Book Description
Throughout the Western world, great kingdoms have fallen and despots lay crushed beneath the heels of Rome's advancing legions. But in this age of magnificent triumph and barbaric cruelty, internal rebellion threatens the stability and survival of the mighty Republic. And an aging, ailing Gaius Marius, heralded 'conqueror of Germany and Numidia, longs for that which was prophesied many years before: an unprecedented seventh consulship of Rome. It is a prize to be won only through treachery and with blood, pitting Marius against a new generation of assassins, powerseekers and Senate intriguers -- and setting him at odds with the ambitious, tormented Lucius Cornelius Sulla, once Marius's most trusted right-hand man, now his most dangerous rival.
Customer Reviews:
A crowning achievement.......2007-10-03
With this book, Colleen McCullough continues her wonderful, fascinating, and so-very-important series. The Masters of Rome breathes life into history, giving us the details of daily life to the broad scope of battles which determined the fates of so many.
The Grass Crown continues the histories of Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla, both significantly older than they were in The First Man in Rome, and thus at different points in their lives, albeit with similar obsessions. Marius, called the Third Founder of Rome, is reluctant to relinquish his title, and clings to a prophecy that predicted that he would be consul of Rome a total of seven times. At the beginning of the book, he has been consul only (!) six times, and he is confident in the glory of his destiny. Sulla is desperate for his own glory - tired of being overshadowed by Marius - and so the two, who were allies, finally become enemies. Both men are ruthless.
The issues that McCullough explores still ring true today. How many lives are expended for egos, for ambition, for pig-headedness? For blindly following leaders who no longer deserve to be followed? How many good decisions are quashed because of petty jealousies?
McCullough also develops many lesser characters. Marcus Livius Drusus is extremely appealing, while Caepio the Younger is to a like degree repugnant. Scaurus, who finds joy in so many things, is a joy himself. We cheer for Livia Drusa; we admire Aurelia; we pity Aelia; we feel comforted whenever Julia enters a room.
And in The Grass Crown we are introduced to young versions of personages whom we know will be important later on. Julius Caesar - although we had met him before, here we get to know him and see some of his character. Pompey the Younger (who will later be Pompey the Great) is a brash, likeable young man - although a tad too bloodthirsty for my taste. And then there's my favorite, the young Cicero, who does not like war (for one thing he's really bad at it).
Are there any problems with the book? Yes, a few. Sometimes the names are difficult for the reader to keep straight. This is not McCullough's fault - the Romans themselves had a custom of limiting sons' names to a small selection of possibilities, and daughters' names to only one - meaning that all the daughters of a man shared the same single name (there's a plethora of Julias). McCullough comes up with many ways to assist the readers in keeping the personalities straight - but it's still a challenge, for example, to remember which minor Caesar we're reading about on this page. Second, those expecting the tightness of the narrative of Graves' I, Claudius will be disappointed. McCullough, given the scope of her project, can't limit herself to a single point of view, so occasionally the novel sprawls. Again, McCullough assists as best she can, with maps, for example, helping the reader keep things straight mentally. Third - and perhaps this is my only real complaint - all too often the characters say things like, "Oh, dear" - sounding more like fretful old hens instead of veteran Roman soldiers.
But these are mere quibbles! The first two McCullough had no choice about, and with respect to the third, there are plenty of instances of the use of "cunni" and "mentula" to satisfy those who require more salt in their prose, even if it's of a Latin variety.
My mother, who died too young, always said that in her retirement she wanted to devote herself to learning more about Greek and Roman history, in order to become "truly educated" at last. What a pity she could never read these books! I have, however, encouraged a number of other people to read this series. I suggest you do the same!
The Decay of Marius.......2007-05-29
Following The First Man in Rome, McCullough has returned with a seductive sequel, detailing the falling out of Marius and Sulla, the slow rise of Mithridates and the final collapse of Marius' sanity and his reign of terror leading to his short-lived seventh consulship. Young Pompey arrives on the scene as the precocious youth that he is, along with Cicero as a fellow cadet. We can begin to detect some of Yong Caesar's drive as well, but at the end of the book, Sulla continues his war in the east and Rome is ruled by Cinna, glad to be free of Gaius Marius' army of freedmen and slaves. The current voice of reason in Rome is Quintus Sertorius, recipient of the grass crown and the leader of the massacre of Marius' slave army. I cannot wait for the rise of the younger generation amid Sulla's reforms: Cicero, Pompey, Crassus and Young Caesar.
Great book.......2007-01-09
This is a great book, and part of a great series by Colleen McCullough. If you like historical novels, this book is for you.
