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Tony Clunn
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The Quest for the Lost Roman Legions: Discovering the Varus Battlefield Kindle Edition

by Tony Clunn (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 290 ratings
The story of an ancient ambush that devastated Rome—and the modern-day hunt that finally revealed its location and its archaeological treasures.
 
In 9 A.D., the seventeenth, eighteenth, & nineteenth Roman legions and their auxiliary troops under the command of Publius Quinctilius Varus vanished in the boggy wilds of Germania. They died singly and by the hundreds over several days in a carefully planned ambush led by Arminius—a Roman-trained German warrior adopted and subsequently knighted by the Romans, but determined to stop Rome’s advance east beyond the Rhine River. By the time it was over, some 25,000 men, women, and children were dead and the course of European history had been forever altered. “Quinctilius Varus, give me back my legions!” Emperor Augustus agonized aloud when he learned of the devastating loss.
 
As decades passed, the location of the Varus defeat, one of the Western world’s most important battlefields, was lost to history. It remained so for two millennia. Fueled by an unshakable curiosity and burning interest in the story, a British Major named J. A. S. (Tony) Clunn delved into the nooks and crannies of times past. By sheer persistence and good luck, he turned the foundation of German national history on its ear. Convinced the running battle took place north of Osnabruck, Germany, Clunn set out to prove his point. His discovery of large numbers of Roman coins in the late 1980s, followed by a flood of thousands of other artifacts (including weapons and human remains), ended the mystery once and for all. Archaeologists and historians across the world agreed. Today, a state-of-the-art museum houses and interprets these priceless historical treasures on the very site Varus’s legions were lost.
 
The Quest for the Lost Roman Legions is a masterful retelling of Clunn’s search to discover the Varus battlefield. His well-paced and vivid writing style makes for a compelling read as he alternates between his incredible modern quest and the ancient tale of the Roman occupation of Germany—based upon actual finds from the battlefield—that ultimately ended so tragically in the peat bogs of Kalkriese.
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  1. Print length
    433 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Savas Beatie
  4. Publication date
    September 19, 2009
  5. File size
    3.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tony Clunn joined the army at age 15, and at 17 joined the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment. After 22 years of Regimental service he took a Queen’s commission for a further ten years and retired in the late 1990s with the rank of Major. He is employed by the British Army in Osnabruck and serves as a consultant at Kalkriese. In 1996, Clunn was presented with the Member of the Royal Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II; The German Order of Merit in 1997; and the German Medal of Honor in 1999.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004E9UB7A
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Savas Beatie; Illustrated edition (September 19, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 19, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 433 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 290 ratings

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Tony Clunn

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
290 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers appreciate the book's historical accuracy, describing it as a fascinating combination of history and discovery. Moreover, the writing quality receives positive feedback, with customers finding it well-written and easy to read. Additionally, they value its archaeological content, with one customer noting the author's background as an amateur archaeologist. However, several customers express disappointment about the lack of maps in the book.

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37 customers mention "Historical accuracy"34 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the historical accuracy of the book, describing it as an interesting story of discovery and a fascinating combination of historic fiction.

"...in my intro, the author's work and contribution to German archaeology and history are unsurpassed, especially for an 'amateur'..." Read more

"...Generally speaking, the book was factual, and the NF portions interesting, if a bit weighted towards the author's own contributions...." Read more

"There is an element of delight in the thought of an amateur archaeologist, in his spare time, pottering around muddy fields, munching his sandwiches..." Read more

"...This book answers the questions. People are still finding artifacts. It is the best book I have read on the subject?..." Read more

11 customers mention "Writing quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read, with one customer noting how the author skillfully stitches together a detailed narrative.

"...I find most unique about this book is how the author was able to stitch together a detailed and totally believable tapestry telling the story of the..." Read more

"...On the other hand, this fictionalized writing did good service in showing that the Romans were far from being innocent parties in this situation...." Read more

"...I though why not this looks interesting, boy was that a understatement. Once I started it I had a hard time putting it down...." Read more

"...Very well written and worth reading." Read more

4 customers mention "Archaeology"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's archaeological content, with one noting that the author is an amateur archaeologist.

