Reviews

The third installment in McCullough's magnum opus (after The First Man in Rome , LJ 9/15/90, and The Grass Crown , Morrow, 1991) continues her chronicle of the decline of the Roman Republic and the impending rise of the Roman Empire. The novel's events are dominated by Sulla's return from exile and subsequent installation as Rome's first dictator in almost 200 years; Pompey the Great's machinations as the wealthy provincial, which clears his own path upward through Roman politics; and the maturing of Gaius Julius Caesar, who will ultimately set Rome upon it's imperial course. These three are ``Fortune's favorites.'' Painstakingly researched, McCullough's Roman saga is like a trip through time. Her characters come to life as do their surroundings. While giving us rollicking good fiction, McCullough has also made clear the bribery and chicanery that made up Roman politics. She has given us clear insight into how Rome found itself changing from a republic to an empire. Highly recommended.-- Steven Sussman, ``Library Journal''

The sequel to The Grass Crown charts the conquests of Sulla and Pompey, the exploits of Spartacus and the rise of Caesar. (May)

"A master storyteller."--"Los Angeles Times"Brilliant...fascinating...a story of the ancient world told with authority, humor, richness and a touch of poetry."--"Cleveland Plain Dealer"McCullough succeeds in re-creating a fascinating world."--"Washington Post Book World"Epic...commanding...irresistible."--"San Francisco Chronicle