Stealing Athena: A Novel Audiobook

" I really loved Stealing Athena -- the history of Lord Elgin's fanatical devotion to the cause of bringing the statuary from the Acropolis (the "Elgin marbles") to England. His amazing wife and their relationship is the heart of the story, and it meshes well with flashbacks to the life of Pericles and his courtesan Aspasia. It's an epic tale, the characters are larger-than-life, and I was completely carried away. "

" Have to admit, I got 1/2 way thru and couldn't finish, lost interest in main character Mary. "

" A lot of the scenes could've been done without. It was an OK book that just went on too long. "

" This book was fascinating!!! It is about the man Lord Elgin and his wife Mary, and their moving the ancient marbles of Greece to England..I really enjoyed it mostly because I had read the author's other books Kleopatra and Pharoah(Kleopatra Pt. II) and loved both of those books..If you are interested in England and the ancient times of Greece then this is a book you should definitely read!!! I was very happy to have read her books and look forward to reading her other books as well!!! "

" Essex's avowed purpose is to "reframe history from the female point of view, and here she does that by focusing on Mary Nisbet, wed to Lord Elgin, in the early 19th century and Aspasia, courtesan and adviser to Athenian statesman Pericles. Elgin's obsession is with the Greek sculptures, even today housed in the British Museum. She alternates between the two stories,in each case showing the cultural and legal restrictions on women. Of the two portraits, the one of Mary is by far the more successful---perhaps because of the richer historical literature. Steeped in the historical literature, Essex is not dominated by it; she provides a guide to reading and on her web site an extensive bibliography. "

" audiobook-Follows 2 women closely associated w/ what we now call the Elgin marbles; Lady Elgin, and Aspasia-concubine of the builder of the Parthenon. The marbles themselves are a central character, but there are also issues of love, respect, glory (and the search for it), the role of women in society and law, art, religion and motherhood. Fictionalized, but based very closely on verifiable history. "

" Historical fiction completely based on actual events, alternating between early 1800's and ancient Greece. Uneven. I'm sure the research was impeccable, the author never seemed to stop cramming the facts in, regardless of the pacing of the story. Sometimes the writing was lovely and the main storyline is compelling. As difficult as the first 3/4 of the book was to get through I couldn't put it down at the end (though I skimmed the Greek parts as they slowed the narrative down). Would like to be able to give this more than three stars, just can't. "

" Enjoyed this one. Great voices strong women, both Mary Tisbet and Aspasia. It is amazing that in the 1800's, they were able to trasport these artifacts so far. "

" outstanding historical novel - I was surprised midway when I learned the characters were based upon actual people. Learned a lot and enjoyed story. "

" I didn't get a strong overlap between the 2 women - one the wife of Lord Essex, the other an alien courtesan in Greece when the Parthenon was being built - other than 2 constellations of events around the statuary. Slow. "

" Good book, though at times slow the last quarter of the book had me glued. A definate read for anyone interested in the history of Pericles of Athens and his and Pheidias construction/adornment of the Parthenon and it's subsequent destruction. "

" A surprising lack of real conflict until the last 150 pages. THOSE pages were good. "

" Interesting history of Mary Nesbit, Lady Elgin. As I listened to the book, I wanted to find out what happened to her, found I was not as intrigued with the ancient story...sort of ff through those bits. Interesting history of the Elgin Marbles. "

" Overall a good book, however the beginning could use alot of work. It is very slow getting into, that i felt giving up a few times. The story is very interesting, and while maybe not 100% historically accurate is very close. "

" Lots of cool mythological facts intertwined with a journey of a spoiled scottish woman and her historical antithesis courtesan of mythological times. Evidently based on a true story. "

" Good book. She has really researched the topic and tells the history very well. I definitely suggest it. "

" I really liked this book. I thought it was real written and really gave an insiders peak on not only how life was in the 1800's but also like ancient times. I really felt the character's embarassement, despair, and livliness throughout the book. "

" Wonderful historical novel that was captivating. It held my attention throughout. "

" I enjoyed visualizing the Elgin marbles intact in Greece. Was fortunate to see pieces in England several years ago. "

" This was a good one -- two periods in history from two women's perspectives. The connection between Aspasia in ancient Greece and Lady Elgin in Napoleanic times is subtle and well-done, and the historical content is integrated seamlessly. Totally enjoyable and informative! "

" Parallel story--of Lord Elgin, gathering up the treasures of the Parthenon, and of Aspasia, the mistress of Pericles in ancient Athens. Good historical fiction on both counts. "

" Good book, though at times slow the last quarter of the book had me glued. A definate read for anyone interested in the history of Pericles of Athens and his and Pheidias construction/adornment of the Parthenon and it's subsequent destruction. "

" I like the way this book took two women from compleatly different times and showed how they shared so much in common eventhough one was a honest wife and the orbs a concubine. Also great moral code....how greed always leads to distruction. Even of grey things. "

" good,though a little slow in places. A bit too much about antiquities for me. "

" Another favorite this yeaer! I love the how the book intertwined ancient greece with the Elgens, and the story of how the marbles came to London. Fantastic book about a woman wanting more and what she made of her life and the struggles to be independent then. READ IT! "

" Have to admit, I got 1/2 way thru and couldn't finish, lost interest in main character Mary. "

" I really liked this book. I thought it was real written and really gave an insiders peak on not only how life was in the 1800's but also like ancient times. I really felt the character's embarassement, despair, and livliness throughout the book. "

" This book is for anyone who likes Historical Fiction. I highly recommend it. "

" A lot of the scenes could've been done without. It was an OK book that just went on too long. "

" Enjoyed this one. Great voices strong women, both Mary Tisbet and Aspasia. It is amazing that in the 1800's, they were able to trasport these artifacts so far. "

" I listed to this audiobook during commutes. "