The Ides of March

The story of Julius Caesar's assassination-who plotted his death, the seer's prophecy, the politics of the time, etc-may be reasonably familiar.What makes Manfredi's Ides of March stand out is that he introduces Caesar's "intelligence agents." These are trusted legionaries, especially one, who serve Caesar as messengers, investigators, and bodyguards. They have heard rumors of the plot against his life, and now race through Italy in hopes of stopping Caesar's death.Readers also catch glimpses of Brutus as he is torn between his desire to see Rome remain a Republic, and his hesitation at doing murder.Cleopatra and Antony are also shown here as already familiar to each other, even while Caesar still lives.Much of the story is a chase, as agents of the assassins attempt to stop the legionaires. The sense given by the geography and terrain of the rivers, cliffs, villas and tabernas, gives the tale a vaster scope than other stories set only in Rome.While this is a fascinating story as told from its different point of view, lending a fresh look at familiar events, the character development is lacking. It is as if, since the characters are all so well-known, they are allowed to remain somewhat "stick-figures."It would have been nice to see if the author could have provided any of these well-known persons with new perspectives.The book is still recommended.

Great book

IN PROCESS OF READING BOOK NOW-GOOD APPROACH FOR A MURDER EVEN THOUGH ONE KNOWS FINAL OUTCOME-A REAL PAGE TURNER IN SPITE OF MANY ROMAN NAMES...

The Ides of March  This book is much better than the two, 2 star reviews that were currently available at the time that I made this review. While the characters are not incredibly deep--as other reviewers have stated correctly--the story flows well, especially in the beginning. It does drag a bit in the middle, and I would offer a suggestion; read the book in a very short period of time. Why? Well, because due to the author's use of many fictional characters and very short mini-chapters in which he moves back and forth from Caesar to this character, then another, then another 2!, etc, it becomes very convoluted if you've put the book down for a few days and then jump back into it. I should have read it in only one day and not attempted to read it at night while I was also focused on reading Caesar by Adrian Goldsworthy. At times I had to go to the back of the book and look up the characters, which the author has wisely identified with short synopsises on each. But overall, I enjoyed the book and find it a worthwhile read.

The year is 44 BC.The place is Rome. Gaius Julius Caesar, dictator perpetuo, is finalizing his plans of war with Parthia. He eagerly awaits news from one of his most loyal men, Publius Sextus Baculus, a veteran centurion gathering information in the far north.There are traitorous murmurs in the air. Caesar's chief aide Silius Salvidienus, more affected by those murmurs than his master, also seeks information, assisted by Caesar's physician and Marcus Brutus' house philosopher.The place is north Italy and Publius Sextus receives crucial information from a paid informer. His task is to make sure this information reaches Rome in time, no knowing for sure how much time there is. He enlists 3 soldiers to help carry the words, each by a different route, 5 vital words that will save Rome - "The Eagle is in danger".The roads are treacherous and more so are people - orders go out to stop the news reaching the city...This is a retelling of Sakespeare's "Julius Caesar", made flesh and bone by brilliant writing, adding behind-the-scenes action and characters and sense of time.I've never read a book quite like this one. Not just the plot but the style, the precision, the minimalism. The sense of urgency is overwhelming, it's present on every page, reinforced by the dates in the beginning of every chapter in the Roman fashion - VI days till the Ides, III days, etc.And I loved the characters - Caesar, sick of Rome and it's politics, ready for one final military adventure; Marcus Antonius, one whose motives are as ambiguous as he pretends not to be; Cicero, cautious as always; Brutus, determined and scared; and Publius Sextus, wiling to face time itself to do his duty.

Any reasonably educated person will already be familiar with the events that occurred on the fateful day from which this novel derives its title. For those who wish to learn more beyond what is contained in the Shakespeare play however, I would recommend...something other than this. Granted, it is a novel and not a history. Yet the characters are rather two dimensional and not very sympathetic, hardly the qualities of an engaging novel. Much of it reads like a juvenile adventure story focusing on a couple characters outside of Rome who learn of the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar and attempt to reach the city in time to prevent it, but --spoiler alert!-- they fail. There are also a lot of verbal clichés used in both the dialogue and the narration. There are a few interesting notes at the end, and the beautiful cover makes the book a very aesthetically pleasing object, but the main content leaves quite a bit to be desired.

He's such a great author and the novel is fantastic

Book in good condition

Slow not as good as his other books.

Classic story Greek classical writers would approve of.....Mr Manfredi has become one of my favourite authors - his background as an Archaeologist means that he is able to add colour to historically accurate facts and bring the characters to life. A must read for fans of "Troy" and "The eagle of the ninth".

The critics were so enthousiastic about this book I had to read it.What a big disappointment! In my opinion it is dull and not much dept or storytelling in itI stopped after reading half the book. Couldn't waste my time on it!