Una gesta narrada con pulso incomparable, la epopeya de los mercenarios griegos que se enfrentaron al rey persa, en el 400 a.C. Guerra y paz, vida cotidiana, personajes intensos y sabiamente descritos, por un autor erudito de la Grecia de ese siglo.

The book was worth reading from the point of view of understanding the history of this march.

The book is not really about Xenophon though the book threads through his life. The book is more about the observations of his squire, Theo, as the story is told through his eyes.

Some details of the retreat were unbelievable to me such as walking through snow during the retreat for months without proper footwear. That should have decimated that army given frostbite combined with a poor diet. The book tells of discomfort for many but not mass casualties/death. I doubt the retreat finished with Ten Thousand warriors... it was hard to believe.

This was not a page turner type of book and at times I had trouble reading 20 pages. I doubt I will read another book by this author. ( )

The story of Xenophon in the Expedition of Cyrus retold. I actually never heard of Xenophon until I read this book. It reads like a movie which helps push the pace of the book. There's a sense of peril I don't find in many books. The feeling of escape or perish is something this book does well. ( )

Xenophon the Greek, son of Gryllus, grew up in Athens during one of the lower points of its awe-inspiring existence. Post-Peloponnesian war, in which his father fought, Xenophon lives in an Athens still recovering from Sparta's victory over them. Still, he grows up privileged with a higher education and extensive, if not brutal, training in fighting and war. He would also become a disciple of Socrates, despite his father's dislike for the man.

But when Xenophon becomes an adult, he quickly realizes there are no battles to be fought. Athens is rebuilding, and the best an Athenian can ask for is to be accepted as a mercenary. Upon being invited by his cousin to join distant Cyrus' army, Xenophon is conflicted. He is eager to finally test himself in battle, but Cyrus is a Persian, and Xenophon would be under the command of a Spartan general. Upon seeking advice from the Oracle of Delphi, however, he realizes this is what he wants, and chooses to join the army despite his father's disapproval.

Unfortunately, Cyrus isn't the most honest man in the world. Promised a short and sweet campaign against the Pisidians, the army fully expects an easy victory with lots of plunder and a quick trip back home. Soon, however, they discover Cyrus' true intentions; to fight against his brother on the opposite side of a vast desert, and far away from the Greek's beloved sea.

The Ten Thousand tells this story, full of betrayal, deception, bravery, and hardship. It is not your typical historical fiction; of commanders leading great armies on victorious conquest or kings defending their walled cities against relentless invaders. It is one of an army misled, of their despair at being so far from home, and their desperate attempt to escape the predicament their errant leader has shepherded them into.

I found it to be a very enjoyable read. While the foundation of the novel is built upon the bloody action and battle scenes you might expect from such a novel, much of it is a much more emotionally charged survival story. In fact, the only part of the novel where my attention flagged a bit was during the great battle between Cyrus and his brother about 1/3rd of the way through the book. I found the vulgar language a bit excessive and rather silly (although you must appreciate the creativity of 'monkey-faced ass-kisser'). Aside from this minor stint, I found The Ten Thousand to be a very absorbing and engaging read, and I'll unquestionably continue to read Michael Curtis Ford's other books. 4 stars! ( )

Una gesta narrada con pulso incomparable, la epopeya de los mercenarios griegos que se enfrentaron al rey persa, en el 400 a.C. Guerra y paz, vida cotidiana, personajes intensos y sabiamente descritos, por un autor erudito de la Grecia de ese siglo. Rigor histórico y notable talento novelístico.