World rights to The Forgotten Legion trilogy were sold to Rosie de Courcy at Preface/Random House. US rights sold to St. Martin’s Press (3 book deal); Italian rights to Edizioni Piemme (3 book deal); Russian rights to Exmo (3 book deal); Spanish rights to Ediciones B (all 3 sold individually); Greek rights to Anubis (3 book deal); Turkish rights to Artemis (3 book deal); Dutch rights to Athenaeum (Book One only). Dramatic rights with Intellectual Property Group.
The paperback of The Forgotten Legion came out on the 16th of April 2009, and with the gods’ help, it’s also doing well – with nearly 50,000 copies sold so far. It did so well in Waterstone’s that they made it one of their ‘Books of the Year’ for 2009 and it stayed on the ’3 for 2′ stands until Christmas.
Buy:
Richard G. C. says
I love this book and think its readership should be much greater.
For some reason I think I will make an effort to spread the word.
Having read most of the first book, I imgine this trilogy is perfect for a wide screen rendition and well suited to international video as well.
benkane says
@Richard: Thanks. * blushes* I really appreciate any efforts that you make on my behalf!
I too think that the books would make a great movie. I just need someone like Ridley Scott to come on board!
richie_rich says
Nearly finished this book can’t put it down so amazing can’t wait to read the rest of the trilogy and after that I think I will give Hannibal a go.
Ben Kane says
@richie_rich: so glad you like it! Enjoy the rest. After Xmas, Spartacus is coming out – in fact you could win a copy if you look at my latest blod post…
LadyFrostFire says
I was given this book in October for my birthday. I loved it. Just found that the trilogy was also done in audio book by my most favorite of actors Michael Praed. So I guess I have a double win here. I am on the hunter for the other two books for the series now to add to my collection. Cannot wait to start the next one. 🙂
Ben Kane says
@LadyFrostFire: thanks for popping by, and welcome to my site! Delighted that you liked The Forgotten Legion so much. I was asked which of two actors I’d like to read the book, and I had to pick Michael Praed. In the 80s, I was a huge fan of Robin: The Hooded Man. Never could have imagined that that actor would one day read my books!
richie_rich says
Finished the Forgotten Legion last night absolutely fantastic will be starting the silver eagle tonight cant wait
Ben Kane says
@richie_rich: Cheers! Thanks also for your very cool tweet. If you feel so inclined, an Amazon review never goes astray either 😉
Best wishes for 2012!
Sbx says
Firstly… Happy 2012 to everyone. =)
Secondly, I finished the book a few weeks ago now and loved it. Can’t wait to read the second and third part, but sadly that’s where I can’t decide wether to read the books in English (and probably go out and buy them today ;P) or wait months and months for the Dutch translation. I think I’ve already made up my mind and I’ll end up buying them in English and maybe take a few days longer to finish them but at least I’ll have read them sooner and in time to start Spartacus perhaps.
(Unless of course you could rush the translators to finish it next week or so =D)
Ben Kane says
@Sbx: Good for you planning on buying the second two books in English. I’m afraid that there will be a long wait – at least 6 months, I’d say – before the next one comes out in Dutch. Frustrating, but that’s the way it goes. Happy New Year!
The White Knight says
Ben
I have read the superb Roman Trilogy and Hannibal and am now looking forward to reading Spartacus.
I don’t really know how you manage to keep up such a high standard – you must spend ages in research.
Keep up the good work.
All the BEST for the New Year.
Ian.
Ben Kane says
@The White Knight/Ian: thanks very much for your compliments – I do my best.
Very best wishes to you and yours for 2012 as well.
GraemeB1 says
I have just read The Forgotten legion and found it a fantastic read. I was so disappointed when it ended. But having logged into the website and seen there are a further 2 books in the series, I am on my way to buy the Silver Eagle asap. The way you have developed the characters and intertwined their journeys is brilliant.
Ben Kane says
@GraemeB1: glad that your disappointment was replaced by pleasure at discovering The Silver Eagle and The Road to Rome! I hope you enjoy them! Best wishes.
Mightywhite says
Hi Ben
Half way through the Forgotten Legion on Audiobook – simply marvellous. Your writing is well structured and intense and added to in the best possible way by the narration by Michael Pread. EXCELLENT!
Ben Kane says
@Mightywhite: Thanks for joining my website and posting. Welcome! It’s great that you’re relishing Michael Praed’s voice so much – it was a no-brainer for me to ask for him when I was offered a choice. Enjoy!
Jose_c says
excelente libro , me encanto , me mantuvo leyendo durante horas , voy en el tercer libro y espero con ancias el final de esta gran historia , mi personaje favorito fue tarquinius, lo unico que me hubiera gustado mucho que la version latinoamerica tuviera las mismas portadas que la version en ingles, te felicito por esta gran obra
Ben Kane says
@Jose_c: Muchisimas gracias!
LucasT says
Ben,
I am a very busy person and usually choose to watch films instead of read as it takes much more effort and time. However I was given The forgotten legion by a friend to read while on holiday. I thought I would give it a chance, see how it went.. And I did not put it down! As soon as I got back tithe UK I went straight out and bought the next two and finished the silver eagle this morning. These are absolutely fantastic books and I cannot wait to read the next one ( making it the 5th book I’ve ever took time to read in my life!) I have recommended it to everyone, and am now just praying that it is made into a series of moves like LOTR etc.