A Hefty But Enjoyable Read.......2006-10-15
"The Grass Crown" is a direct continuation of "The First Man In Rome". If you enjoyed the latter, be ready for more of the same in "The Grass Crown". The only real difference between the two is that "The Grass Crown" focuses less on the private lives and backgrounds of individuals, because most of that information was presented in "The First Man In Rome". These books focus not on battles, nor on romance, but on politics.
McCullough's Romans are not Robert Graves' Englishmen in togas, but they are just as inclined to poison and manipulate their way into power.
One difficulty I had with this book was the lack of any really likeable character. Roman politicians are not any easier to love than modern ones. Gaius Marius, the hero of the first book, gradually becomes mad. I found Sulla quite disturbing, because despite his psychotic murderer side, I was sort of rooting for him anyway. The modern reader will just have to accept that Roman morals were not the same as ours are today, in order to be able to tolerate the characters.
If you are interested in Rome, this book is a must read. I learned so much I did not know about Roman history, government, and customs. The less interested reader will not be as willing to navigate 1000 pages of backstabbing and names that sound alike. Overall, I think "The Grass Crown" is an excellent read for those prepared to invest the time in it.
Sequel to "The First Man in Rome" loses no momentum!.......2006-09-29
In "The Grass Crown" we move from our original good buddies Marius and Sulla to several years later, where Rome is once again in turmoil
Despite having vanquished Jugurtha of Numidia and the Germanic tribes the Teutones, the Cimbri, and the Marcomannii and assorteds, Marius and Sulla see themselves thrust into conflict yet again, as first Mithridates of Pontus begins opening excursions into the surrounding countries of Cappadocia, Galatia, Halys, even threatening Bithynia and Asia Province.
Like the first book, this is a nearly flawless historical novelization of that period in time which saw Rome's true titans face off in the first of what would become painfully numerous civil wars, which would see the end of the Republic.
In this one, there is the Social War against the revived Italian tribes, the war with Mithridates of Pontus, and the civil war with some big names involved, such as Sulla, Cinna, Carbo, Pompeius Strabo, Pompeius Magnus, and Marcus Crassus
Flaws only amount to the lack of battle details---McCullough prefers to simply pass them over in quick mentions or mention only the more important details of maneuver or courage or whatever. Another brilliantly excellent read in the series
Customer Reviews:
Marius vs. Sulla, Two Leaders, Two Styles........2006-11-03
Ms McCullough has done a profound historical research in order to write her "Roman Saga" started with "The First Man in Rome" in 1990 and continued with "The Grass Crown" (1991).
She delivers an accurate picture of the late Roman Republic, bringing to life historically characters with amazing detail.
The author follows and reveals step by step all the intricacies of that rich and complex era.
Does this mean that the book is boring? By no means, Ms McCullough is able to show daily life, dressing, feeding, religious rituals, political and social structures in a magnificent fresco and at the same time construct an engaging story that will trap the reader for hours.
The story starts in the year 99 BC, following the careers of Marius and Sulla as they step by step draw away from each other and start a bitter confrontation.
The backdrop is the "Social War" (uprising of the Italics against Rome), the invasion of Greece and Rome's Asian province by King Mithridates and the harsh clash of plebeian and patrician.
Ms McCullough gives also numerous anecdotes about different great Romans as Marcus Livius and his sister Livia Drusa; Marcus Aemilus Scaurus and his very young wife Dalmatica. Their stories crisscross the entire novel long.
Almost inadvertently Gaius Julius Caesar is introduced in the story giving his first steps as a boy and a pre-teenager of outstanding intelligence and sensibility.
Last but not least the author has drawn beautiful busts of the main characters; detailed maps of different ancient scenarios where action takes place and very complete glossary.
I recommend reading the first volume of the series, but even if you don't do it, you will no be at loss as the author gives some flashbacks in the first pages.
I strongly recommend this book to any serious history aficionado!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.
Average customer rating:
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The Electric Grass Company (A Crown book)
Sydney Allen
Manufacturer: Southern Pub. Association
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Binding: Unknown Binding
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ASIN: 0812700864 |
Average customer rating:
- The Rocky Road to Romance CD (Evanovich, Janet (Spoken Word))
- delightful story!
- Delightful as Always
- The Rocky Road to Romance is a SMOOTH read!
- Feel like a romance with a humorous slant?
