The First Man in Rome

Rating:
Summary: A True Roman Epic.
Review: I still can't believe the size and scope of this novel! The cast of characters, mostly real people, is massive, the helpful glossary is extensive (for a novel), and yet the story is compelling and fascinating. To most people, I'm sure that an 800 page story about Rome in the 2nd century B.C. doesn't exactly excite them, but for those that do accept the challenge will be rewarded with excellent characterizations, amazing plot twists, and a real insight into the Roman form of government. The main character in this story is Gaius Marius, who had a profound impact on Rome, and his story is genuinely fascinating. It is obvious by the end that there is another book, since many story points are still unresolved, and certain characters are introduced for no apparent reason. But one thing is for sure: this book will hook you, and you'll want to read the next one immediately upon finishing. I certainly did.

Rating:
Summary: The first in a fine historical series
Review: Colleen McCullough had a fine idea: write a series detailing the lives and loves of the important Roman politicians in the last century B.C. "The First Man In Rome" introduces us to the beginning of the end of the Roman Republic, and the rise of the men who accelerated its demise while rising to the heights of Roman authority. For those who haven't studied Roman history, this is the original conflict: Rome, corrupted by the influx of wealth after the Punic Wars, is threatened by the rebellious king Jugurtha of Numidia and the barbaric Germans to the north, and lacks men of birth and ability to meet the challenge until Gaius Marius steps forth.

And who is Gaius Marius? Colleen McCullough repeats the phrase often enough so that everyone gets it: an Italian hayseed with no Greek. In short, a farmer's son born in Arpinum, not a Roman, not of the accepted families, with no noteworthy ancestors, who has made his own reputation. His success against Jugurtha wins him the adoration of the Roman people and enemies among the Senate, most notably Metellus Numidicus and Marcus Aemilius Scaurus. He also gains a partner in his ventures: a young, dissolute aristocrat named Lucius Cornelius Sulla, a fair-faced, chameleon-like charmer who has his share of skeletons to hide.

McCullough manages to keep several plots going without dropping the thread, which is whether or not they all agree about Gaius Marius and his incredible defense of Rome. The relationship between Marius and Julia of the Caesars, which gives him the social standing he needs to become consul, is portrayed as the ideal Roman marriage--and so it may be a little dull for readers expecting flash and passion. But the marriage between Sulla and Julia's sister Julilla is a match made in hell, and it provides some wonderful confrontations. McCullough introduces us to up-and-comers Marcus Livius Drusus, Quintus Sertorius, and Quintus Servilius Caepio; although Sertorius is briefly shown, we see a great deal of Drusus and Caepio--enough to make their characters clear. As for the women, McCullough does a fine job of making them as interesting as the men (although some will chafe at the immaturity of Livia Drusa and Julilla)--and with Aurelia, the mother of the future Gaius Julius Caesar, she creates her best heroine so far.

McCullough depicts great battles (Arausio unfolds like an inescapable nightmare) and political brawls with skill, although she litters her narrative with anachronisms, and her dialogue occasionally falls flat. The last sentence of the novel is a clumsy attempt to tell a pertinent truth about a character using a blatantly obvious metaphor. But McCullough isn't out to win any awards for pretty writing; she set out to tell a complicated, intriguing story about power and its unintended consequences in a time and place relevant to our history and succeeded.

For those who are overwhelmed by the sheer number of characters and unknown Latin terms in the book, McCullough thoughtfully provides a glossary and a character list. My advice: as you go through the series, keep "First Man" on hand for reference.

Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Series
Review: While the writing style isnt the greatest, The First Man in Rome is one of those must-have books for anyone who enjoys historical fiction. Its nothing short of incredible. Not only in the feel and knowledge for and of old Rome it will give to the reader unfamiliar with Roman history, but also for the plausible scenarios she has come up with to explain some the unknown factors of the period.

The second book in the series, The Grass Crown, continues very much in this vein. As far as Im concerned, these two books could, can, and do stand alone out of the series. Unfortunately, the following books in the series do not seem to have been written with the same detached interest. Especially when dealing with Caesar, the author pretty much abandons herself to not-far-from shameless adulation, sweeping any claim to an attempt of objective character study out the window. The reader, having found the first books in the series so plausible historically, may be mislead in the later books to the same assumption, though this is not the case.

But as for The First Man in Rome and The Grass Crown, I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Start
Review: The book is wonderful. Especially if you have an interest in traveling to Rome. It brings an understanding to the art and historical places of Rome in a story format. However, you don't need to travel to enjoy this book or need a huge curiosity of Roman history. It's a powerful story of greed, incest, homosexuality, murder, a fight for power, and a story of war. It's a reminder of how advanced the Roman society was and also of how prudish we have all become. There is something for everyone in this series of books. The only reason I didn't give this the 5 stars is because of the difficulty of sorting through the many characters in the beginning of the book. Don't let that stop you. The author gives useful explanations and a glossary at the end of the book.

