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The Epics Project, from the start obviously bound to last at least two years, centers around the books and movies whose themes (if not pages and hours count) are epic and timeless in every sense.

It took quite a time to set this thread up. Here it is, still far from being conclusive. We tried to compile a list of adapted books that would tackle all the periods of the human history before the 20th century. We had also to be careful not to repeat already chosen authors. It proved a difficult task, because there are so many great books (and movies) out there worthy of our attention, but we had to be reasonable if we wanted to make the project manageable.

So in order to finish the project in about two years, we came up with the following chronological list, still prone to changes as suggestions would go:

01 � Spartacus (Antiquity, 73�71 BC)
02 � The Once and Future King (Early Middle Ages, 4-5 c.)
03 � Ivanhoe (High Middle Ages, 12 c.)
04 � The Hunchback of Notre Dame (French Gothic Era, 15 c.)
05 � Lorna Doone (Stuart Period, 17 c.) � still undecided, would rather like to have something tackling the Age of Exploration
06 � The Last of the Mohicans (French and Indian War, 18 c.)
07 � The Count of Monte Cristo (Bourbon Restoration, 19 c.)
08 � Germinal (French Industrial Revolution, 19 c.)
09 � Dances With Wolves (American Frontier and Civil War, 19 c.) - this one is done as a monthly read, I'll have to pick something else for this period.
10 � Gone with the Wind (American Civil War and Reconstruction, 19 c.) - I've already read it. Maybe we might read something else, like North and South maybe?
11 � Crime and Punishment or War and Peace (Russian Empire, 19 c.) � the former was done as a monthly read, the latter is so long. I would rather like to read something else.
12 � The Four Feathers (British Empire, 19 c.)

All suggestions and questions are welcome - actually this thread would serve for such purposes. For an example, if there would be interest for, we can read Ben-Hur too; according to the timeline, its story comes up right after Spartacus. If that would be case - but I need to know that so please do tell me so beforehand - the second book on the current list would become the third. And so on but hopefully not indefinitely.

Currently I need suggestions for that one period of time I am not sure what to do with, between 15th and 18th century. We have Lorna Doone, looks quite epic, indeed, but if you would think so, maybe something else would be better fit, I do not know, please tell me. I feel also a striking lack of epics set in other continents beside North America and Europe.

In order to track our progress, we'll set up a thread for project participants, where we can write down what we have read and seen, just like in Jane Austen Project we did last year.

Just to remind you all, this is a voluntary project. You do not have to participate in it, but if you would like to, that would make us very happy :) If you find yourself unable to keep up with the time schedule, do not worry. The numbers by the book titles would always lead you to their discussions. They won't go anywhere, and you can always join them as it would suit you.

So, that's it. Time's up for our new challenge :)

The thread for (possible) participants open: Members' Progress

Red Cliff (part 1 & 2) was based on the Chinese classic 'Three Kingdoms' and set around the end of the Han dynasty, 208-209 CE.

Clifford wrote: "Red Cliff (part 1 & 2) was based on the Chinese classic 'Three Kingdoms' and set around the end of the Han dynasty, 208-209 CE."

Yes, I heard about those movies, would love to see them! There is also the based on the story.

I was at one point thinking of adding it to the list, but wasn't certain would anybody be interested to read it. Have you read it? I personally have the edition translated by CH Brewitt-Taylor, and one modernised adaptation of the book, called The Battle of Chibi by Hock G. Tjoa. That one is available unfortunately only in an e-book format. What would you suggest to read if you would be interested to read it too?

That edition I mentioned, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, is available for free here:



It is available for download too. There is some advice regarding editions, but I am no expert here, will read what I have :/ The book that is available to read online has interesting side notes, although I am not sure that adds much to readability. The page count seems immense too!

I am very excited to start this challenge! The only book in the original list I had not heard of was Germinal. Looking it up, I see that it is part of at 20 book collection. Will I be able to read this as a stand-alone book? Or is it best read as part of the series. Sorry for my ignorance!

Last of the Mohicans is not exactly well I don't know what to call it but I read it recently and it is rough. Kind of slow and boring unfortunately I can't think of a suggestion for that time period to replace it with so let's just say the movie is better.

Travis of NNY wrote: "Last of the Mohicans is not exactly well I don't know what to call it but I read it recently and it is rough. Kind of slow and boring unfortunately I can't think of a suggestion for that time peri..."

I agree! The movie is so much better. One of those rare instances I can say that.

Zeljka wrote: "That edition I mentioned, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, is available for free here:



It is available for download too. There is some advice regarding edit..."
There are several translations out there that are available on-line or a good bookstore (if you can find one now a days). It is a great story and well worth the read.

