In these days of patriotic cynicism some readers may be inclined

to disbelieve the behavior of the zealots of Masada. I direct the

doubts of such unfortunates to more contemporary martyrs, say

those of Hungary who defied Russian tanks with rocks, and those

like the Czech Jan Palach, who chose to welcome the Russian

invaders by self-immolation. Also present at the barricades have

been the many wildly courageous North and South Vietnamese,

Cubans, Africans, Russians, Frenchmen, Germans, Chinese, Greeks,

Bulgars, and Japanese, who in one fashion or another decided life

was not worth living without what they personally conceived as

freedom. These are the true Now people and there will unques-

tionably be more of them tomorrow.

In the loosely employed name of freedom man remains the only

creature on earth to make war on his own species. Anyone who

has convinced himself patriotism is dead has learned nothing from

ancient history and does not know contemporary history.

I have been meticulously careful to insure authenticity through-

out this book. Many facts were available, although nowhere near

the quantity found in the usual research of a historical event. So

if I have erred, it is not for want of trying. The works of Josephus

were of course of inestimable value, but unfortunately he was not

personally present to report the siege of Masada. The magnificent

works and archeological research, plus~e vicarious inspiration of

Yigael Yadin, affected this writing more than any other single

force. From his discoveries I have contrived a story.