Steven Saylor is the author of the long running Roma Sub Rosa Novels of Ancient Rome featuring Gordianus the Finder, as well as the New York Times bestselling novel, Roma and its follow-up, Empire. He has appeared as an expert on Roman history and life on The History Channel.
James Langton is an actor and Earphones Award-winning narrator whose audiobooks include The Brotherhood of the Holy Shroud, Fire Storm , and An Old Betrayal . He has provided voiceover for clients including Geico and Johnson & Johnson, and is also a professional musician who led the internationally renowned Pasadena Roof Orchestra from 1996 to 2002.
"The Pinarii characters afford an excellent lens through which to view both imperial and daily life, and the great events of the span from 14 CE through 141 CE, including the Great Fire, the persecutions of Christians, numerous military campaigns, and, of course, insanity and perversion among the emperors. Saylor is an excellent guide through this fascinating underworld. Superb historical fiction." --Booklist (starred review) "Saylor's encyclopedic knowledge and sense of detail are on ample display, as is his impressive ability to weave centuries of history into an entertaining narrative...[a] magnificent feat of storytelling." --Historical Fiction Review "May one day be seen as his magnum opus. It is certainly the most ambitious of his novels thus far, and the grandest in its sweeping scope and attention to detail...full of power and pathos." --Ben Witherington, The Bible and Culture "I rate a book by whether I simply read it or devour it. This I devoured." --Rob Cain, Ancient Rome Refocused "Meticulous research and brilliant storytelling... What impressed me most was the novel's powerful emotional impact: the pain of unrequited love, hopes disappointed or friendship betrayed as well as the joy of a love returned, spiritual enlightenment or simply being alive. This is a great book by a great writer." --newbooks magazine "Love stories, including forbidden ones, intrigue, action in the Arena, thrilling escapes, tons of 'it can't be true but actually it was' anecdotes...as well as many superb characters--you will find all in these almost 600 pages. With extraordinary detail and world building, Empire is a clear work of love for the author and the single best novel he has written." --Fantasy Book Critic "Historical events provide plenty of depraved details and comparisons that beg to be drawn to today; lions and gladiators in the arena, volcanic eruptions, live burials, and master illusionists abound to fire up any number of dinner conversations....Recommended for anyone who enjoys Roman history." --Library Journal "Saylor...vividly describes how the family survives the volcanic destruction of Pompeii, the burning of Rome, and the persecution of Jews and Christians." --Publishers Weekly "Filled with tales of intrigue, ambition, violence, and suspense...a vivid evocation of the bloodthirsty, chaotic spectacle that was ancient Rome, and an example of how the best historical fiction brings the past to life." --Archaeology Magazine
Toga alert! Saylor resumes the family saga he began in Roma, spanning from the reign of Augustus (27 BCE-17 CE) to the death of Hadrian (138 CE). With the same solid historical research, this new hefty and entertaining installment should please fans of the first volume and draw new readers attracted by the famous names (this period, the author notes, is rather emperor-centric). The Pinarii family are still madly trying to cope with life close to the imperial court and passing their amulet, which now resembles a crucifix to the Christian-wary Romans, through the generations. Historical events provide plenty of depraved details and comparisons that beg to be drawn to today; lions and gladiators in the arena, volcanic eruptions, live burials, and master illusionists abound to fire up any number of dinner conversations. Verdict Recommended for anyone who enjoys Roman history. At the end Saylor notes that he draws on the writings of Suetonius and Pliny for his material, so curious readers might want to turn to the original sources.-Mary K. Bird-Guilliams, Wichita P.L., KS Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.
"The Pinarii characters afford an excellent lens through which to view both imperial and daily life, and the great events of the span from 14 CE through 141 CE, including the Great Fire, the persecutions of Christians, numerous military campaigns, and, of course, insanity and perversion among the emperors. Saylor is an excellent guide through this fascinating underworld. Superb historical fiction." --Booklist (starred review) "Saylor's encyclopedic knowledge and sense of detail are on ample display, as is his impressive ability to weave centuries of history into an entertaining narrative...[a] magnificent feat of storytelling." --Historical Fiction Review "May one day be seen as his magnum opus. It is certainly the most ambitious of his novels thus far, and the grandest in its sweeping scope and attention to detail...full of power and pathos." --Ben Witherington, The Bible and Culture "I rate a book by whether I simply read it or devour it. This I devoured." --Rob Cain, Ancient Rome Refocused "Meticulous research and brilliant storytelling... What impressed me most was the novel's powerful emotional impact: the pain of unrequited love, hopes disappointed or friendship betrayed as well as the joy of a love returned, spiritual enlightenment or simply being alive. This is a great book by a great writer." --newbooks magazine "Love stories, including forbidden ones, intrigue, action in the Arena, thrilling escapes, tons of 'it can't be true but actually it was' anecdotes...as well as many superb characters--you will find all in these almost 600 pages. With extraordinary detail and world building, Empire is a clear work of love for the author and the single best novel he has written." --Fantasy Book Critic "Historical events provide plenty of depraved details and comparisons that beg to be drawn to today; lions and gladiators in the arena, volcanic eruptions, live burials, and master illusionists abound to fire up any number of dinner conversations....Recommended for anyone who enjoys Roman history." --Library Journal "Saylor...vividly describes how the family survives the volcanic destruction of Pompeii, the burning of Rome, and the persecution of Jews and Christians." --Publishers Weekly "Filled with tales of intrigue, ambition, violence, and suspense...a vivid evocation of the bloodthirsty, chaotic spectacle that was ancient Rome, and an example of how the best historical fiction brings the past to life." --Archaeology Magazine
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