be traced back directly to the unfortunate 7th Cavalry. Buy it enjoy it and if it is what you like try the legendary X.

Detailed but with enough style to make it easy to read and easier to understand. The book brings the legion to life and is a great read. If i was picky I would say that the end of the book rushed through the final years of the legion leaving me wanting to know a little more - but the first 90% of the book was superb.