A sweeping historical inter generational saga

Would you consider the audio edition of Empire to be better than the print version?

Not better but every bit a good - more Steven Saylor on audio please

Any additional comments?

A really good start which gripped me within a few minutes and it didn't let up. I know Steven Saylor's work quite well and was delighted to see this title available from Audible but disappointed there are no more of his Roman novels available too. A really well read and thoroughly absorbing story narrated over a timescale greater than one lifetime.

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1 person found this helpful

History made simple

What made the experience of listening to Empire the most enjoyable?

The combination of historical fact and fictional family story make this a really easy way to brush up on Roman history.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Empire?

The evocation of the fire at which Nero supposedly serenaded as the city burned. some interesting ideas about who and why the fire was started.

What aspect of James Langton’s performance might you have changed?

Found the female voices irritatingly coy and "twittery"

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I found the story easy to listen to while doing other things and also easy to pick up if left for a few days.Not a listen that you needs 100% concentration.

Any additional comments?

As long as you take some of the "facts" with a pinch of salt this is a really entertaining listen. Not for scholars of Roman history perhaps but for those of us who have long since forgotten everything except the debauchery of Caligula and the vanity of Nero,it is a great reminder.

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2 people found this helpful

Epic

I absolutely loved this book!! Very cleverly woven together and beautifully written. A joy to listen.

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Epic listen, mostly really good

I've read some of Saylor's stuff in the past and enjoyed it so when I saw this very long audiobook for the princely sum of one credit I knew it would be good value.
And it is! It lasts for a long time so will keep you going until the next credit rolls in. But is it any good?
Yes, for the most part it's well written, has interesting characters and is almost a history lesson without becoming boring or dry.
It follows one family, from generation to generation, as they deal with the various emperors and great events that shaped the mighty Rome. It's all set within Rome itself and it's mainly about people and political events, so don't expect battles or heroic centurions. This is no Ben Kane or Douglas Jackson book but it works, mostly, just as well as something more action oriented as it's so interesting and so well read - the narrator really does a fine job.
The one downside for me was the fact a) everything is rather bleak and depressing, with lots of descriptions of people being tortured for fun while the people lap it up like rabid dogs and b) there's too much emphasis on the sexual appetites of everyone. It seems like everyone in Rome was either a sadist or a nymphomaniac which might be true for all I know, but it doesn't make for the most exciting book. At times I felt like it was too depressing and I just longed to listen to some throwaway, light fantasy or something fun by the likes of Terry Pratchett.
But, overall, this is a fine audiobook - great value for your credit, with a nice performance by the narrator James Langton, and, in general an interesting and nicely structured tale.
Give it a try!

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2 people found this helpful

great book like Roma

love reading Roma and listening to this book and then travelling to Rome. Really open your eyes to what you are viewing. Only a bit annoyed it didn't come with a accompanying pdf of the maps I loved from the Roma book.

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Big time disappointing!

Would you try another book written by Steven Saylor or narrated by James Langton?

Since I've been recommended his serie "Roma sub rosa" from friends whom I usually like the same books as I want to try one of those before giving up on Saylor but if it's anything like "Empire" I'll never try another.

Would you listen to another book narrated by James Langton?

I think so. I have nothing against the narrator but it's hard to be fair when I really disliked the book so. That's why performance got 3 stars and the story 1.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I had high expectations based on recomendations of his "Roma sub rosa" books and since he studied history. I was very disappointed about how this book focuses so much on the sex, gore, madness and humiliation and affirms cliches that are known to be historically inaccurate. I don't expect every detail in an historical fiction book to be right but this was to much. I really tried to listen through and hoped it would be better but realist I was waisting my time.

Any additional comments?

I'm glad Audible has a system for refound wich I will use for the first time now.

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