Details
Synopsis
Colleen McCullough's magisterial series of historical novels about the Roman Empire begins with THE FIRST MAN IN ROME, which details the careers of Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla, who ruled Rome, each in his own way, with far-reaching effects. McCullough has immersed herself in the Roman world, and the details of not only political intrigues but dress and food and neighborhoods, even sexual mores, ring with a compelling authenticity. She also includes maps and illustrations (drawn by herself), a glossary of Latin words, and a pronunciation guide, plus a fascinating Author's Note at the end that sheds light on her research and other relevant matters.
| Size | | Height: | 7.0 in | | Width: | 4.3 in | | Thickness: | 1.5 in | | Weight: | 16.8 oz |
Publisher's Notes
First Line: "Having no personal commitment to either of the new consuls, Gaius Julius Caesar and his sons simply tacked themselves onto the procession which started nearest to their own house, the procession of the senior consul, Marcus Minucius Rufus."
Industry Reviews
The fifth volume of McCullough's continuing saga of the history of Rome meets the stellar standards she has set in her earlier books (e.g., Caesar's Women, LJ 12/95). It opens in 54 B.C., with Caesar civilizing and romanizing the different tribes in Britannia and Gaul. After five years of almost constant warfare, Caesar turns all his political brilliance to defeating Pompey, his former son-in-law, who wants to strip Caesar of his power. McCullough clearly loves her subject and has done voluminous research, smoothly interweaving the vast number of facts into the narrative. She gives us a living Caesar, the superb military tactician and the man who cried at his mother's and daughter's deaths. It's not hard to see why his troops (and many women) loved him. The novel is further enriched by McCullough's hand-drawn maps, illustrations of major players, and useful glossary. Essential for historical fiction collections. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 8/97.] Nancy Pearl, Washington Ctr. for the Book, Seattle
Moore
The fifth book (after Caesar's Women) in McCullough's popular Masters of Rome series depicts Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul, his momentous decision to cross the Rubicon and his eventual defeat of rival Pompey at Pharsalus. Around these military events, McCullough constructs various synchronous plot lines, including the political machinations of the Roman senate, the complex entanglements (romantic and otherwise) of key Roman families and life in the Egyptian court of Queen Cleopatra. It is always Julius Caesar, however, who is the focus of attention, and although McCullough makes much of the great man's dignitas, she also lets readers into his most private tribulations. His overwhelming grief when his daughter Julia dies is just one of several instances in which he exhibits unexpected vulnerability. As usual, McCullough applies her historical research judiciously and skillfully, integrating details that drive her story forward. She deftly handles a large cast of characters and brings welcome humanity to such historical icons as the conniving Brutus, indecisive Pompey and young, charismatic Mark Antony. McCullough's legion of readers now dwarfs Caesar's own considerable army. This novel will increase the ranks. Glossary, maps and illustrations. BOMC, QPB alternates; audio rights to Simon & Schuster. (Dec.)
Lopate
The dynamism of Gaius Julius Caesar's own commentaries on his Gallic conquests and his contest for Rome against Pompey the Great has been retained in this fifth novel in Colleen McCullough's series on the fall of the Roman Republic. . . . Such important events as the uprising of Gaul under Vercingetorix, Pompey's alliance with the reactionary aristocratic party of the boni, Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon and his victory at Pharsalus unfold as excitingly as if the history were not yet written. McCullough also fleshes out the marbled-over characters of Pompey, Cato, Cicero, Brutus, Mark Antony and others as they try to deal with the near-infallible Caesar.
Annotation copyright H.W. Wilson Company.
Hooper
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