The Flames of Rome: A Novel (Paperback)

~ (Author) "SPRING was daubing a drab and hibernating Italy with brush strokes of fertile green..." (more)
Key Phrases: praetorian commander, city prefect, empress mother, Aulus Plautius, Flavius Sabinus, Paul of Tarsus (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A spectacular work of history and a sweeping story. (Christian Observer 20040603)

A splendid work. . . objective, interesting, and thought provoking. (Norman Vincent Peale 20040603)

Different religious persuasions will enjoy this unique book. The approach is reverent and not debunking. (Los Angeles Times 20040603)

Fact-filled, interesting, and successful. . . splendid research. This book is beautiful. (Christian Century 20040603)

Fascinating. . . brings a new perspective to a story we have known all our lives. (Redbook 20040603)

For the supremely pivotal event of the Resurrection, Paul Maier's book lends fresh and scholarly support. (Billy Graham 20040603)

In The Flames of Rome, Paul Maier has accomplished a tremendously challenging project, and he has done so with wonderful clarity and accuracy. (Christian Library Journal 20040603)

The author is at home in the vast literature of his subject. (New York Times Book Review 20040603)

Tremendously worthwhile. . . intensely enlightening and interesting. . . a wonderful book. (Christian Herald )

Vivid style and keen insights make this book a delight and a genuine educational experience. (Moody Magazine ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

The splendor and pagan excesses of Roman society are confronted by the life-changing faith of Christianity in this historically accurate fiction work. Guaranteed fiction!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications; 2nd edition (July 12, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825432979
• ISBN-13: 978-0825432972
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #174,607 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Maier brings history alive, September 4, 2002

By	Robert Wormley (lakebay, wa United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the second documentary novel by Dr. Maier (see Pontius Pilate) and is a great introduction to the complex history of the period ruled by Claudius and Nero. Maier takes the primary source material and crafts it into a novel which nontheless stays as true to history as is capable.
I learned much more about the background to the New Testament Church from this book than I did with many seminary bible classes. Dr. Maier actually footnotes many key elements of his novel, and the footnotes will lead you into the tangle of primary sources without getting too lost.
If you want to understand what Paul and the early Church were up against, by all means pick up this book.
4 stars (not 5) due to some slighlty juvenile romance between some of the main characters that takes a little pleasure out of the experience.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maier Is A Master Storyteller, October 5, 2000

By	Michael Janke "www.xanga.com/mikeknaj" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

From the author of A Skeleton In God's Closet. Outstanding historical fiction, telling the story of Nero's rise to power as emperor of Rome, why he "went bad," and climaxing in the infamous burning of Rome that was blamed on the Christians. This book takes a plethora of historical research, uses that as its foundation, and fills in the blanks with some fine speculation and character enhancement by Maier. It makes history come alive, with vivid brush strokes. This is a definate hidden gem, and one that anyone interested in this era will want to search out.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Historical Fiction of Ancient Rome, May 27, 1998

By A Customer

Along w/ historical notes by a well-respected historian, Flames of Rome offers an interesting and attention-capturing account of Nero's persection of the Christians in 65 AD. Characters are well developed and believable. If you like historical fiction, that is heavy on the history and less on the fiction, this is the book for you.