Caesar: Let the Dice Fly

Colleen McCullough's Master of Rome series, includes 6 books, with Caesar being the fifth in the series. Her work can truthfully be called epic, both in scope and historical accuracy. What McCullough has done, is to create out of the dry and often boring tomes about Caesar and the attendant fall of the Republic, a vivid, absorbing and highly entertaining set of books. The settings span Rome, Germany, Gaul of the Long Hairs and what was known as Africa Province, which included Egypt. The hand drawn maps included in each book, aid the reader in placing the action and locations of the known parts of the countries, either under Roman rule or at war during this turbulent part of Roman history. The characters, who for the most part are genuine historical figures, spring to life, under McCullough's deft hand. Gaius Julius Caesar: A man in his prime and at the peak of his powers. He is a perfectionist, who values his dignitas more than life itself. A superb general, wily politician and possessed of a mind bordering on genius, Caesar is hated by a small group-the Boni (good men) for all of his vast abilities. Continually impeded and frustrated by them, he is finally forced to do the unthinkable-cross the Rubicon, and enter Roman lands with military force. Pompeius: Allied once to Caesar, by marriage to Caesar's beloved daughter Julia, he has become enmeshed in the Boni's plotting to bring Caesar down. Arrogant, selfish, cunning and jealous of Caesar's outstanding successes in the conquering of Gaul, he obtains a Consultatum Ultimatum, which was as close to Dictator as a Picentine upstart was going to get. Marcus Portius Cato: A moral man, so filled with fears, phobias and a strident hate for Caesar, he continues to obstruct him in everything he does. McCullough's thorough and deep portrait of Cato, shows her continuing refusal to take the easy way out and paint her antagonist in monochromatic shades. Quintus Cicero: Younger brother of the famed orator Cicero, Caesars ally and beloved friend. Throughout the long grueling campaign in Gaul, Quintus Cicero grows to love, respect and admire his general. His loyalty in the face of his wife Terentia's and his famed elder brother's hatred of Caesar, is simply awesome. Marcus Antonius: Marcus is a very shallow seeming and pleasure loving man, perhaps a bit too fond of wine. Yet when ordered to accompany Caesar to Gaul, he shows the inner strength and discipline to carry himself well in battle. Brutus: His heart shattered by Caesar when his betrothal to Julia was broken, is a weak and ineffectual man. Cowed from a very young age by Servillia, his mother, who is Caesar's lover, he is a lost soul. Forbidden by Servillia when young, from seeing his Uncle Cato, when finally freed by the breaking of his engagement, he begins a long slide into destruction amongst the Boni. He is his Uncle Cato's man to the bitter end. There is something for everyone in the book: politics, greed, ambition, military tac

I've never had any interest (didn't know a thing about it either) in the ancien Rome before I read the first book of The Masters of Rome. And I must say it must be one of the best, most accurate historic novels I've ever read. You simply can't put it away. Since the Masters of Rome, I've read an extreme amount of books, magazines etc. about Rome but my favourite readings are still the wonderful books of Colleen McCullough. No one has succeeded at bringing back people, that have been dead for 2000 years now, back to life so succesfully. Makes you want to move back in time! It is true that the fith book is concentrated on Cesar (it's also named Cesar, so no wonder), but since I find him one of the most interesting characters in ancien Rome it's a pleasure to read how Ms.McCullough interprates this man. I love every page! Most of the books I've read about him are so dry, simple facts nothing more, but here he becomes a real man, a one in a million man, but still just a man, with his own demons. Ms.McCullough goes into Cesar's head so succesfully, that one should think it's Cesar him self writing. I recomend this book 100%. All of my friends were forced to read it, and didn't regret! I simply can't wait for the 6th book to come out! I hope it will be some time soon.

The conspirators were right. This latest in the Masters of Rome series leaves little doubt that Caesar was ambitious. That he was more so than his contemporaries or the erstwhile Marius or Cornelius Sulla would be a difficult case to make. Saner than the first and unincumbered by the driving perversity of the latter, Caesar saw himself as the personification of the Roman Republic. His triump and that of Rome were one and the same. Thus the road from the Rubicon to Rome was paved with noble intentions and the Caesar of McCulloch's novel emerges as a far more sympathetic character than painted by many historians. The author's research offers a detailed look at the Western Empire at its height. Her believable characters beguile the reader's interest with the rich panoply of violence, sex and intrigue that are at the core of every good novel.We leave Caesar poised on the brink of fate come to fruition and from the author, promises of more to come.

I have read the "learned" reviews. I am not a history major or anything close to it. I just love historical fiction and have found Colleen McCullough to be one of the best authors in this form. I am just anxiously waiting for the next in the series to appear. I believe it was to be called "The October Horse". I would like to know as soon as it is published and available.

In this fifth book of the First Man In Rome series Julius Caesar leaves Rome for the Gallic Wars. The scene shifts between Gaul and Rome as the "Boni" or "Good Men" continue their machinations to destroy Caesar. Pompey Magnus goes from Caesar's ally to his nemesis. McCullough's greatest gift is to make history come alive. Her characters are not the dry dust of high school history or Latin classes but spring from the page with ambition and passion. My greatest complaint is that she writes so slowly. I've waited two years for this episode to arrive and now I'll have to wait for the next. This entire series is a must read for anyone who is interested in Rome and Romans. McCullough's research is superb and when you finish, your understanding of how Rome ruled the world for 1300 years will have reached your gut level.