Rating: 
Summary: Avoid this book unless you absolutely worship McCollough
Review: There have been some Colleen McCollouch books I liked, but I thought this one was pretty bad. It was over long, and while fairly well researched contained some inaccuracies-- also, the writing was pretty bad, a suprise for me since I have always thought McCollough was a pretty good writer. She uses a few too many hackneyed cliches in this one, though.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliantly researched and executed historical novel
Review: Any reader with an interest in classical times should enjoy reading this historical novel. Author Colleen McCullough does an outstanding job of researching her details which have the effect of putting the reader right into the middle of Rome during its peak period. The story unfolds with the New Man Gauis Marius who makes a politically advantageous marriage that will soon thrust him on the stage of world events. Drawn with delicious detail, these characters live and breathe on the pages of this book. One warning to readers: this book is the first in a series and once started, you will not want to stop!!
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Summary: Puts you right in the heart of Rome... read no other book!
Review: This is truly the greatest book I have ever read! No writer puts you at the heart of Rome as McCullough does and the manner in which she handles the subject, the characters, some so endearing, others so loathsome and the words!-what can I say, I laughed at times and at times I cried and when I finished the book, which came to an abrupt end I longed for the next one like mad...
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Summary: Review of The First Man in Rome
Review: When my sister gave me Colleen McCullough's The First Man in Rome as a birthday present, I groaned. I just knew it was going to be one of those pitifully inept "historical novels" that focuses more on sex than on history. When I finally started reading it, I was most favourably impressed. As a classics major and Romanophile, I am extremely familiar with the history of late republican Rome. Even so, McCullough's research produced information that I had never heard of. She has produced a work that is truly stunning in its scope and accuracy. The First Man in Rome breathes new life into a period of history that has too long been stifled by the ponderous weight of scholarly texts. I highly recommend this book to any student of Roman history. In particular, I would like to thank McCullough for vindicating the character of Gaius Marius, who has been deprecated for years by the historical establishment. McCullough offers a refreshing perspective on Marius'life which remains utterly plausible and solidly based on extant biographical information.
Rating:
Summary: Superb, presentation of charactes & period captivates
Review: I'd read the book 6 or so years ago and loved it. My recent reading brought me to appreciate not only the presentation of the characters and period, but the level of historical accuracy involved. Read this book and you'll be left HAVING to read the entire series and WAITING for the next book!!!
Rating:
Summary: Read one buy three wait impatiently for the fifth.
Review: This is how history should be taught. Colleen gives real form and substance to historical figures that transcend the litany of dates and deeds found in textbooks. She manages to do this while keeping the historical timeline and basic facts intact. I can't imagine anyone reading this book and not going on to read the rest of the series.
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Summary: Fantastic, living view of an age where people WERE politics.
Review: The age of Ceasar brought alive better than "I Claudius", better than "Rise and Fall...". You will see our polictics as a tame extention of this ealier age. People, passion, and politics 2,000 years ago as alive as todays headlines. The author did her homework. A+.
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Summary: Lifts the "historical fiction" genre to new heights
Review: This novel, my "virgin voyage" into historical fiction, has everything. McCullough's genius is apparent; from villianous creatures to noble statesmen, from intricate details to sweeping events laced throughout the story, one half-expects to set down the book, glance out the window witness a busy mid-afternoon marketplace in ancient Rome. The thoughts are conveyed that well. Quite possibly, the fastest 900-plus pages you'll ever devour. Do yourself a favor and PLEASE READ THIS BOOK. If any contemporary work has "future classic" written all over (or through) it, this is the one. Enjoy!!
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Summary: A Must-Read for lovers of historical fiction
Review: Forget all of those boring history textbooks that you had to read in school! This book will bring alive the characters and events of that era in a take-it-everywhere-with-you style that's also full of richly researched historical fact. Colleen McCullough has an extraordinary ability to write technicolor characters, whether they are grizzled old Roman generals, young girls, scheming senators or ambitious young men. Whether describing the dispositions of major battles or the fears and hopes of a teenager facing an arranged marriage, McCullough is outstanding. These superlatives are paltry praise. The only problem with these books is that you will have to have all of them, and they just don't come out fast enough!
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Summary: Colleen, PLEASE keep writing!
Review: Her next book on Rome is due out in December, and I suggest adding it to your shopping cart now to insure an ability to own another masterpiece. It's best to read her books in the order of publication - and DO NOT lend them to a friend -- unless you have access to that friends library so as to easily retrieve these glorious works! My sister is now so frustrated waiting for the next, and with her need for more, more, about ancient Rome, she has now picked up Plutarch. What have I learned -- well, I love historical fiction for the very purpose of learning and being entertained -- we, humans, have not changed since the time of the Roman empire. History is really just one long, interesting story.
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