The Wars of Atlantis (Dark Osprey)

Author Phil Masters gives us an "alternate history" or fantasy - perhaps a blend of both - of the history of the wars of Atlantis. This Osprey Adventures title is a typical Osprey product with excellent artwork and illustrations.First of all, the author sets the stage with his sources, and the founding/geography of Atlantis. Masters gives the reader the story of Poseidon's creation of the island as well as the founding dynasty. The author does a good job of writing about the island itself and the geography - the building of the city and its moats or "rings" and walls. There's a very good section of the government of their civilization and some of their rituals.The author then records the wars of Atlantis...and here's where the book falls short. The alliance of Atlanteans and Amazons goes on a blitz of the Mediterranean conquering colonizing Italy and conquering Egypt and Asia Minor. Their aggression is stopped by the "proto-Athenians" (this is a term I came to hate, reading it over and over again - couldn't the author have created a mythical name for the ancestors of the Greeks or just called them "Greeks"?) who then lead a coalition of their own in revenge, conquering Atlantis until the gods punish all sides for their arrogance by destroying Atlantis forever.The wars seem to be too brief and conventional. With the exception of the matriarchal Amazons, it was very conventional and condensed. It seemed like Atlantis was a civilization that popped up, went on the warpath and was utterly defeated in a few short decades - almost paralleling the conflict between Rome and Carthage. Just very uninspired writing. Masters makes a civilization that existed for millennia and reached the heights of culture and power seem like a flash-in-the-pan.To give credit where credit is due, however, the artwork is excellent - even beautiful. Kudos to artists Jose Daniel Cabrera Pena and Rocio Espin Pinar (sorry I don't know how to make tildas over the n's!) as their marvellous artwork lifts this Osprey title to a three star book!

Relatively boring book considering the topic. I am a big fan of OSPREY books, but not of this series. The major failing of this book is that it is like the most recent GODZILLA movie -- the title character is just a minor player in his own story. Once the "amazons" are introduced (page 40 foldout page of 80), the Alanteans essentially disappear until the island sinks.

Osprey is doing a good job with these new series. Great artwork. Tight concise and entertaining

Good Read

Nice compilation of myth on the topic. Good for a gaming reference book

I have come to expect top quality work via Osprey over the years, and this addition to the fantastic Dark Osprey series is no exception. For role-players and wargamers alike, it is chock full of inspiration, and is just a really good read to boot. Highly recommended.