New York Times Bestseller: A magnificent novel of ancient Rome and the tragic life of Cicero, who tried in vain to save the republic he loved from tyranny. In this riveting tale, the Roman Empire in its final glory is seen through the eyes of philosopher, orator, and political theorist Marcus Tullius Cicero. From his birth in 106 BC in the hill town of Arpinum, Cicero, the educated son of a … the hill town of Arpinum, Cicero, the educated son of a wealthy member of the equestrian order, is destined for greatness. At a young age, he discovers the legend of the Unknown God, the coming Messiah, and it propels the rising lawyer on a journey of spiritual conflict and self-discovery. From his tumultuous family life to his tenuous alliance with Julius Caesar to a fateful love affair with the Roman empress Livia and, finally, to the political role that will make him a target of powerful enemies, A Pillar of Iron is the story of Cicero’s legacy as one the greatest influences on Western civilization.
Based on hundreds of speeches, voluminous private correspondence, and ancient texts and manuscripts, this bestselling epic brings into focus Cicero’s complicated relationships with his contemporaries, including Caesar, Mark Antony, and Crassus, and brilliantly captures the pageantry, turmoil, and intrigue of life in ancient Rome. According to legendary editor Maxwell Perkins, author “Taylor Caldwell is a storyteller first, last and foremost, and once you begin reading one of her books, you can’t help finishing it.”
This ebook features an illustrated biography of Taylor Caldwell including rare images from the author’s estate.
more
If you like outstanding historical fiction, this is an old but a goody! First century BCE Rome is more interesting than the early emperors, and the book is true to the historical record about the development of Cicero as a Novus Homo. The character development of Pompey, Caesar, Marc Antony and their women is outstanding. The political plotting is both accurate and terrifying. Check out the details of the conspiracy of Catiline in 62 BCE. How has that not been made into a movie?! Read the historical biographies of Cicero, and compare to this. Cicero was a real person, sometimes vain, foolish, or arrogant, but always erudite, passionate, eloquent, and an advocate for the best version of the old Roman republic.
Read this a very long time ago, along with a few other Taylor Caldwell books. Liked them a lot. Just bought another copy to reread it. Her historical novels are well researched so the facts are correct as are the characterizations. Conversations may be from documented sources or not, but are supposedly true to the individual’s style. Anyhow, I loved her novels lo, those many years ago.
Love this great author
Written in the 70’s with much research. How interesting that many of the conditions are the same as today.
An example of what is happening in USA today.
This was a fascinating biography of Cicero.
Lots of excellent historical detail; too much time in the mind of someone suffering from depression. Sounds as though written about current events.
Excellent historical novel. Brings ancient Rome to life. Makes you realize people and events never really change.
It was fascinating to read about the life and times of Cicero, although the book is somewhat dated and opinionated. It’s also very long.
While reading this book, I was stunned by the realization that I was comparing this historical novel with other historical novels I’ve read (namely by Colleen McCullough and Robert Harris) and finding it lacking in historical veracity. For example, McCullough had Caesar grow up in the Subura in an apartment building and Caldwell had him grow up on the Palatine, next door to Cicero; you couldn’t have found more extreme opposites! McCullough was so convincing I never doubted her version, and I looked down my nose at the possibility that Caesar grew up wealthy. Shame on me! Especially since this book was written first. Actually, that’s why I picked up Taylor Caldwell in the first place; I never read any of her books before and felt I should remedy this lack. Once I woke up to the understanding that none of these authors had any idea about the personality of these people—or where they grew up—I adjusted my attitude accordingly. It was a good lesson for me. However, nothing could alter the fact that I found this book terribly old-fashioned, with frequent lapses into philosophical meanderings that slowed down the pace to a crawl. And Cicero’s constant depressions and lack of drive were tiresome. Taken at face value, it seemed impossible that such an unstable, naïve, and impressionable man could gain such notoriety in fractious Rome—or that he was only kept from assassination by the insistence of Julius Caesar, for reasons not satisfactorily explained. He never seemed to appreciate his fame, nor did he capitalize on it, which I found hard to believe. After dragging out each scene in his youth and middle age, by the end the author blasted through the major events (like Caesar’s end) like she couldn’t wait to finish. Perhaps this was the case; after 792 pages, enough was enough!
I am a former Latin teacher and I recommend this novel both for the plot and for the historical details!
I love this book “. A pillar of iron”
Taylor Caldwell was a genius. Her research and storytelling knows no bounds. I couldn’t put this book down .
I felt like I was reading a representation of the current political climate. Well researched. Enjoyed the POV of Cicero.
Timeless. The political events and characters which happened in Rome 43BC
is the same in our present time.
Hoping that mankind learns the lessons in this historical book.
I love reading history in an informative book that makes the characters come alive. Be ready to read about the Greek philosophers who I remember from college and was a reminder of how I felt as a student when you took the time to really delve into history. Was amazing as was this book. Like reading something where I actually had to use the dictionary because of the ancient vocabulary, but didn’t take away from the book. She is a wonderful writer and spent several years in research before even starting to write, and you can tell. Just loved this title,
Loved it!
This is a dense book, but it delivers eye-opening detail about the dying Roman empire and creates a deep familiarity with characters like Cicero and Julius Caesar who had heretofore been just names in a history book. It is thought-provoking, requiring self-examination and honest reflection regarding the values one would be willing to kill — to to die — for.
Caldwell’s Cicero isn’t historically accurate, but her novel is enjoyable and the historical figures are memorable. I first read it as a child in Kauai.
Taylor Caldwell is the greatest American writer of her time. THis is one of her best, most authentic, inspiring books. Any book she’s written is well worth your time.