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The Rocky Road to Romance CD (Evanovich, Janet (Spoken Word))
Janet Evanovich
Manufacturer: HarperAudio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
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ASIN: 0060738251
Release Date: 2004-08-31 |
Book Description
When the delightful, daffy Dog Lady of station WZZZ offered to take on the temporary job of traffic reporter, Steve Crow tried to think of reasons to turn Daisy Adams down. Perhaps he knew that sharing the close quarters of a car with her for hours would give the handsome program director no room to resist her quirky charms. He'd always favored low-slung sports cars and high-heeled women, but that was before he fell for a free spirit who caught crooks by accident, loved old people and pets, and had just too many jobs!
Loving Daisy turned Steve's life upside down, especially once he adopted Bob, a couch potato masquerading as a huge dog. But was Daisy finally ready to play for keeps?
Customer Reviews:
The Rocky Road to Romance CD (Evanovich, Janet (Spoken Word)).......2007-03-11
This is a 6 CD audio book. It was really quite terrible. I have faithfully read Ms. Evanovich's number books, but this was not up to par at all.
delightful story!.......2007-03-09
Janet Evanovich is a wonderful author! listen or reading for that matter, you can picture everything going on in her stories. she describe the moment in great detail. I would recomend her books to any adult (books have an adult context to them. world rate it at least PG but NOT an R rated book)
Delightful as Always.......2006-08-01
This was a happy little romp with another one of Evanovich's quirky self-effacing heroines, comical side-kicks and family members, and egotistical yet strong and loving heros.
In a world so full of strife, "The Rocky Road of Romance" is a wonderful little mental holiday for anyone reading it or, like me, listening to it on long commutes back and forth to work.
The Rocky Road to Romance is a SMOOTH read!.......2005-09-11
---another great love story! I highly recommend the audio version. The story goes by quickly. This book is an entertaining read!
Feel like a romance with a humorous slant?.......2005-08-24
Evanovich is fast becoming one of my fave authors. This is the 3rd book of hers that I've heard (audiobooks are great for long drives!). This story made me laugh out loud constantly. Critt is a great reader for Janet's material. She puts a lot of expression into the characters that have been so wonderfully created. The storylines may be a bit fluffy, but you can't help smiling and feeling great about the happy endings!
Book Description
Atlantis was first introduced by the Greek philosopher Plato in two "dialogues" he wrote in the fourth century B.C. His tale of a great empire that sank beneath the waves has sparked thousands of years of debate over whether Atlantis really existed. But did Plato mean his tale as history, or just as a parable to help illustrate his philosophy? In The Atlantis Dialogue, you'll find everything Plato said about Atlantis, in the context he intended. Now you can read and judge for yourself!
Download Description
Everything Plato said about the lost continent of Atlantis.
Customer Reviews:
From a Theatrical point of view.......2007-03-10
I enjoyed the dialogues immensely, however, one who is looking for a more in depth look into Plato's philosopies on this "Utopic Society, Atlantis", this is not the book. From a theatrical perspective it is great fun and the imagination takes over.
The Atlantis Dialogue: A Handy Primer.......2006-08-12
The first best thing to do when seriously curious about a legend like Atlantis is to become familiar with the source materials from which it sprang, in order to expose later embellishments. Enhancements added over time commonly render otherwise believable original accounts into fanciful yarns, believable only as myths. (Sorting out the embellishments from legitimate research findings is another task.) This book presents that source account; the whole and nothing but. It is much like an archaeological find; a genuine relic dug up. A bit pricey for its size; its main sellig point is convenience: Quick, easy, portable reference, without the bulk of the full dialogues; and its slim enough to fit into a notebook. The editor seems to hint of bias in the introduction; but, the text itself is plain and free of italics, paraphrasing, and other editors' devices, and is not a new translation. To me, this oldest version reads like a new one. I found no mention of lasers, energy vortices, or power crystals. I did find an eerily familiar description of a civilization whose construction and archetectural achievements and innovations were no more astounding, and certainly no less, than those of the Egyptians, Chinese, Romans, Maya, or Inca, most of which remain equally mystifying. I was far more intrigued by the plausibility of this story than by the modern myth it has become. Atlantis must remain a myth until someone finds it. On the other hand; the city Ilios of Troy was also another myth invented by another ancient author for another work of fiction, until it was discovered in 1871 by Heinrich Schliemann, using Homer's Iliad as his guide. If Atlantis can be found, the lead clues are in this work.
