An epic extravaganza set in 529-522 B.C., this follows the adventures of Tamburas, son of the Tyrant of Athens after the hoax that drove him from his homeland. One spectacular moment follows another as he first becomes partner to a red-bearded pirates Olov the Seafarer, later is sent as an ambassador to Persia and ends up as Commander-in-Chief of the Persian armies when they set out to conquer Egypt. Through it all Tamburas retains the heroic stature usually associated with a Greek god. For those who like their history replete with shocking atrocities, harems, court intrigues, battles and blood (several gallons per page). It certainly has dash and an exhausting energy.