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

The Gates of Rome (Emperor, Book 1) | Conn Iggulden | Simply put a great read

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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 119 reviews view larger image
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Rarely, if ever, does a new writer dazzle us with such a vivid imagination and storytelling, flawlessly capturing the essence of a land, a people, a legend. Conn Iggulden is just such a writer, bringing to vivid life one of the most fascinating eras in human history. In a true masterpiece of historical fiction, Iggulden takes us on a breathtaking journey through ancient Rome, sweeping us into a realm of tyrants and slaves, of dark intrigues and seething passions. What emerges is both a grand romantic tale of coming-of-age in the Roman Empire and a vibrant portrait of the early years of a man who would become the most powerful ruler on earth: Julius Caesar.

On the lush Italian peninsula, a new empire is taking shape. At its heart is the city of Rome, a place of glory and decadence, beauty and bloodshed. Against this vivid backdrop, two boys are growing to manhood, dreaming of battles, fame, and glory in service of the mightiest empire the world has ever known. One is the son of a senator, a boy of privilege and ambition to whom much has been given and from whom much is expected. The other is a bastard child, a boy of strength and cunning, whose love for his adoptive family–and his adoptive brother–will be the most powerful force in his life.

As young Gaius and Marcus are trained in the art of combat–under the tutelage of one of Rome’s most fearsome gladiators–Rome itself is being rocked by the art of treachery and ambition, caught in a tug-of-war as two rival generals, Marius and Sulla, push the empire toward civil war. For Marcus, a bloody campaign in Greece will become a young soldier’s proving ground. For Gaius, the equally deadly infighting of the Roman Senate will be the battlefield where he hones his courage and skill. And for both, the love of an extraordinary slave girl will be an honor each will covet but only one will win.

The two friends are forced to walk different paths, and by the time they meet again everything will have changed. Both will have known love, loss, and violence. And the land where they were once innocent will be thrust into the grip of bitter conflict–a conflict that will set Roman against Roman...and put their friendship to the ultimate test.

Brilliantly interweaving history and adventure, Conn Iggulden conjures a stunning array of contrasts–from the bloody stench of a battlefield to the opulence of the greatest city in history, from the tenderness of a lover to the treachery of an assassin. Superbly rendered, grippingly told, Emperor, The Gates of Rome is a work of vaulting imagination from a powerful new voice in historical fiction.

From the Hardcover edition.

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Superb - A fun, gritty, compelling read

I do not understand the negative reviews for this tremendous book. This is exciting, compelling, evocative writing that brings an era and personality to brilliant life. Mr. Iggulden makes no bones to the fact that he uses a great deal of poetic license on history for plot purposes, and includes a detailed addendum in each book on where he deviates from history. So big deal: this is historical FICTION, and great fiction at that.

I found the characters to be real, the action exciting, and the historical sweep ambitious and successful. The writing style is very approachable, and reminded me of other minimalist British authors like Lee Childs who have taken the simple-but-effective Raymond Carver type style and made it uniquely their own.

So, if you are someone who sits and frets and scribbles in the margins at historical inaccuracies in historical fiction, then this book may not be for you. If you are someone who likes fun, interesting tough-as-nails page turners that happen to be set in Roman times, then by all means buy this book.

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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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