Fortuna: The Roll of the Dice in the Throes of History
About this ebook
Deep in the mists of Greek mythology, Zeus wins dominion over the world by casting two ivory dice, unleashing the concept of chance. These fateful dice embark on a journey across Europe, shaping history over millennia.
Passing through the hands of celebrated gamblers and other legendary figures, the dice influence pivotal events: the fall of Troy, Hannibal’s march on Rome, Robert the Bruce’s fight for Scottish independence, the sinking of the Titanic, and more. From Charles Martel’s defence of Frankia against the Moors to Henry VIII’s clash with queen and church, they leave their mark on history before returning to the gods.
Fortuna is a sweeping tale of 4,000 years, exploring the tension between human choice and the whims of fate. Discover how the masters of risk and probability theory emerged—and wonder: could European history have fallen another way?
Roll the dice and find out.
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About the author
James Leslie-Melville runs his own business providing advisory services to small companies, after a thirty-year career in banking/industry and a Cambridge University law degree. He has a keen interest in the sweep of history through the ages, and the lesser-known stories of the central characters that have helped to shape it. Married with three adult children, he lives in Fife, Scotland. Fortuna is his second novel, following Argentum (2023).
