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Imperium
- Narrated by: Bill Wallis
- Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins
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Imperium
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Summary
When Tiro, the confidential secretary of a Roman senator, opens the door to a terrified stranger on a cold November morning, he sets in motion a chain of events which will eventually propel his master into one of the most famous courtroom dramas in history.
The stranger is a Sicilian, a victim of the island's corrupt Roman governor, Verres. The senator is Cicero, a brilliant young lawyer and spellbinding orator, determined to attain imperium - supreme power in the state.This is the starting-point of Robert Harris's most accomplished novel to date.
Compellingly written in Tiro's voice, it takes us inside the violent, treacherous world of Roman politics, to describe how one man - clever, compassionate, devious, vulnerable - fought to reach the top.
Sometimes it is foolish to articulate an ambition too early - exposing it prematurely to the laughter and scepticism of the world can destroy it before it is even properly born. But sometimes the opposite occurs, and the very act of mentioning a thing makes it suddenly seem possible, even plausible.
That was how it was that night. When Cicero pronounced the word 'consul' he planted it in the ground like a standard for us all to admire. And for a moment we glimpsed the brilliant, starry future through his eyes, and saw that he was right: that if he took down Verres, he had a chance; that he might - just, with luck, go all the way to the summit...'
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What listeners say about Imperium
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Swanny
- 23-08-16
Best narrator I've ever had
Absolutely fantastic novel, brilliant storytelling, excellent narration.
Deeply moving, and a fascinating insight into the fall of the Roman Republic.
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16 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Avril Peppard
- 01-05-16
Gripping stuff
Would you consider the audio edition of Imperium to be better than the print version?
I do, because I cannot read with my eyes shut. Bill Wallis is the most amazing reader & once started, I was lost ... it was very difficult to stop listening to it & do stuff.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Imperium?
When Cicero prosecuted Cataline. But then defended another Governor almost as corrupt. The disappointment was terrible.
Have you listened to any of Bill Wallis’s other performances? How does this one compare?
I don't know if I have, but he is the bees knees that's for sure.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Imperium .... Roman Republic rotten to the core. I don't know :D
Any additional comments?
Just that I rarely write reviews, but just had to let ppl know how amazing this book is.
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15 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lee Gallacher
- 24-11-20
First Class
One of my favourite books, superbly read by Bill Wallis. As engaging in audible as it was in print.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jason
- 01-04-17
Toga Intrigue
Great narration and a well paced plot. Kept my attention throughout. Harris succeeds yet again.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- D. J. Wilkinson
- 16-09-17
Excellent book this is.
A well written, intriguing and nicely paced story that is also well read and delivered. I'm not sure how much of this is historically accurate but I suspect it is based on the history we have been left with.
Excellent book all round.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sceptic
- 28-01-18
One of the best audiobooks - a great performance
Bill Wallis really excels himself bringing to life the characters in this book. Not only the central characters, Tiro and Cicero but the whole cast. The book itself is an exciting read, an historical political thriller, but with enough detail and confidence about the quotidien realities of ancient life to make it all work. You can forgive the contemporary voice as it doesn't get in the way of the overall narrative effect.
I am really looking forward to the next instalment!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- John Grandin
- 25-11-18
A compelling read, narrated masterfully.
There are few names from the Roman republic that divide opinion more than Cicero. A brilliant lawyer, a self made man - yes. A brutally ambitious demagogue, a lap dog to the rich and powerful - well, you decide.
Robert Harris serves fans of Roman history a delicious treat here with Imperium. The rise of Cicero from the law courts to the Senate and from there to the precipice at the edge of the fall of Rome’s republican government is a story as gripping as any modern day political thriller.
The actor Bill Wallis puts in a truly captivating performance in the narration of this story told from the perspective Cicero’s slave and personal secretary, Marcus Tullius Tiro. Wallis brings back to life the voices of the past in a manner that is both comfortable to the ear and utterly mesmerising in its artistry.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Humpps
- 07-08-23
Enthralling
An overall enthralling review of the politics over 2000 years ago which is not that far removed from the current state of democracy.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Dr S Bhatt
- 22-08-23
Flawless
As good as everyone says. Absolutely flawless, can’t wait to listen to the others. Superb narration.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- marie mccleary
- 12-11-23
Great story told well
At first I was uncertain about the narrator, however he really brought the characters to life with Mr Harris’s amazing storytelling. A joy to listen to.
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