Where did the story originate and is any of it true? .......2006-06-10
The legendary tale of the lost continent of Atlantis starts in 355 B.C. with the Greek philosopher Plato. Everyone knows this, but what everyone doesn't know is that Plato had planned to write a trilogy of books discussing the nature of man, the creation of the world, and the story of Atlantis, as well as other subjects. As we all know. only the first book was ever completed. The second book was abandoned part way through, and the final book was never even started. Plato used dialogues to express his ideas. This type of writing style is when the author's thoughts are explored in a series of arguments and debates between various characters in the story. Plato often used real people in his dialogues, such as his teacher, Socrates, but the words he gave them were his own. In Plato's book, Timaeus, a character named Kritias tells an account of Atlantis that has been in his family for generations. According to the character, the story was originally told to his ancestor, Solon, by a priest during Solon's visit to Egypt.
There had been a powerful empire located to the west of the Pillars of Hercules (the Straight of Gibraltar) on an island in the Atlantic Ocean. The nation there had been established by Poseidon, the God of the Sea. Poseidon fathered five sets of twins on the island. The firstborn, Atlas, had the continent and the surrounding ocean named for him. Poseidon divided the land into ten sections, each to be ruled by a son, or his heirs. The capital city of Atlantis was a marvel of architecture and engineering. The city was composed of a series of concentric walls and canals. At the very center was a hill, and on top of the hill a temple to Poseidon. Inside was a gold statue of the God of the Sea showing him driving six winged horses.
About 9000 years before the time of Plato, after the people of Atlantis became corrupt and greedy, the gods decided to destroy them. A violent earthquake shook the land, giant waves rolled over the shores, and the island sank into the sea, never to be seen again. So, is the story of Atlantis just a fable used by Plato to make a point? Or is there some reason to think he was referring to a real place? Well, at numerous points in the dialogues, Plato's characters refer to the story of Atlantis as genuine history and it being within the realm of fact. Plato also seems to put into the story a lot of detail about Atlantis that would be unnecessary if he had intended to use it only as a literary device.
On the other hand according to the writings of the historian Strabo, Plato's student Aristotle remarked that Atlantis was simply created by Plato to illustrate a point. Unfortunately, Aristotle's writings on this subject, which might have cleared the mystery up, have been lost eons ago. This is a great, albeit short story, introduction into the legandary lost city of Atlantis. Plato was a brilliant mind with a nitch for story telling.
intro full of bias.......2006-03-27
I was pleased to be able to own in book form this literature by Plato, even if it is available online for free. There is something about having a book in my hand that I truly enjoy. Anyway, I wish this book was JUST Plato's work on Atlantis, not including such a bias intro, calling Plato's story of Atlantis "pure fiction" discounting it as a real possibility of place and history.
A Disappointment.......2006-02-23
While the content of the book was quite interesting, all the author did was combine Plato's dialogues of Timaeus and Critias which are free in various formats on the Internet. I already had them and was expecting more than a mere title change. The author's opinion of Plato's work can be viewed on the back cover where he quotes Socrates in bold italics "... what a lot of lies this young man is telling about me!" As far as I see it, he is merely using the popularity of the name Atlantis to fund a self-publishing enterprise. P.S. Kudos to Plato.
Book Description
Rebecca Parker was a young minister in Seattle when a woman walked into her church and asked if God really wanted her to accept her husband's beatings and bear them gladly, as Jesus bore the cross. Parker knew, at that moment, that if she were to answer the woman's question truthfully she would have to rethink her theology. And she would have to think hard about some of the choices she was making in her own life. When Rita Nakashima Brock was a young child growing up in Kansas, kids taunted her viciously, calling her names like "Chink" or "Jap." She learned to pretend that she did not feel the sting of scorn and the humiliation of contempt. The solitude and silence of her suffering-decreed by both her mother's Japanese culture and her father's Christian heritage-kept the wound alive. It was the gap between knowledge born of personal experience and traditional theology that led Rita Brock and Rebecca Parker to write this emotionally gripping and intellectually rich exploration of the doctrine of the atonement. Using an unusual combination of memoir and theology in the tradition of Augustine's Confessions, they lament the inadequacy of how Christian tradition has interpreted the violence that happened to Jesus. Ultimately, they argue, the idea that the death of Jesus on the cross saves us reveals a sanctioning of violence at the heart of Christianity. Brock and Parker draw on a wide array of intimate stories about family violence, the sexual abuse of children, racism, homophobia, and war to reveal how they came to understand the widespread damage being done by this theology. But the authors also undertake their own arduous and unexpected journeys to recover from violence and to assist others to do so. On these journeys they discover communities that begin to give them the strength to question the destructive ideas they have internalized, and the strength to seek out an alternative vision of Christianity, one based on healing and love. Proverbs of Ashes is
Customer Reviews:
Redemption for victims of violence and abuse.......2006-09-17
Warning: this book is not for the faint of spirit! It is an excellent book that speaks to the souls of women who have experienced violence of any type. (Being a woman, I can't speak for men who have experienced violence. Someone else will have to write that review.)
