book reviews
Queen of Cities
Where the Mountains Burn
Restoring Thucydides
THe EOKA CAUSE
Queen of Cities
Bravo to Andrew Novo!
"His debut novel is impeccably researched and vividly written. He brings to life the exotic and tumultuous Byzantine world and a dark, tragic chapter in human history. Novo combines the best of Barbara Tuchman and a (might have been) Verdi opera!” - Charles Scribner
Historical Events and Characters Come Alive
“Andrew Novo has done an excellent job making historical events and characters come alive. He brings both an historian’s eye for detail, as well as the playwright’s sense of praxis and timing. It creates interest in literature and a passion for the study of history, politics, war, religion, culture, geography, and art.” - L. Kilroy
Gripping - Mesmerizing - Fascinating
“This was one of those books that I simply could not put down. It was gripping, mesmerizing, and fascinating. Thrilling account of the fall of Constantinople.” - Jonathon K.
A Core Addition to Any Historical Fiction Collection
“A novel of high adventure, intrigue, and suspense. More than delivering, ‘Queen of Cities’ is a core addition to any historical fiction collection.” - Midwest Book Review
History Comes Alive! Simply Amazing!
"Novo's prose crackles on every page as gives us a sweeping, yet expertly detailed vision of this storied siege. Novo could have stopped there and produced an excellent work, but his talent really shines when he studies the actual characters that populate this story. In addition to the fast-paced description of the mud, blood, and gore of a medieval battle, the book delves deeper, giving an insight into the lives, loves, and struggles of the men - and women - who defended and attacked this fabled city. From the intrigue of lavishly decorated throne rooms to the desperate violence of Constantinople's heaving battlements, this book takes hold and does not let go until the final page. Writing in the style of an Edward Rutherford, Colleen McCullough, or Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth series, Novo's book signals the entry of a sparkling new talent into the historical fiction genre." - Chris Lucas
"The book was awesome. I read it in about 3-4 chunks. What was neat about it was that even though I knew the ending from real-life, the book was so well written and exciting that I kept thinking the defenders might hold on! Reading the book made me want to read all I could in the future regarding the history of Constantinople both before and after the events depicted in the book. The author is a master of both detail and drawing the reader deep into the events as if he were actually taking part. My guess is that this will be the first of many successes for the talented Mr. Novo." - Jeff S.
"I'm not one who normally reads historical fiction and did not know that this book was one of those, so when it became obvious that this book was fiction I was disappointed and almost put it down for good. I would have if not for the fact that I realized that I was actually enjoying what I was reading and wanted to keep reading. I thought it was written so well that if you removed the first scene with the Sultan and one of his concubines , I would have had a hard time realizing it was fictionalized.” - V. Pacella
Meet the People Who Were There
“Queen of Cities is a dynamic, explosive novel that presents history as it happened. Intrigue, betrayal and loyalty, heroes and villains all pull the reader into this world changing conflict. Experience the desperate hopes of the defenders as they repel repeated attacks against the city walls. Mourn with them for the loss of human lives and of a civilization brought to a shattering end. Be inspired by the strong, dedicated leaders who gave all for the people entrusted to their care. I recommend this for all who love a great book.” AM Hannon
Where the Mountains Burn
“Ultimately, it is the quest to understand that leads the book's author to grapple with the subject and to introduce his own children to at least the externals. He does so in remarkably eloquent prose which distinguishes itself by its engagement with the reader. The mountains burn, but so does the soul by the book's conclusion. From ordeal emerges triumph. The terrible cost paid by the grandfather empowers the reader, because through the horror, light at the end of the tunnel not only emerges but produces daylight. The result is a superb contribution to both literature and scholarship.” - Thomas A. Marks
Read, Learn, Reflect -- A Book Worth Your Time
“All in all, this is a book worth reading and reflecting in a "what would I do/have done" way, complemented with a great sense of gratitude for those who stood up for their principles, values, and nations and risked and/or lost their lives in the process. Bravo Andrew Novo for honoring your grandfather and providing a history lesson! - JW
“What a powerful and engrossing novel. Andrew R. Novo writes with such skill and heart. I was so moved by the story and its raw emotion. Couldn’t put it down! Highly recommended!” -Tracy. M. Watson
