The Gates of Rome (Emperor, Book 1) | Conn Iggulden

The Gates of Rome (Emperor, Book 1) | Conn Iggulden | Action-packed historical drama

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The Gates of Rome ...

	The Gates of Rome (Emperor, Book 1) Conn Iggulden Dell, 2004 - 480 pages average customer review:based on 123 reviews view larger image
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Simply put a great read

First off yes, those who state that this book isn't historically correct are correct. The author has taken significant liberties to say the least.

However this is historical fiction, not a history book, so I'm going to review the book as such.

The book gets 5 stars from me because it's one of the most enjoyable reads I've had all year. I quite literally couldn't put it down. I've already ordered the next 3 in the series.

The author does an excellent job of creating a great story. I particularly like authors who can weave a great, exciting story without being ridiculously over descriptive. (I don't need the author to describe every blade of grass to me)

If you can forgive the historical inaccuracy and like fast paced writing then this is more then a worthy read.

I also find it interesting that his books on Genghis Khan get such great reviews in comparison (my guess is that the reason for that lies in the fact that more people are ignorant of the same historical liberties he likely took writing those novels and are judging him solely on his writing.

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Action-packed historical drama

Conn Iggulden seemed to like my review of his "quick read," Blackwater, almost as much as I enjoyed reading that book. Being in a on-to-one conversation gave me the opportunity to ask him if he would recommend his Emperor series to anyone who had enjoyed the shorter story. He was very honest in admitting that he didn't know but advised me to walk into a bookshop, pick up The Gates of Rome, read the first chapter then decide whether to replace it on the shelf or buy it.

This is the first of a series of four historical that describe the life of Julius Caesar and his best friend, Brutus, from boyhood through to his violent death. Knowing what happens in the final pages of the final book does nothing to damage the reader's enjoyment of the set. The action starts in the opening pages as Gaius, as Julius is known in his youth, and his friend Marcus, later known as Brutus, are captured and bullied by older boys from the neighbouring property.

As Gaius grows up, he has an early introduction to the Roman Senate and shares some very tough training for his military manhood with Brutus. His mentor is his father's estate manager and his trainer is an even tougher ex-gladiator. These men follow and support Julius and Brutus through most of their lives.

Violence, death and political treachery abound and the first book ends with Julius embarking on a voyage as a junior officer on a Roman military ship in North Africa as Brutus heads off to the colonised lands of Greece.
After reading the first chapter in the bookshop, I bought the book. Before I'd finished The Gates of Rome, I'd bought all three remaining books in the series and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the same course of action to any friend.

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