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Fortune’s Favorites (Abridged) Audiobook
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(4.00) - 2,937 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Return to Ancient Rome - where politics, ambition, and greed collide in the fortunes of two fiercely powerful men: Lucius Cornelius Sulla, the great general who returns from exile to be installed as dictator, and then stuns Rome with his startling self-imposed retirement; and Pompey, the young scion of an enormously powerful rural family, who determines to leapfrog over the traditional milestones to Roman political pre-eminence by any means necessary.
Passionate, ambitious, and larger than life, these men play out their fortunes against rebellious elements in Spain, dangerous rumblings in the East and the doomed slave revolt of the tragic figure Spartacus. But a greater threat to their place in history awaits - the fiery young warrior Julius Caesar, exploding now into manhood, his priest's robe shed in a most surprising manner. A newcomer to military glory and the Senate, he earns a formidable reputation as diplomat, lawyer and politician.
In fascinating and unrivaled grandeur, Fortune's Favorites sows the seeds of Caesar's terrible rivalry with Pompey, and sets into motion the events which will finally enable him to tower over history for all time.
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"The third book in Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome Series that began with The First Man in Rome, Fortune's Favorites covers the period from 83-69 B.C. It picks up shortly after The Grass Crown left off. Lucius Cornelius Sulla has defeated King Mithridates of Pontus and expelled him from the Asia Province, and is headed home with the intention of becoming Dictator of Rome. While Sulla's career has reached its peak, Gaius Julius Caesar has just come of age. Caesar's adventures are mythic: from military glory to being kidnapped by pirates; from battling a slave rebellion led by the ex-gladiator Spartacus, to political intrigue in the Roman Senate. Caesar is the Ancient World's version of James Bond -- he is a handsome, brilliant, fearless, womanizing rake who is also hard-working, loyal and ambitious. McCullough brings history to life in such a way that in spite of a basic familiarity with the events to come, I can't wait to see what happens next."
— Becky (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Glorious…ambitious…quite entertaining…Colleen McCullough has found her stride.”
— Washington Post Book World -
“Wonderful…unforgettable…an impressive piece of work…One of the most intriguing epics in history…A fascinating and surprisingly fast-moving story about some of the most interesting figures in a most important era.”
— Virginian Pilot -
“Riveting…fascinating…A creative colossus…McCullough somehow manages to highlight the individuals caught up in the hurricane of history without trivializing its scope of halting its momentum.”
— Baltimore Sun -
“Brilliant...fascinating...a story of the ancient world told with authority, humor, richness and a touch of poetry.”
— Cleveland Plain Dealer
Fortune’s Favorites Listener Reviews
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" For a fat book it goes quickly. I am interested in the time period and so enjoyed the book. "
— Ian, 2/14/2014 -
" The third book in the Masters of Rome series introduces characters and Roman wars politics that are more familiar to us in present times. It is here that we learn of Julius Caesar's childhood and the events leading up to his political rise. "
— Jamie, 2/11/2014 -
" Not everyone may agree with my ratings, but I'm a devoted fan. "
— Irene, 2/9/2014 -
" The stage is being set for Gaius Julius Caesar. McCullough has a gift for bringing dusty old characters out of history and into vivid life (as she imagines it). Pompey v Sulla. What a saga! "
— Ainsley, 2/8/2014 -
" Second in a series, not an easy read but a worthwhile one if you are interested in the history of Rome. "
— Tara, 2/7/2014 -
" Oh, I have such a love-hate with this series. They're reasonably interesting, the characters are very cool, but every book feels like I'm "working" not reading for enjoyment. The endless similar Roman names, where every person has about 4 different combos they are called by, which change randomly depending on who is talking. Keeping the characters all straight beyond the most important, that alone is such a chore. I'm pretty sure I'll eventually finish this series, but I need time between reading each one to recover. "
— Aaron, 1/20/2014 -
