|
The Gates of Rome (Emperor) | 
 enlarge | Author: Conn Iggulden
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Category: Book
List Price: £6.99
Buy Used: £0.09
You Save: £6.90 (99%)
New (34) Used (69) Collectible (1) from £0.09
Rating:  111 reviews
Sales Rank: 911
Media: Paperback
Edition: New edition
Pages: 640
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 6.8 x 4.4 x 1.7
ISBN: 0007136900
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780007136902
ASIN: 0007136900
Publication Date: September 1, 2003
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence!
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
The first volume of a sequence of novels about Julius Caesar, The Gates of Rome is at its best in its scenes of gruelling training in swordplay and dirty fighting. Iggulden's Caesar is more or less fated from the start by his circumstances to be a gifted and cynical player in the great game of Roman senatorial politics--his father is an old-fashioned servant of the public good who dies in a slave revolt. Young Caesar finds himself having to hit the ground running--family alliances throw him onto the losing side in a battle for power between generals Marius and Sulla. One reservation about Iggulden's story is that he simplifies the pushing and shoving of Rome's two most powerful men to a degree that makes Caesar's choices and loyalties too simple--this is a version of Rome in which politics is only about power and never about ideas. Caesar's friendship with his blood-brother Marcus is too redolent with historical irony--Marcus will be his assassin--and Iggulden is a little novelette-ish in his portrayal of young Caesar's affairs of the heart. This is a competent, routine account of material that deserves better than this handling of it. --Roz Kaveney
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 106 more reviews...
 Buy the set! October 22, 2008
chuckles (Netherlands)
This is probably the most fictional of the series, as this sets the story of our hero from a young boy. As usual Iggulden blends fact and fiction together in such a way that you dont know which is which to create a real page turner of a book, and in the same time giving you an insite into life 2,000 years ago as if it was today
 Take it for what it is - pure fiction. October 9, 2008
psydenom (UK)
I wouldn't usually pick up a book in this genre but borrowed it on holiday when I had nothing to read. I was left pleasantly surprised but also slightly dissapointed. Surprised that I quite enjoyed the story - although it is just that, a story. Disappointed because I studied classical history and civilisation for 5 years and Iggulden does not follow historical fact although he is more accurate in the personality of the classical society and what they counted as important in life, and death. However, I will suspend belief and read the rest of the series.
Really good Read April 30, 2008
Mrs. Judith Lugg (Wolverhampton, England)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book is great if you don't want EXACT historical fact, but after all it IS a novel.
The research is excellent and Iggulden's descriptions of gladiatorial combat and what the streets of Rome were actually like ( filthy, unwholesome, etc.) despite the glorious buildings is extremely good. This is the first of his books which I have read and I shall certainly read the rest of this series and maybe his other works too.
Read it - I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Not what i normally read but very good February 28, 2008
megamarble (South Yorks, UK)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I'm normally into thriler books but read the first few pages on AMazon and thought it'd be a good book - i wasn't wrong! It has a great story and memorable characters. I can't believe the books are being criticised for not being historically accurate as this was not the authors intention - he wanted to write a gripping story based on some historical accuracies and in this regard he succeeded.
I've already started the second book out of the 4 (the death of kings) and the good news in it's as good as the first. No doubt soon i'll buy/read books 3 and 4 and then start on the conquerer series about Hanibal.
Recommended
Enjoyable read February 7, 2008
Book Worm
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I read this book hoping to learn a bit about Caesar as well as reading an enjoyable story. After reading the reviews on amazon, it seems that the book is very historically inaccurate, therefore reviewing it as a complete fictional story - I found it thoroughly enjoyable. It was fast paced and exciting. Although in some places it lacked some depth - for example his love for Cornelia seemed to appear out of nowhere. The only disappointment I found was the ending - as there was none. It is obviously intended for the reader to continue the story with the following books, but I find this a bit cheeky, as although there can be sequels to books, each book should really conclude in itself.
|
|
|
www.pcprotech.co.uk | |