Rating:
Summary: marvellous trip to a tumultuos old experiment in democracy
Review: When they are done well, there is nothing like a fat historical novel. You enter a world that is alien and yet so very familiar. It fills you with wonder and the desire to return to that world and learn more.

While I am a bit of a snob when it comes to writing, I was told by so many people that this was a truly excellent novel by none other than the author of The Thorn Birds, which I scorned (without reading it) as cheap melodrama. So I got it and was not only not disappointed but utterly enthralled from page one. This is superb and masterful fiction, well researched and full of page-turning action and intrigue.

The story takes place in the sunset of Republican Rome, starting in 110 BC, with military threats to Rome in N. Africa (Jugurtha) and from the German hordes to the North (Boiorix). The main characters include Gaius Marius - a military genius who has seen his public career stalled due to his lack of patrician birth status - and Lucius Sulla, a poor and debauched aristocrat who will stop at nothing to advance himself. These men form an alliance that is as complex and multifaceted as it is effective. Marius' opponents are the good-boy Patriciate, who are for the most part hidebound aristocrat mediocrities undeserving of their birth right to their share in the power of Rome. But there is also the hilarous Patrician opponent Scaurus, who loathes Marius as much as he loves him and needs his military genius. Other Characters include Julius Caesar's parents, grand parents, and a host of politicians whose personalities are subtle and beautifully drawn. This is not melodrama but wonderful storytelling.

If you want to know what it was like to live then, this novel will really open that world to you. The Republic was a democratic experiment - deeply flawed, but with regular and peaceful transfer of power to an ever wider group - that lasted 500 years! As I walked around Rome recently, I delighted to think about what happened in the places I was walking by, which I learned about from this book. You get to know the fashionable rich, the declining old families, and the riff-raff of the Subura, where murderers, freedmen, Jews, and actor-prostitutes made their homes together. You witness the great military campaigns of the time, and follow Sulla as he "became" a Gaul in order to gather intelligence on Rome's most dangerous enemy yet, each with descriptions of the places that became well known towns such as Caracsone, Toulouse, and Verona. There is also the cruelty and superstition, which perfectly offsets the iconoclastic and progressive personality of the great (and arrogant) Marius. It is wonderful and fun and as far as I can tell - as an old college classics major - historically accurate.

I give this four stars only because it did not quite pass the bar of true literature for me, as do the great Yourcenar and the consistently excellent Gore Vidal as first-rate historical novelists. But that does not detract one bit from my enjoyment of the novel. I will read the rest of the series, for sure.

Warmly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Just Simply Outstanding
Review: My mother could not believe I was reading a book that came with a glossary & pronunciation guide! This was my clue that this book may not be for everyone. But it is definitely for the reader who enjoys digging for that extra bit of detail to enhance their enjoyment and understanding of a story. As one of those readers, I was thrilled that the book came with maps, glossary, pronunciation guide, author's notes, etc., etc. (Saved me from having to go the encyclopedias!)

This is a series of books that you can really sink your teeth into and come away knowing you have spent your time well. I learned so much about Latin (the basis for many languages), ancient Roman customs & history and the early beginnings of some of our current customs.

But, if you are not into "learning as you read", then the book is marvelous just for its reading pleasure! The characters are all well-developed, the plotlines are strong and there is just the right mix of love, war and politics to please any palate.

After the first 50 pages or so, I was hooked and, while I couldn't put the book down, I was also dreading the end of the book. I have already purchased the second book, The Grass Crown, & am ready to "further my education!"

Rating:
Summary: The First Man in Rome
Review: McCullough provides a very thorough history of the life and Roman times of Caesar starting with this, the first of five books in the series. Her research is complete and very detailed and she includes a complete glossary and author's notes to separate the fact from fiction. An excellent source of insight into the family and social norms of the times. I highly recommend this and the subsequent four books.

Rating:
Summary: Great historical fiction
Review: Once you get past the confusing Roman names, this is one of the best historical series I have ever read! McCullough really has a knack for giving the reader the real sense of how advanced culture and life were in ancient Rome. I heartily recommend this series for any historical novel fans.

Rating:
Summary: Great historical fiction
Review: I have read and enjoyed each of the books that Colleen McCullough has written in the Masters of Rome series. I am an afficionado of all things historical fiction and I have read each of her books at least 5 times. I am rereading Fortune's Favorite as I write this. I periodically check to see if she has finished the "October Horse" and wait with bated breath for the arrival of this latest in the series. Ms. McCullough, please delay writing about Australia and finish the series.

Rating:
Summary: The Best in Historical Fiction
Review: If you are a lover of Roman history, this is your thing. This book is set at the height of the career of Gaius Marius. The characters are developed well and McCullough paints a vivid portrait of them. The Jugurthine War and the war against the Cimbri and Teutones are covered here. Also the politics of the Roman Senate and the truly controversial debate of a Head Count vs Property Owning Army. The descriptions of the legions and their enemies are remarkable. McCullough takes the historical novel to a new level. For those of you who love Roman history, it is a must read. For those of you just learning, it will be a fascinating book which will add a third dimension to what you read in the history books.