" Great clashes between Sulla and Pompei while Caesar is growing up. "
— Erik, 1/18/2014 -
" My favorite (so far) of the series, in large part because the book began to deal with so many more familiar characters: Sulla, Pompey, Cicero, Spartacus, Caesar... Such a delightful read. "
— Kivrin, 11/30/2013 -
" Well-developed fictional series. "
— Ron, 11/29/2013 -
" Maybe because it was the third one I read in a row, but I found this book slightly less appealing than the two previous ones. The politics gets a bit tedious in some parts. Still fascinating though... I will continue treading the series after a pause. "
— Verena, 9/21/2013 -
" I still don't like female authors , although I did read this after reading the first two books of her masters of rome series. Now I'm reading no.4 Caesars Women and I have to say it's a bit like reading a script for the bold & the beautiful when you know what's going to happen "
— Andrew, 6/9/2013 -
" I liked this book. Its the 3rd in the series. Very long but full of Roman history and government. "
— DIana, 6/9/2013 -
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James Hudson, 6/2/2013
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" this is my 2nd time reading this in the ancient rome series -- 7 books total. GREAT story. sometimes the writing is rather plain, though. "
— Sableamy, 4/17/2013 -
" Wow!!! I loved it! Sulla! Aurelia! Pompey Strabo! Lil' Pompey (Magnus, as he keeps insisting)!Lil' Cicero! Sparticus! Young Caesar! Crassus! Mucia! Metrobius! I can't even write a coherent review! I'm just so happy with this book! "
— Gregory, 4/2/2013 -
" The best historical fiction treatment of the turbulent times from the life of Sulla to the ascension of Octavius. One of the best historical fiction series ever, but be prepared to read all of the books once you start, because you won't be able to put them down. "
— Shelly, 4/6/2012 -
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Brenton Phillis, 12/28/2011
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jordan shepard , 10/5/2011
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" McCullough brings to life Pompey Magnus, Caesar, Spartacus, and Cicero as they begin to make names for themselves. Now, I'm into the women in Caesar's life, the fourth in this seies. "
— Linda, 9/29/2011 -
" This series is getting better. I think the only reason I find the reading so difficult is because I find war and strategy so dull. But when the story moves along to the lives of the characters, and their ambitions and their loves, it is very interesting. "
— Jennifer, 8/26/2011 -
" Excellent historical fiction. good series although the strongest entries are the first three including this one. "
— Mary, 8/26/2011 -
" This series gets continually better... "
— Karen, 7/2/2011 -
" I still don't like female authors , although I did read this after reading the first two books of her masters of rome series. Now I'm reading no.4 Caesars Women and I have to say it's a bit like reading a script for the bold & the beautiful when you know what's going to happen "
— Andrew, 5/17/2011 -
" Great clashes between Sulla and Pompei while Caesar is growing up.<br/> "
— Erik, 1/10/2011 -
" This is a re-read; love the books 15yrs ago, and wanted an absorbing book to loose myself in. <br/>This is THE BOOK. <br/>Drama, subterfuge, deceit, spys,murder, and even love.... <br/>it has it all. "
— Jak2, 12/10/2010 -
" For a fat book it goes quickly. I am interested in the time period and so enjoyed the book. "
— Ian, 8/29/2010 -
" Not everyone may agree with my ratings, but I'm a devoted fan. "
— Irene, 8/15/2009 -
" An interesting and well based roman historic novel. To understand the falling of the Republic and why Augustus became the first Imperator. "
— Ari, 5/22/2009
About Colleen McCullough
Colleen McCullough (1937–2015) enjoyed worldwide renown, and her novels are bestsellers in a multitude of languages. She is the internationally acclaimed author of The Thorn Birds, Tim, An Indecent Obsession, A Creed for the Third Millennium, The Ladies of Missalonghi, The First Man in Rome, The Grass Crown, Fortune’s Favorites, Caesar’s Women, and other novels.
About Michael York
Michael York is a successful screen and stage actor. Among his screen credits are Romeo and Juliet, Cabaret, The Three Musketeers, Logan’s Run, and Austin Powers. Stage appearances include Britain’s National Theatre and Broadway. His television work has garnered Emmy nominations and his audio recordings Grammy nominations, as well as five AudioFile Earphones Awards. He has been awarded Britain’s OBE, France’s Arts et Lettres, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.