Rubicon

The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic

De: Tom Holland

Narrado por: Mark Meadows, Tom Holland

Duración: 15 h y 9 m

Resumen del Editor

The Roman Republic was the most remarkable state in history. What began as a small community of peasants camped among marshes and hills ended up ruling the known world. Rubicon paints a vivid portrait of the Republic at the climax of its greatness - the same greatness which would herald the catastrophe of its fall.
It is a story of incomparable drama. This was the century of Julius Caesar, the gambler whose addiction to glory led him to the banks of the Rubicon, and beyond; of Cicero, whose defence of freedom would make him a byword for eloquence; of Spartacus, the slave who dared to challenge a superpower; of Cleopatra, the queen who did the same.

Tom Holland brings to life this strange and unsettling civilization, with its extremes of ambition and self-sacrifice, bloodshed and desire. Yet alien as it was, the Republic still holds up a mirror to us. Its citizens were obsessed by celebrity chefs, all-night dancing and exotic pets; they fought elections in law courts and were addicted to spin; they toppled foreign tyrants in the name of self-defence. Two thousand years may have passed, but we remain the Romans' heirs.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2004 SAMUEL JOHNSON PRIZE

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2003 HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS

©2003 Tom Holland (P)2019 Hachette Audio UK

Reseñas de la Crítica

'The Book that really held me, in fact, obsessed me, was Rubicon . . . This is narrative history at its best. Bloody and labyrinthine political intrigue and struggle, brilliant oratory, amazing feats of conquest and cruelty' Ian McEwan, Books of the Year, Guardian

'Re-evaluating Rome for a new generation' Robert Harris, Sunday Times

'Marvellously readable' Niall Ferguson

Well told with insight and humor

Rubicon is a wonderful distillation of the crucial events that les to Caesar crossing the infamous creek and into history. It is straightforward, never seems to stray off topic, and occasionally tongue in cheek. For example, Holland is not adverse to using modern terms such as “spin” (à la PR) or “party animal”. Thoroughly enjoyable.

A history of the Roman republic told in a comprehensible way

Very much enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it. Gratias ago auctori recitatoroque quorum verbis delectentur aures.

Pivotal , For Me

I saw Caesar's genocide , followed by a traitorous death. They deserved each other.

Great Book on the Republic

I liked how the book got into the psychology of the Roman elites and public and made their motivations and actions more understandable

Great History and storytelling

I intend to listen to this again, and again great information about the history of Rome and its Republic

If you’re looking for a history book, this isn’t it.

If you’re looking for a history book, this isn’t it.

I am a big fan of the Roman Republic. I was hoping for a book with more detailed information.

So, I was very disappointed when I realized what this really was. It’s color. It fills in emotional gaps, but if you don’t already know the history of Rome, it’s lots of colorful, almost poetic frills.

But for me, it actually worked out well. It turns out I knew more names, dates, locations and key turning points than I realized.

So for me, the performance settled into a pleasant stroll through the last 100 years of the Republic.

As I’m writing this, I honestly can’t remember exactly what was covered in the book, because I already knew all of the facts. Did he cover Marius and Sulla?

He must have. It was too critical not to be here. Yes. I’m sure he opened up with that.

But if you like sports announcers, two of the best were football’s Pat Summerall and John Madden.

I was looking for Pat Summerall, the great play-by-play man. But it was John Madden who showed up in this book.

Just the facts? Nope, the color man showed up to give all the background. The stuff that burned in the hearts of the Roman Citizen.

This was a worthwhile use of my time. If you don’t know the factual history of Rome, this is definitely a great book to read, or in my case listen to.

But you’ll be much better served if you leave this on the shelf. Go read a couple of books on the deep history of Rome. Then come back to this fill in the emotional gaps. It’s a nice journey to take.

Phenomenal as always

Tom Holland’s novels are always written so that they are enjoyable and also very informative. Can’t give enough praise. Plus it’s Rome!

Cross the Rubicon major historic event.

After Reading Rubicon with accordance with the anniversary of Julius Caesar 2,000 years. Crossing the Rubicon and following civil war a good light reading for me and traveling.

The Republic

Tom Holland, proves brilliant as usual. The end of the Republic, the dawn of the Empire, the gateway to the present.

Excellent in every way

Tom Holland weaves a fascinating and passionate account of all the hosts of characters involved in the fall of the Republic.

It took a bit of time getting used to the narrator. But eventually it was quite good.