Ben Kane

This article is about the novelist. For the Australian footballer, see Ben Kane (footballer). For the American record producer, see Ben Kane (record producer).

Ben Kane
Ben Kane wearing a Roman outfit, appearing to speak into a microphone
Kane in 2019
Born (1970-03-06) 6 March 1970 (age 54)
Nairobi, Kenya
OccupationAuthor
GenreHistorical fiction
Notable works
  • The Forgotten Legion
  • Silver Eagle
  • Road to Rome
Website
benkane.net

Ben Kane (born 6 March 1970)[1] is an Irish novelist who specialises in historical fiction. He is best known for his Forgotten Legion, Spartacus, and Hannibal book series. His 2011 novel, Hannibal: Enemy of Rome, made the Sunday Times bestseller list.[2] He has had multiple Sunday Times bestsellers since. Translated into 14 languages, his books have sold more than a million and a half copies worldwide.[3]

In 2013, Kane and two friends walked the entire length of Hadrian's Wall for charity while wearing full Roman military kit, including hobnailed boots;[4] they raised nearly £19,000 for Combat Stress and Medecins Sans Frontieres.[citation needed] In 2014, they walked again in Italy, raising over £26,500. A documentary film was made about their walk, entitled The Road to Rome, with Ian McKellen providing voiceover.[5] For some years, he has been supporting and raising money for Park in the Past, a Roman fort-building project near Chester.[6]

In May 2023, Kane signed a four-book deal with Orion.[7]

In May 2024, Kane published the novel Stormcrow, set in Ireland.[8]

In October 2024, Kane and his fellow authors of A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii sold dramatic rights for the work to Amazon MGM Studios and Scott Free Productions.[9]

Bibliography

The Forgotten Legion

  1. The Forgotten Legion (2008)
  2. The Silver Eagle (2009)
  3. The Road to Rome (2010)
  4. "The March" (short story, 2018)

Hannibal

  1. Hannibal: Enemy of Rome (2011)
  2. "Hannibal: The Patrol" (short story, 2013)
  3. Hannibal: Fields of Blood (2013)
  4. Hannibal: Clouds of War (2014)

Spartacus

  1. Spartacus: The Gladiator (2012)
  2. Spartacus: Rebellion (2012)

Eagles of Rome

  1. "The Shrine" (short story, 2015)
  2. "Eagles in the East" (novella, 2019)
  3. Eagles at War (2015)
  4. "The Arena" (short story, 2016)
  5. Hunting the Eagles (2016)
  6. Eagles in the Storm (2017)
  7. "Eagles in the Wilderness" (novella, 2019)
  8. "Io Saturnalia!" (novella, 2023)

Clash of Empires

  1. Clash of Empires (2018)
  2. The Falling Sword (2019)

Lionheart

  1. Lionheart (2020)
  2. Crusader (2021)
  3. King (2022)

Other

  • A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii (2014 – Kane contributed one chapter)
  • Sands of the Arena and Other Stories (2021)
  • Napoleon's Spy (2023)
  • "Centurion of the First" (novella, 2023)
  • Stormcrow (2024)

References

  1. ^ "Ben Kane biography". www.fantasybookreview.co.uk.
  2. ^ "There's a Dickens of a lot going on at Bath bookshop". Bath Chronicle. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  3. ^ "Ben Kane". historicalwriters.org. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  4. ^ Kane, Ben (20 April 2015). "What it's like to march as a Roman soldier". The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 March 2017.(subscription required)
  5. ^ "Lincoln School of Film & Media Network". University of Lincoln School of Media. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  6. ^ "Award winning author Ben Kane's fab fundraising campaign". Park in the Past. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Kane strikes four-book deal with Orion Fiction". The Bookseller. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Best-selling author Ben Kane to talk about his new Viking novel in Roe River Books". independent.ie. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Amazon, Scott Free Productions Team for Pompeii Limited Series Based on Novel 'A Day of Fire'". variety.com. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.