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Imperium

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Imperium

By: Robert Harris
Narrated by: Bill Wallis
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About this listen

'Harris's novels about the Roman statesman Cicero, are perfect audiobook material.' 50 best audiobooks, Daily Mail

'Masterful' Sunday Times

'Gripping and accomplished' Guardian

'Truly gifted, razor-sharp' Daily Telegraph

Ancient Rome teems with ambitious and ruthless men. None is more brilliant than Marcus Cicero. A rising young lawyer, backed by a shrewd wife, he decides to gamble everything on one of the most dramatic courtroom battles of all time. Win it, and he could win control of Rome itself. Lose it, and he is finished forever.

Imperium is an epic account of the timeless struggle for power and the sudden disintegration of a society.

'In Harris' hands, the great game becomes a beautiful one' The Times

'A further step forward by this brilliant man who excels in everything he writers' Sunday Telegraph

 Biographical Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Political Thriller & Suspense Biography Fiction Exciting

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Critic reviews

Harris's best so far, rapid and compelling in narrative, copious in detail, thoroughly researched but also, which is more important, thoroughly imagined... Irresistible (Allan Massie)
In Harris's hands, the great game becomes a beautiful one
Genres ancient and modern have rarely been so skilfully synthesised... Gripping and accomplished (Tom Holland)
A joy to read in every way, and as a mirror to the politics of our present age has no equal
Harris deploys the devices of the thriller writer to trace the perils and triumphs of Cicero's ascent ... A finely accomplished recreation of the power struggles of more than two millenniums ago
Fascinating … Imperium masterfully dramatises issues not only pertinent to a vanished world but to our own (Peter Kemp)

Harris [is] a truly gifted, razor-sharp writer... Enormously
entertaining
All stars
Most relevant
Takes you back to the politics of Rome, in a totally captivating story. An enthralling book, which must have been lovingly researched. It's a joy to listen to, as Bill Wallis is brilliant narrating it.

Superb story, utterly superb narration.

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Absorbing story, great characterisation and all set to the backdrop of hugely interesting historical events.

This felt like a rare Classic, but. I have yet to read Lustrum and Imperator so there may be more goodies to come!

Totally brilliant!

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I think the narrator is exceptional and the way the story is written from Tiro’s POV is such a unique and interesting way to tell a story, it removes bias from the main character. Even though the author didn’t make up most of this story, as it actually happened in history, it is written in such an engaging way that you learn cool stuff about Roman history, it’s fantastic.

Outstanding

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Really recommend. I typically avoid fiction in audio books as my enjoyment can be ruined by the wrong voice or reading. The late great Bill Wallis is wonderful here- genuinely fantastic. The story is gripping as well- so good I’ve just bought an extra credit to listen to Vol 2.

Fantastic story wonderfully read

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There are few names from the Roman republic that divide opinion more than Cicero. A brilliant lawyer, a self made man - yes. A brutally ambitious demagogue, a lap dog to the rich and powerful - well, you decide.

Robert Harris serves fans of Roman history a delicious treat here with Imperium. The rise of Cicero from the law courts to the Senate and from there to the precipice at the edge of the fall of Rome’s republican government is a story as gripping as any modern day political thriller.

The actor Bill Wallis puts in a truly captivating performance in the narration of this story told from the perspective Cicero’s slave and personal secretary, Marcus Tullius Tiro. Wallis brings back to life the voices of the past in a manner that is both comfortable to the ear and utterly mesmerising in its artistry.

A compelling read, narrated masterfully.

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