Rating: 
Summary: Great book, though not quite up to par with the first
Review: This sequel to "I, Claudius" goes into depth about the actual reign of Claudius, as opposed to the reigns of his familial predecessors and his eventual "rise" to power. If you did not enjoy the first book, don't bother with this one. It is only interesting to those who want to learn more about Claudius. For those who do, you will not be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: You'd be safe stopping after the first book
Review: This would be good if _I Claudius_ didn't exist, but... when you make the comparison this book suffers. It just didn't feel the same, it was almost like an extremely long ending to _I Claudius_. In many places it read like a history book and of course there was nothing that could compare with the antics of Caligula or the battles with the germans from _I Claudius_.I probably won't give up on Graves, but I wouldn't suggest reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: This book helps the Roman History scholar
Review: When I finished "I, Claudius" I HAD to go out and get "Claudius the God", because I had to find out what was going to happen to Claudius. Mr. Graves draws the reader in from the start, and both "I, Claudius" and "Claudius the God" helped me in my Roman tests!
Rating:
Summary: A worthy second stab at the story
Review: When I was half way through reading "I, Claudius," I decided that I had to pick up this book in order to finish the series. It basically carries on where "I Claudius" leaves off, and finishes the story. It not as intriguing a read as it's predecessor though. Most of the really interesting action takes place before the begining of this book. However, this book does have it's moments, and, in a sense, is necessary in order to conclude the story of Claudius. The most interesting sections of the book, were the ones dealing with Britain, and Herod Agrippa. I was very suprised at the amount of detail that Robert Graves went into concerning the cultures of the ancient British civilizations. It is readily apparent that Graves had done his homework for these sections. Also, Herod Agrippa (a friend of Claudius) takes up a great deal of this book. Thankfully, his story is fairly interesting (as are all the events that take place in the Middle East during this novel).
One possitive aspect of this book is that it seems to have more of an international perpective than "I, Claudius." That is, it focuses on happenings throughout the empire, while it's predecessor is more focused on the imperial family. Thus, it gives the reader a better idea of the immensity of the Roman empire, as well as the power of it's emporer. Judged by itself, this is a very fine book. Robert Graves was able to write in the same engrossing style that made the first book so memorable. The only reason that this book isn't quite as good as the first one is that there simply wasn't the same material to work with. I would recomend this to anyone who has read the first book, and is interested in the second half of Claudius' life. However, if you haven't read "I, Claudius," pick it up first. I would also recomend this series (Both "I, Claudius," and "Claudius the God") to anybody who is interested in either Imperial Rome, or historical fiction.
Rating:
Summary: A worthy second stab at the story
Review: When I was half way through reading "I, Claudius," I decided that I had to pick up this book in order to finish the series. It basically carries on where "I Claudius" leaves off, and finishes the story. It not as intriguing a read as it's predecessor though. Most of the really interesting action takes place before the begining of this book. However, this book does have it's moments, and, in a sense, is necessary in order to conclude the story of Claudius. The most interesting sections of the book, were the ones dealing with Britain, and Herod Agrippa. I was very suprised at the amount of detail that Robert Graves went into concerning the cultures of the ancient British civilizations. It is readily apparent that Graves had done his homework for these sections. Also, Herod Agrippa (a friend of Claudius) takes up a great deal of this book. Thankfully, his story is fairly interesting (as are all the events that take place in the Middle East during this novel).
One possitive aspect of this book is that it seems to have more of an international perpective than "I, Claudius." That is, it focuses on happenings throughout the empire, while it's predecessor is more focused on the imperial family. Thus, it gives the reader a better idea of the immensity of the Roman empire, as well as the power of it's emporer. Judged by itself, this is a very fine book. Robert Graves was able to write in the same engrossing style that made the first book so memorable. The only reason that this book isn't quite as good as the first one is that there simply wasn't the same material to work with. I would recomend this to anyone who has read the first book, and is interested in the second half of Claudius' life. However, if you haven't read "I, Claudius," pick it up first. I would also recomend this series (Both "I, Claudius," and "Claudius the God") to anybody who is interested in either Imperial Rome, or historical fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: A masterful political historic novel with wit and humor
Review: Whereas Claudius the God is not quite as fast moving and dramatic as I, Claudius; the sequel is a worthy masterpiece equal to the first volume. Whereas I, Claudius was about survival without power; Claudius the God is about survival with power. This point is very well made as the parallel careers and lives of Claudius and Herod Agrippa are intertwined. Herod Agrippa and Cladius were close friends. Herod had been raised in the household of Octavia Caesar, Claudius' mother and sister to the Emporer Caesar Augustus. Claudius eventually realizes that the clever, witty, charming, light-hearted persona that Herod Agrippa presented to the royal court of the Julio-Claudians was in fact his shield and mask that hide his ambitions and aspirations. Claudius hide his intellect, wit,and insight behind his stutter and limp but because of his friendship with Herod, he learns late that Herod also had a mask. Yet, even though the rebellion of Herod, as king of the Jews, hurt Claudius because of their years of friendship; it was Herod who never betrayed Claudius at court, never revealed that Claudius was brighter than generally percieved, and gave him the best advice possible "Trust no one".
There is no other wasy to describe Claudius' marriage to Mesalina except to say it was very messy. Love is certainly blind and Claudius almost loses his life to the manipulative and treacherous young wife with her thousand lovers. Mesalina was a mess.
Graves documents that he used multiple sources other than Suetonius' Live of the Twelve Caesars. Suetonius wrote a hundred years after the reign of Claudius and thus had a republican axe to grind against all the Julio-Claudian family. Graves is far more sympathetic and balanced in his telling of the life of Claudius.
I enjoyed I, Claudius in a different way from Claudius the God. Graves was able to capture Claudius the survivor in a treacherous family in I,Claudius. In Claudius the God, there is more maturity and sad reality about the limitations of human life and aspirations.
They both are superb and must be considered two of the finest historic novels in the English language. Graves' use of the English language is perfectly beautiful and I found I quickly read through both novels, thorougly entertained by every page.
Rating:
Summary: More Genius from Robert Graves
Review: You must read "I, Claudius" first, but then you won't be able to stop, and you'll be so glad there's this second volume. A work of towering genius. This is my third copy, as I wore out the others.
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