John Stack

Published Roman novels: 3

Website: johnstack.me
Twitter: @johnstackauthor
Goodreads: John Stack Author Page

1. Ship of Rome (Masters of the Sea: book 1 of 3)

Against a backdrop of the clash of the Roman and Carthaginian empires, the battle for sovereignty takes place on the high seas.

Atticus, captain of one of the ships of Rome's small, coastal fleet, is from a Greek fishing family. Septimus, legionary commander, reluctantly ordered aboard ship, is from Rome, born into a traditionally army family. It could never be an easy alliance. But the arrival of a hostile fleet, larger, far more skilful and more powerful than any Atticus has encountered before, forces them to act together.

So Atticus, one of Rome's few experienced sailors, finds himself propelled into the middle of a political struggle that is completely foreign to him. Rome need to build a navy fast but the obstacles are many; political animosities, legions adamant that they will only use their traditional methods; Roman prejudice even from friends, that all those not born in Rome are inferior citizens.

The enemy are first class, experienced and determined to control the seas. Can Atticus, and the fledgling Roman navy, staffed with inexperienced sailors and unwilling legionaries, outwit and outfight his opponents.

Hardcover: Latest edition: 2009 Publisher: Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0007285235 Pages: 368 Availability & latest prices:

Paperback: Latest edition: 2009 Publisher: Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0007285242 Pages: 368 Availability & latest prices:

Kindle: Latest edition: 2009 Publisher: Harper Collins Availability & latest prices:

Audiobook: Latest edition: 2009 Publisher: Harper Collins Length: 11H 17M Narrator: Laurence Kennedy Availability & latest prices:

2. Captain of Rome (Masters of the Sea: book 2 of 3)

Atticus is the young captain of the Aquila, the flagship of the attack fleet of the Roman navy. But his commander is a young upstart whose position has been purchased rather than earned. Bound to obey his inexperienced commander's rash orders, Atticus sails straight into a carefully-laid trap. In the battle that follows, it is only by defying his commander that he can pull his men back from the brink of defeat.

But Atticus will pay a high price for his defiance, and, as he is summoned to Rome, he realises he has created a powerful enemy. And, despite his friendship with Septimus, a Roman centurion, Atticus is dangerously unversed in the politics of the Roman senate.

So, Atticus finds himself facing battles both at sea against an ever-more ferocious enemy and on his own ship by those close to home who want their revenge.

Hardcover: Latest edition: 2010 Publisher: Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0007285259 Pages: 384 Availability & latest prices:

Paperback: Latest edition: 2010 Publisher: Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0007351442 Pages: 400 Availability & latest prices:

Kindle: Latest edition: 2010 Publisher: Harper Collins Availability & latest prices:

Audiobook: Latest edition: 2010 Publisher: Harper Collins Length: 11H 37M Narrator: Eamonn Riley Availability & latest prices:

3. Master of Rome (Masters of the Sea: book 3 of 3)

A stirring adventure novel set amid the tumultuous clashes between the Roman and Carthaginian empires, battling for control of the Mediterranean, north Africa and Rome itself.

Atticus, the young Greek captain, is now a commander of the growing Roman navy, blockading a port near Tunis, when the Roman legions suffer terrible defeat by the triumphant Carthaginian army, spearheaded by the elephant charges. He and his ships escape together with the main body of the Roman fleet out manoevred by the more skillful Carthaginians and then caught and almost completely annhilated by a terrible storm.

Atticus and his crew are among the handful of survivors and being the messenger of this news to the Senta in Rome brings Atticus into political troubles, almost as stormy as the sea. He begins to feel not only that a Greek will never be accepted by the Romans but also that the behaviour of many, both politicians and soldiers, is such that he is not sure that he wants to be a Roman.

Hardcover: Latest edition: 2011 Publisher: Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0007285273 Pages: 384 Availability & latest prices:

Paperback: Latest edition: 2011 Publisher: Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0007426225 Pages: 384 Availability & latest prices:

Kindle: Latest edition: 2011 Publisher: Harper Collins Availability & latest prices:

Audiobook: Latest edition: 2011 Publisher: Harper Collins Length: 12H 10M Narrator: Eamonn Riley Availability & latest prices: