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The Gates of Rome (Emperor, Book 1)
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Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780440240945
ISBN: 0440240948
Label: Dell
Manufacturer: Dell
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 480
Publication Date: February 03, 2004
Publisher: Dell
Release Date: February 03, 2004
Studio: Dell
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Editorial Review:
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.
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.
"Emperor is stunning.... Words like 'brilliant,' 'sumptuous' and 'enchanting' jostle to be used, but scarcely convey the way Iggulden brings the schoolbook tale to life...Iggulden knows that history derives from 'story.' And this story has barely begun. The Gates of Rome is its first, exhilarating, installment. Don't miss it."
L.A. TIMES"A swashbuckling adventure story...dramatic historical fiction to keep adults turning pages like enthralled kids...a spirited, entertaining read. Iggulden is a grand storyteller."
USA TODAY"Emperor rules... What a find. A first-time author who writes—wonderfully! Emperor combines the fantasy of Harry Potter with the historical details of John Jakes. Books don't get better than this."
CONTRA COSTA TIMES"Iggulden excels at describing battle scenes both small-scale and epic."
SEATT
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Hard to be fair
This is a decent, easy-reading adventure story. But it purports to be based on history, and gets the history all wrong. So what really is the point?
Rating:  - 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, ... Read More
Rating:  - Decent writing, total disregard of historical facts
Although the writing style of this author is mildly entertaining, I simply could not overcome the fact that Iggulden consciously disregards the historical circumstances of Caesar's early life. Honestly, the only things that were accurate were the names the author used, and he even chooses to alter Caesar's familial relationships. For the average reader who just wants to read a good story, I suppose this book will suffice. However, if you're any student of history at all, you'll find yourself appalled ... Read More
Rating: - 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 ... Read More
Rating:  - Medically ludicrous as well
Other readers have pointed out the many historical inaccuracies which are prevalent throughout this book, so I will just add the fact that the medical references are ludicrous too. We are supposed to believe that this wandering stranger diagnoses a perforated appendix from just looking at Gaius writhing on the ground- a neat feat which could not be duplicated by any modern surgeon without at least a careful exam and probably some sophisticated testing considering that Gaius came by this perforation because ... Read More
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