The boat of fate: An historical novel

ROBERTS, Keith

Literature & Fiction

Hutchinson

THE GRAIN KINGS

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Science Fiction

The Boat of Fate

The Roman Empire in its death-throes provides the background for this superb historical novel that recreates the experiences of one man trying to cope with his changing world. The time is an age of violence and disintegration, when the old values of Imperial Rome are under attack from all sides—from the outside by waves of Goths and Vandals, and from within by the followers of a fanatical new Eastern sect who worship the Christos.  In the midst of the chaos is Sergius Paullus, a young Roman whose spirit is as troubled as the Empire. From childhood Sergius dreams of the glory of being a soldier, but instead must be content with schooling and the games of children. Finally, his impetuous nature prods him to an act of rebellion that changes his life. Forced to leave home, he embarks of a trail of adventure that leads from the tenements of Rome to a series of military escapades in Hispania, Rome, and Gaul, and ultimately to a climactic battle in Britannia, where Sergius leads a doomed resistance to the barbarians.

PRENTICE/HALL

1st edition 1st printing paperback, vg++ In stock shipped from our UK warehouse

Molly Zero

Literary

Penguin

Pavane

Penguin Books, London

Within a future world where pilots are launched on giant kites to watch the skies for demonic monsters, two great religions are on the verge of battle for the souls of the realm

Kiteworld

The Origins of Business, Money, and Markets (Columbia Business School Publishing)

To understand business and its political, cultural, and economic context, it helps to view it historically, yet most business histories look no further back than the nineteenth century. The full sweep of business history actually begins much earlier, with the initial cities of Mesopotamia. In the first book to describe and explain these origins, Roberts depicts the society of ancient traders and consumers, tracing the roots of modern business and underscoring the relationship between early and modern business practice. Roberts's narrative begins before business, which he defines as selling to voluntary buyers at a profit. Before business, he shows, the material conditions and concepts for the pursuit of profit did not exist, even though trade and manufacturing took place. The earliest business, he suggests, arose with the long distance trade of early Mesopotamia, and expanded into retail, manufacturing and finance in these command economies, culminating in the Middle Eastern empires. (Part One) But it was the largely independent rise of business, money, and markets in classical Greece that produced business much as we know it. Alexander the Great's conquests and the societies that his successors created in their kingdoms brought a version of this system to the old Middle Eastern empires, and beyond. (Part Two) At Rome this entrepreneurial market system gained important new features, including business corporations, public contracting, and even shopping malls. The story concludes with the sharp decline of business after the 3rd century CE. (Part Three) In each part, Roberts portrays the major new types of business coming into existence. He weaves these descriptions into a narrative of how the prevailing political, economic, and social culture shaped the nature and importance of business and the status, wealth, and treatment of business people. Throughout, the discussion indicates how much (and how little) business has changed, provides a clear picture of what business actually is, presents a model for understanding the social impact of business as a whole, and yields stimulating insights for public policy today.

Business & Money

Biography & History

Columbia Business School Publishing

To understand business and its political, cultural, and economic context, it helps to view it historically, yet most business histories look no further back than the nineteenth century. The full sweep of business history actually begins much earlier, with the initial cities of Mesopotamia. In the first book to describe and explain these origins, Roberts depicts the society of ancient traders and consumers, tracing the roots of modern business and underscoring the relationship between early and modern business practice. Roberts's narrative begins before business, which he defines as selling to voluntary buyers at a profit. Before business, he shows, the material conditions and concepts for the pursuit of profit did not exist, even though trade and manufacturing took place. The earliest business, he suggests, arose with the long distance trade of early Mesopotamia, and expanded into retail, manufacturing and finance in these command economies, culminating in the Middle Eastern empires. (Part One) But it was the largely independent rise of business, money, and markets in classical Greece that produced business much as we know it. Alexander the Great's conquests and the societies that his successors created in their kingdoms brought a version of this system to the old Middle Eastern empires, and beyond. (Part Two) At Rome this entrepreneurial market system gained important new features, including business corporations, public contracting, and even shopping malls. The story concludes with the sharp decline of business after the 3rd century CE. (Part Three) In each part, Roberts portrays the major new types of business coming into existence. He weaves these descriptions into a narrative of how the prevailing political, economic, and social culture shaped the nature and importance of business and the status, wealth, and treatment of business people. Throughout, the discussion indicates how much (and how little) business has changed, provides a clear picture of what business actually is, presents a model for understanding the social impact of business as a whole, and yields stimulating insights for public policy today.

Economics

The Origins of Business, Money, and Markets

Columbia University Press

First edition, British hardcover. Collection of three novellas by British science fiction writer Keith Roberts (1935-2000). Includes: The Inner Wheel (1965); The Death of Libby Maynard (1970); The Everything Man (1970).

The Inner Wheel

Rupert Hart-Davis

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