Stephanie wrote: "I am very excited to start this challenge! The only book in the original list I had not heard of was Germinal. Looking it up, I see that it is part of at 20 book collection. Will I be able to read ..."

Hi Stephaniee, thanks! I just started to read Spartacus and like it much so far. Germinal can be read separately, and usually is :) It is I think the most famous Zola's work beside Therese Raquin. However, if the others wouldn't like this pick, it was chosen before Les Misérables and The Horseman on the Roof. The former was too often selected elsewhere, while the latter isn't very reknown, although, why not, if readers would like to, we can read one of them instead.

Travis of NNY wrote: "Last of the Mohicans is not exactly well I don't know what to call it but I read it recently and it is rough. Kind of slow and boring unfortunately I can't think of a suggestion for that time peri..."

I haven't read the book, but was always curious to read it right because of the movie and the storyline. I am sorry to hear it is not that appealing to read. The only other books that come to my mind are April Morning and Johnny Tremain. Both do not have really epic adaptations, though. April Morning is also from already picked author (of Spartacus), so isn't valid take anymore :/

Clifford wrote: "There are several translations out there that are available on-line or a good bookstore (if you can find one now a days). It is a great story and well worth the read."

Thanks, it really seems worth the try. We can put it on right after Spartacus :)

Thanks for the info. Germinal works for me.

Now very seriously considering to add Three Kingdoms as our number two on the list. But the number of pages frightens me. So if you like this project, but not this idea, please tell me so.

Zeljka wrote: "Now very seriously considering to add Three Kingdoms as our number two on the list. But the number of pages frightens me. So if you like this project, but not this idea, please tell m..."

It almost seems long enough to warrant its own separate project. The reviews make it sound very interesting, though I don't know if I'd have the stamina. But if the group decides to read it I might.

I agree... I tried last night how to figure it out, but where the other books would take two or three months tops, this one would take at least half an year, if not more. It might be too much to ask for now...

However, I am not giving up on the book yet - I might create a separate thread, dedicated to this book only. It might be nice diversion to have beside for an year or so, but without the pressure to finish it already.

I feel behind, because I'm working through a couple other massive chunksters for another group, plus lots of IRL stuff, but I will catch up eventually! I'm excited about this list!

Vronk wrote: "didn't read spartacus (no german edition available and i didn't care about reading it in any other language) but i#m gonna start t.h. white next week. anybody still doing this?"

Hi Vronk, not really right now :/ I simply do not have time to read it at the moment, unfortunately. Way too busy now, even to do an occasional glimpse on what's going on in the club :(

But there are some others willing to read it too, so I'll make threads for TOaFK this afternoon, just so that you can post your comments.

Here it is, the thread for ToaFK open now:

EPICS 02.0 - The Once and Future King -- Introduction

I am working at it slowly, although I probably won't get to most of them until the fall. I am almost done with TOAFK but haven't had a chance to get to Spartacus yet. I do enjoy epic stories, so I'm quite excited about it :)

I need to go back at some point and read Spartacus but TOAFK has already been done two years ago so I don't wish to re-read it right now.

I think, perhaps, it's time I start working on this as well.

a book called THE THREE swans gives an understanding of CHIna over the end of the 19 century to the late 20th very interesting book and thought provoking

Zeljka wrote: "Clifford wrote: "Red Cliff (part 1 & 2) was based on the Chinese classic 'Three Kingdoms' and set around the end of the Han dynasty, 208-209 CE."

Yes, I heard about those movies, would love to see..."

Thanks for mentioning The Battle of Chibi
It is actually also available in print from Amazon!

I'm not sure if this would qualify as it is quite new, but I'm currently reading George R. R. Martin's "Game if Thrones". Quite epic and extremely enjoyable!! A Game of Thrones

No, sorry, it is really great series, but fantasy. We are thinking about making a special thread for it though. It would be worth checking it together with the HBO series, considering they are currently "preparing" the last book.

Paradise lost by john Milton. good book.

Are we starting Ivanhoe soon? I lost track of when this project is scheduled. I've been busy with other reads :(

Alana wrote: "Are we starting Ivanhoe soon? I lost track of when this project is scheduled. I've been busy with other reads :("

Sorry Alana for waiting! It just came to my mind, would you rather like to read The Pillars of the Earth? I read it, and although it isn't one of my favorites, it certainly may be an enjoyable read if you wish.

Is there anybody else to say something on the matter, to read Ivanhoe or The Pillars of the Earth?

I would suggest Ivanhoe. My group is reading another Ken Follett novel, Fall of Giants.

Agreed. I'm for Ivanhoe. I haven't seen a lot of other groups reading it.

The posts for Ivanhoe are ready :)

EPICS 03.0 - Ivanhoe -- Introduction