Kindle
$1.66
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Hardcover
$29.69
Paperback
$14.95
Buy new:
$14.95
FREE delivery Sunday, May 12 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$14.95
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Sunday, May 12 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Wednesday, May 8. Order within 16 hrs 7 mins
Only 11 left in stock (more on the way).
$$14.95 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$14.95
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$5.23
This is a Paper back edition. Fairly worn but fully readable and intact. Pages may include notes, highlighting, or minor water damage. Dust jacket may be missing. May have remainder marks on outside edges. Please be advised that we are experiencing shipping delays nationwide! This is a Paper back edition. Fairly worn but fully readable and intact. Pages may include notes, highlighting, or minor water damage. Dust jacket may be missing. May have remainder marks on outside edges. Please be advised that we are experiencing shipping delays nationwide! See less
$3.99 delivery May 14 - 15. Details
Or fastest delivery May 9 - 14. Details
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$14.95 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$14.95
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Ships from and sold by Missouri_Goodwill_Industries.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Christian Cameron
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Marathon (Long War) Paperback – May 15, 2012

by Christian Cameron (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,134 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$14.95","priceAmount":14.95,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"14","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"95","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"wpUAuNSZY33UCQ%2BeKFMFYgIiRKK6hO9nzj%2Fyi%2B%2FQy1zBwpIz%2FDTufBgdfNtMIGTI1jvgPjJFbMiSqpCVGni0e%2B2qbNSnVvnloCRxC9S6TeS5KJKKCWOufyr7mN44sVtym6rNrnZpB9Q%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$5.23","priceAmount":5.23,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"5","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"23","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"wpUAuNSZY33UCQ%2BeKFMFYgIiRKK6hO9nMpMwD4BZeU7ql4pbbn1Kkq2nMDj%2F3EdV9tdepA%2FMZ84l4AEBBFpriyc7o6sVBY0hm07YDiY508pxkQdWb4Vvh%2BjuRdeoFiPGyf5gnPfkGS%2BLapJNZC2UmGgW4J0A5BeI%2F6TJUW47KKV6RiIrDw8bxam4Ph5BxItc","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Two and a half thousand years ago, the Greeks and the Persians fought an epic battle to decide the future of the world...

Arimnestos of Plataea grew up wanting to be a bronzesmith, like his father. Then, in the chaos of war, he was taken to a city in the Persian empire and sold as a slave. To win his freedom he had to show that he could fight and kill. Now, to preserve that freedom, he must kill again.

For the Persians are coming. A vast army sent by King Darius to put down the rebellious Greeks and burn the city of Athens to the ground. Standing against them on the plain of Marathon is a much smaller force of Athenians, alongside their Plataean allies. To defeat such overwhelming force seems impossible. And yet to yield would mean the destruction of everything the Greeks have dreamed of.

In the dust and heat of Marathon, in the clash of shields and the rush of spears, amid the thunder of hooves and the screams of the dying, those dreams will undergo their fiercest test - and Arimnestos and his Greek comrades will discover the true price of freedom.

Previous page
  1. Book 2 of 7
    The Long War
  2. Print length
    464 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Orion
  5. Publication date
    May 15, 2012
  6. Reading age
    18 years and up
  7. Dimensions
    5 x 1 x 7.75 inches
  8. ISBN-10
    9781409118060
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1409118060
  10. See all details
Next page
Books with Buzz
Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more

Frequently bought together

Marathon (Long War)
$14.95
Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12
Only 11 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Poseidon's Spear (Long War)
$13.99
Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12
Only 3 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Killer of Men (Long War)
$14.95
Get it as soon as Monday, May 13
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Christian Cameron is a writer, re-enactor and military historian. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, where he served as both an aviator and an intelligence officer. He is a co-author, with his father Ken Cameron, of the acclaimed Gordon Kent military thriller series, as well as WASHINGTON AND CAESAR, a novel of the American Revolution. He now lives in Toronto with his wife and daughter, where he writes full time.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1409118061
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orion; Reprint edition (May 15, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781409118060
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1409118060
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 1 x 7.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,134 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Christian Cameron

Christian Cameron

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Christian Cameron (also Miles Cameron) is a military veteran and a life-long reenactor and history addict. He lives in Toronto, Canada with his wife and daughter and one cat. He writes three to five books a year, mostly about history. Christian can be found on his website at www.hippeis.com or as Miles Cameron at www.traitorson.com