Once again thank you so much for these amazing books, I can’t wait to read more, an hope you keep writing for a very long time!
Luke
Ben Kane says
@LucasT/Luke: Thanks for taking the time to post, and welcome to my site. I’m honoured that you were so struck by The Forgotten Legion that you devoured it and then bought the next two when you got home. I love it when someone is so caught up with my books that they’re burning to read the next one. I hope that your wishes about them being made into a film comes true! As for writing more books – don’t worry, I’ll keep writing them as fast as I can for as long as I can!
Cheers.
Ben
James_C16 says
Hi Ben
I’ve just finished Spartacus and absolutely adored it. Know I’m back tracking and beginning the forgotten legions series, before i buy Hannibal. The level of research is fantastic, and i’m starting to write a book myself. I haven’t yet decided on what time era i’m going to set it, so i was wondering if you could recommend some good roman history books that i could get and become a bit more informed.
Cheers
Sincerely, James
Ben Kane says
@James_C16: Hi, and welcome to my site! I’m pleased that you enjoyed Spartacus so much – thanks for taking the time to drop me a line. Some good Roman history books – sure:
A History of Rome by Cary and Scullard – great, all encompassing book that will serve as a basis for your background knowledge.
The Oxford Classical Dictionary – for all those hard to understand Latin words, places etc. I use it all the time!
Warfare in the Classical World by J. Warry.
Greece and Rome at War by P. Connolly (who recently died, sadly).
That should get you going…good luck!
James_C16 says
@Ben Kane
Thank you so much! I really appreciate that, should be a great help. Looking forward to continuing your books.
James
Ben Kane says
@James_C16: enter the competition too – it’s on my blog…
James_C16 says
Done!
Matthew says
I’ve just read the forgotten legion and thought it was great!!! I also really enjoyed Spartacus and can’t wait to start the sequel. I’ve also read Hannibal and thought it was great too I hope you write a new series soon
Matthew.
Ben Kane says
@Matthew: Cheers! Hannibal 2: Fields of Blood comes out next year; Hannibal 3 the year after. Then it’s either on to the 100 Years’ War or the Kalkriese Disaster in AD 9, when the Romans lost 3 legions in Germany.
HiZee says
I just finished the forgotten legion and absolutely loved it so thank you for that, but my problem is I can’t decide if I want to read the next book in the series of start Spartacus which looks amazing. You sir have caused a major dilemma for me and I couldn’t be happier about it. Thank you
Ben Kane says
@HiZee: Welcome to my site, and many thanks for posting! I am glad that you’ve enjoyed the trilogy so much, and I hope you enjoy whichever book you decide to read next.
charlfraser says
ive read the forgottten legion 4 times. ive made most of my family read it as well. i always sell the story like this ” you’d love it, imagine asterix and obelix… on crazy steriods”
Ben Kane says
@charlfraser: Glad you like em so much. I like the Asterix reference! 😉
edwarren0823 says
Ben,
The Forgotten Legion inspired me. I have always been interested in Ancient Rome but reading your book inspired me to really research the topic. I am going to start college in the fall and have already decided to major in History with an emphasis on the ancient world. I also just ordered The Silver Eagle and The Road to Rome. Keep it up!
Thanks for your inspiration,
Eddie
Ben Kane says
@edwarren0823: Hi Eddie, and thanks for your post. Welcome to my site! I am honoured that my books influenced you in some small way to study history – a great choice of course. Best of luck with it, and enjoy the next two books. Ben.
karen319 says
I started reading The Forgotten Legion a week ago. I usually only read a few pages before going to sleep. Yesterday I had forgotten the book in the car which is parked a block away. Too tired to go get it but I missed it so much I was getting on my families nerves :-). I think I will search for a dutch translation to give to my friends. And I will definately read more of your books.
Ben Kane says
@karen319: Many thanks for your post, and my apologies for not replying sooner. Very glad that you’re enjoying the book! It is available as Het Verloren Legioen in Dutch, so you can get it for your friends! Best wishes and dank u wel.
Jginman says
Ben,
I just wanted to say…I’m 24 yrs old and last year I’ve gotten back into readiing after so long going without . I love anything Roman and I seen your books and I baught all three of the forgotten legion and wow am I happy I chose them then. I tell all my friends about it and have a good buddy borrowing em now. If there was any Story I could choose for a tv series the forgotten legion would be it for sure. And I’ve read the first Spartacus and I’m dying to Read Hannibals and ordering the next spartacus and the hannibals after tomorrow paycheck! You are Amazing and keep it up Ben.
P.S maybe a trilogy on Alexander would be great I believe you would achieve it where I feel so many have failed… take care!
Jginman says
Oh and it would be amazing if you surprised us in a couple yrs by continueing the story of Forgotten Legion I’m dying to know if Brennus is you know!! You do a great job on Characters that’s for sure.
