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The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome's Deadliest Enemy Audiobook
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(3.05) - 356 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A National Book Award finalist for this epic work, Adrienne Mayor delivers a gripping account of Mithradates, the ruthless visionary who began to challenge Rome's power in 120 B.C. Machiavelli praised his military genius. Kings coveted his secret elixir against poison. Poets celebrated his victories, intrigues, and panache. But until now, no one has told the full story of his incredible life.
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"I have read about this person many times but this was the first time I specifically read a book about him. His plan to combine many cultures like Alexander the Great was fascinating. Going up against the greatest military power in the world was doomed to disaster but he lived a full and interesting life."
— Larry (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Mithradates should be a household name alongside his fellow rebels Hannibal, Cleopatra, Spartacus, and Attila. This detailed, juicy, entertaining, yet painstaking work of superb scholarship should finally give Mithradates the recognition he deserves.”
— Margaret George, author of Helen of Troy: A Novel -
“Meticulous in its research, exciting in its narration, ambitious in its conception, The Poison King re-creates an era when much of the Mediterranean world rebelled against Rome. At the center of it all is the fascinating and frightening king who rallied the resistance: Mithradates. Mayor has written a terrific book.”
— Barry Straus, author of The Spartacus War -
“Thanks to Mayor, Mithradates has emerged from the shadows at last as one of Rome’s most potent and remarkable enemies.”
— Tom Holland, author of Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic -
“A wonderful reading experience.”
— Washington Post -
“This distinctive and compelling book is sure to fascinate all readers interested in the ancient world or in understanding the historical politics of the Caucasus region.”
— Library Journal
Awards
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Winner of the 2010 Independent Publisher Award Gold Medal for Biography
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A 2009 Washington Post Best Book
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A 2009 National Book Award Finalist
The Poison King Listener Reviews
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" Just got started. I'll have to let you know. Pretty interesting so far. "
— Tim, 2/16/2014 -
" An interesting account of how "the other half" lived during the late republic era of Rome. Interesting to see how the power of myths and legends shaped the actions of ancient leaders. "
— Charles, 2/9/2014 -
" I thought this was a really entertaining, gripping book. Can't figure out how some people found it dry, but to each their own. Nice to see the Romans from the other side, and great to learn about the history of the area around the Black Sea. "
— Nicole, 1/25/2014 -
" Fascinating subject and one I know almost nothing about, but writing is odd and disjointed. I am surprised I got all the way through it. "
— Michael, 1/14/2014 -
" "magnificent in defeat" "
— Suzanne, 1/3/2014 -
" Well written. Brings new information to bear on the biography of Mithradates. Is it possible for history to have a surprise ending? I liked it. "
— E, 12/1/2013 -
" An interesting biography of a person little known today. The author provides background and multiple sources while working on bringing Mithradates back into our set of knowledge. Rome is not potrayed favorably in relation to her subject. An enjoyable read. "
— Ron, 11/20/2013 -
" A good overall book but the author got bogged down in the what if's and hypothesizing. She states very clearly when she is simply hypothesizing but I found she did it too much for my taste. "
— Jonathan, 10/23/2013 -
" Disappointing. I am surprised something as poorly written/researched, as this collection of words, could get published. "
— Gaetano, 5/4/2013 -
" .Such a well-written book, as fascinating as any novel, and informative on top of it all. Adrienne Mayor doesn't talk down to non-historians and her narrative is rivetting. "
— Jay, 1/22/2013 -
" Adrienne Mayor writes a very interesting and fascinating bio of this storied King who almost ran the Romans out of Asia. "
— Robert, 9/4/2012 -
" Nice story. Audio book had a 10 Minute gap in the middle, missed the entire attack on Rhodes. "
— Tom, 7/6/2012 -
" Excellent, readable, rollicking book. AND it's very well researched. Loved it. "
— Richard, 2/12/2012 -
" Nice story. Audio book had a 10 Minute gap in the middle, missed the entire attack on Rhodes. "
— Tom, 2/28/2011 -
" Well written. Brings new information to bear on the biography of Mithradates. Is it possible for history to have a surprise ending? I liked it. "
— E, 2/27/2011 -
" A very readable popular history of the great Mithridates. It's not the book an academic historian would have written--but maybe that's a good thing. (I can say this having been an academic historian.) "
— Bruce, 1/17/2011 -
" Just got started. I'll have to let you know. Pretty interesting so far. "
— Tim, 12/29/2010 -
" I am finally finished with this book!! "
— Corlynn, 4/28/2010 -
" I loved this book, full of prophesy and history. "
— Mark, 3/8/2010 -
" Love reading about Roman history and it's enemies. "
— Joe, 2/28/2010 -
" Excellent, readable, rollicking book. AND it's very well researched. Loved it. "
— Richard, 2/14/2010 -
" I thought this was a really entertaining, gripping book. Can't figure out how some people found it dry, but to each their own. Nice to see the Romans from the other side, and great to learn about the history of the area around the Black Sea. "
— Nicole, 2/14/2010
About Adrienne Mayor
Adrienne Mayor is the author of Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion Bombs: Biological and Chemical Warfare in the Ancient World and The First Fossil Hunters: Paleontology in Greek and Roman Times. She is a research scholar in classics and history of science at Stanford University.
About Paul Hecht
Paul Hecht’s long career in audiobooks spans dozens of titles and authors as varied as Ray Bradbury and Gore Vidal, Jack Finney and Thomas Mann. He has recorded such books as Bob Dole’s One Soldier’s Story and Alexander McCall Smith’s Portuguese Irregular Verbs and At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances. Hecht’s theater career in New York includes many Broadway and television credits. He has won nine AudioFile Earphones Awards for his audiobook narrations.