Glory and the Lightning

Having first read this book over 25 years ago, and many times since then, I'm really happy to find others who who have read and enjoyed it. Edith Hamilton's "Greek Mythology" was interesting thru grade school and junior-high, so when I picked this book up in high-school, I already had a keen interest in ancient Greece. "Glory and the Lightning" is told in three parts: First, the upbringing of Aspasia; second, the upbringing of Pericles and finally, their life together. Remember, though based on real people, this is fiction. It's not meant to be a definitive biography on any of the characters, including peripheral characters like the famous Socrates (I can't help thinking of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure "So-Crates" - he he). Some of the descriptions of life during that time are stark and disturbing, often revolting, and by extension very convincing. Caldwell does not spare anyone's sensibilities about slavery, misogyny, political and familial rivalry, murder-for-hire, depravity, and any number of other topics. Regarding the characters, yes, Aspasia is depicted as uncommonly beautiful. So has Helen of Troy been thru history, so what? Nobody blames storytellers in ancient times for their discription of the fabled Helen. There's no point in condemning Caldwell for depicting Aspasia as a paragon of beauty and intelligence. Pericles was looking for the perfect woman, so what? What man doesn't have a vision of the perfect woman in his mind? It's just a plot device to get them together - Caldwell can't know the real circumstances, she just wrote it the way she wanted. But still it's an interesting read about two people in the public eye who find a small measure of happiness despite the vagaries of family, friends, enemies and the population at large. I found the movie "The American President" with Michael Douglas and Annette Benning struck a similar chord. Just an observation, not really a comparison. I found the story highly engaging and often brilliant. It's too bad it's categorized as a romance; I think it could be enjoyed by anyone, not just romance readers. Highly recommend; and if you get a chance to go to Greece, the Parthenon is still fabulous, even though it's now about 3000 years old and is missing pieces. Reading a fictional account of it's conception and construction makes you appreciate it the more.

The muse, the inspiration for the great Athenian Pericles is his female companion Aspasia. How did she learn to enchant and enrich the intellectual and creative men of her time? Taylor Caldwell delivers a rich and powerful study of one of the most fascinating women in history. This book would make a terrific gift to teenagers interested in intelligent role models. Recommended. In fact, I think it is Taylor Caldwell's best piece of writing.

I'm in disbelief that certain reviewers were displeased with this book. There is nothing "high school" about it. Caldwell's characters are complicated and intelligent. I've read it several times since I was a teenager and it is always inspiring and intellectually satisfying. Caldwell doesn't shy from the imperfections of the human condition but her characters maintain a strong sense of selfhood and integrity that would be gratifying to see reflected in the real world -- and they sometimes are. This is my favorite book; it's glorious.

I read this book many, many years ago, and have never forgotten it. I kept thinking someone else wrote this book, and had to search long and hard to find the true author. I wish this book could be reprinted. I would love to buy it and have a copy. It was wonderfully written and nice to read. If anyone can get their hands on it, give it chance, you wont be disappointed.

I read this book back in the '70s when it was published and absolutely loved it. I loaned it to a friend and of course never saw it again. Taylor Caldwell is still my favorite historical novelist and I urge the publisher to bring this book back into print. I'd love to read it again!