"...thing about the Major Clunn's book is that the author is an amateur archaeologist, not a professional, an accomplished and especially competent one,..." Read more

"There is an element of delight in the thought of an amateur archaeologist, in his spare time, pottering around muddy fields, munching his sandwiches..." Read more

"...dry read, but this book reads like part novel, part mystery, part archaeology book. I was engrossed from the beginning and couldn't put it down...." Read more

"fascinating combination of historic fiction and archeology for a radically significant conflict about which I knew very little...." Read more

3 customers mention "Map content"0 positive3 negative

Customers criticize the lack of maps in the book.

"...Unfortunately, as others have mentioned, there is a woeful lack of maps to help you visualize what he is talking about...." Read more

"...of my objections are similar to those already noted, especially the lack of maps and the annoying fiction...." Read more

"What's missing from this book are maps!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is real history.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I visited the area near Kalkriese in 2011, so the story had lots of meaning for me. I enjoyed the part that was written in italics which was fictional, the author’s best guess as to what might have happened, while the rest of the book was the true story of the years of excavation. I really enjoyed the book and have passed it on. New Ulm, MN has a hugh monument dedicated to Herman the German (Armenius).
    One person found this helpful
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  • cincinnatus
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good book when the author sticks to archaeology and his contribution.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    As mentioned in my intro, the author's work and contribution to German archaeology and history are unsurpassed, especially for an 'amateur' (I use that term in a complimentary way). Where the book becomes tedious and almost silly is when he attempts to write his version of historical fiction. Writing about the 'emotions', 'feelings' , conversations, attractions, made-up events, etc., attributed to historical characters (some fictitious themselves) with whom he could not have had personal interaction or knowledge. In my opinion, Clunn's fiction attempts become a waste of time for those who already know something about the topic and a deception for those who don't. As another reviewer mentioned, these sections of the book begin to become truly absurd and to take up much of the reader's time towards the end. It got to the point where I was scrolling through and skipping all the italicized sections/pages.. Stick to the facts, Mr. Clunn, they are sufficient to carry the narrative w/out any additional fluff.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Gene D.Robinson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection almost achieved; just needs better maps
    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2009
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    This is an exceptional book, perhaps even a unique book, deeply moving yet archaeologically precise and correct. Major Tony Clunn is to be commended for his achievement.

    The last time I had such praise for a book was Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire, which involved another slaughter, but that is a historical novel. One expects a lot of emotionalism from a novel, but not from a book detailing the progression of archaeological digs. The major purpose of a historical novel, or any novel for that matter, is to tell a story in such an entertaining way that the reader keeps turning the pages, and then likes is well enough to recommend it to friends. In the process, the reader should learn something about the historical era, but the author's first purpose is to entertain, not teach history, so details may be changed to make a good story. That includes characters and events.

    Perhaps the most exceptional thing about the Major Clunn's book is that the author is an amateur archaeologist, not a professional, an accomplished and especially competent one, yes, but an amateur nevertheless. The details he recounts, both material and emotional, are simply amazing. This is made possible because from his first visit to the area, he kept detailed notes and diaries, something most non-professionals wouldn't bother with. What I find most unique about this book is how the author was able to stitch together a detailed and totally believable tapestry telling the story of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest by weaving in various actual discoveries from several digs in almost the same exact sequence they were discovered. Absolutely stunning!

    It's a great book as it is, but I have a couple of suggestions for improving the next edition. More and better detailed maps would be a big help in orientating a reader unfamiliar with the area and in visualizing the course of the battle. More photographs and an enlarged glossary that included more German terms would also make the going easier..

    In conclusion, anyone interested in Roman history, early German tribes, archeology, German history or civilization-changing battles should own this book.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • SingleEyePhotos
    3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed
    Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I was eagerly looking forward to reading this book, and learning more about the battle in the Teutonbergerwald. Most of my knowledge of this event comes from Robert Graves' I, Claudius and Claudius the God, plus history studies in college - I knew enough to be familiar with the story, but not enough to have gotten into any real detail. I had high hopes for this book...

