The book begins with the social conditions in China at the time of Confucius' birth and childhood (about 2500 years ago):
"Centralized government had broken down. The feudal lords acknowledged only nominal allegiance to the king. Yet they could not be called independent, for some of them were no more than puppets in the hands of their own swashbuckling underlings. Public and private wars raged unchecked. There was very little law and order save what each man could enforce by his own right arm, his armed followers, or his powers of intrigue. Even the greatest noble could not be sure that he would not be ruined and perhaps assassinated. The position of the common people was tragic. Whoever won the wars, they lost. Even when there was peace they had no security, for they had no power. They were virtual pawns of the aristocrats, whose principal interests had come to be hunting, war, and extravagant living. To pay for these pastimes they taxed the people beyond what the traffic could bear, and suppressed all protest ruthlessly."
--from "Confucius: The Man and the Myth" by H.G. Creel
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Dear The Traveller,
My name is Daye Riolpe. I'm Jeffrey Perren's publicist and I'm acting on his behalf.
I came across your fine blog and I have to confess I liked it very much. I know it doesn't say it is open to review, but after reading your profile, I thought it worthwhile to ask you anyway if there is any possibility you could review either or both of Jeffrey Perren's novels. I’ll be happy to send you whatever eBook format you prefer.
One is an historical fiction and romantic adventure set in the Napoleonic era, "Cossacks In Paris." Given the upcoming bicentennial of the occupation of Paris it seems like a natural. The hero in this novel, Breutier, was inspired by a real solider who participated in the Battle of Paris in 1814.
Amazon link
http://www.amazon.com/Cossacks-In-Paris-ebook/dp/B00ADRAQJK
The other novel is an historical mystery called "Clonmac's Bridge," is the third of Perren's works and is due to be published within a few months. Here's a short blurb to whet your appetite:
"Based on a real-life discovery, a marine archaeologist raises a medieval monastery span from the River Shannon mud, sunken for 1200 years... and finds it perfectly preserved.
What could account for this astounding longevity? Why are his colleagues, the Irish government, and the Church so desperate to prevent him learning the secret?
Griffin Clonmac will go through hell to find out."
Thank you very much indeed for your time and consideration. I know you are very busy and have many requests like this one. I'm grateful for taking time with mine.
I wish you all the best.
Daye
Publicist
cliostory@gmail.com
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