- Mass Market Paperback: 960 pages
- Publisher: Avon; 8th edition (Feb 1 1997)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0380710846
- ISBN-13: 978-0380710843
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 10.6 x 3.6 cm
- Shipping Weight: 431 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #263,118 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Senator and debtor, general and seducer, orator and would-be world conqueror, Julius Caesar, as depicted in this fourth installment (after Fortune's Favorites) in McCullough's epic re-creation of ancient Rome, is both a force of nature and something of a momma's boy. He worships his sophisticated mother Aurelia, "a fount of experience and a mine of common sense," while dismissing as "not important" his "expensive, idle, and monumentally silly" second wife, Pompeia. Its title notwithstanding, this marvelously researched and detailed novel focuses on traditional male pursuits-political intrigue, war, conquest-in the corruption-riddled late Roman republic even as it elucidates the behind-the-scenes influence of women in a repressively patriarchal society. Caesar, though tenderly loving and protective toward his daughter, Julia, pledges her as a child to the adolescent Brutus, with whose mother-the cruel, scheming Servilia-the future dictator of Rome has a purely sexual affair. Years later, Caesar cancels the betrothal in order to use his blossoming daughter as bait to forge a political alliance with the commander of the Roman legions. Meanwhile, Cicero, Caesar's main rival, is portrayed as an incurable vacillator and social climber who displays scant gratitude toward his "sour" and "ugly" wife, Terentia, despite her foiling a conspiracy against his life. With great brio, and ample attention to Roman customs and rites, as well as to the religious, sexual and social institutions of the day, including slavery, McCullough captures the driven, passionate soul of ancient Rome. Illustrations; maps. Author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
In the fourth book in her "Masters of Rome" series, McCullough (Fortune's Favorites, LJ 9/1/93) details Caesar's rise to power from 68-58 B.C. Caesar repeatedly outmaneuvers his enemies, who devise one scheme after another to bring about his political, economic, and social downfall. Eventually he allies himself with Pompey and Crassus to create a formidable triumverate. Despite the book's title, women play minor roles in the novel. Caesar consults his shrewd mother about strategy and depends on her to manage his household. He adores his daughter and misses her dead mother. Nonetheless, he consistently subordinates personal affection to political ambition, seducing the wives of his rivals and maintaining an emotional distance from his own wives and lovers. McCullough crams the book with details about Roman life and politics and includes many pages of notes and a glossary. Those readers following the series and others with an intense interest in the time period will enjoy this installment.?Kathy Piehl, Mankato State Univ., Minn.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
"Brutus, I don't like the look of your skin. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
"Brutus, I don't like the look of your skin. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Much more than a Latin Lover,
By Leslie J Lumpkin (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Caesars Women (Mass Market Paperback)
I'll admit that the title, Caesar's Women, piqued my interest in this book, but it wasn't long into the reading when I found that the object of my desire was Caesar, himself. In fact, I admit to falling madly in love with this young and vital Caesar. Colleen McCullough succeeds in drawing her readers into the mind, spirit, and body of this remarkable, God-like man, and allows us to fully experience Caesar, who charms us with his wit, intelligence, strength, and vitality. Having studied Latin and Ancient Rome, I was amazed not only at McCullough's thorough knowledge of her subject but even more by her ability to understand and depict the machinations of Roman politicians. American politicians are neophytes in comparison to the patricians and plebeians rising through the cursum romanum!Caesar's Women is a book that you cannot put down, but also hate the thought of finishing, because it is that good. Having started in the middle of the series, I have now gone backwards and read Fortune's Favourites, which I also loved, especially the last part dealing with Caesar. But I have ordered all the other books in the series, which I will read this summer. I am sure, however, that I will return to Caesar's Women when I need a pick-me-up. Such a man as Caesar may only come once in a millenium, but we can experience him as often as we like in this superb novel.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Caesar's Rise,
By jrmspnc (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Caesars Women (Mass Market Paperback)
Another fine offering from McCullough, with a misleading title. This book is about Caesar and the Republic, not about "his women" who play a relatively marginal role at best. Oh, sure, we see a lot of Caesar's lover (and Brutus' mother) Servilia, mommy dearest Aurelia, and a near invisible wife or two, but none of them really factor into the novel, which focuses on Caesar's rise in the Republican heiarchy. Apart from Caesar, only Cicero receives extensive treatment, and McCullough's Cicero is an extremely well-rounded sort - all too human at times, both brilliant and insecure. The entire decade of the 60s BC is covered to fine effect, and if the ending (with "Caesar's women" finding out that Caesar has left to fight the Helvetii) is a tad (no, a lot) contrived, the novel remains well worth the time of anyone with an interest in Roman history.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally!,
By Emma de Soleil "I moved to the UK for another... (On a holiday In Ibiza, then back to the UK for studies) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Caesars Women (Mass Market Paperback)
A fine historian said about Caesar that "It seemed so easy to describe this man which in fact is almost impossible to do!" Caesar was NOT a mad, blood-thirsty tyrant, nor was he just a warrior. Even his WORST enemies (Such as Cato) admitted that this luminous, remarkable genius was Rome's most prominent, gifted and fascinating son. Adored by women (If you don't believe McCullough consult historians such as Plutarch, Brandes, Suetonius, Grant etc.), cherished and beloved by his soldiers, revered by the people and respected, feared and never equalled by his enemies. This isn't just a slurpy love-novel, it's history coming to life, to this day the best description of Caesar's complex character in a novel. This is an INCREDIBLE book, NOT a romance-novel but a dead world resurfacing! FASCINATING!
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