Sullivan builds his book around the film Gladiator, which came out in 2000. Reading his prose it becomes apparent that he is not an academic, but is writing about a subject he loves--and has researched expensively. I like this sort of book--my favorite books about the Sun King's court were written by Warnie Lewis, who also was no academic, but wow hid he do his research.

The question "How much truth is in the film?" serves as a way in, though the answer will surprise no one over the age of five who has ever watched Hollywood history: "Some."

Sullivan offers more history than biography-- which is often the case when actual personal facts are pretty slim. Okay by me. I really enjoyed Sullivan's delving into Roman military history, strategy and tactics, and his explanation of the gladiatorial games. Glimpses of the remarkable personalities of the time come through in this engaging read for the armchair historian.

If you count the Oscar-winning film "Gladiator" amongst your favourites, like I do, or if you ever wondered what the true story as well as the true history behind it are, then this book is perfect for you.

In this short and very readable book, author Tony Sullivan answers all your questions about Rome and its long history as well as tells you the real life story of the man Russell Crowe incarnated on the big screen: Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the armies of the North, general of the Felix legions, loyal servant of the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius; father to a murdered son, husband of a murdered wife, and . . . a fictional creation?

Without spoilering it for you, the answer is both yes and no. The plot of the film is fictional, but the man on whom it's based was real. Or rather men, because it was more than one. To find out, you'll have to read this book, and I can promise you it's an enlightening read. In just seven chapters, Sullivan will give you a history lesson told in a style with fans of the film and people not very familiar with Roman history in mind, that's easy to grasp and doesn't bog you down with endless names and recitations of facts. It's clear and fluid.

First, you'll learn about the opening theme that'll guide the plot: the return to the republic. Succint and to the point, Sullivan tells you what the context was and why Romans worshipped their legendary Republican times well past the Republic's fall, which sets up the ground for the rest of the lessons. Next will come an analysis of the initial battle scene in the film, what's truthful and what isn't, but not in a frame-by-frame or nitpicky fashion that would be exhausting, and then he'll take you on a tour of the Roman military, their organisation and tactics. This part might be to the delight of the lads, but may not be of much interest to the lasses, but fear not, even if you're completely ignorant about Roman tactics, you'll still learn a few things. Then, you'll move on to read about the "true emperor" himself, what Marcus Aurelius was like as a man and as Caesar, which is perhaps one of the most interesting parts.

And then on we go to gladiatorial games. Personally, I'd have placed this chapter right after the one about the Roman army, and placed Marcus Aurelius' chapter preceding his son's chapter, which comes next. By this point, you'll likely have figured just how radically different the true story is from the film's script, but once you arrive to Commodus, you're in familiar lunatic territory, and if the chapter recounting the events after Commodus' death does remind you a bit too much of Nero, you're not alone.

For years, there have been plenty of pieces debunking "Gladiator," tearing it apart for its historical inaccuracies, which are legion, to be completely fair. But not "The Real Gladiator." It's written by a fan (at least I assume Sullivan is a fan from his writing) for fans, and the aim isn't some accuracy/inaccuracy argument to reignite olf fandom wars, but to educate whilst entertaining at the same time.

As Sullivan says: "... the real history is every bit as entertaining as anything the film industry has produced." Or, in other words, finding out the true history won't ruin "Gladiator" for you, because the reality was even crazier than the fiction in the film.

Yes, I was entertained. And not only that, I think the real history of Maximus Decimus Meridius, Marcus Aurelius, and Commodus would make for a great show to rival HBO's Rome. I've been saying for decades that there's enough material from Roman history to not only film a prequel series but also a sequel series to Rome, but of course HBO had to go and buy yet ANOTHER unfinished series from George R. R. Martin to film, for goodness' sake! Talk about never learning from history.

One observation more I'd like to make: although the title of this book is "The Real Gladiator: The True Story of Maximus Decimus Meridius," this is more a history book than a biography, so don't expect it to be exclusively about our favourite handsome Roman beefcake. And although it's well-sourced and includes a nice bibliography at the end, it's not an extensive academic account. It's meant for the general public whether they've watched the film or not, not only for the Roman history nerds that might have been expecting way more from a popular history book. I'm in the latter category myself, but I've enjoyed it immensely despite already knowing the true history, and so, to me, the book's done a splendid job and attained its goal.

Thank you to Pen & Sword History for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.