11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Roman Campaign in Britain, February 27, 2011
Claudius is an exciting page-turner. Rarely am I able to finish a book in less than three sittings, but I read this book in two sittings over a two day period. The story rotates between following the main character Rufus, Caratacus (Leader of the Southern British army), and Emperor Claudius.
I connected with this book in a very unique way that is hard to fake. The author does a great job of making the characters real. It was very easy for me to connect with Rufus and feel the fear that he felt going into battle as the trainer of the emperor's elephant. The story does an amazing job of building the pressure leading up to the main engagement between the Roman and British forces at a river crossing in lower Britain as well. As the story rotates between the viewpoints of the two armies, it is very hard to predict which army will be victorious (assuming you clear your knowledge of Roman history ahead of time). The story really stresses the intricate number of variables in battles plans that can change the tide of battle and the amount of stress that comes with the realities of the fog of war. It really helped me as a reader get into the mindset of how a Roman soldier would be feeling before the battles and the overactive imaginations of soldiers that take over when contemplating the unknown elements of battle to come.
I picked this book up as someone who was craving a story about Roman conquests and was not disappointed by what this book delivered.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
And the blood and fight continues..., August 5, 2011
Oh yeah. THIS is the story I was waiting on! While I did enjoy book #1 (Caligula) I REALLY liked this one. Why? I think this one has more action and less "the elephant whispers". Not that I don't like Bersheba but I want the death, blood, torture, and gore! To be fair, both books have that but this one has more of it. `Claudius' picks up three/four years after `Caligula' and Rome is going back after Britain. Rufus has had the (mis)fortune of being too good at what he does and has been rewarded with an honorary Praetorian commission... with all the hardships and extra hardships that come with it.
`Claudius' is a true Roman novel in every way. From the battles with more blood than an exploding vampire, to the graphic descriptions of dismemberment, to the maze of Roman politics, Douglas continues one hell of a tale. Narcissus is the puppet master, Claudius is the lead actor, and Rufus is the bit player. Not because he's isn't important, but rather because he and his elephant are at the Emperor's bidding. And since being the Emperor of Rome means you have to have some sort of serious mental disorder, Claudius wants "his" elephant to fight against the Britain's.
Unfortunately the Britain's will not go quietly; Julius Caesar was witness to that. So Rome and her ego, I mean Emperor, plan another slaughter. I enjoy reading about the plights of the other side and Caratacus and his people provide the perfect fodder.
Rome wasn't the only nation that had honor and they weren't the only nation to bathe in blood. Both sides prepare... and the gods wait.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Story, February 13, 2011
I think this book is for everyone who likes history mixed with fiction. The author takes a reader on the journey with Roman legions during a second conquer of Britain under Claudius's reign. The book does not concentrate on Claudius life; it is only a small fragment from his time.
If you like Conn Iggulden's books, you will like this book as well.
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