A Pillar of Iron: A Novel of Ancient Rome

By Taylor Caldwell

Book Overview

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 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."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 150404780X
• ISBN13: 9781504047807
• Release Date: September 2017
• Publisher: Open Road Media
• Length: 790 Pages
• Weight: 2.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Rediscovered Treasure from my Youth

I first read this in 1978, in my last of four years of Latin with the most inspiring nun, Sister Mary David of the Mercy sisters in Lower Merion, PA. I was transfixed and transported by this story, and the love story with Livia, which I am certain was complete fiction. But Caldwell was able to so beautifully capture the ambiance of the last days of the Roman Republic, of Cicero's friendship (ultimately ill fated) with a young Caesar, and his battles with Cataline who I will forever refer to because of this book as "Lucius Sergius Catalina.' I developed a love for history, for the classics, for Cicero (I became a lawyer because of him) and of the great storyteller Taylor Caldwell. I cannot wait to relive those happy and exciting days from almost a half century ago.

I love Taylor Caldwell books

Every Taylor Caldwell book is a piece of art and A Pillar of Iron is no exception

a pillar of iron

absolutely brilliant - could not put the book down was transported to Roman times recommed to all I know

Inspiring

This book has to be taken as a novel. Anybody trying to find deep research and historical accuracy in it will be definitely dissapointed. I agree that some simple historical facts are structured in it and imagination filles in between. Many other facts are deliberately tergiversated so as to make Cicero a more appealing character to a modern christian non-erudite-in-Roman-issues reader.However, I think that Caldwell's deep admiration for Cicero is transmitted to the reader. Part of that historical inaccuracy is what makes of this a wonderful novel. Not only displays a rich and aesthetical environment for Cicero's life, but portraits a really inspiring man. Great book!

wonderful book

The first time I read this book I was thirteen. Heavy reading for a kid, but I loved it. I carried it around the house and outside and just could not put it down. I understand that some of it is fiction to give depth to the charcaters and intrigue to the story, but from other books I've read on Cicero it's more than moderately accurate. I think this is a wonderful description of Cicero as a man, not just an orator, and I'd recommend that anyone interested in the old Rome should read this and everything about Cicero.

Excellent book to get hooked on Roman history

I read this book while taking Economics in high school about 1 week ago. It was the highlight of the course. Thanks Mrs. Mara! I kick myself for not keeping a copy. It is a good story from one perspective of life in Rome. Cicero was among the first to habitually publish his writings and speeches (it was one of his greatest sources of income). However, since it is he was writing about, they were somewhat subjective. Another spin on Cicero, Caesar, and others can be found in the novels by Colleen McCullough. She begins her historical fiction tales from the time just before the birth of Cicero and Caesar and continues through the death of both. The series is several books and covers the Roman lifestyle in much greater depth. Very good reading.