The Eagle of the Ninth

The Ninth Legion marched into the mists of northern Britain - and they were never seen again. Four thousand men disappeared and their eagle standard was lost. It's a mystery that's never been solved, until now . . . Marcus has to find out what happened to his father, who led the legion. So he sets out into the unknown, on a quest so dangerous that nobody expects him to return. The Eagleof the Ninth is heralded as one of the most outstanding children's books of the twentieth century and has sold over a million copies worldwide. Rosemary Sutcliff writes with such passion and attention to detail thatRoman Britain is instantly brought to life and stays with the reader long after the last page has been turned.

“Sutcliff was a superb writer with a classicist's grasp of the era, a poet's eye for nature and a devilish sense of plot. Fiction this evergreen cannot fail to uplift.”

'David MitchellI remember being gripped by the story of a young Roman called Marcus, and his quest to find the Eagle standard of a legion that marched north of Hadrian's wall and never returned. From then on I was a fan of Rosemary Sutcliff's books.'Tony BradmanThe Eagle of the Ninth is not only a rollicking good adventure, but also a touching and true story about friendship, love and loyalty.'Charlotte HigginsRosemary Sutcliff was one of my favourite authors when I was a child. I loved the detailed description and beautiful prose which fired my imagination. She made time travellers of her readers and I have never forgotten the intense pleasure her books gave me. The Eagle Of The Ninth was my favourite, not only for the romance and poignancy of the lost legion but the thrilling journey she took her readers on to the wild savage edge of the known world. I readRosemary Sutcliff's books aloud to my own children who were as captivated as I was. She is one of our greatest writers and gave me a lifelong love of history.'Chris RiddellWhat you read and love as a child stays with youfor life, and that wonderful tale of courage and adventurein the misty north will be with me forever.'Elizabeth LairdShe was definitely a huge influence on my writing.Eagle of the Ninth in particular-That mix of'What if ' and adventure. She totally took my mind toearly Britain, she convinced me that I wanted to go there too.One of the few books I reread from time to time.'Fleur Hitchcock`Just read Warrior Scarlet for the first timeand was totally blown away. I didn't read anyRosemary Sutcliff as a child, but I've been lovingworking my way through her books now, as a children'sauthor. The Lantern Bearers is astonishingly resonant.And Sun Horse, Moon Horse!'SF Said

Rosemary Sutcliff was born in Surrey, the daughter of a naval officer. At the age of two she contracted the progressively wasting Still's disease and spent most of her life in a wheelchair. Apart from reading, she made little progress at school and left at fourteen to attend art school,specializing in miniature painting. In the 1940s she exhibited her first miniature in the Royal Academy and was elected a member of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters just after the war. In 1950 her first children's book, The Queen's Story, was published and from then on she devoted her time towriting the children's historical novels which have made her such an esteemed and highly respected name in the field of children's literature. She received an OBE in the 1975 Birthday Honour's List and a CBE in 1992. Rosemary Sutcliff died at the age of 72 in 1992.

The Ninth Legion marched into the mists of northern Britain - and they were never seen again. Four thousand men disappeared and their eagle standard was lost. It's a mystery that's never been solved, until now . . . Marcus has to find out what happened to his father, who led the legion. So he sets out into the unknown, on a quest so dangerous that nobody expects him to return. The Eagleof the Ninth is heralded as one of the most outstanding children's books of the twentieth century and has sold over a million copies worldwide. Rosemary Sutcliff writes with such passion and attention to detail thatRoman Britain is instantly brought to life and stays with the reader long after the last page has been turned.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.