Gaul was divided into three parts. No, four parts - for one small village of indomitable Gauls still held out against the Roman invaders. BOOK 11 The hero Vercingetorix once defeated Julius Caesar near Gergovia in the Arvernian country. Although the tables were turned later at the battle of Alesia, the Gauls remember Gergovia as a glorious victory. Years later, Caesar plans to parade with Vercingetorix's shield - but where can it be? The Romans and the Gauls race to find it.

About the Author

Rene Goscinny was born in Paris in 1926, and spent most of his childhood in Argentina, before eventually moving to Paris in 1951. He died in 1977. Albert Uderzo was born in 1927 in a small village in Marne, France. He met Rene Goscinny in 1951 and on 29 October 1959 their most famous creation, Asterix, made his first appearance on page 20 of Pilote. Asterix the Gaul, their first album, was published in 1961 and there have now been 33 Asterix albums. Albert Uderzo was born in 1927 in a small village in Marne, France. He met Rene Goscinny in 1951 and on 29 October 1959 their most famous creation, Asterix, made his first appearance on page 20 of Pilote. Asterix the Gaul, their first album, was published in 1961 and there have now been 33 Asterix albums.

Prizes

Asterix is the highest-selling book series in the world. Worldwide sales now exceed 307,000,000, outstripping even J K Rowling. Asterix has been translated into over 100 languages and dialects. 11,000 web sites devoted to Asterix. Combined UK sales of the last 5 books - 2.2 million copies.