Glory and the Lightning Audiobook By Taylor Caldwell cover art

Glory and the Lightning

A Novel of Ancient Greece

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Glory and the Lightning

By: Taylor Caldwell
Narrated by: Jamie Renell
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New York Times best seller

A breathtaking saga of ancient Greece and one of history’s most influential political couples, Aspasia and Pericles

Born in the Greek city of Miletus, Aspasia was destined for a life of tragedy. Her wealthy father vowed to abandon any female child, so Aspasia was secreted away, educated independently of her family, and raised as a courtesan. She discovered at an early age how to use her powers of intellect as ingeniously as those of the flesh.

Ensconced in the Persian harems of Al Taliph, she meets the man who will change her fate: Pericles, the formidable political leader, statesman, ruler of Athens, and Aspasia’s most cherished lover. She becomes his trusted confidante, his equal through scandal, war, and revolt.

From the eruption of the Peloponnesian War to violent political and family rivalries to a devastating plague, author Taylor Caldwell plunges the listener into the heart of ancient Athens. In bringing to life the tumultuous love affairs and gripping power struggles of one of history’s most complicated and fascinating women, Glory and the Lightning is thrilling proof that "Caldwell never falters when it comes to storytelling" (Publishers Weekly).

©1974 Taylor Caldwell (P)2019 Audible, Inc. Ancient Ancient World Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Romance Sagas Ancient History Ancient Greece Fiction Destiny Tearjerking Greek Mythology
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I first read the book maybe 20 years ago. And I’ve read it at least twice since then. It’s beautifully written. It shows the glorious side of ancient greese and the dirty side.

One of my favorites

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The history was true, and the reader did a superb job bringing the figures of Perishes and Aspasia to life, as well as Socrates, Ana agora, Phidias, and Zeno of Alia, among others. Very entertaining and thought provoking.

Excellent Performance!

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Long because of lots of detail. Good historical novel very informative. I can recommend. Ancient Greece.

Long because of lots of detail which I enjoyed. C

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I can't believe I have never read Taylor Caldwell books but I will remedy that over the next six month. The plot is so apropos tp current times. I posted on my Facebook page that you could switch Trump for Pericles and the whole story fits. Just goes to show you that we never learn from our mistakes and history continues to repeat itself. The story is sad in parts but the plot moves along at a steady pace. I am so glad I read the book.

Not Sure I liked the Ending

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It would have been better if the females and women in the story were narrated by women.

Narration was good for the male characters.

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Such an interesting story that relates quite well to today. Long live Pericles and Aspacia!

Excellent excellent excellent

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I think that since it is the story of a woman a woman narrator should have been chosen to read it.

Good overall

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Some of the worst writing you will ever read. The erudition - or better, the effusion of facts, adjectives,descriptions and, and, and, and - will leave you heaving with nausea. The tale may ultimately develop but I’ll never know.

Drinking from a fire hose

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This is the first book review I've ever written which is a pity because there are so many great books out there. THIS is not one of them. Right from the first it is screamingly homophobic which if you know the first thing about Ancient Greece it would put you off. Also there seems to be some confusion in the authors mind between ancient Persia and maybe the the Ottoman Empire??....I'm not sure and I really don't want to find out but I've read enough real history about the Persian of the time period this is supposedly set in to know that a Satrap.....a governor of a district of the Persian Empire would have no time much less inclination to be what seems mostly to be a merchant.

The author also seems to be trying to bend the Aspasia towards a Christian mindset and considering this is several hundred years before the birth of Christ it is jarring and nonsensical.

The narrator also seems more fitting to be reading a news cast or a sporting event. If the main character is female maybe choose a female narrator. I'm returning this book before the nausea it induces overcomes me..

If you know anything about Ancient Greece this is

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