Ben Kane says
@Jginman: thanks for posting, and welcome to my site! It’s great that you enjoyed the trilogy, and the first Spartacus book too. Cheers for telling your friends as well – I’m not well known in the States, so every little helps.
There’ll be no more Forgotten Legion books, I’m afraid to say. But if it helps, Brennus is alive in my mind! 🙂
Best wishes to you – Ben.
Jginman says
Hey Ben, no problem and thank you! I just stopped by to tell you I just ordered ur hannibals. Only bummer is that Amazon only had one in paperback n the other in hardcover but no big deal. I planned on getting the other spartacus today also but I will next couple weeks , I’m just dying to start Hannibal. I sad to hear that about the fergotten legion , though I thought that was the case that’s why I said maybe and suprise.too bad your not that known in the states and have full confidence you will soon. Take care and talk to you later. Thanx again, deff my favorite author and can’t wait to learn what your next titles will be if you have any clue and don’t mind sharing..crosses fingers lol
Oh and I almost fergot!! He is alive in mine as well!!
Ben Kane says
@Jginman: The second Hannibal is only available in hardback at the moment, that’s why. It only came out in June. Thanks very much for buying them – I hope that you enjoy both! I’m nearly finished the next one, which is called Hannibal: Clouds of War, and which takes the war to Sicily…
After that’s done, I’m starting a trilogy about the massacre of three Roman legions in the German forests in AD 9… 😉
Jginman says
@Ben,
Ohh yea! They SHOULD be here today sept 9th been checking mail everyday since ordering and it says sept 9th to sept something so hopefully today! And Ben WOW ,teutoburg ( or however u spell it ) right?? That’s why I’ve said your Great, not only do you write with such good style but I love your characters but most of all is the Stories you write about. Crassus doomed legion,Spartacus,Hannibal and now Teutoburg.All amazing stories , that’s the reason I found you was wanting to read about those stories and your style and everything just wrapped me in that world. Be sure ill be getting Every book you write and thanx Ben! Ill come by after I finish the first Hannibal within couple days if it arrives today.
Ur loyal Fan,
Jesse G.
From Mass,U.S.A
Ben Kane says
@jginman / Jesse: I hope that your books arrive very soon! Enjoy.
smithsco says
It is a tradition for me to read the entire trilogy every December since The Road to Rome came out. Are there any plans at all for any movies based on your works?
Ben Kane says
@smithsco: Wow – I’m impressed! Thanks for posting. As for films of my books – I live in eternal hope and expectation!!
Oakraven says
Have just finished “The Forgotten Legion”. What did I think of it? Liked it sooooo much have sent my carer out to purchase “Silver Eagle” and “Road To Roam”!!!!!!!!! She has also been asked to bring back any and all other books which you have written even if they are out of sequence because if there are any missing I will order them post haste.
I would like to thank you for giving me many hours of pleasure and by transporting me to ancient Rome and other far flung places you have , for that amount of time , made me less aware of the pain which I suffer 24/7. Please keep writing. May the Goddess grant you the gift of creativity …… by the boat load…lol
Alice says
Hi,
i just came to your first book at my work,coz some guest forgot it at our hotel,so i read it…but unfortunatelly its not possible to buy it in Czech Republic,i dunno why,and i cant buy it online coz of my card… 🙁 but i was amazing book and i hope tht one of my friends when they will come to visit me from UK will buy it for me 🙂 cant wait when i will read a rest two…. keep going 🙂
Ben Kane says
@Alice: Big apologies for not having replied before now. Thanks for your post – I’m delighted you’ve enjoyed the first book so far, and sorry that you haven’t been able to get the other ones. Have you tried bookdepository.co.uk ? They don’t charge shipping to anywhere in the world. Also – my first two books have just been sold to the Czech Republic, so they will be released there in 2014! Happy Xmas to you and your family – best wishes – Ben.
Alice1 says
Hi,thx for any answer,my friend brough the next two books to me in Dec,so i will read it,but first i will finish another book….next thing is tht i love to read a books in original – english,coz czech translation can be strange or really bad….i will show you…for example the movie Hunger games: catching fire,u know how they translate it in czech hunger games: killing revenge…so thts why i love to read it in original…. and i also train my english by the books….even tht much tht i have problems with czech sometimes 😀 anyway thx for your wishes,and i wish u all the best in new year too….i hope tht this year will be better thn the last one….and thx for advice abt the pages…wish you good luck and many nice books. I just love reading,and i will never change the normal book for tht thing called e-book 😀
Take care and thank you again.
Alice from Czech 😉
Ben Kane says
@Alice1: So glad that you got the books in English from your friends! Thanks for the explanation on books translated into Hungarian too. Strange! Best wishes – Ben.
CartagoImperium says
I mowed through Hannibal and Spartacus in about 2 days.
I was impressed with the wonderfully written books before me.
Sadly, i have never liked rome. It has been one of my most resented historic empires since persia. So when i finished hannibal i was in a very somber mood for the rest of the day for two reasons, one: I finished the book! 560 pages not enough… And 2: in the end, hannibal was defeated!
Apart from that, i’m really looking forward to reading the forgotten legion’s trilogy.