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Sword of Rome

By: Douglas Jackson
Narrated by: Cornelius Garrett
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Summary

‘The story I now commence is rich in vicissitudes, grim with warfare, torn by civil strife, a tale of horror even during times of peace.’ Tacitus, The Histories AD 68.

The Emperor Nero’s erratic and bloody reign is in its death throes when Gaius Valerius Verrens is dispatched to Rome on a mission that will bring it to a close. With Nero dead, the city holds its breath and awaits the arrival his successor, Servius Sulpicius Galba, governor of Hispania. The Empire prays for peace, but it prays in vain. Galba promises stability and prosperity, but his rule begins with a massacre and ends only months later in chaos and carnage. This will become known as the Year of the Four Emperors, a time of civil war which will tear Rome apart and test Valerius’s skills and loyalties to their very limit.

Fortunate to survive Galba’s fall, Valerius is sent on a mission by Rome’s new Emperor, Otho, to his old friend Vitellius, commander of the armies of the north. Vitellius’s legions are on the march, and only Valerius can persuade him to halt them before the inevitable confrontation. In an epic adventure that will take him the length and breadth of a divided land, the one-armed Roman fights to stay alive and stave off a bloodbath as he is stalked by the most implacable enemy he has ever faced.

©2013 Douglas Coupland (P)2013 Random House AudioGo

What listeners say about Sword of Rome

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Another Douglas Jackson historical novel

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book is a must for anyone interested in historical roman novels. It continues the adventures of people caught up in the history of the Roman Empire well thought out story line with good pace

What did you like best about this story?

It provides a human touch to roman history

Have you listened to any of Cornelius Garrett’s other performances? How does this one compare?

The book is read in the same style as the previous books

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

Mission Impossible in the 1st century

2 people found this helpful

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I liked it but it lacks more personality.

If you could sum up Sword of Rome in three words, what would they be?

Historic, action, manly

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

It's very historic. I like that but at some times it moves at kind of slow speed and some action is of lesser importance.

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BRILLIANT

this series by Douglas Jackson is absolutely brilliant defiantly on par with simmon scarrows Rome series. But one thing is that book 5 is not available on audible so after sword of Rome you can not get the next book? Absolutely gutted. As I do a lot of driving with my job as an assessor I have my books to keep me sane. And can’t finish the series unless I buy it as a hard copy. Please release it on audible Doug.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 27-01-23

Great book!

Love the book!

Only thing is im really sad book 5 was not released on audiobook.

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  • Michael Cabral
  • 23-05-19

Exciting Story A Great Listen

Good story well read a performance really. I felt myself tense up at times. I can recommend this book. As for me I have listened to many of these historical novels several complete series in fact. However, there are only so many ways to describe a battle. All of them a good buddy stories linked to historical time lines and facts. I enjoy them but they are really very similar to each other. The reader is as important to these as the author so choose carefully. This series is well done.





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  • Nick Nase
  • 08-02-18

Great book

This is a great continuation of the series. I really hope they make the next book in it because thus book really makes you want to read the next one even more. 10 out of 10 if you like rome you like this!