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Imperium

From the bestselling author of Conclave

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Imperium

By: Robert Harris
Narrated by: Bill Wallis
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Summary

'Harris's novels about the Roman statesman Cicero, are perfect audiobook material.' 50 best audiobooks, Daily Mail

'Masterful' Sunday Times

'Gripping and accomplished' Guardian

'Truly gifted, razor-sharp' Daily Telegraph

Ancient Rome teems with ambitious and ruthless men. None is more brilliant than Marcus Cicero. A rising young lawyer, backed by a shrewd wife, he decides to gamble everything on one of the most dramatic courtroom battles of all time. Win it, and he could win control of Rome itself. Lose it, and he is finished forever.

Imperium is an epic account of the timeless struggle for power and the sudden disintegration of a society.

'In Harris' hands, the great game becomes a beautiful one' The Times

'A further step forward by this brilliant man who excels in everything he writers' Sunday Telegraph

 Biographical Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Political Thriller & Suspense Biography Fiction Exciting
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Critic reviews

Harris's best so far, rapid and compelling in narrative, copious in detail, thoroughly researched but also, which is more important, thoroughly imagined... Irresistible (Allan Massie)
In Harris's hands, the great game becomes a beautiful one
Genres ancient and modern have rarely been so skilfully synthesised... Gripping and accomplished (Tom Holland)
A joy to read in every way, and as a mirror to the politics of our present age has no equal
Harris deploys the devices of the thriller writer to trace the perils and triumphs of Cicero's ascent ... A finely accomplished recreation of the power struggles of more than two millenniums ago
Fascinating … Imperium masterfully dramatises issues not only pertinent to a vanished world but to our own (Peter Kemp)

Harris [is] a truly gifted, razor-sharp writer... Enormously
entertaining
All stars
Most relevant
There is much written in fact and fiction on the Roman Empire, and this book is a glorious blend of exactly that, fact and fiction. It is full of the jargon and phraseology of the systems, ranks, and legalese that are the basis of the federal rule that is the government system of the day in Rome. The book is set at a time that is pre Julius Caesar who enters the book as a lowly senator prior to his greatness becoming a matter of history, but as the book is written the secondary part that Julius plays, leaves you in no doubt that julius Caesar is one to watch!

The main part of the story told through the eyes of a slave with privileges, tasked with acting as a secretary for a man named Cicero, following him wherever he goes and acting at times as his friend and sounding board for the sometimes radical thinking that Cicero is prone to use. Cicero is a senator, and lawyer with less power than those he seeks to challenge, he uses his gifts of clear argument, and a huge gift for articulation, in writing and delivery of those speeches to win over those who wield the real power. Amongst the common man Cicero holds almost rock star status because of those gifts and as such when he does speak the people listen, and with that gift comes much responsibility which Cicero accepts with dignity and commitment, as essentially a good and honest man and never forgetting that at the heart he is but a citizen of Rome.

The story follows Cicero's rise in both power and influence. He however is an honourable and honest man at his heart and often comes into conflict with those who hold the real power and who are clever enough to use that power and influence to manipulate the majority for their own selfish ends. Cicero, does not let these doyens of wealth and power get away corruption theft and manipulation and fears no one in the delivery of justice and honesty in all things he touches.

The narrator for the book brings a great deal to the story and the writing which is littered with the words and phraseology of the forum,it's ranking and political positioning which Bill Wallis delivers these sometime complex phrases and words with confidence and clarity. His characterisations are consistent and well developed and as a narrator in this novel was for me the perfect choice for a book that would I think be at times a difficult read without him there.
I like this book a lot for its assumed and educated approach, the story that unfolds and the intrigue and political sculduggery that develops and held my interest as it is both educational and entertaining, and as such I have difficulty finding anything negative to say, well done Robert Harris and well read Bill Wallis.

5 stars all the way for me!

Roman Intrigue

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This is a thoroughly exhilarating read, and a great revelation if, like me, you know nothing much about this period of history. I loved it.

Superb.

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Great story that totally consumes you, beautifully narrated. Couldn't fault it. Can't wait to get the next one!

Engrossing

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There aren’t many authors, in my humble opinion, who can tell a story as well as Robert Harris.
It is a strange thing therefore that I was worried about getting this novel on audio book because a great story can be ruined by a poor narrator.
What an absolute delight it was then to find that this book is read by possible THE most perfect narrator. His voice for one fits this story perfectly and the way he is able to tell the story as if he is truly reminiscing back over a lifetime is simply masterful story telling.
I am off not to devour the next two novels in this series, and I’ve hardly looked forward to one more eagerly.

Masterful.

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A gripping story of ancient Rome with lively characterisation and shows parallels with the political life of today. The author seems to have taken great care with his research.

The story was brilliantly read by Bill Wallis who really brought the characters to life.

Another great novel by Robert Harris

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