ANST - 13th warrior stuff

[Decker, Terry D.]

I believe it was Judith Tarr who wrote an essay on the historical errors in
The Walking Drum.  After reading the book and the essay, I would say The
Walking Drum was fairly historically accurate in general, certainly moreso
than much of the recent historical fiction which has come my way.  

One inaccuracy I spotted was the coffee houses in Cordova.  Coffee as a
social drink in al-Islam was about 350 years later.  Considering the
inaccuracies in the coffee article which appeared in TI a few issues ago,
I'll forgive Louis his fictions.

As for Eaters of the Dead, I found it well crafted and interesting.  Writing
in the first person and the style of Ibn Fadlan, gave it verisimilitude.  I
particularly enjoyed the faked notes appendices and bibliography.  The
characters seemed truer to the culture and the times, than The Walking Drum.
I'm glad that Crichton has added the non-fiction essay about the book to the
recent paperback edition, as it helps put things in perspective.

Bear  

> Yes, I did. & Yes, it was extremely creative in some parts, but
> over-all, I have to say that it was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
> 
> On a related note, has anyone read "The Walking Drum"? I believe it was
> written by Lois L'amour. Yet another very good read, if you do not put
> so much stock into authenticity. 
> 
> Bonnie
> 
> 
> Trish McCurdy wrote:
> > 
> > Hey!
> > 
> > Did anyone out there happen to read the book the movie was based upon
> > "Eaters of the Dead" and if so, what did you think of all of Michael
> > Crighton's research and creative additions?
> > 
> > Larissa
> 
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