One of the best historical novels ever written. Lame, stammering Claudius, once a major embarrassment to the Imperial family and now Emperor of Rome, writes an eyewitness account of the reign of the first four Caesars: the noble Augustus and his cunning wife Livia; the reptilian Tiberius; the monstrous Caligula; and finally old Claudius himself and his wife Messalina. Filled with poisonings, betrayal, and shocking excesses, I, Claudius is history that rivals the most exciting contemporary fiction.
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"Now that The King's Speech has entered the popular imagination I direct your attention to the most famous of stuttering imperialists, Tiberius Claudius, emperor of Rome. Graves' book was transformed to TV by BBC back in the 80's and it's beautiful in style and sentiment. Poor Claw Claw Claudius. He survived the abbatoir of the Julian era in Rome precisely because he was denigrated and disregarded as a stuttering spitting fool. He has no life until all the male heirs preceding and postceding him die by various violent ways and then becomes emperor, tasting the good life and some stability. Graves borrows heavily from Suetonius who never seems to find any woman virtuous or pleasant to be with for very long. Some of us stutterers have lives like that. The sequel is Claudius the God. Read I, Claudius. The television series is without peer."
— Timothy (5 out of 5 stars)
“One of the really remarkable books of our day, a novel of learning and imagination, fortunately conceived and brilliantly executed.“
— New York Times" Blood Blood, Murder, More Blood, More Murder...but told so matter-of-factly, that it's not gross. Just the times they were in. Whew! "
— Tanya, 2/17/2014" Very enjoyable - difficult to put down at times! I think that's because it's almost gossipy in a way: you become hooked in fascination. I'll definitely read the second part and I might rewatch the TV series one day. "
— Bronwen, 2/17/2014" This book, probably best known by the TV Series named after it (I, Claudius), is quite a good read to add a bit of drama and action to history of ancient Rome (for those who would like to know more about it but hesitate to read a history book); or just for those who loved Derek Jacobi's interpretation of Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus This-That-and-The-Other and want to check if the series is loyal to the book (which, as a matter of fact, is) "
— Miguel, 2/10/2014" Claudius reminds me of a stuffy old british man, attempting to be noble although he knows it is for naught. "
— Lettie, 2/3/2014" It is a great book. But I am challenged to say I liked it, as the account of Rome and it's ruling families is abhorrent and brutal. That I have an emotional reaction is a response to the great writing. Claudius is perfectly believable, the other characters are also. It's the subject itself, and it unremitting brutality that made it a brilliant but unenjoyable read for me. "
— Judy, 1/30/2014" What an amazing book. Those treacherous fuckers. Loved every minute of it. Hardest part was remembering family ties, but Graves does well to toss in reminders. "
— Damion, 1/29/2014" Excellent read. A lot of information on each page but it is written in a way that the information doesn't bog you down. Quite comical in parts! "
— Eimear, 1/28/2014" Fascinating, detailed historical fiction about the life of Tiberius Claudius. "
— Geni, 1/27/2014" Despite having a prose style I typically don't go for, I enjoyed every page of this book. I'm not sure who to refer it to, because much of my enjoyment derived from my love of ancient history. "
— Dan, 1/24/2014" I wanted this book to be much better than it was. I'm a huge fan of the TV adaptation with Derek Jacobi, but the pacing of I, Claudius was difficult and annoying. "
— David, 1/19/2014" Romans conniving, plotting, and killing each other until our narrator is the last one standing and becomes empereor. If you're into that sort of thing, knock yourself out. It's short and not all that compelling. From what I've heard of the famous 1970s miniseries, that will be more entertaining. "
— Stacy, 1/19/2014" Perfect prose style from GRaves. "
