Well Worth Reading - Rated 
For anyone interested in the history and events that took place in the Roman Empire this book is like manna from heaven. The author relates Roman history in such a way that the book almost reads like a novel, being both exciting and educational. But if truth be told this is far more interesting than any novel.
Rome was after all one of the greatest, if not the greatest empire ever known. There are figures from its past that stick out like beacons. Probably the greatest of them all Julius Caesar and of course his main adversary Pompey. Others out of the many notables include Mark Antony, Nero, Claudius and many more.
There were also Rome's great buildings. The Forum, the circus maximus and the Flavian amphitheatre, now more commonly known as the Colosseum, all built to show potential enemies the might that was Rome. Then on to the true might of Rome, its Legions. An army that comprised the greatest fighting force the world had ever seen. Because of their discipline and rigid training they were at that period in history, virtually unbeatable.
The author pulls all these facts together beautifully to make a book that is not only informative and educational but also high readable as well.
A wonderful read - Rated
The true story of Rome is more fasinating, grand, treacherous, heroic, futile and inspiring than any film has yet portrayed. This is an astonishingly rivetting read with an equally impressive bibliography, that I couldn't put down from start to finish. An absolute must for anyone remotely interested or curious in ancient Roman times!
Most readable history book I have ever read - Rated
This book almost feels like your reading a novell, the writer's style is not dry and boring like many books of it's kind, but is vibrant and desriptive. It shows how good a writer he is firstly I have actually finished the book, secondly I can remember big chunks of it which I usually forget as soon as I put the book down. If your just a bit interested in Rome as an empire this book will fill you in on over 1000 years of history in no time.
Don't think of it as a History Book, it's far too good . - Rated
I don't have the time to pore over musty old tomes with dry, boring language. I can't read anything unless it is engaging, with enough cheap thrills for someone with the attention span of a goldfish. I found this both factually interesting and exciting in the way it portrays the characters of the past. When i first got it, i bought it because i thought i ought to read something that betters my mind. I didn't pick it up for about 4 months, but once i did, i couldn't put it down. If you like history, but don't like history books, read this.
A fast-paced, fascinating read - Rated 
Without the tortuous lexicon and complex explanations of an academic, Simon Baker here provides a grand sweep of Ancient Roman history, zooming in to just a few key characters along the way. Thus, he is able to draw out the themes and turning points as Rome went from city state to military republic, bloated empire and crumbling, over-stretched failure.
His writing flows along with a verve that reflects very much the rollocking pace and intriguing developments of the story he narrates. Very often, history can be as dramatic as any literary imaginings, and Baker allows his story the big stage it deserves.
For any fan of history and especially Roman history, this book is a great companion piece to books such as Robert Graves' classic I, Claudius or Suetonius' The Twelve Caesars. It is also a great introduction to Roman history in general.
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