Books That Inspire me to paint (part 1)

I commented on a blog post recently how several good books are sure to get me running to my painting table. I decided that I will share these books with you guys and maybe they can inspire others.
First up Lion Of Macedon by David Gemmell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion_of_Macedon

As the story opens, Tamis, a sorceress, is seeing the future. She discovers that only a mixed-blood Spartan called Parmenion can help her. Parmenion is a half-blood Spartan whose mother is from Macedon. He is an accomplished runner and a strategic genius, yet he is despised by the young Spartan nobles. He is forced to kill a love rival in duel, subsequently forcing him to flee to Thebes.
There, Parmenion starts a new life as a professional runner. Thebes is under the control of Sparta, governed by a puppet-government of pro–Spartan Thebans and occupied by a Spartan garrison. Parmenion gets involved with Thebian rebels attempting to overthrow Spartan control. The revolt succeeds and the Spartans are expelled but it ultimately leads to an extended war between to the two city states, ending with Parmenion crushing the Spartan army, destroying the Spartan legend of invincibility in the process.
Some years later Parmenion is a famous mercenary general, winning battles all around Asia. He is then offered a chance to rebuild the Macedonian army of the young Philip II of Macedon. The book ends with the birth of Philip's son, Alexander the Great.

I love this book because it starts with a wargame, throughout the book are great battles. David does a great job of mixing history with fantasy and while this book/series is based in Greek history he has books which cover Romans in Britain, ECW and even his pure fantasy draws on history with Norse and Mongal like nations. I have all Davids books and read them all the time. Unfortunatly we lost David Gemmell in July 2006 and while his wife helped to finish the last book I will never have that buzz of picking up a new Gemmell and losing my self in his words.

I can say that it is bcause of this book I have several box's of plastic Greek Hoplites up stairs waiting for my attention. If you are looking for a good holiday read and maybe looking for a bit of inspiration I highly recommend you try any of David Gemmells Books

Drenai Series

1. Legend (1984) (Originally published in the USA as Against the Horde, re-released as Legend)
2. The King Beyond the Gate (1985)
3. Waylander (1986)
4. Quest for Lost Heroes (1990)
5. Waylander II: In the Realm of the Wolf (1992)
6. The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend (1993)
7. The Legend of Deathwalker (1996)
8. Winter Warriors (1996)
9. Hero in the Shadows (2000)

The Damned Series

1. White Wolf (2003)
2. The Swords of Night and Day (2004)

Rigante series

1. Sword in the Storm (1999)
2. Midnight Falcon (2000)
3. Ravenheart (2001)
4. Stormrider (2002)

Stones of Power / Sipstrassi tales

1. Ghost King (1988)
2. Last Sword of Power (1988)

Jon Shannow

1. Wolf in Shadow (1987)
2. The Last Guardian (1989)
3. Bloodstone (1994)

Hawk Queen series

1. Ironhand's Daughter (1995)
2. The Hawk Eternal (1995)

Individual fantasy titles

• Knights of Dark Renown (1989)
• Morningstar (1992)
• Dark Moon (1996)
• Echoes of the Great Song (1997)

Historical fiction

Troy series

1. Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow (2005)
2. Troy: Shield of Thunder (2006)
3. Troy: Fall of Kings (2007)

Greek series

1. Lion of Macedon (1990)
2. Dark Prince (1991)