Book excerpt: Romans described the emperor Trajan as the 'perfect prince'. What made him so remarkable? This novel is a narrative historical account of the lives of the emperor and his consort. It describes the extraordinary events that brought the couple to power and the timeless achievements of that power. The book traces Trajan's early life as a soldier, through his marriage, service to Domitian and rise to influence, and looks at Plotina's early life in Provençe, her philosophical interests, and the events that allowed her to become a partner in greatness. It includes a unique recreation of Trajan's lost 'Dacian Commentaries' which cover the Balkan wars that Rome fought to bring Romania inside the Empire. And it traces the military expeditions that helped fulfill Trajan's expansionist dreams, reaching across Iraq, Iran, Arabia, and up into Southern Russia. All this is presented inside a dynamic narrative account that engages the reader.