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
1,134 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Michael Ferrell
5.0 out of 5 stars hood classic
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great pacing, phenomenally immersive fight, gut wrenching action. Truly awesome ending. This book has it all. Characters continue to deliver and atmosphere is unmatched.
Helpful
 Report
Alyson BAILES
4.0 out of 5 stars Greeks versus Persians - and Greeks
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is the second in a series of books about the ancient Greek warrior Arimnestos of Plataea, but can also stand on its own as an adventure story. It shows Arimnestos of Plataea - former smith, former slave and now a feared berserk warrior - supporting the last doomed efforts of the Ionian Greeks' anti-Persian rising, then returning to his home on the Greek mainland to play a part in Athenian politics and ultimately help drive off the Persian invasion at Marathon. The device whereby Arimnestos himself, as an old man, narrates the story helps to keep it lively, simple and colourful, so that the complexities of ancient Greek politics stand out just as clearly as Arimnestos's tangled personal relations with both friends and enemies. His characterization as a 'killer' who also feels for the slain and queries his own nature remains successful and interesting, with some echoes of Philocles's character in the same author's 'Tyrant' series. Cameron's other strengths as a writer include an exceptional grip on small practical details, powerful handling of action scenes, and a degree of psychological subtlety that offers some unexpected plot twists and character surprises. A satisfying read that will leave many readers hungry for the next in the series.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Paul Bennett
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent page turning saga
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2016
Verified Purchase
In my review of Killer of Men I stated that I wouldn't take too long before reading Marathon. Where does the time go? Three months? My only excuse is that I have read some really good books in the interval. :-) Now that I've finished Marathon, I make the same prediction regarding the next book in the series, Poseidon's Spear...well, we'll see how that pans out. Anyway, Marathon...is just another example of the author's remarkable storytelling. I was continually amazed with his knowledge of the era and the way that knowledge was used to not only enhance the story but to also teach the history of that time and place; much of which I already knew but it never hurts to relearn things that have lain dormant for decades. This is not only played out in the events of the war but also in the everyday lives of the peasants, farmers, craftsmen and aristocrats who make this story come alive. One example that stands out for me is Arimnestos' forge and the work of the smiths as they turn bronze sheets into household items as well as armor and weapons. The lead up to the battle and the battle itself are both told with an incisive vividness that kept me turning the pages until the end. Well done Mr.Cameron...well done. 5 stars
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Ola Vea
5.0 out of 5 stars Strong character development and action filled story
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2019
Verified Purchase
Here is a quote from the main character talking with his bronze smith partner about Ari's young wife:

"His grin took the sting from the words. ‘No,’ I said. ‘We had a fight.’ He shrugged. ‘Never been married,’ he said. ‘But it does seem to me that most people fight. You and me, for instance.’ That was true enough, and Tiraeus and I were, in some ways, closer than any other two men I knew, except maybe me and Hermogenes. When we shared a project, we were inseparable. Craft made us closer than brothers. And still we could disagree on everything and anything, and when a helmet or a cup was in that dangerous stage just short of completion, it would all boil over into anger and disappointment and outrage. We were so used to it that we’d get the edges on a helmet trimmed and shake hands and say, ‘Tomorrow, we fight.’ And we’d laugh –but the next day, as we raised the last lines on the skull, the fight would start. "
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
L. Peterson
5.0 out of 5 stars Be Careful you might learn something while you enjoy the read - Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2019
Verified Purchase
I could not wait (I had to wait 4 days) to start this book after Killer of Men. The title alone sets up the story but you have many battles and drama before you get to Marathon. Christian knows his Greek. If you open your mind when you read the fiction you can learn a thing or two about life. The author does a masterful job of weaving historical characters in with his fictional. He does a great job of staying on course. Like all his works he pays attention to the smaller characters breathing life even to the smallest role. Brotherhood is a key theme of his stories and this one two. The battles will leave your exhausted just as the characters are. This was a great read and I am already onto book 3. Recommend for anyone who wants to understand this period more or just a good battle packed story in ancient Greek.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Bob Jarvis
4.0 out of 5 stars More entertaining adventures from Ancient Greece.
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed Killer of Men, the first in this series and this one continues the tale of Arimnestos in a similar, and most satisfactory, vein.
There is a lot of action, politics, strong characters that carry the action with some dash and style. The plot is somewhat complex and the the "all-action" reader may find the battle down-time a little long. I enjoyed the whole thing. I also like the format of the main man recounting his adventures to his daughter, it works very well.
Minor moan is the continued invincibility of Arimnestos. He needs perhaps to be a little less God-like in his battle prowess. Book is also improved by the almost complete absence of Arimnestos' pompous, haughty original love. Long may she play such a distant role.
All things considered I will certainly continue to follow Arimnestos in his pursuit of, happiness, love, glory: whatever.....
Beautifully written, almost zero typos and
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
annonymous
5.0 out of 5 stars great buy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
arrived on time, was in good condition, great buy.
Report
Jim Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars grabs your attention
Reviewed in Canada on February 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
Very well written and the battle descriptions made me feel I was right there. Gave me a insight into Greek history and customs as well. Has everything you could want in a book, plenty of action, humour, and some romance. I intend to read the entire series, Highly recommend
Report
client
4.0 out of 5 stars in line with the first book
Reviewed in Italy on August 31, 2015
Verified Purchase
A nice raeading, a real page turner.
I enjoyed very much this second issue, I like the period and the autor designed the plot realistically enough and keeps the rythm high.
Report
M. W. Broscheit
5.0 out of 5 stars Unruhige (interessante) Zeiten
Reviewed in Germany on March 19, 2014
Verified Purchase
Christian Cameron hat sich für seine historische Romanserie eine besonders Ereignisreiche und nach weit verbreiteter Meinung für die abendländische Kultur sehr bedeutsame Zeit ausgesucht. Um 500 vor Chr. erhoben sich die griechischen (ionischen) Städte gegen den persischen Großkönig und in der Folgezeit kam es zu mehreren großen und kleineren Schlachten. Griechenland selbst war in viele Stadtstaaten zersplittert; die ersten demokratischen Systeme entwickelten sich in einigen dieser Staaten. Kunst und Kultur waren auf einem hohen Stand und auch heute noch bekannte Philosophen lehrten die Jugend. Am Ende dieses Bandes steht die Schlacht bei Marathon, in der die bis dahin als nahezu unbezwingbar geltenden Perser von den Griechen geschlagen wurden.
Der Autor erklärt im Glossar, Personenregister und einem ausführlichen Nachwort viele Zusammenhänge und Begriffe, sodass man sich als Leser relativ gut zurecht finden kann. Mich haben die Bücher angeregt, mein Jahrzehnte zurückliegendes Schulwissen wieder aufzufrischen. Vielmehr kann man von einem guten historischen Roman nicht verlangen. Dank Internet, Google und diverser dort verlinkter Quellen findet man heutzutage wesentlich einfacher und schneller fundierte Informationen und kann so auch als interessierter Laie, den aktuellen Stand der wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisse und deren Verarbeitung in einem entsprechenden Roman überprüfen.
Cameron hat sich, wie er auch selbst schreibt, ziemlich eng an bekannte Überlieferungen und Erkenntnisse aus neuerer Forschung gehalten.