    The first thing that struck me was the author's use of fictional characters and accounts to give the reader a sense of time, place, and events. In a purported nonfiction work, that bothered me. As I read a bit more, I decided that although I wasn't thrilled with the idea, it was working. Then about 1/2-2/3 of the way through, the amount of 'fictionalized' writing started to greatly exceed the amount of NF, and I very quickly became disenchanted with the narrative device again. It didn't help that I feel that the author sensationalized the actual battle - it was pretty graphic and grisly. Yes, it's a battle and battles are not pretty things, but I don't believe that NF should exploit that sad fact - and I felt that this did. That was my first major complaint about this book. On the other hand, this fictionalized writing did good service in showing that the Romans were far from being innocent parties in this situation. Varus was presented as being (very believeably, if you're familiar with the era) arrogant, prejudiced, power-hungry, and overconfident. That did make me stop and think, which was a good thing. It was also a good thing in that the fictional writing pointed out (no idea how true it was) that there were probably plenty of warning signs of the impending rebellion, but Varus chose to ignore them.

    The nonfiction part started out well, and was very interesting and informative. It was written based on journals kept by the author during those years. As the story went on, that became more and more apparent in the tone of the writing and soon got 'old'. Many times the author would make a comment that so-and-so mentioned something in conversaton that gave him the 'clue' to make another discovery or something similar - but never told the gist of the coversation or what that tidbit of information was. It turned into almost a guessing game. Annoying... Also, although the author was intimately involved in the research for a number of years, the writing gave what I felt was undue prominence to his investigations. The author was very good about praising the professional team(s) doing the archaeology, but he gave very little mention of their findings, and seemed to focus on their pleasure at HIS findings (which were undoubtedly important, but this didn't come across as a balanced perspective). Again - annoying... Finally I noted a couple of idle comments that struck me as not being completely factual - particularly the comment towards the end where the author says he wants to find the Eagle of the XVII Legion (which his historical fiction shows as being smuggled out of the battle and lost in the marshes). Sorry, a quick Google shows that the Eagles of the XVIII and XIX Legions were recovered during Tiberius' reign and the XVII Legion's Eagle was recovered in 41 AD under Claudius. So, he's a few years too late!

    To summarize, overall I wasn't particularly impressed with the writing. Generally speaking, the book was factual, and the NF portions interesting, if a bit weighted towards the author's own contributions. The fictionalized portions took over the book in the last half, and were pretty 'intense' for a NF book. There were a few, relatively minor, inaccuracies here & there. I would have preferred this type of book to be much more scholarly (even if it was not written by a professional historian), and for it to be a little more specific on some accounts. I think that if you're interested in the battle of the Teutonbergerwald, there should be more 'scholarly' books available now, as the discovery is over a decade old. Unfortunately, I don't feel that I could recommend this book.

    Note on Kindle formatting: Very good.
    27 people found this helpful
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  • X
    5.0 out of 5 stars BOOK
    Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2025
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    Met all expectations.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Mr David Haig
    5.0 out of 5 stars How Germany didn't become Roman
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    A detailed and informative book about how 3 Roman legions were destroyed in the forests of Germany in AD9. An easy to read book that doesn't require a PhD in history to follow. Author skillfully weaves together historical fiction of what people, said, saw and felt during the events, with description of how he found the battlefield plus archaeology of the battlefield. That's why it gets 5 stars. Highly recommended.
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  • Steve Jaworski
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good read
    Reviewed in Canada on December 1, 2022
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    If you’re into ancient history then this is worth reading.
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  • ruth riello
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in Spain on November 30, 2014
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  • G. Thomson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing book and well thought through. Well worth reading ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 18, 2014
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    Intriguing book and well thought through. Well worth reading.
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  • David King
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tells what happened by meticulous investigation
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 16, 2024
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    An excellent book on the apparent disappearance of three Roman Legions
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