The Encircling Sea

By: Adrian Goldsworthy

Narrated by: Peter Noble

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

Well Worth the Wait

I had first noticed the hardcover edition of this book at least six months ago and was so hoping it would come out in audio version that I even contact the author. Unfortunately, he did not yet know at that time what was the status of the audiobook.
Fortunately it came out and although I had several other books in the cue, I downloaded the book and away we went.

What sets this historical novel apart from others in the same genre is the author is a historian on Roman history. If you have not listened to his histories, I strongly recommend them. This is a story of a Roman centurion set in Roman Britain, plain and simple, his heroism, ingenuity and mastery of arms. The realism comes through and it is very enjoyable.

Unfortunately, now starts the long wait for the next installment.

Terrific Work of Historical Fiction!

This is the second book of the Vindolanda trilogy and it did not disappoint! If you are a fan of historical fiction, and of the period, that was the Roman Empire, you will like this book. It is a fast moving story that is, unbalanced, believable. But it’s also a story so a bit of Ama is an order. I look forward to listening to the third book and I’m disappointed. I have only one more to listen to before the trilogy is complete.

Excellent.

Theres no one I've read who can describe a Roman battle like Goldworrhy.

But more than understanding formations, procedures, and tactics, Goldworthy has an insight into the vicious and dire nature of men in battle that I honestly have never encountered before.

I highly recommend the entire series and look forward to reading more of Goldworthy.

If you like ancient Rome and ancient history, you simply can't go wrong with this guy.

Another Colleen McCullough

Goldsworthy does for Roman Britain what McCullough did for Republican Rome. I had a fair idea of what the mechanics looked like, but this was like seeing the machine in operation. If you are interested in Rome, the Roman Army and/or Roman Britain this novel brings the history to life.

Great continuation of historical fiction series

This story builds on the groundwork laid in "Vindolanda" by referencing events in the first book without rehashing them. Readers should definitely read that book first.

Several familiar characters reappear in a faster-paced story. I rather enjoyed the slow burn of the first book's narrative and found "The Encircling Sea" to be comparatively light on world-building.

Still, the story is exciting and introduces new historical themes, and Ferox retains his status as a gruff but trustworthy protagonist.

Peter Noble's narration is fantastic as always. Interesting to note that he dug a bit deeper for the northern accent, particularly with Vindex's dialogue.

Once again!

Once again, the second book of the series I truly enjoyed both the story and narration. Peter Noble does a wonderful job of telling the story and amazingly with so many characters does a great job keeping all the many voices in line. I highly recommend!

Peter Noble one of the best

Peter Noble is excellent in his performance of the characters in Adrian Goldsworthy’s second volume of his Vindolanda trilogy, The Encircling Sea. Involving the same characters as in the first volume, Vindolanda, Noble takes control of these characters, creates them, makes them live and breathe. His voice is well modulated to each character. He is also sensitive to the pace of the writing, and the tension of each scene. This book contains a complex of voices. It has a range of many characters with many dialects, genders, ages, and simulations of volumes such as whispers, battle cries, angry curses of different distances, etc. This is one of the top performances I have heard and used in Audible, it certainly made the reading of this first and second volumes of the trilogy exciting and fulfilling.

Great story and nobody writes individual and unit combat as well as Goldsworthy

Another great tale full of historical elements and well-written combat. Peter Noble is a wonderful storyteller and could make reading a grocery list fascinating. Third book already downloaded!

Long Live Ferox!

I think the Vindolanda series is some of the best historical fiction out there. I'm serious, it's that freaking good!

Great story and narration

The narrator was outstanding and the story is very entertaining the entire way through. I’m really enjoying these series.