The Magistrate has lived at a border post, quietly, for years. Suddenly, an impending war with the "barbarians" beyond the frontier changes everything.

One of the 1001 BTRBYD, this isn't a cheery read by any means, but it is a small masterpiece. Cleverly written so it could be almost anywhere at any time - I notice most reviewers think it's about the British in Africa, but I'm really not so sure. Different aspects suggest the Europeans in Africa, Russians in Central Asia, the Spanish in South America, mediaeval China and even the Roman empire.

The barbarians aren't at the gates. They are inside them.

Thanks so much for sending this my way!

I've cleared out a bunch of books to donate to the Bella Vista Assembly of God youth group missions fundraiser. Hope the next reader will leave an entry to let me know where this book ends up!

To the finder of this book:

This book is gift, no strings attached, from me to you. You may keep it forever, pass it along to a friend, or release it into the wild to be found by someone else.

If you are new to BookCrossing, welcome! Enjoy the site, the book, and the BookCrossing community. I hope you'll join us...it's free! If you do, please consider using me, elizardbreath, as your referring member. You can even remain anonymous if you wish!

I hope you'll make a brief journal entry so all the previous and future readers can track this book's journey.

Thanks, and Happy BookCrossing! :)