Rating: Summary: Exceptional; McCullough is one of our greatest writers Review: I read "Caesar's Women" without realizing it was part of a series. Subsequently I went to the beginning and read the entire series in order (including a re-read of CW), up to "Caesar" (aka "Let the Dice Fly!"). Can't wait for The October Horse!!! "Caesar's Women" brings the man to life, along with Ancient Rome. The entire series is a pleasure to read -- meticulous research, marvelous writing, wonderfully vivid characters, and exceptional attention to detail. It inspired me to read other works, including Suetonius (fabulous 1st century historian & author of "The Twelve Caesars"; translated by Robert Graves) and some non-fiction sources that didn't seem to impart anything new (I'd already learned a lot in the Masters of Rome series). The parallels to today's world (esp. in the U.S. government) are amazing. Ms. McCullough truly is one of the greatest writers of our time.
Rating: Summary: Exceptional; McCullough is one of our greatest writers Review: I read "Caesar's Women" without realizing it was part of a series. Subsequently I went to the beginning and read the entire series in order (including a re-read of CW), up to "Caesar" (aka "Let the Dice Fly!"). Can't wait for The October Horse!!! "Caesar's Women" brings the man to life, along with Ancient Rome. The entire series is a pleasure to read -- meticulous research, marvelous writing, wonderfully vivid characters, and exceptional attention to detail. It inspired me to read other works, including Suetonius (fabulous 1st century historian & author of "The Twelve Caesars"; translated by Robert Graves) and some non-fiction sources that didn't seem to impart anything new (I'd already learned a lot in the Masters of Rome series). The parallels to today's world (esp. in the U.S. government) are amazing. Ms. McCullough truly is one of the greatest writers of our time.
Rating: Summary: Not too bad, but the series continues to decline Review: I really enjoyed the First Man in Rome, and while I still follow the series and moderately enjoy reading the stuff, it's certainly not a patch on Robert Graves for quality of writing or Suetoneus, Plutarch, Asimov, or any of the many good histories of Rome as history. If you have a real enthusiasm for the period, the setting alone may well overcome the absurdly modern dialogue and the considerable obviousness of the plot development - and the book is by no means bad. However, in my opinion the imagination and the thoroghly researched historical setting, which were the hallmarks of the first book, have declined considerably in subsequent volumes.
Rating: Summary: perspective... Review: I'd like to agree with someone who wrote that ColleenMcCollough's books put you into the right perspective for reading for example "De bello gallico". It's just that you can't learn to see things as they've been - or probably have been - by learning things in history books inside out; if you want to really know this time, you've to read Colleen McCollough ! OK, it's not as good as "The First Man in Rome", but if you compare "Caesar's Women" with other books about that time, you've to admit that it's just better.
Rating: Summary: Much more than a Latin Lover Review: I'll admit that the title, Caesar's Women, piqued my interest in this book, but it wasn't long into the reading when I found that the object of my desire was Caesar, himself. In fact, I admit to falling madly in love with this young and vital Caesar. Colleen McCullough succeeds in drawing her readers into the mind, spirit, and body of this remarkable, God-like man, and allows us to fully experience Caesar, who charms us with his wit, intelligence, strength, and vitality. Having studied Latin and Ancient Rome, I was amazed not only at McCullough's thorough knowledge of her subject but even more by her ability to understand and depict the machinations of Roman politicians. American politicians are neophytes in comparison to the patricians and plebeians rising through the cursum romanum! Caesar's Women is a book that you cannot put down, but also hate the thought of finishing, because it is that good. Having started in the middle of the series, I have now gone backwards and read Fortune's Favourites, which I also loved, especially the last part dealing with Caesar. But I have ordered all the other books in the series, which I will read this summer. I am sure, however, that I will return to Caesar's Women when I need a pick-me-up. Such a man as Caesar may only come once in a millenium, but we can experience him as often as we like in this superb novel.
Rating: Summary: Excellent continuation Review: I've enjoyed tremendously all of the books in this series, and look forward to the next. It is fantastic to be able to watch a few characters grow through several novels, and see how the setting of Rome is affected and affects them in return. As to this book specifically, I enjoy the focus on the women, and enjoy the light that is shed on society- both then and now. Although history gives us names like Julius Caesar, Marc Antony, Cicero and the like- it's foolish to think that there weren't women who were very involved in the times and had an equal part in charting the course of history and civilization, and the author creates these women with passion, authenticity, and intelligence
Rating: Summary: You will get hooked Review: If you read this book and have not read the others in the series, you will soon be searching for them. This book represents the entire series well, in that it is lovingly and carefully written to give you an unbelievable look into life for the big wigs of Roman civilization and some rulers of other parts of the Mediterranean. Others have written excellent reviews of this book, I mearly want to share that if you like this book, and I believe you will, you will get hooked on the series. I can't wait for The October Horse, the latest installment in the Masters of Rome series, due out near December 2002.
Rating: Summary: This is a soft core description of Caesar's private life Review: If you realy want to know who was Caesar and what he accomplished in his life, dont waste your time on this book. However, if you like reading about love affairs in various setups, this book is not worse than others.
Rating: Summary: McCullough's Magnetic Caesar Review: McCullough has done it again. This book really brings into sharp focus the man who was Rome - Julius Caesar. This novel, set in his formative years, is a veritable chest of passion, politics and power. McCullough has succeeded in giving fantastic colour to the people who made Rome the most powerful (and juiciest) city of its time. McCullough's Julius Caesar is a man whose traits are so abhorrent, yet so magnetic. Although we don't reach the pinnacle of Caesar's career in this novel, it leaves you begging for the next book, 'Caesar'. A real page turner.(Tip: you need to read the first 3 novels in the Roman series to really appreciate this one. The effort is well worth the while.)
Rating: Summary: Evidence of real historical digging! Review: Ms. McCullough's novel was a real insight, especially into the lives of Roman women. I especially enjoyed the depiction of Julius Caesar's daughter, Julia. (Actually, she was the most sensitive, heart-warming character in the book!) The historical "digging" that McCullough has done is really astounding! I appreciated the glossery in the back, that pretty much has you speaking Latin by the time you finish the book! What I didn't care for was her overall "cold" characterizations. I refuse to believe that Julia was the only truly KIND person in Rome in the 1st century BC! And I have no clue where McCullough got her depiction of Marcus Antonius (Marc Antony). Though it's true that he was involved in some riotously hard living (probably due to a very troubled childhood!), I don't think any of his busts indicate that he was ugly! Most likely, he was one of the handsomest men in Rome. The rest of the book was engaging, though. A fun summer read.
|