The Flames of Rome

Rating:
Summary: Historically accurate novelization of actual events
Review: Accounts of the early Christians in ancient Rome sometimes portray all Roman characters as evil, cruel and greedy. Maier provides a more nuanced understanding of the sitatution through his sympathetic portrayal of Flavius Sabinus, a Roman administrator (not himself a Christian) who acts as as an advocate and protector when the wife of a friend is placed in jeopardy because of her religious beliefs. The story generates suspense even though the major culminating events (the burning of Rome and the subsequent execution of Christians by Nero) are well known. This novel was much, much better than I expected based on the title, the cover art, and the commentary on the cover. There was nothing preachy in the narration of the story. Historical fiction readers who do not generally read "Christian fiction" will find that this well researched novel provides a plausible look at life in first century Rome. Through the character of Flavius Sabinus, Maier showed that there were at least a few individual Romans who were horrified, rather than entertained, by Nero's execution of Christians.

Rating:
Summary: well-documented, poor writing
Review: Although this book partially describes the same events as the Claudius novels by Robert Graves, it *never* comes close to the quality of Graves's writing.

(on second thought, and to be perfectly frank, I must add that I've read this book in Dutch translation)

Perhaps Maier is too eager to display his profound historical knowledge, but in any case he does not have the ability to construct a proper novel from this rich material.

Some characters enter and leave the story without any introduction or background and remain shallow throughout the book.

Towards the end, it gets better as the fascinating story of the start of the Christian religion is described.

Rating:
Summary: Maier Is A Master Storyteller
Review: From the author of A Skeleton In God's Closet. Outstanding historical fiction, telling the story of Nero's rise to power as emperor of Rome, why he "went bad," and climaxing in the infamous burning of Rome that was blamed on the Christians. This book takes a plethora of historical research, uses that as its foundation, and fills in the blanks with some fine speculation and character enhancement by Maier. It makes history come alive, with vivid brush strokes. This is a definate hidden gem, and one that anyone interested in this era will want to search out.

Rating:
Summary: Maier Is A Master Storyteller
Review: From the author of A Skeleton In God's Closet. Outstanding historical fiction, telling the story of Nero's rise to power as emperor of Rome, why he "went bad," and climaxing in the infamous burning of Rome that was blamed on the Christians. This book takes a plethora of historical research, uses that as its foundation, and fills in the blanks with some fine speculation and character enhancement by Maier. It makes history come alive, with vivid brush strokes. This is a definate hidden gem, and one that anyone interested in this era will want to search out.

Rating:
Summary: Facinating glimpse into the lives and times of Ancient Rome
Review: Having sat through many sermons of Dr. Maier, I have experienced the amazing depth of knowledge he possesses. This book is certainly not lacking, either. I came away from reading this book much more knowledgeable on the matter of the start of the Christian church than I could have through any other means, other than if I were actually to have lived back then. You can even refer to the New Testament and find the same characters, and not just Paul et al. _The Flames of Rome_ may be a novel, but it's as close to the truth as one can get without a videocamera. This book is a definite must read for anyone who would like to know more about the origins of the Christian faith.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I couldn't put this book down. If you want feel like you're actually living ancient Rome this is the book for you. I've also read "Pontius Pilate" also by Maier and I'm looking for more. How come I didn't find out about this great author sooner?

Rating:
Summary: Facinating glimpse into the lives and times of Ancient Rome
Review: I love reading historical novels and I have found Maier's amoung the best. I appreciate that he gives a chapter by chapter account of what is based on fact. This book was facinating!!! Nero, life in those times, the games at Circus Maximus, the history of the early church! I highly recommend this one!

Rating:
Summary: Intrigue of Nero and Peter and Paul
Review: That start of the church is fascinating time, and Maier is adapt at capturing this by adducing from history (which he is a prominent scholar of) and then placing this history in excellent prose, story form.

The spread of Christianity to Rome and the troubles Nero is having with the ghettos provide the backdrop here for Luke's writing to Theopholis (Acts 1, Luke 1).

The spread of the church via the diaspora was central to its launch outside the Middle East, via the Greek language and commerce on an ever growing world.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating.
Review: This documentary novel is really how all history should be written: in an enjoyable, inviting retelling of historical events, from the perspective of the actual historic people. Not only is the book well written, but you grow a strong attachment to the characters; even traditionally despised characters like Nero you grow a strong attachment for and feel sorry for him when he dies. Maier does well to keep biases out of the book and portray each character, whether deemed good or evil by history, believable and, most of all, human. It is fascinating to note to yourself that what you are reading really happened. The conversations and plots of the times are nothing less than riveting, and you'll find yourself wanting to read on to see what happens to each victim of each plot (the Romans were very clever in securing their power through devious and violent ways). The only minor issue I have with the book is that Sabinus, because he is the main character, is often a central figure in most of the happenings, including being a pretty close friend to both Christian church fathers Paul and Peter while in history (and Maier admits in his notes, thankfully) that most of Sabinus' involvement is only presumed or contrived. Also, since Maier himself is a Christian, there is a slight bias in favor of Christianity within the novel. But those minor details aside, this is a great book for anyone to read.

Rating:
Summary: Maier brings history alive
Review: This is the second documentary novel by Dr. Maier (see Pontius Pilate) and is a great introduction to the complex history of the period ruled by Claudius and Nero. Maier takes the primary source material and crafts it into a novel which nontheless stays as true to history as is capable.
I learned much more about the background to the New Testament Church from this book than I did with many seminary bible classes. Dr. Maier actually footnotes many key elements of his novel, and the footnotes will lead you into the tangle of primary sources without getting too lost.
If you want to understand what Paul and the early Church were up against, by all means pick up this book.
4 stars (not 5) due to some slighlty juvenile romance between some of the main characters that takes a little pleasure out of the experience.