An Excellent Account
This book is an excellent account of the experience of a young person during World War II . It is complete with historical facts which make the personal events relevant and placed in an historical context.” – Omar Zeolla
“Andrew Novo's engaging writing brings to life the fight of his late grandfather in wartime Italy against the Duce's villainous troops. Recommend for fans of military fiction and anti-fascism.” – T. Hays
Another Compelling Historical Novel from Prof. Novo
“Once again, Dr. Novo has brought history to life. This time, in a very personal way. Telling his maternal grandfather's story with perfect historical detail and context, while instilling it with the soul and consciousness of a tormented young man. It is extremely moving. It is quality work.” – C. Prario-Armit
Both Thought-Provoking and Deeply Moving
“A book of profound substance and striking historical depth, offering a vivid portrayal of the resistance during WW II. It is a compelling journey of self-discovery, resilience, and courage, masterfully told through unforgettable characters and richly woven storytelling. – K-REZ
A Fabulous Book – Cinematic in Scale
“This is one of the best books I've read. It is a powerfully written and deeply heartfelt story. Cinematic in scale, literary in scope, historical in painting its scenes, where the Mountains Burn crosses generations and continents, but conveys universal themes about resistance and the human spirit. I highly recommend if you have an interest in WWII, Italy, or the partisan movement. A great read!” – NN
An Italian Edition of This Book Would Be Highly Desirable
“An accurate and in-depth overview of Italian history during the war. The writing, in particular, it is of excellent quality and, a crucial aspect for a work of historical fiction, it is extremely credible. An Italian edition of this book would be highly desirable.”
“Un'accurata e approfondita panoramica della storia italiana durante la guerra. La scrittura, in particolare, è di ottima fattura e, aspetto fondamentale per un'opera di narrativa storica, risulta estremamente credibile. Sarebbe auspicabile una versione italiana di questo libro.” - M. J. Di Fabio
Restoring Thucydides
“Restoring Thucydides is an outstanding book that makes Thucydides accessible and resoundingly refutes the popularized notion of a ‘Thucydides trap.’ Novo and Parker’s rich rendition gives context for The History, rescuing it from pinched readings and giving us access to even more valuable lessons about great power competition that entails ‘fluid alliances, diplomatic realignments, and conflict proceeding in fits and starts as rival domestic parties grappled for power.’”
— Kori Schake, Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute
“This is a must-read.” - Diplomacy & Statecraft
“An outstanding book.” - Joint Force Quarterly
“An excellent scholarly book.” - Dan Caldwell - Pepperdine University
“There is much fresh insight on virtually every page.” - Scott A. Silverstone, West Point
“An insightful remedy.” - Joint Force Quarterly
“A much-needed corrective to a simplistic interpretation of Thucydides.” - Dan Caldwell
The EOKA Cause
An Important and Balanced Study
“This book is an important and balanced study of a stillborn nationalist unification movement.”
“This comprehensive study allows the reader to appreciate the type of independence that followed in the 1960s, the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, as well as the contemporary status quo on this unhealed island.” - Prof. Harris Mylonas, GWU - Elliott School of International Affairs - Editor-in-Chief of Nationalities Papers
A Gripping Narrative
“The EOKA Cause is an important contribution to a long-lasting debate. Through meticulous research and a gripping narrative, Andrew Novo sheds fresh light to a story whose repercussions are with us to this day. Thought-provoking and original, The EOKA Cause deserves to be read widely." - Dimitris Tsarouhas, Bilkent University
Enlightening Reading
“Meticulously researched … enlightening reading for foreign policy thinkers in a moment when emerging conflicts confound 20th-century orthodoxies.” - Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA)
An Almost Novelistic Narrative Quality
“As much political history as psychological study. Prof. Novo's treatment highlights the danger of simplistic, macro-level explanations for intercommunal violence in a postcolonial world. The book uncovers an idiosyncratic reality that resists such easy categories. It has an almost novelistic narrative quality.” - John Griffin (CEPA)
An Important and Balanced Study
“This comprehensive study allows the reader to appreciate the type of independence that followed in the 1960s, the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, as well as the contemporary status quo on this unhealed island.” - Prof. Harris Mylonas, GWU - Elliott School of International Affairs