— Colin, 1/17/2014" This book gives a really fascinating, entertaining look at Roman history. I'm not usually one for autobiography or memoir (and yes, I'm aware that this is a fictional account by Robert Graves, but it's in that style), but this book is one of the exceptions. "
— Leah, 1/17/2014" I first read "I,Claudius" when I was in Junior High School,and it's always been one of my favorite novels,along with the sequel.I loved the fact that it was all about ancient Rome without really being about Christianity.As a child,I read every book I could find at the library that was about ancient Rome.This book is a true classic. "
— Scott, 1/16/2014" Soap opera of Ancient Rome! Couldn't keep up with all the characters and the family ties - still very engaging. "
— Mrinalini, 1/11/2014" Awesome look at one of Romeo's best and most underwhelming leaders "
— Ryan, 12/24/2013" Fascinating book. It blew my mind how open and shameless the moral and ethical corruption of the upper echelons of the Roman empire was. "
— Braden, 12/24/2013" This may well be the most addicting book I've ever read. "
— Rhi, 12/19/2013" It is wonderful!!! Scholarship, imagination, historical facts, interesting guesses, and an endearing hero living in a troubled culture that bears far too much resemblance to our own. I didn't enjoy Claudius the God as much, but this was a perfect read for me. "
— Teryl, 12/7/2013" I, Steve, am impressed with you, Robert, and all of your novels. "
— Steve, 11/13/2013" Wow! This book thrust me into an obsession with all things Rome. I am now reading the sequel as well as watching the BBC series based on the books! An absolutely captivating book. "
— Jeffrey, 11/4/2013" This was a wonderful historical novel and I thoroughly enjoyed. Although many thought that Claudius was a bumbling idiot because of his stutter, he was an extremely intelligent and powerful man, but very human too. "
— Fran, 10/26/2013" On the second time through I'd only give it 4 stars. First time I was enthralled by all the back stabbing and corruption. Caligula was pathetic. Livia was an evil genius. Very interesting. "
— Sandra, 9/5/2013" It wasn't as good as I'd have liked it to be, but I did enjoy it. It was an abrupt end, but I'm going to try Claudius the God, and maybe there will be more resolution there. "
— Motorcycle, 8/22/2013" Brilliant book full of plots, murder, assassinations and in general a ruthless family of ancient Rome. "
— Deanne, 8/12/2013" Ancient Rome in all its effulgent decadence and vividness, presented by a most intelligent, humane and conveniently-positioned narrator. "
— RachelAnne, 3/16/2013" A historical fiction account of the life of Claudius and the Ceasars during his time. Really enjoyed this and thought it was incredibly fascinating how government and culture interacted. Awesome book! "
— Dan, 3/10/2013" The most syntactically elegant sentences in the English language. An almost unbeatable knowledge of the history of the Julio-Claudian line in Roman History. One of my favorite books. "
— Ron, 1/12/2013" a reasonably well executed historical novel, with some interesting (unfortunately, unevenly developed) characters. "
— Frank, 10/14/2012" Absolutely stunning work; I can't wait to read the next volume. It's too bad that more high school teachers don't use this as a resource for literature and world history study. What a follow-up to Shakespeare's Julius Caesar! "
— Jo, 8/25/2012" couldn't get past the first couple of pages... "
— Wendy, 6/13/2012" Wonderful work of literature. Couldn't put it down until I finished it, many years ago... And I'm thinking of reading it again just to relive the experience. "
— Carlos, 3/13/2012" Oh, how many times have I returned to thee, oh Claudius the God! Pure poetry....in every way. "
— Jill, 2/26/2012" A slow and abusive read. Somewhat engaging at points, but tended to lose focus, especially around tracking a thousand different players with similar names and no real personalities to differentiate them. Even Claudius was lost a bit, and I didn't much care about him by the end. Oh well. "
— Julia, 9/27/2011" It's even better the second time. The novel is just excellent. As long as you have access to Julio-Claudian family tree, you'll have a wonderful time reading it. "
— John, 9/21/2011" Amazing writing, but not my sort of book. "
