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The First Man in Rome (Masters of Rome, Bk 1)
The First Man in Rome - Masters of Rome, Bk 1
Author: Colleen McCullough
When the world cowered before the legions of Rome, two extraordinary men dreamed of personal glory: the military genius and wealthy rural "upstart" Marius, and Sulla, penniless and debauched but of aristocratic birth. Men of exceptional vision, courage, cunning, and ruthless ambition, separately they faced the insurmountable opposition...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780380710812
ISBN-10: 0380710811
Publication Date: 1990
Pages: 1,104
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 98

3.8 stars, based on 98 ratings
Publisher: Avon
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The First Man in Rome (Masters of Rome, Bk 1) on + 60 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
If you enjoy stories about ancient Rome, or historical fiction in general, you MUST read this book. I have not one criticism - only praise. The characters are so well developed that even those that are mentioned only within a few pages are vivid and memorable. A fanatic of hi-fi, I don't always enjoy the usual detailed battle/war scenes. This story is full of them, and they're never dull. Maybe because it's a woman writing about the victories and devastation on the battlefield? I'm now in hot pursuit to read everything McCullough has written. Feel free to email if you have any questions. ~LeAnn
Alameda avatar reviewed The First Man in Rome (Masters of Rome, Bk 1) on + 336 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
4-1/2 STARS!

Over 1,000 pages to the book, over 900 pages to the novel itself!

Book includes a very detailed 120 page Glossary giving (detailed) descriptions and definitions for roman (latin) words etc,

- plus 10 page pronunciation guide for roman masculine names,
- plus 9 page pronunciation guide to other names and terms.

Novel about Marius, wealthy but lowborn, and Sulla, aristocratic but penniless and debauched - extraordinary men of vision whose ruthless ambition will lay the foundations of the most awesome and enduring empire known to humankind.

- the major character - the women in particular - come through as real humans facing real and recognizable problems - a real work of art of words!
reviewed The First Man in Rome (Masters of Rome, Bk 1) on + 40 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first book in an excellent six book series about the Roman Republic. Over a thousand pages, you will feel history come alive. I cannot recommend Colleen McCullough's Rome series too highly.
reviewed The First Man in Rome (Masters of Rome, Bk 1) on + 84 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Colleeen McCullough,the Author of The Thorn Birds has done it again. This is an Awesome and absorbing novel of love, war, intrigue and betrayal which takes place in Ancient Rome. A must read.
gaslight avatar reviewed The First Man in Rome (Masters of Rome, Bk 1) on + 145 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
What can I say? This book is one of the best, most engrossing historical novels in recent history. The characters are compelling, even lovable - or am I the only one who finished this book madly crushing on Lucius Cornelius Sulla? McCullough does a killer job of capturing the atmosphere and attitudes of a Rome trying to hang onto its republican ideals and practices while pursuing its perceived right to rule the world and forge an empire. The character of Gaius Marius is a great portrait of this conflict between birth privilege and the emerging meritocracy.

Can't recommend this, or the sequels, highly enough (although I think the first 3 books are the best in a stellar series).
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reviewed The First Man in Rome (Masters of Rome, Bk 1) on + 41 more book reviews
I couldn't put it down. Also, the main characters are real I am interested in ancient history so the books was even more interesting
reviewed The First Man in Rome (Masters of Rome, Bk 1) on + 28 more book reviews
NY Times best seller by a master story teller, who wrote the Thorn Birds and the Grass Crown. I haven't actually read it, but if you like 900+ pages of a page-turner that got rave reviews according to the cover (from People, Chicago Tribune, Time, LA Times, Washington Post Book World,...) and you like historical novels, in this case about the last days of the Roman republic, this one could be a good choice for you. Also said to have excellent character development, especially of the women characters, who come through as "real human beings facing real and recognizable problems".
gottasalsa avatar reviewed The First Man in Rome (Masters of Rome, Bk 1) on + 38 more book reviews
Reading it was hard work, but worth every moment. Read the glossary first!


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