BESTSELLER – “Terrific… gripping… A literally shattering climax.” — The New York Times Book Review All along the Mediterranean coast, the Roman empire’s richest citizens are relaxing in their luxurious villas, enjoying the last days of summer. The world’s largest navy lies peacefully at anchor in Misenum. The tourists are spending their money in the seaside resorts of Baiae, Herculaneum, … Baiae, Herculaneum, and Pompeii.
But the carefree lifestyle and gorgeous weather belie an impending cataclysm, and only one man is worried. The young engineer Marcus Attilius Primus has just taken charge of the Aqua Augusta, the enormous aqueduct that brings fresh water to a quarter of a million people in nine towns around the Bay of Naples. His predecessor has disappeared. Springs are failing for the first time in generations. And now there is a crisis on the Augusta’ s sixty-mile main line—somewhere to the north of Pompeii, on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius.
Attilius—decent, practical, and incorruptible—promises Pliny, the famous scholar who commands the navy, that he can repair the aqueduct before the reservoir runs dry. His plan is to travel to Pompeii and put together an expedition, then head out to the place where he believes the fault lies. But Pompeii proves to be a corrupt and violent town, and Attilius soon discovers that there are powerful forces at work—both natural and man-made—threatening to destroy him.
With his trademark elegance and intelligence, Robert Harris, bestselling author of Archangel and Fatherland, re-creates a world on the brink of disaster.
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Would make a wonderful movie if well handled
Attilius is a fourth generation engineer and aquarius – an expert on the aqueducts of the Roman Empire. He has been assigned to the Augusta Aqueduct, and has only been in charge for two weeks when word comes from all the towns served by the aqueduct, except Pompeii, that the water has stopped flowing. In many ways this is a detective novel, as …
This was one of the better books I found on Book Bub. Brilliant description, Roman history, engineering, aqueducts and cisterns, the great Mount Vesuvius, and what it was like at the time of the eruptions at Pompeii and Herculaneum.
A vivid, and moving tale of intrigue.
Having been to Pompeii, it made such an interesting and detailed read. The plot was quite good and the historical and factual data woven in made for a page-turner. I really enjoyed this read.
Good read of historical fiction about the Pompeii and the Vesuvius eruption. Been to Pompeii so the book was accurate and interesting.
For my taste, the action was diminished by the technical details.
Outstanding historical novel. I have read it more than once. Highly recommend this book.
Entertaining, informative and realistic. Loved it!
Oh wonderful take on Pompeii.
Very enjoyable
I learned so much about the buildup and power of a volcano.
For me, Pompeii is in the running for best historical novel … ever.
Most original and unexpected twist on the story that we all know how it supposed to end. Lovely historical fiction