Excellent read! In depth political historical drama. This book takes a close look at Sulla and Marius. Interesting characters and very believable with any historical inaccuracies not affecting the enjoyment of the dramatic story line.
Second in Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series, this is the story of the declining days of Gaius Marius and the rise of Lucius Cornelius Sulla. Written, as always, in a vivid descriptive style that brings ancient Rome to life for the reader. McCullough's research is solid but this is fiction. She fleshes out her characters lives utilizing informed conjecture, making this a real pageturner against the backdrop of Roman history. I loved every book in this series and have read them all multiple times. Highly recommended if you like history and biography.
Excellent read! The Grass Crown is another outstanding effort by Colleen McCullough. I just couldn't stop reading even though the book is as long as First Man in Rome. Now I want to read the next two books which I have on my shelf. The reader continues interfacing with Gais Marius and Lucillus Cornelia as they compete to become Rome's general! I do like the way each chapter focuses on one character (sort of) while continuing the story. But this one has so much blood and gore that it makes one queasy at times. War and more war! I am so glad that I did not live in Rome during this period of its history. Nevertheless, a reader on gr assures me that the following two books are just as good as First Man and Grass Crown. This is in truth an In depth political historical drama. Sulla and Marius are interesting characters and very realistic. My enjoyment of this dramatic story equals that I felt with First Man in Rome.
