Sam Barone is an American historical novelist with novels centered on early Antiquity. He attended Manhattan College, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1965, with a major in Psychology and a minor in History. Biography He was born and raised in Queens, N.Y. After a period in the Marine Corps, he entered the world of technology. In 1999, after 30 years developing software in management, Barone retired from Western Union International, as VP of International Systems. Seven years later, the author’s first "Eskkar" story, "Dawn of Empire," was published in the United States and UK. It has since been released worldwide. History and reading have always been two of Barone’s favorite interests, and he considers himself more of a storyteller than a writer. “I write stories that I would enjoy reading, and it’s a true blessing that others have found these tales interesting, informative, and entertaining.” Barone and his wife, Linda, and their cats, Minga and Norton, live in Prescott, Arizona. Works Barone’s award-winning books have been published in nine languages, and he has more than 180,000 readers worldwide. Dawn of Empire. The first novel in the Eskkar Saga, this book describes the struggle to build mankind's first walled city, and the fight to defend it. Action packed, the love story of Eskkar and the slave girl Trella is set against the background of a barbarian invasion. First Place in the Arizona Authors Association Literary Contest for published fiction - 2007. Empire Rising. Picks up the story where Dawn of Empire ends, and relates the development and creation of the first city state. This book won Second Place in the Arizona Authors Association Literary Contest for published fiction - 2008. Conflict of Empires (AKA Quest for Honour). The third in the Eskkar series begins two years after the events described in Empire Rising. A new threat to the fledgling city state of Akkad has arisen, and Eskkar and Trella are faced with the need to develop a professional army to face the threat of attack from their southern neighbors. Together Eskkar and Trella develop the support structure necessary to wage war. The forces of Akkad will be outnumbered, and only the quality of their new fighting force can save the city. First Place in the Arizona Authors Association Literary Contest for published fiction - 2010. Eskkar & Trella - The Beginning. The fourth in the Eskkar Series, but