- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: ALBERT WHITMAN & COMPANY (April 1 2001)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0807563242
- ISBN-13: 978-0807563243
- Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 13.7 x 1.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 263 g
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #2,422,778 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-This adventure set in 430 B.C.E. follows the exploits of Nicasylus, the son of a well-to-do Athenian family. During a hot, steamy summer, Nic is sent on a voyage to his uncle's home in Argos to escape a rapidly spreading plague. During his trip, he befriends Gellius, the captain of the ship, who tells the boy about his plans to enter the Pankration (a combination of wrestling and bare-fisted boxing) in the next Olympics. Before the end of the voyage, pirates attack the ship, capture Nic, and seriously injure Gellius. The following chapters alternate between Gellius and Nic. The captain is rescued by fishermen, recovers from his wounds, and returns to Athens to train for his event. The boy is sold into slavery, endures hunger and abuse, battles wolves, escapes, is captured again, and finally meets up with Gellius in Olympia. The plot is fantastic and unrealistic, but the author keeps the story moving with exciting episodes and believable descriptions of events. She provides a realistic picture of the crowds, ceremony, and pageantry of the Olympics and the grimy, sweating brutality of the Pankration. The ending is pat and characters are not finely developed but the setting and atmosphere are well done.
Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukee, OR
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukee, OR
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Kirkus Reviews
Australian Blacklock debuts with a gory, rough-hewn tale set in ancient Greece and Italy. Sent from Athens to escape the plague, young Nicasylus is taken by pirates and sold into slavery; he escapes, makes his way to Olympia, and witnesses the vicious Pankration, a no-rules fight that lasts until all but one competitor is too broken up to continue. The author splits the story between Nic and his giant friend Gelliusa sailor who survives the pirate attackwho undergoes the requisite nine months of training and purification required to compete in the games, and is beaten to a pulp but crowned victor when Nic fingers his opponent as the pirate captain. There are some who may enjoy following Nic's blood-and-vomit-splashed trail to Olympia, but neither of the protagonists sees much beyond the climactic bout, even though Blacklock prepares readers for a visit to the ancient games. The rarely used setting, tailor-made for historical fiction book reports, may spark some interest. (Fiction. 11-13) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Action Packed Book!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Pankration: The Ultimate Game (Paperback)
This was the most ammasing book I have ever read. It kept moving along and never got boring. One adventure leads to another. This is the best book I have read and it is pretty hard to beat. This book deserves 6 out of 5 stars!!
5.0 out of 5 stars
§§ A Fantastic History of the Greek Olympics! §§,
By A Customer
This review is from: Pankration: The Ultimate Game (Hardcover)
excellent! a great book for projects on greek olympics! Five-star book, Blacklock did an absolute thriller adventure ride.
5.0 out of 5 stars
PANKRATION COMBAT A REAL TEST OF STRENGTH & ENDURANCE,
By A Customer
This review is from: Pankration: The Ultimate Game (Hardcover)
PANKRATION: THE ULTIMATE GAME reflects the ancient but brutal sport of Pankration combat. It had but one rule & everything else was allowed even fighting to the death and/or maiming one's rival. .... The rules of combat are defined in the book. The book has an intriguiing love story which causes two cadets to fight for the same woman both men desperately crave.
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