I wondered if I really needed yet another conjectural account of this episode based on the scanty and perhaps dubious literary evidence of Tacitus and Dio. Thus I found myself agreeing wholeheartedly with the author's opening chapter in which he effectively expresses more or less the same sentiments. Nevertheless, he then proceeds to do just that ...!

At the core of Waite's reconstruction is a pair of hypotheses: that Boudica's revolt was not merely a simple act of revenge that took on a life of its own, but was premeditated, a carefully considered strategy that had a number of crucial goals; the site of her final battle was not at Mancetter, as is often quoted, but a few miles away at High Cross where the Fosse Way crosses Watling Street.

Sadly, Waite avoids inclusion of any sources or footnotes, an omission which seriously undermines his credibility. Unsubstantiated probability, or even possibility, dressed as fact is often a bugbear of this type of book and there are many examples, particularly in the early chapters, where Waite falls into this trap (Antedios is a name found only on Icenian coins, yet here he acquires some 'history')!

Waite often makes heavy weather of his arguments, exhibiting a tendency toward laboured verbosity and repetition, though his flowing style is easily digested by non-academics like me who, presumably, comprise his target audience. I found 'Boudica's Last Stand' to be interesting in places, but ultimately he takes too many liberties with the known facts and my credulity. ( )