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Defender of Rome

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Defender of Rome

By: Douglas Jackson
Narrated by: Cornelius Garrett
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About this listen

Gaius Valerius Verrens returns to Rome from the successful campaign against Boudicca in Britain. Now hailed a ‘Hero of Rome’, Valerius is not the man he once was – scarred both physically and emotionally by the battles he has fought, his sister is mortally ill, his father in self-imposed exile. And neither is Rome the same city as the one he left. The Emperor Nero grows increasingly paranoid. Those who seek power for themselves whisper darkly in the emperor’s ears. They speak of a new threat, one found within the walls of Rome itself.

A new religious sect, the followers of Christus, deny Nero’s divinity and are rumoured to be spreading sedition. Nero calls on his ‘Hero of Rome’ to become a ‘Defender of Rome’, to seek out this rebel sect, to capture their leader, a man known as Petrus. Failure would be to forfeit his life, and the lives of 20,000 Judaeans living in Rome. But as Valerius begins his search, a quest which will take him to the edge of the empire, he will discover that success may cost him nearly as much as failure.

©2011 Douglas Jackson (P)2011 Random House Audio Go
Fiction Historical Fiction Rome Inspiring

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Where does Defender of Rome rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best historical fiction books i have listened to this year, if not all time. Douglas Jackson brings ancient Rome to life. Stunning attention to detail, and the narration by Cornelius Garrett just adds to the atmosphere. After listening to the first in the series (Hero of Rome), this was an automatic must have listen.

Have you listened to any of Cornelius Garrett’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have listened to Hero of Rome, and this was defiantly next on the list. Well written, and well read.

Any additional comments?

If you like Historical fiction, and have listened to any of the "Vespasian" series by Robert Fabbri then this book will not disappoint.

Brilliant

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I loved this book. It was very well read by Cornelius Garrett, he was clear, expressive and kept the dramatic tension of the story just to the right level throughout the novel.

Another great story from Douglas Jackson

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what can I say it is absolutely brilliant. it keeps you listing for hours.
all of douglas jackson books are well read its just a shame all of the series aren't on here.

absolutely brilliant!!

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