A Pillar 0f Iron

I first read this in 1978, in my last of four years of Latin with the most inspiring nun, Sister Mary David of the Mercy sisters in Lower Merion, PA. I was transfixed and transported by this story, and the love story with Livia, which I am certain was complete fiction. But Caldwell was able to so beautifully capture the ambiance of the last days of the Roman Republic, of Cicero's friendship (ultimately ill fated) with a young Caesar, and his battles with Cataline who I will forever refer to because of this book as "Lucius Sergius Catalina.' I developed a love for history, for the classics, for Cicero (I became a lawyer because of him) and of the great storyteller Taylor Caldwell. I cannot wait to relive those happy and exciting days from almost a half century ago.

Every Taylor Caldwell book is a piece of art and A Pillar of Iron is no exception

absolutely brilliant - could not put the book down was transported to Roman times recommed to all I know

This book has to be taken as a novel. Anybody trying to find deep research and historical accuracy in it will be definitely dissapointed. I agree that some simple historical facts are structured in it and imagination filles in between. Many other facts are deliberately tergiversated so as to make Cicero a more appealing character to a modern christian non-erudite-in-Roman-issues reader.However, I think that Caldwell's deep admiration for Cicero is transmitted to the reader. Part of that historical inaccuracy is what makes of this a wonderful novel. Not only displays a rich and aesthetical environment for Cicero's life, but portraits a really inspiring man. Great book!

The first time I read this book I was thirteen. Heavy reading for a kid, but I loved it. I carried it around the house and outside and just could not put it down. I understand that some of it is fiction to give depth to the charcaters and intrigue to the story, but from other books I've read on Cicero it's more than moderately accurate. I think this is a wonderful description of Cicero as a man, not just an orator, and I'd recommend that anyone interested in the old Rome should read this and everything about Cicero.

I read this book while taking Economics in high school about 1 week ago. It was the highlight of the course. Thanks Mrs. Mara! I kick myself for not keeping a copy. It is a good story from one perspective of life in Rome. Cicero was among the first to habitually publish his writings and speeches (it was one of his greatest sources of income). However, since it is he was writing about, they were somewhat subjective. Another spin on Cicero, Caesar, and others can be found in the novels by Colleen McCullough. She begins her historical fiction tales from the time just before the birth of Cicero and Caesar and continues through the death of both. The series is several books and covers the Roman lifestyle in much greater depth. Very good reading.