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Publisher's Summary

Audie Award Finalist, History, 2014

The 14th Gemina Martia Victrix Legion was the most celebrated unit of the early Roman Empire - a force that had been wiped out under Julius Caesar, reformed, and almost wiped out again. After participating in the a.d. 43 invasion of Britain, the 14th Legion achieved its greatest glory when it put down the famous rebellion of the Britons under Boudicca. Numbering less than 10,000 men, the disciplined Roman killing machine defeated 230,000 rampaging rebels, slaughtering 80,000 with only 400 Roman losses - an accomplishment that led the emperor Nero to honor the legion with the title "Conqueror of Britain."

In this gripping book, second in the author’s definitive histories of the legions of ancient Rome, Stephen Dando-Collins brings the 14th Legion to life, offering military history aficionados a unique soldier’s-eye view of their tactics, campaigns, and battles.
©2005 Stephen Dando-Collins (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

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Profile Image for Norbert S. Matson

Read anything by this author.

Any additional comments?

Read anything by this author. His books are excellent and full of detail.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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Profile Image for Carol

Textbook

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, unless you want to hear an entire textbook devoted to the ancient Romans. If only I had looked closer and noticed that it was non-fiction. The author kept repeating over and over things he had already covered. It was difficult to follow this book because the author would go on wild tangents on the way to explaining the subject. By the time he did finally get there I had forgotten so much that it was not fun anymore.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Queen Boudica. She lead an army and they accepted her even though she was a woman leader which was frowned upon at that time.

Have you listened to any of Robert Fass’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't think so but he is a very good narrator and I wouldn't mind listening to him again.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Maybe. Hollywood would have to dress it up a bit and not try to cover so much history as was the case with this book. I loved HBO's Rome and Gladiator so I would welcome any movie featuring Roman soldiers with their little skirts and red capes.

Any additional comments?

No!

0 of 13 people found this review helpful

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Profile Image for Mr. A. P. T. Day
  • Mr. A. P. T. Day
  • 04-30-15

Great story with a few flaws

Really interesting story following the 14th Legion throughout it's life. I had some issues with the fact the author kept using modern military ranks for the Roman commanders when really all he needed to do was explain once. Small point but takes away from what is a good listen.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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Profile Image for John M. Howitt
  • John M. Howitt
  • 07-06-17

Not sure why Nero was in the title

If you could sum up Nero's Killing Machine in three words, what would they be?

Veni Vedi Vici

Who was your favorite character and why?

Caligula

What about Robert Fass’s performance did you like?

Excellent reading, voice quality, speed and tempo, pronunciation .

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I think Romes Killing Machine is accurate enough.

Any additional comments?

The 14th functioned through a series of emperors , in fact all of them so not sure why Nero was chosen. But the story does give a very good account of the daily life and the organisation of the legions and of Rome. Well worth the listen.

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