— Kay, 9/14/2011" This and Claudius the God were very good! But if you hate Roman history...avoid! "
— C.E., 8/10/2011" Historical fiction account of the life of the Emperor Claudius. I really liked this novel. Robert Graves really did his homework....not only it is a good read, I learned tons about Rome. "
— Ben, 6/6/2011" LOve the writing style and the supposedly straight forward way of narration. Hate. Livia. To. The. Extreme. "
— Anya, 5/17/2011" LOve the writing style and the supposedly straight forward way of narration. Hate. Livia. To. The. Extreme. "
— Anya, 5/17/2011" I read this years ago and LOVED it!! "
— Elisabeth, 5/6/2011" I read this years ago and LOVED it!! "
— Elisabeth, 5/6/2011" The world is fascinating.<br/><br/>The main character doesn't sound that driven. The evil virago, cliched. The gay characters, cliched too. The main character is not as active as the incestuous mad character. A bit Odysseus-ish. "
— Ke, 4/9/2011" The world is fascinating.<br/><br/>The main character doesn't sound that driven. The evil virago, cliched. The gay characters, cliched too. The main character is not as active as the incestuous mad character. A bit Odysseus-ish. "
— Ke, 4/9/2011" Not quite as fun as the First Men of Rome series, but entertaining and in the same vein. I was sorry when it was finished. I wanted to know what the good Claudius did as emperor! "
— Erik, 4/7/2011" Not quite as fun as the First Men of Rome series, but entertaining and in the same vein. I was sorry when it was finished. I wanted to know what the good Claudius did as emperor! "
— Erik, 4/7/2011" Read this many years ago after seeing the Masterpiece Theater Series. The book is even more wicked and crazy than the TV series, which I would never believe possible. Most depraved book you will ever enjoy. "
— Cindy, 4/6/2011" Read this many years ago after seeing the Masterpiece Theater Series. The book is even more wicked and crazy than the TV series, which I would never believe possible. Most depraved book you will ever enjoy. "
— Cindy, 4/6/2011" Nothing has changed... gossip back in BC. Very interesting read. "
— Teresa, 3/28/2011" Nothing has changed... gossip back in BC. Very interesting read. "
— Teresa, 3/28/2011" I wanted to love this book. I like historical fiction in general. Here, I found the Claudius as narrator too dry and the humor a bit forced. What should have been clever sometimes struck me as tiresome. "
— Jess, 3/17/2011" I wanted to love this book. I like historical fiction in general. Here, I found the Claudius as narrator too dry and the humor a bit forced. What should have been clever sometimes struck me as tiresome. "
— Jess, 3/17/2011" I loved the book, but it's not a light read. You have to really enjoy history and have the patience to work through numerous characters who all seem to have the same name... "
— Daniella, 3/15/2011" I loved the book, but it's not a light read. You have to really enjoy history and have the patience to work through numerous characters who all seem to have the same name... "
— Daniella, 3/15/2011" One of my favorite reads "
— Keith, 3/15/2011" The intrigues and outrages of Rome's first imperial family. Livia is a truly unforgettable character. "
— Lance, 3/2/2011" The intrigues and outrages of Rome's first imperial family. Livia is a truly unforgettable character. "
— Lance, 3/2/2011Robert Graves (1895–1985) was an English poet, translator, and novelist, one of the leading English men of letters in the twentieth century. He fought in World War I and won international acclaim in 1929 with the publication of his memoir of the First World War, Good-bye to All That. After the war, he was granted a classical scholarship at Oxford and subsequently went to Egypt as the first professor of English at the University of Cairo. He is most noted for his series of novels about the Roman emperor Claudius and his works on mythology, such as The White Goddess.
Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.
Nelson Runger’s voice has been recorded in dozens of audio productions and won him two AudioFile Earphones Awards. His ability to convey difficult, scholarly material with eloquence and ease has earned him critical acclaim, including an AudioFile Best Voice in Biography & History for his reading of Nixon and Kissinger.