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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I loved learning about this time period. The plot was good and it was a clean book without too much sensuality.
After reading this I looked up Pliney’s version of the eruption and aftermath. It matched this historical fiction work almost exactly. Plus you learn a lot about Roman daily life
I started reading this book and I just couldn’t put it down. Great characters, good gritty plot and a very well written book altogether.
Absolutely loved this book. I was always interested in vulcanicity when I was younger, and the history behind the Roman empire, so this ticked both boxes. It’s a sort of Dante’s Peak if you compare to a movie, and as normal with Robert Harris, the writing is just so engaging.
An historical novel about Pompeii? How could I go wrong? The answer – easily!
Somehow this novel managed to make the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and the burial of both Pompeii and Herculaneum downright boring. Probably because the first 3/4ths of the book happen BEFORE the eruption.
In fact, most of the story is about an engineer trying to figure …
A fictionalized story about what it may have been like during the eruption of Pompeii
This is a book about the days surrounding the destruction of Pompeii, largely seen through the eyes of a water engineer from Rome, sent to investigate problems with the aqueduct system, problems that are generated by the impending eruption (mini quakes, magma expansion). Chapters are prefaced by brief excerpts from volcanology books that spell …
I thoroughly enjoyed Pompeii by Robert Harris. As an ancient world buff, this tale of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and the effect on the people living there was fascinating and a page turner. Harris definitely did his research on the ancient city. The historical details included made this story come to life.
Nice story woven around lots of information about aqueducts and Vesuvius blowing its top.
Having just visited Pompeii earlier this year, I decided to read this book, and I was enthralled. The characters seem so real, especially that of Pliny the Elder (uncle of the more famous Pliny the Younger), a man in charge of the fleet at Poteoli (Pozzuoli). Now in his declining years, too heavy for his own good, he nevertheless sets sail into …
Heard great things about this but gave up halfway– a lot of detail but not gripping in any way, and character development was lax.
I absolutely loved this book!! Such a great plot with a slight twist before the end, and the main character was impressive. Interesting how our culture mimics that culture in that the rich are ruling and oppressing the less fortunate, with seeming little regard.
Too gruesome for me
Having just returned from a vacation that included visits to Pompeii and Herculaneum, I was very interested in reading this book. It did not disappoint. While fiction, the book was very accurate about the volcanic tragedy, as well as the culture of ancient Romans. However, while the story was somewhat thrilling, the nebulous ending was a bit …
It was ok and a little different
I studied classics during my undergraduate days, and I was very impressed at how Robert Harris managed to evoke in such a lifelike and accurate manner the world of ancient Rome. Even someone with no interest in history, however, would enjoy this tale with all its well-drawn characters. As for excitement, the book takes the reader into the heart …
I would recommend this book to people who are interested in good story telling and Roman history.
Pompeii made real through in-depth research and good characters. I wish I’d read this book b/4 I actually visited Pompeii.
Fantastic story which made you feel as if you were there. The story of Pompeii and the eruption of Vesuvius is ever evolving and this is told from the perspective of the aquarius who was responsible for the water service to Pompeii and other Roman towns.
Excellent Novel