I, Claudius (A CSA Word Classic) [Abridged, Audiobook, CD] [Audio CD]

Robert Graves (Author), Derek Jacobi (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2008 | Series: A CSA Word Classic

Written as an autobiography, I, Claudius tells the tale of the nobleman Claudius, who is abhorred for his physical infirmities and viewed by his family as little more than a stuttering fool. The mask of idiocy ultimately serves him well: viewed as too insignificant to bother with, Claudius quietly survives the cruelties, intrigues, and bloody purges of the imperial Roman dynasties. From the sidelines, he observes the reigns of its emperors, from the wise Augustus and his wicked wife Livia to the sadistic Tiberius and the excessive Caligula. This historically accurate and vastly entertaining novel paints a vivid picture of the ancient world in all its madness and debauchery, highlighting the complexities and politics inherent in Empire-building. First published in 1934, it endures as one of literature's most celebrated and compelling historical novels.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Graves's legendary tale of Claudius, a nobleman in the corrupt and cruel world of ancient Rome during the rule of Augustus, Tiberius and Caligula, is a truly compelling listening experience. Derek Jacobi returns to the role that defined his career when he starred in the 1976 Masterpiece Theatre miniseries I, Claudius. Jacobi is so strong in this role, it seems created especially for him. Jacobi's compelling voice demands his audience's undivided attention from start to finish and in doing so delivers an unforgettable performance as Claudius yet again. So incredibly personal is Jacobi's performance that listeners feel almost as if eavesdropping on someone's private life, which only draws us deeper into this gem of modern literature. (Aug.)
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From AudioFile

A narration by Sir Derek Jacobi is always an unquestionable treat, and here he's on totally familiar ground as he immortalized Claudius, the Roman historian and chronicler, in the 1976 BBC TV series. A classic worth revisiting or enjoying for the first time, even this tidy abridgment captures the Rome of Augustus, Tiberius, and the mad Caligula, with its plots, poisonings, and palace intrigue and the eventual succession of "Claudius, the stammerer." Jacobi, a brilliant master, can color characters with pace and tone���and mostly without accents���and make each wholly distinct. The lists of who succeeded or descended from whom daunt him not, and sweep the listener along. The narrative flow is essential as so many events are described or related. Jacobi makes them vivid and thoroughly engaging. R.F.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD: 1 pages
• Publisher: CSA Word; Abridged edition (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934997013
• ISBN-13: 978-1934997017
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 5.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #942,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I, CLAUDIUS, November 19, 2009

By 

G. Meade "Reader Learning" (Spring, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: I, Claudius (A CSA Word Classic) (Audio CD)

I, Claudius is beautifully written by Robert Graves. It gives us (the Readers) "a front row Seat" into the complicated and often "endangered" lives of the the Present and Future Emperors of the Roman Empire and their Cohorts and Families... and their Enemies.
I, Claudius is informative and earns merits as a "Great Read".
In the Video of "I, Claudius" the storyline and the Characters remain absolutely true to the novel. It is well worth viewing.