The author leads his reader slowly and methodically through the twists and turns of Roman, French and English history, dealing with conflicting and biased sources in a balanced manner. His descriptions of the decisive battles against Attila the Hun in France ( or Gaul ) in 451AD and against King Harold of England at Hastings in 1066AD are particularly well done. The stage is carefully set, and the action explained in dramatic detail. In contrast, some of his meticulosly documented tracing of Alan place names and family names throughout Western Europe would put an insomniac to sleep. No one would confuse this with a novel, but it gets a difficult job done in a scholarly way. This book will serve as an excellent referrence for the serious student of Ancient European history and culture, and for writers of Adventure/Fiction looking for authentic Action Super-Heros. Roland ( who served Charlemagne ) and Alan Fergant ( who fought against and then with William the Conqueror )! are two of my favorites.