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Spartacus: The Gladiator

Spartacus 1

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Spartacus: The Gladiator

By: Ben Kane
Narrated by: Michael Praed
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About this listen

Warrior. As winter approaches in 74 BC, few travellers are abroad. But one man is making the long and weary last stage of his way home. Large parts of his homeland, Thrace, a land north of Greece, has fallen under the hated power of Rome. This Thracian has fought in the Roman legions for nearly a decade. He is skilled, hardened in battle, a sophisticated fighter. Spartacus.

Slave. But home is no longer the safe haven of his imagination. A new king sits on the throne. Treacherous and cunning, he has seized the crown by murder and he will hold onto it by violence. When a Roman slave trader comes to the village in search of men who will fight as gladiators, Spartacus is betrayed and sold. His odyssey has begun.

Hero. The legend that is Spartacus has come down to us through the centuries - the story of a man who took on the might of Rome and nearly brought her down. Now Ben Kane, the brilliant author of The Forgotten Legion and Hannibal: Enemy of Rome, brings to glorious life the first part of the Spartacus story.

©2012 Ben Kane (P)2012 Random House AudioGo Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction War & Military Warrior Rome Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

“There is much to enjoy in this saga of the downtrodden triumphing temporarily over their oppressors, and the portrait of Spartacus as charismatic leader is a vivid one.” ( The Sunday Times)
“Ben Kane is a master of blending action, storytelling, living characters and historical and military detail … highly recommended.” ( Editor’s Choice Historical Novels Review)
“Historically little is known about the real Spartacus but in the hands of Ben Kane his legend has been crafted into two fantastic novels and this is the first.” (4 stars, Daily Express)
"The vestigial knowledge we have of Spartacus’s life is cleverly woven into a well-researched realisation of Thrace and Rome in the first century BC…a tense, bloody and page-turningly good novel." ( Lynn Roberts , The Tablet)
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Once again Ben Kane shows why he is so highly praised as one of the best historical fiction authors around. Its quite clear that he leaves no stone unturned in his research of his subject and with Spartacus he once again excells at filling in the gaps that history has forgotten!
We all know the tragic rise and fall of the Thracian slave who so very nearly toppled Rome but Ben Kane brings the legend to life and breathes new life into the fabled gladiator.

Ben Kane at his best

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I enjoyed this book imensely, i got thoroughly submerged in it and felt part off the action.
Micheal praid is an excellent narrator with a soothing voice, he has tone and inflection and brings the book to life.

Thoroughly enjoyable

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Great mix of gritty action and historical narrative.
Impassioned narration from Michael Praed is good but would benefit further from more distinction between character voices.
Lots to like here whether you’re new to the genre (and Spartacus’ story) or familiar with the subject matter and genre.
Be warned though that no punches are pulled when it comes to descriptions of the graphic brutality and the fate of women caught up in the violence is particularly disturbing.
That said, I think it’s all justified in painting a vivid picture of the savagery of this period of history.
Overall, a highly recommended page turner.

Sword and Sandals epic - not for the faint hearted!

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I do love the way this author writes. As a fan of Roman military history, listening to this book was the closest thing I will ever experience to the real thing.... for anyone who wishes that they could go back in history and witness history changing events, this book and this author's writing are a must.

Brilliant Book! Brilliant experience...

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I couldn't stop listening to this story once it started. Like the Hannibal story it had me gripped from start to finish. I love the story and the way it was read. A master peace also in a historic novel... Ben Kane I salute you ....

Spartacus...Spartacus....Spartacus... Fantastic!

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