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Malcolm Lyon
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The Bronze Ladder Kindle Edition

by Malcolm Lyon (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 78 ratings
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Saturus is a carefree teenager from the Roman province of Africa with an appetite for the seedier pleasures of life.

Perpetua is a young and headstrong noblewoman entrapped by the traditional views of her father.

Two people from different backgrounds, seemingly with little in common. Yet both are drawn to the new and radical religious movement that is sweeping the Roman empire - Christianity.

But why are so many around them bitterly opposed to this new, radical faith? And why are those who embrace it willing to pay the ultimate price, rather than give it up?

Based on the historical account of six North Africans whose lives were deeply affected by this new movement, this is a moving and at the same time inspiring story which takes us from despair and anger through to new courage and hope... and so to ultimate victory over fear and death itself.
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    February 1, 2006
  5. File size
    696 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007KMID0U
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Troubador; 1st edition (February 1, 2006)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 1, 2006
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 696 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 78 ratings

About the author

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Malcolm Lyon

Malcolm Lyon

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I was born and brought up near the town of Stirling, Scotland, in what is now regarded as "Braveheart Country". I was educated at Dollar Academy and then studied Mathematics at St Andrews University. After a brief and not too successful career as a Maths teacher I switched to computer programming and educational research, before going abroad with my wife to France and later Tunisia. I spent 10 years living in the old medina of Tunis, teaching English at the University and soaking up the local language and culture. It was just before leaving Tunisia in 2001 that I wrote "The Bronze Ladder" a historical novel about the early Christians of North Africa. I now live in the south of England with my wife and daughter and work in multi-lingual web development. I would like to write more historical fiction one day, or possibly science fiction which I also love to read. Favourite historical authors - Dorothy Dunnett, Bernard Cornwell and Gillian Bradshaw. Favourite sci-fi author - Iain M Banks. My other interests incude hillwalking, vegetarian cookery and computer strategy games.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
78 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kindlereader
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and intriguing!
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2012
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This book was very interesting. It tells the story of early Christian martyrs in Northern Africa. I had not heard of Saints Perpetua and Felicity before, but I was captivated by their story and that of their comrades. Though not heavy on description of the setting itself I felt completely drawn into the culture of the world they lived in. The characters were such a variety, that it gave the book more dimension and allowed you to see more than one side of the culture. Definitely a compelling story worthy of 5 stars.
11 people found this helpful
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SB
4.0 out of 5 stars A quick and interesting read
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2014
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"Back in the day" I was Catholic and went to Catholic schools. So I'm guessing I studied something about Saints Felicitas and Perpetua, but I don't really recall. But I always have heard of these two saints mentioned together. Such as in Saint Felicitas and Perpetua Catholic Church and also in prayer. Somehow I missed that this was their story since they synopsis didn't mention Felicitas.

It was rather a "sweet" story (OK bittersweet since they both were martyred) about being a Christian in a time where it meant persecution and perhaps even death. It was also a quick glimpse into the lives of the wealthy class in North Africa and Christianity there (I never put North Africa and Christianity together in my mind).

I don't feel it focused much on any inner struggle Perpetua had about her faith. It kind of lacked meat, and made Felicitas and Perpetua seem less human and more superhuman. It seemed one day Perpetua thought "I think I'll examine Christianity." A few days later, "OK it will be difficult but I think I'll become a Christian." And a bit later "OK I'm going to be martyred. Bring on the lions." Maybe I envy a faith that is so simple and straightforward, but she didn't seem to have much of a struggle completely changing her life around, tearing her family apart and then facing death. Since my faith isn't that strong I suppose, nor is anyone's that I personally know, it seems too "simple". So perhaps the novel was to simplistic or perhaps her commitment was that easy and complete. At any rate, I enjoyed reading and learning about the early Christians in North Africa and I'd recommend this book.
One person found this helpful
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stiffler716
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Historical Novel
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2019
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In the beginning, I thought that the writing was average at best, but as the story goes on, either the writing gets better, or one gets so caught up in the lives of these martyrs that everything else becomes unimportant details. This book challenged my own faith. It made me realize deeper than before that our comfortable Christian living is an aberration of history. Suffering for God's Kingdom and for the name of Jesus is consistently found throughout Scripture and the history of the church. The theme of the book is that victory in God's eyes is obedience unto death. The promise lived out in this story is that Jesus NEVER leaves or forsakes and gives joy, strength and courage in the midst of suffering.
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GrandmamaX7
5.0 out of 5 stars The Bronze Ladder
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2012
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The Bronze Ladder is a very worthwhile read. It starts a bit slowly, but the story picks up quickly. Knowing that the basic facts are true and based on real people, gives the reader an interesting look into history, rather than just a good work of fiction. As a Christian, I found it to be very inspirational as well, and while it should have been depressing because of the outcome, it was quite positive and uplifting. I highly recommend it---actually, I already have to several people I know.
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Sheri
3.0 out of 5 stars I am unsure on this book
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2013
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I just couldn't seem to get into it at this time. I will try again at another date. I find sometimes it is just daily stresses that will prevent me from getting into some books and this is one of those. It was ok.
One person found this helpful
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D. Cressy
5.0 out of 5 stars Great historical novel
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2020
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Being a Christian myself, I found this to be an amazing read. It is hard to imagine Christianity surviving this mind of torture. I didn't realize until the end that this martyrdom was based on actual historical fact. That made this story even more meaningful to me. Perpetua and Felicitas were truly amazing women.
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Joy Jacobs
4.0 out of 5 stars Worth Reading
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2015
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Interesting story about 2 women who were martyred in the colosseum in Carthage in 203 and later made saints.

It's a little slow to start, but the story is very gripping once you get into it.

Although fiction, the author seemed to have done a good job researching the subject. At the conclusion he explains which parts were based on historical writings and which parts were fiction.

This was a kindle book I got for free.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Good mix of fact and fiction
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2019
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I appreciated the tag at the end explaining what was fact and what was fiction. It did not detract from the story at all, but rather enhanced it. Thank you for fleshing out those things that did happen and may have happened to those early Christians.
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Top reviews from other countries

Meg G.
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read with credible characters
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2021
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This was an intriguing, exciting and interesting novel based on real people, whose characters were portrayed to enable the reader to identify with their thoughts, feelings and motives for their words and actions. The setting was vividly described, to be able to visualise the scenes taking place throughout the novel. The relationships between the characters made one want to learn about them and to know what would happen to them in the future. I can recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fascinating read.
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Ron Hughes
4.0 out of 5 stars Convincing historical fiction
Reviewed in Canada on July 9, 2014
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This was such a good read, I stuck with it and finished it in two days. I had heard of Perpetua and Felicitas and this book filled me in on the details. While it conveys a lot of information, the last few chapters stir the emotions. The author did a fine job of fleshing out the historical facts with believable fiction, resulting in an altogether satisfying book.
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Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars Trash
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2013
Verified Purchase
Dire drivel. No doubt the basic facts have historical sources but the dialogue is too contemporary and not believable at all.
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