The Pirate [Mass Market Paperback]

Harold Robbins (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Readers of The Antagonists, Gann's version of the siege of Masada on which the TV miniseries was based, may be less than enthralled by this desultory sequel. Unlike the earlier book, there is no great central conflict here. Picking up from Flavius Silva's discovery of the mass suicide of the Jews of Masada, the novel moves tediously towards a struggle over the Roman throne, with Flavius a key player in the intrigue. With Emperior Vespasian dying, the stage is set for a contest between his two sons, Titus and Domitian. Allied with Titus is Domitillia, his sister, who becomes Silva's lover, thrusting the battle-weary general into the center of the struggle. Gann fails to pump much drama into this history; those interested in Roman intrigues would do best to turn back to I, Claudius. Paperback rights to Pocket Books.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Most history books mention Flavius Silva only as the Roman general who besieged Masada, ground Gann covered in The Antagonists (1971). In this sequel, the author tells of subsequent years, until A.D. 79. A visit to Judea by the Emperor's daughter Domitillia, married for state reasons to a much older man, changes Silva's life completely when he falls in love with her. Like the empire itself, they overcome treachery and deceit in keeping their affair secret, and the book ends with the promise of better days to come. Military matters take precedence over romance. Characters often muse over the past in passages that contain many a history lesson, but which could have been deleted without losing the thread of the story. It is not necessary to read the earlier book to enjoy this one, which will entertain devotees of ancient Rome. Andrea Lee Shuey, Dallas P.L.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (October 2, 1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671825291
• ISBN-13: 978-0671825294
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,947,862 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Tale, Well Told, Not So, February 16, 2008

By 

Robert W. Winter (Truman, MN, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The TRIUMPH. (Hardcover)

If you are looking for a fully accurate novelization of the later part of the Roman Emperor Vespasian's reign, pass this one up. There are some inaccuracies. (One of the book's key characters died before the time this novel starts; and Domitian seems to have saved his villainy until well into his reign.) Vespasian is very well done, the action and suspense are well maintained, and you'll be surprised what character meets death with Roman dignity and aplomb. Proof, if needed, that Gann didn't need a ship or an airplane to turn out a good read.