Wherein our hero Durfee reviews The First Man In Rome book #1 in Colleen McCullough 's Masters of Rome series. 304 #TheFirstManInRome #Ceasar #CollenMcCullough check out some of my western novel reviews • HOW THE WEST WAS WON /...
While I had always been a huge history buff, this was the first (of eventually many) historical fiction novels I ever read. I saw the hardcover in the bookstore when it came out and thought it was a history. After reading the jacket, I decided I would buy it anyway and see what this historical fiction thing was all about. Boy was I a lucky man; this book was fantastic. I read it several times over the next year and found a new genre to enjoy. My good fortune continued the next year when The Grass Crown was published. I agree with the 10/10 on this book, and the quality of the series does not diminish.
I typed "First man in Rome" trying to find out if a movie or series had been made based on it that I might be unaware of and I ran into your review. I read all 7 books a few years ago and guess what, as soon as I finished the very last page I'd already made up my mind that I'd read them all over again. I subscribe all you say, especially that about standing in awe. If a book can bring about the Stendhal syndrome this could be it. Greetings from Barcelona.
I discovered McCullough simply because she was right next to McMurtry on Borders bookshelf. Changed my life, if you like political intrigue it does not get any better. 👍👍
I HAD THE GREAT PRIVILEGE OF HAVING HEARD THE ENTIRETY OF THE FIRST MAN IN ROME AND GRASS CROWN, FORTUNE'S FAVORITES, AND CAESAR'S WOMEN ON AUDIO (CD'S), AS I AM A WORKING MAN. I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW OF THE OTHER LATER ADDITIONS (THANK YOU BRIAN LEE), BUT I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT FIRST MAN IN ROME SHOULD/WOULD BECOME A MOVIE, SERIES. THE WAY IN WHICH SHE ELABORATED UPON THE ROMAN PSYCHE, THE MILITARY FOOT SOLDIERS TOTAL EQUIPMENT, AND THE FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIP OF ROMAN FATHERS (PATERFAMILIAS), AND MORE, HELPED ME TO UNDERSTAND THE ROMAN SOCIETY. COLLEEN McCULLOUGH MADE EVERY EFFORT TO INTRODUCE THESE THINGS THAT HELPED THE READER UNDERSTAND THE PEOPLE SHE WROTE OF. PLEASE!!! PLEASE, SOMEBODY IN HOLLYWOOD MAKE THIS A MOVIE OR SERIES, IT WILL BLOW GLADIATOR OUT OF THE WATER. PLEASE!!!
I completely understand your enthusiasm! What’s better than knowing you have an amazing series right there ready to go for you? I remember thinking I didn’t really want a 1000+ page book, but I’m so glad I bought it anyway. This series launched my Ancient Rome obsession. I’ve read a dozen or so series since then, trying to find another that is the equal of this series or even close, but nothing has measured up. I’ve really enjoyed my own journey through historical fiction and then through many of the actual sources. In just dabbling through this, I’m blown away by McColloughs research and relevant accuracy. It is fiction, but she really used the facts where she could. BTW, the character called “Piggle Wiggle” is McColloughs attempt at a humorous nickname, not his actual name 😂😂. If you are a fan of the ancient world, this is as good as it gets.
Would have never occurred to me read this book- I'm a Rome history and fiction fan. Starting at the NYPL and working my way to B&N. Although I love having a book to read so may just cut to the chase and schedule a pickup if it's in stock. Carry on BRIAN LEE! UPDATE: Reading now.
Hey Brian, just wanted to pass on a recommendation to Paul Kearney and his Monarchies of God series. It's epic fantasy and does more in 300 pages than most authors do in trilogies. Think you'll love it.
I really like her writing. I will say however that as Cesar becomes prevalent in the theories, it becomes apparent that she has a huge thing for Cesar. Cesar can do no wrong, and everyone else is stupid. That being said, I really enjoyed this book when I started the series XB tender age of 14.
The "Piglet" will actually be a great man and will earn a triumph by defeating Quintus Sertorius in the Sertorian War, alongside Pompey Magnus. The nickname is an invention though. The Caecili Meteli were a very great patrician family of Rome. If Marius ever nicknamed him such, it wouldn´t be written anywhere. It isn´t spoilers if it's real Roman history, right?
I found Ceasar (the 6th book?) in a goodwill, I bought it because I was watching the Rome HBO series and I wanted to read more about that time period. Should I buy the first book first? Or its fine if I start with that one?
If you're talking requests,I would request Witcher! Have you read the series before? Watched the Netflix show or play the games? I haven't seen you review the series; would like to know your thoughts.
I hadn't thought about "Piggly Wiggly" for a while. I've read, in some cases more than once, these novels. They stimulated an interest in Roman history. I took an ancient history class, , and for the past few years have watched RU-vid videos about ancient history and have, for the past few months, been playing RU-vid readings of Plutarch and Livy overnight, while I sleep. Fall asleep to Sulla, wake up with Crassus. As to the story about the Caepio's "Piggly Wiggly and the Piglet." Maybe, maybe not. I haven't heard that mentioned in the primary source. However I may not have been awake when the stories about the Gold of Tolusa, and Arausio was covered. Something to look forward to doing, maybe even try to find what Livy says about it. Great series of novels. One thing I've figured out about the historical record from primary sources and modern, well researched historical fiction is that they are essentially the same thing, well researched historical fiction loaded with author biases. I wish she had covered the Gracchi.
I'll definitely be picking up this series. Btw I'm listening to Crimes of Passion right now. The first time I heard it it was on vinyl when I was a kid. LOVE Pat Benatar!!!
Lookioos Cornelioos Soola... always a hard C sound in classical Latin. Gaius Marius did not come from a poor background however. "Although Plutarch claims that Marius's father was a labourer, this is almost certainly false since Marius had connections with the nobility in Rome, he ran for local office in Arpinum, and he had marriage relations with the local nobility in Arpinum, all of which when taken together indicate that he was born into a locally important family of equestrian status.[6][4][7] While many of the problems he faced during his early career in Rome show the difficulties that faced a "new man" (novus homo) in being accepted into the stratified upper echelons of Roman society, Marius - even as a young man - was not poor or even middle-class; he was most assuredly born into inherited wealth, gained most likely from large land holdings.[8] In fact, his family's resources were definitely large enough to support not just one member of the family in Roman politics, but two: Marius's younger brother, Marcus Marius,[a] also entered Roman public life.[9]"
I stopped listening after 6 minutes. A review is not saying "awe" 200 times. I was expecting more about the text than the number of characters and the cover illustration.
