Perhaps the main such battles in Poul Anderson's works are The Last Battle in Hrolf Kraki's Saga and similar clashes in The King Of Ys (with Karen Anderson). SM Stirling excels. See:
Battle
Details Of War
I am currently reading a similar passage in Stirling's The Sky-Blue Wolves, CHAPTER EIGHT.
Printed novels have displaced recited epics but the Homeric tradition continues, including interventions on battlefields by supernatural beings. (And someone saw Maitreya on a demonstration in London. There are conflicting demonstrations outside Parliament right now as a crucial vote is taken inside.)
5 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Besides the epic examples you cited I would have included BEOWULF and THE SONG OF ROLAND, strife and battles are seen in those poems as well. I'm esp. fond of THE SONG OF ROLAND, btw.
My view is that one of the clearest examples of futuristic war to be found in the works of Anderson is the space battle fought by the Terrans with the Merseians in Chapter 16 of ENSIGN FLANDRY. And S.M. Stirling is very excellent at depicting war.
Rumors of interventions by supernatural beings in battles? We see that in Anderson's "The Year of the Ransom," when Spanish chronicles reported that the saints fought for the Spanish in their conquest of Peru. Actually, they were Time Patrol agents combating interference by the Exaltationists.
And I'm very glad Parliament rejected PM May's totally unsatisfactory deal with the EU for the UK to leave that farce. A sharp, hard Brexit would be better for all parties concerned.
Sean
Sean,
It is good to start with Homer and end with current affairs.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
And I would also criticize the vogue for referendums! Why have referendums when legislative bodies are supposed to decide such questions? Many times it merely looks like a way for cowardly politicians to dodge having to make difficult, controversial, or unpopular choices. So I'm glad Parliament had the gumption to reject May's farcical deal with the EU.
Sean
Sean,
A 2nd referendum so soon on the same issue would be an even greater absurdity.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
I agree! Best would be for Parliament to simply take the UK out of the Eu and the MPs should be brave to accept the consequences, good or bad.
Sean
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