My soul was deeply moved by the writings of authors Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Parker. Proverbs of Ashes speaks to the pain I experience as an Christian. As I recognize the immense power of story in people's lives, I find myself grimacing more and more at the reality that the story that has primacy in the Christian tradition is the story of the crucifixion of Jesus. The story is at its very core a violent story, and one that brings humiliation and shame (as do domestic violence and sexual abuse). Nakashima Brock and Parker describe that angst without apology. They don't sugar coat it; they don't try to lessen the pain. They acknowledge and name it, and therein lies the seed of healing.
This is a book for those pondering the violence in our Christian tradition. It is a book for those who are questioning their place in the Christian church, especially those who have experienced violence or abuse. This is a book for the church to ponder. It is time to reorient our focus in Jesus' story from death to resurrection, to locate salvation beyond just a personal relationship with Jesus to a recognition of the whole human family, and to live out the compassion that can be found at the root of every world religion. This book is a starting point for that grand journey of the world's soul.
Insightful Writing Dealing with Issues of Abuse and Religion.......2003-02-27
This was a provocative book by two feminist theologians who shared their personal stuggles of early sexual abuse and the effect it had on their adult lives. The honesty of each is gripping. They also make a very credible tie between abuse and violence being tolerated in religious circles because of existing patriarchal beliefs and language in the Bible and religion. It is very insightful and a comfort for women who have felt abused by the Church at worse or not supported in efforts to end abuse in their lives. An eye-opener for those who have yet to be educated about the problem of language in referal to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit - A consolation for those who have.
Profound and Powerful Book.......2002-07-04
PROVERBS OF ASHES is extraordinary. It is skillfully written, and gives a powerful, and, I believe accurate account of Christianity. The authors' description of the power of grief and how moving through it is transforming is right on. They articulate a theology of a Loving Presence which individuals can provide each other, and humanity can provide for everyone. This provides love and healing. Not the defensive denial that traditional Christianity gives us.
I am a licensed clinical social worker, and a woman who has experience repeated abuse in her life, which was supported by Christianity. This book spoke to the core of my being.
Chris Walker, LCSW
A VASTLY important book.......2002-05-19
I won't describe this book, as it has been adequately described by the preceeding reviews.
I will, however, repeat that this is a "must read" book IMHO. As a psychotherapist and seeker, I found this book to be very important in my own thinking toward Christianity and suffering.
For any therapist who works with childhood sexual abuse, Chapter 5 "The Unblessed Child" alone is worth the price of the book.
I would, however, like to address a point raised by a reviewer below, who criticized the book for not answering the questions that it raises. I think this is unfair criticism. The issues of suffering and violence are vastly complicated, and it is my opinion that by raising the questions and examining them in light of Christianity this book provides a great service.
Given the educational levels of the authors, I felt somewhat daunted when I began the book. To their high credit, the authors have taken complicated, emotionally charged information and have made it very accessible. I applaud the authors' courage at being willing to step forward and to tell their own stories, and to explore how their own life experiences have impacted their theology.
I look forward to hearing more from both of these authors.
Run, Do Not Walk, to Get this Book.......2002-05-04
This is one of the most important books I have ever read in my life. It is a searing personal and theological indictment of the Christian theological view that Jesus was sent into the world to suffer and die for us and that by this event, we are redeemed eternally.
I have never understood how an act of cruelty, violence and human sacrifice could be in any way redemptive and it is because of my inability to do so that I have never been able to become a Christian. This book, in a magnificent blend of personal life/ minsterial experience and theological rigor, challenges the notion of substitutionary atonement in a clear, concise and compelling fashion.
As a woman raised in a predominantly Christian society, I found much theological and personal healing in this book - it works strongly at many levels, the theological, feminist and societal, in its analysis of the relationship among Christianity, gender and violence. It comes from the hearts and minds of two Christian women who love God, Jesus and their faith very much, but are not willing to accept or excuse the poisonous wound at its heart.
Words are inadequate to convey the true depth and importance of this work; I can only urge you to read it and hope it may have a profound positive effect on your life as it has had on mine.
Books:
- The Italian Secretary: A Further Adventure of Sherlock Holmes
- The Kitchen God's Wife
- The Lions of Lucerne
- The Map of Love: A Novel
- The Mark: The Beast Rules the World (Left Behind No. 8)
- The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana
- The Myth of You and Me: A Novel
- The Piano Tuner: A Novel
- The Seville Communion
- The Summer Guest
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