Okay guys, it's July 1! So that means it's time to start nominating books for August's Book of the Month.

The theme for August is going to be: The Ancient World (B.C. era, but not pre-historic)

So for example, ancient China, Japan, India, Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Middle East, or any other far flung place you find interesting.

I am not going to set a page limit this month, so let's get the nominations started!

I will close nominations Friday night and have the winner posted by Saturday morning so people can start getting their orders in before the end of the week. Have fun!

Nominations

River God-  Wilbur Smith

Spartacus- Howard Fast

Helen of Troy- Margaret George

Last of the Amazons- Steven Pressfield

Sarah- Marek Halter

The Ten Thousand- Michael Curtis Ford

Black Ships- Jo Graham

Goat Song- Frank Yerby

What about The River God by Wilbur Smith?  I know it has been out for a few years but there are about 30 copies in PBS available.  It was one of those I never read but meant to.  I don't know too much about it but some of the reviews look promising.  OOPS! forgot to say that it is placed in ancient Egypt.

This is an exciting theme! I'm going to have to think about this one before I make my nomination.

Cheryl, I've been meaning to try a Wilbur Smith books for ages too. The River God sounds like a good one.

River God sounds good to me too! I actually requested a copy of this book when I first joined PBS and have never gotten around to reading it or requesting the other books in the series. I will go ahead and add River God to the nominations list. Thanks Cheryl!

I guess I should also say that it doesn't matter whether the book is two days old or two decades old! Some of the best Historical Fiction I have read was written several years ago. So just nominate anything that seems interesting, regardless of publication date.

Love the theme!  I'm not very knowledgeable in this area (although I am fascinated by it), so I'll refrain from nominating anything. I trust you guys will make great suggestions and that Jennifer will pick something great!

LOL! The River God sounds good to me. I think I even have a copy ... somewhere.

Books, books, everywhere.
And nary a story to read.

Genie

The River God sounds good to me too. I like the fact that there are lots of copy's

Oh now, come on you guys! We can't just have one nomination!

Yes we can:)

I'm going to nominate Spartucus by Howard Fast. There is at least one copy posted, and Amazon has it for very cheap. I'm sure any library would have it too.

http://www.paperbackswap.com/book/details/9780440176497-Spartacus

Synopsis

Spartacus, a fictionalization of a slave revolt in ancient Rome in 71 B.C., is well known today partly because of the 1960 movie starring Kirk Douglas and Laurence Olivier. It was originally published in 1951 by the author himself, after being turned down by every mainstream publisher of the day because of Fast's blacklisting for his Communist Party sympathies. The story of Spartacus, born a slave, trained as a gladiator, who led a slave revolt that was eventually put down by Crassus, was immensely popular, has sold millions of copies, and has gone through nearly a hundred editions. The appearance of this title in the North Castle series brings back into print a book that many regard as a classic, and is enhanced with a new Introduction by the author.

 You can read some reviews here:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spartacus-North-Castle-Books-Howard/dp/156324599X

Thanks Valli! I will add it to the list!

To be honest, Jennifer, I know Jack about this time period. So I'll agree to just about anything. :)

Spartacus sounds good too. (See what I mean, Valli, about being a walking fountain of knowledge? OK, how about a  veritable fountain of knowledge?) ;-)

Hi, ladies--I'm new to BOM, but am on this thread all the time....what about Margaret George's Helen of Troy? It's been on my own TBR forever.....?

I like many others don't know much about this time in history but I did a little research and I would like to nominate Last of the Amazons by Steven Pressfield.  There is only one copy in the system but Half.Dot and Amazon have them and they go anywhere from .75 to $3.75.  Here is the link to the book.

http://www.paperbackswap.com/book/details/9780385500982-Last+of+the+Amazons+A+Novel

Thanks Colleen and Debbie! I have added your nominations to the list.

No, no, no... I'm more of a walker than a veritabler, so I'd prefer to stay a walking fountain. :-D

Actually, this is a book that was on a list Jennifer sent me a while back when I was looking for books set in Rome, so I can't even take credit for it. I still get to be the walking fountain, right? Jennifer can be the veritable one! LOL!

OMG, LOL! Valli, you crack me up.

Colleen, we're all new to BOM. This is the first month. :-)

Ha!  I just PMed Jennifer a little while ago asking her if the three books I was thinking of met her criteria.  One was a no and then I come on here and someone else nominated one of the other ones.  Easy choice for me now!  I'll nominate Sarah by Marek Halter.  Its the 1st book in the Canaan Trilogy. 

Thanks Holly! The list has been updated!

We have a pretty nice mix so far: Egypt, Turkey, Rome, Greece, and Sumer.

I am surprised no one has mentioned Gedge, Graves, McCullough, and some of the other well- known ancient HF writers! But then, maybe everyone has already read them?

I found this one while browsing online:

The Ten Thousand: A Novel of Ancient Greece by: Michael Curtis Ford

I don't really know much about it..but the description sounded interesting. here is a link to it on B&N: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Ten-Thousand/Michael-Curtis-Ford/e/9780312980320/?itm=6#TABS

I also saw this one:

Black Ships byJo Graham, Jo Wyrick

the cover caught my eye but the story sounds nice...it just came out this year I think.. more info: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Black-Ships/Jo-Graham/e/9780316068000/#TABS

I actually considered a book by McCullough and a book by Gedge but I wanted to pick something that wasn't quite so huge and something that wasn't WLed so everyone would have to buy it so there went the two I would have nominated.

Hannah, I have been wanting to read Black Ships since before it was even released!

I will add both books to the list!

awesome! =)

I love the cover...so pretty...it would look great sitting on my nightstand!! lol!

Jo Graham has a new book coming out later this year called Hand of Isis. It sounds like it will be really good.

Ooh Black Ships sounds really good and the cover is neat and to me a little haunting!!