The Mead of War

About the Book

Since the dawn of time, war has scoured the earth. From clubs to swords, from axes to crossbows, from spears to guns, from catapults to cannons, from cavalry to tanks, and from volleys of arrows to nuclear bombs. As long as man has walked the earth, he has been bound to the desire to wage war. The act of war is deplorable, but the aspect that men and women are willing to die for a greater good is admirable. One can hate war, but he or she should not hate those who valiantly risk their lives by performing the duties asked of them. It is easy for one to scorn a soldier when he or she has never seen the horrors that the soldier has experienced. Some say that soldiers only know how to die or kill, but that is not true. Soldiers are faced with death every second of their lives, and by always having death following at their heels, they come to appreciate life to an higher extent than those who sit comfortably in the safety that the soldiers provided. Those who die in the defense of their religion are bestowed the title of saints, and their names are inscribed upon cathedrals and temples. They died because they chose to do so, but it is not so with many soldiers. Those millions and millions of soldiers who have been drafted throughout the ages into wars against their wills have not been bestowed the title of saints. No, and though there are some monuments that bear these soldiers names, the fact remains that soldiers are not wholly paid the homage that they deserve. That is the purpose of this book, to give homage to those who have served, died, and survived war. It is a tribute to all of those honorable souls who chose to abide on the battle field instead of suffering a cowards fate. Though it took a long time to write this book, it cannot truly convey the sacrifices made by those who accepted an early death to defend their homeland, people, and honor. Proceeds received through royalties for this book shall be donated to charities that benefit widows and orphans of slain soldiers and to charities that benefit the troops. The parchment shall be the anvil; the quill shall be the hammer; History shall be the forge; the tales of old shall be the ore, poems shall be wrought like spears, which shall be hurled beyond all mortal horizons. Jason Odinvindr Roach

About the Author

I study history as one of devote faith would some sacred scripture. But, while researching the past, I have found many mistakes. Mistakes that were not committed by those who made history, but by those who recorded it. My father, a man of vast intellect, often tells me that history is the account of those who won. I have found this to be all too true. Thus, I decided to rewrite history. I chose to glorify those who were thought ill of by earlier scholars. Christians deem martyrs to be saints, but I deem soldiers to be far more holy.