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First Man In Rome

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First Man In Rome

By: Colleen McCullough
Narrated by: Stanley McGeagh
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.


The first book in the epic Masters of Rome series.

Rome. 110BC. A city which is home to Gaius Marius, prosperous but lowborn, a proud and disciplined soldier emboldened by his shrewdness and self-made wealth. It is also home to Lucius Cornelius Sulla, a handsome young aristocrat corrupted by powerty, a shameless pleasure seeker.

Two men of extraordinary vision, men of ruthless ambition, both blessed and cursed by the special favour of Fortune. men fated to lay the foundations of the most awesome empire ever known, and to play out a mighty struggle for power and glory - for Marius and Sulla share a formidable ambition: to become First Man in Rome.


© Colleen McCullough 1990 (P) Penguin Audio 2012

 Historical Fiction Political Science Fiction Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Rome
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Critic reviews

The author's narrative flows as easily as Father tiber . . . A grandly meaty historical novel . . . rich with gracefully integrated research and thundering to the beat of marching roman legions
All stars
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I am always sceptical about second books when I have really enjoyed the first. Often they disappoint. This one didn't. It exceeded all expectations. A joy to read. Bring on the next one.

I really good second book.

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Despite the quite poor previous reviews I risked to purchase the book. Especially since the part 1 was already finished and the interest in the story was roused. I can only agree with my fellow audible members - the editing quality is extremely poor. The text repeats itself from time to time, which is very confusing and frustrating as the story line gets lost and the listener gets a kind of deja vu feeling. It is strange that after numerous reviews specifically pointing out the quality issues, nothing has been done. The price of the book is considerable, so one would expect a respective quality.
All in all - the story is great, the characters are well presented and give the reader an educational as well as literary insight in Rome`s society and political structure. Despite the quality issues certainly recommended for the ones interested in that period of our past.

Great story, poor editing

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great book but almost as badly edited as part one,constantly repeating sections mad the reading experience almost unbearable APPALLING that this was reliced this way criminally unprofecial

great book BUT!!!!!!!!

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If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

This recording is littered with repetitions and gaps. In some cases several chapters are repeated all over again. In almost every chapter, a section of 20 seconds or so that has already been heard in a previous chapter is repeated, usually in the middle of some other passage making it all very confusing on an ongoing basis.

I can see other reviews complaining but nothing has bern done yet. I have complained to audible but it is not yet clear whether anything will be done. I will rereview if the problem is cured, but till then you can assume this recording will be a mess and quite a struggle.

Do not buy - an editing mess

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To put it simply, I couldn't stop listening. A truly remarkable work of historical fiction based soundly in historical fact. As a fan of this type of literature, I heartily recommend this example.

Not a single character appears but is fully rounded and fleshed out; the author happily delves back into a particular character's past then effortlessly brings you back to the current plot. The plots themselves are beautifully complex without being complicated. Her true masterstroke (amongst many) is in making each character human. The enemies of the books 'heroes' are not villains - simply differently minded. Even our protagonists are not above selfish or violent deeds. All is so well presented in the social and moral code of the time, without any modern comment, that you begin to forget you're reading a historical work.

Having finished this listening to this audio book, and part two, this represents over 31 hours of pure listening pleasure. I can’t wait for the rest of the series to follow.

Power, corruption, politics;Treachery and sex!

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