The Gates of Rome (Emperor Series, Book 1): Bk. 1 - Hardcover

Iggulden, Conn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0007136897 ISBN 13: 9780007136896

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2003

Synopsis

London. 24 cm. 408 p. Encuadernación en tapa dura de editorial con sobrecubierta ilustrada. Idioma Inglés. Conn Iggulden. [Gates of Rome ]. Emperor 1. Emperor ; 1 .. Este libro es de segunda mano y tiene o puede tener marcas y señales de su anterior propietario. ISBN: 0007136897; 0007147384(pbk.)

About this title

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

Review:

‘Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction’ Daily Mirror

‘A brilliant story – I wish I’d written it. A novel of vivid characters, stunning action and unrelenting pace. It really is a terrific read.’
BERNARD CORNWELL

‘The descriptions of combat in the circus, slaves in revolt, skirmishes in Greece, amputations and street fighting are all convincing.’
TLS

‘A rich and compelling novel that draws the reader into an extraordinary time and the life of an extraordinary man.’
DAVID GEMMELL

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0007136897
• ISBN 13: 9780007136896
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 416