Caesar : A Novel

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Summary: learn while you read!
Review: I am a fervent reader of historical fiction, and this is definitely a book I praise - it's rare that you get such a thorough and accurate novel on Caesar - and interesting, too! McCullough brings not only Caesar to life, but Magnus Pompeius, Marcus Cato, Marcus Brutus, Calpurnia, Marc Antony, and others. I don't believe there's a part that she missed! Be fascinated, and learn, too!

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Summary: Hail Caesar!
Review: Colleen Mccullough's latest book Caeser, took me back to ancient rome, and introduced me to those who changed history.The passion felt by Cato, the strength that Julius Caesar radiates... I can not wait for the next in the series!

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Summary: Great History with fiction
Review: Ancient Rome really comes to life in this whole series which I heartily recommend. Start with the "First Man in Rome" and read them in sequence - you'll be dying to know what comes next. I studied Latin in HS and read about Caesar later on my own which hardly makes me a scholar, but I knew enough to see that the portrayal of Caesar as handsome, brilliant, and generally a superb person, is not out of line with what many other more scholarly people have concluded. There is a reason, after all for his name having come down in history so strongly - he was revered as a saint in Medieval times (obviously, their dates were off) and the words Kaiser and Czar were pathetic attempts to embrace his glory. The earlier books in the series for the first time clarified for me what the heck was going on in the apparently endless Italian and Roman internecine wars. Throw in some lively and sympathetic portraits of people I'd always heard of as if they were born as marble busts and you have a terrific read with a lot of history.

I can't wait for the next in the series.

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Summary: Es la misma historia de siempre
Review: Leer la saga romana de Colleen McCullough es leer la historia de hoy , observo a traves de ella que nada ha cambiado. Lo atractivo es que parece que la autora hubiese estado alli ,que lo que cuenta a parte de los hechos historicos es real. Demuestra conocer la psicologia de cada personaje.

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Summary: Fantastico!
Review: Como dice el libro, el ultimo volumen de la saga de roma finaliza la historia que muchos de nosotros llevamos leyendo desde el principio. Aunque, desgraciadamente, no me puedo contar entre aquel grupo, sí que he leído el primer libro, El primer hombre de Roma y por tanto tengo algo con que comparar César. Lo que mas me gusta del libro es la gracia con la cual se describen los barbaros del Norte. No hay tantas descripciones de los pueblos conquistados y asimilados por el imperio romano como en César, y la variedad de pueblos y culturas, no hablemos de la variedad de los personajes, contribuye a que la historia goce de una profundidad increíble. La única desventaja se dirigiría a los de no lengua materna español, como yo, que intentan leer el libro sin un diccionario. Es imposible, ya les aviso, no por la traducción, que está bien, sino por el estilo de la autora, estilo bien torcido y difícil. A pesar de esto, me parece un libro estupendo y durante la lectura entretenida les aseguro que van a aprender mucho sobre la Roma antigua.

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Summary: In Praise of Caesar
Review: The conspirators were right. This latest in the Masters of Rome series leaves little doubt that Caesar was ambitious. That he was more so than his contemporaries or the erstwhile Marius or Cornelius Sulla would be a difficult case to make. Saner than the first and unincumbered by the driving perversity of the latter, Caesar saw himself as the personification of the Roman Republic. His triump and that of Rome were one and the same. Thus the road from the Rubicon to Rome was paved with noble intentions and the Caesar of McCulloch's novel emerges as a far more sympathetic character than painted by many historians.

The author's research offers a detailed look at the Western Empire at its height. Her believable characters beguile the reader's interest with the rich panoply of violence, sex and intrigue that are at the core of every good novel.

We leave Caesar poised on the brink of fate come to fruition and from the author, promises of more to come.

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Summary: Ancient Rome in the making
Review: Collen has been again superb bringing back historical heros of the ancient Rome . Caesar, Brutus, Pompeius, Cicero, and Cato are vivid and fresh. Their historical importance is emphasized through everyday actions. They are only humans but you know they are destined to create true history. Despite the fact that the book is thick and heavy, you don't want to put it on the shelf until is completely finished. The entire series (Masters of Rome) is worthy of dilligent reading and I cannot wait to get my hand on the next installment. If you never spent time studying ancient history, don't worry, you will find "Caesar" so refreshing that you will long for more.

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Summary: Caesar: A Novel (Masters of Rome series)
Review: This series has been a superb read; from The First Man in Rome to this book. I have re-read them all several times, and found new aspects each time. Ms. Mcollough's Caesar character rings true. He was a peerless man who found himself hated andalienated by his contemporaries. Because he had the ability to overwhelm the status quo, the context of his times required that he do so. Had he lived, would the Republic have been restored? SEE: I Claudius by Robert Graves.

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Summary: Caesar
Review: I have read the "learned" reviews. I am not a history major or anything close to it. I just love historical fiction and have found Colleen McCullough to be one of the best authors in this form. I am just anxiously waiting for the next in the series to appear. I believe it was to be called "The October Horse". I would like to know as soon as it is published and available.

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Summary: Caesar: A historical novel
Review: As a history student, I initially mistook 'Caesar' the novel as an actual historical biography. I had a pleasant surprise in store for me. Many historical novels just have ideas about character presentation, not about wars fought or politics. McCullough is a refreshing change, and puts a whole new outlook upon the novelization of history.

It must be said, however, that McCullough's Caesar is an altogether infuriating character - a hero so handsome, so clever, so calm and unflinching to be somewhat unrealistic. Even his friends and allies are presented as being rather hopeless in comparison. The magnificant Pompey the Great as an unsubtle blunderhead from the country, Cicero a weak, wavering man, Mark Antony foolish and impulsive, Cato a raving lunatic - all characteristics handed down throughout history, yes, but these men were more than this and it is a pity that these great historical figures are not given their due. Opinion is unavoidable when writing about history, of course, but one might be tempted to question whether the affairs in ancient Rome at this time were such that one man alone could resolve them, whilst the others tried to stop him. Difficult to justify!

That said, this is overall one of the most impressive pieces of work I have read. The writing style is incredible - read about Clodius' death on the Via Appia, or Fulvia's reaction on learning that her beloved second husband is dead. You'll soon see what I mean. The characters, despite coming from a remote age, are accessible characters whom we can relate too, facing the same joys, fears and problems that we are facing today. I cannot reccomend this book strongly enough even for those who are not experts on Roman history. Read it - you'll sooon feel as if you are!