Seine Romanfigur, aus deren Perspektive die gesamte Geschichte erzählt wird, tritt einmal als älterer Mann (Arimnestos) auf, der im Wohlstand als lokaler Herrscher lebt und seiner Tochter und deren Freunden aus seinem aufregenden Leben erzählt, zum anderen wechselt die Perspektive dann zum jeweiligen fortlaufenden Geschehen aus der Sicht des jungen Arimnestos of Plataea. Wie schon im ersten Roman ist dabei auch der eine und andere Running Gag eingebaut, allerdings im zweiten Buch deutlich seltener und so vermeidet er recht geschickt, dass dieser wiederkehrende Scherz mit der errötenden Schönheit zu sehr nerven könnte.
Was ihm leider nicht ganz so gut wie manchem anderen Erzähler, z. B. David Gemmel in seine Troja Trilogie gelingt, ist den Nebenfiguren eine wirklich emotionale Tiefe zu geben. Die Nebenfiguren sterben zu Hauf im Verlauf der Geschichte und ich fühlte mich nur selten davon berührt. Wobei es durchaus realistisch ist; bei den Kriegen damals sind hunderte/tausende Krieger und Zivilisten ums Leben gekommen und sein Protagonist gehörte aufgrund von Glück und seiner Fähigkeiten zu den Überlebenden. Cameron hat seine Romanfigur sehr sorgfältig aufgebaut, sie entwickelt und verändert sich mit den Jahren, die Fähigkeiten liegen im Bereich des Möglichen und ihre Motivationen und Reaktionen sind nachvollziehbar.

Eine der großen Stärken des Autors, der einige Semester mittelalterliche Geschichte studiert hat und etliche Jahre als Offizier in der US-Navy diente, sind seine Schilderung der Schlachten, Kämpfe Mann gegen Mann, der logistischen und taktischen Probleme militärischer Operationen usw. In diesem Band der wieder mehrere Jahre aus der Sicht des Arimnestos umfasst, kommen aber auch nicht Landschaft, Kultur, Handel und Politik zu kurz. Alles gut ausgewogen und mit einem ansprechenden Spannungsbogen erzählt.

Fazit: Der Roman (die Romanreihe) müsste allen Lesern, die Bernard Cornwells Sharpe Reihe oder seine Uhtred-Serie mögen, gefallen, wobei Camerons Held in meinen Augen wesentlich authentischer ausgearbeitet wurde.
2 people found this helpful
 Report
Jaleel Ali
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun read.
Reviewed in Canada on March 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
Good read. I liked the battle details but I expect that some will be bored by them.
Report