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Persian Fire
- The First World Empire and the Battle for the West
- By: Tom Holland
- Narrated by: Michael Page
- Length: 14 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,429
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,251
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,245
In the fifth century BC, a global superpower was determined to bring truth and order to what it regarded as two terrorist states. The superpower was Persia, incomparably rich in ambition, gold, and men. The terrorist states were Athens and Sparta, eccentric cities in a poor and mountainous backwater: Greece. The story of how their citizens took on the Great King of Persia, and thereby saved not only themselves, but Western civilization as well, is as heart-stopping and fateful as any episode in history.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Engaging
- By Jean on 02-16-17
- Persian Fire
- The First World Empire and the Battle for the West
- By: Tom Holland
- Narrated by: Michael Page
Very British
Reviewed: 04-11-22
Tom Holland (not Spider-Man) presents a very interesting book, but I have to say, the constant depictions of Persians as oriental despots rings of British imperialism, especially since he spends so much of the early book contradicting this very notion. The book is great, definitely worth a read or a listen, I just really wish the context was better than the one Holland presents throughout. Still, he does not shy away from facts, even if they don’t fit his narrative.
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The Poison King
- The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome’s Deadliest Enemy
- By: Adrienne Mayor
- Narrated by: Paul Hecht
- Length: 15 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 789
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 671
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 671
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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4 out of 5 stars
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A mythic & complicated life of a charismatic King
- By Darwin8u on 06-15-13
- The Poison King
- The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome’s Deadliest Enemy
- By: Adrienne Mayor
- Narrated by: Paul Hecht
What an ending!
Reviewed: 04-11-22
Has to be one of the most thought provoking endings I have ever heard in a historical book. A tale many do not know well, worth a listen!
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