I have been wanting to read this book for so long and I have finally gotten round to it.

It has completely lived up to my expectations as a beginner's book on Ancient Rome.

I highly recommend this book to any Ancient Rome novice's as Beard's writing as it is a great entry point but also would still make an enjoyable read to people who already have a good understanding. I will be picking up more of Beard's book in the near future (I have my eye on her latest release "Twelve Caesars: Images of Power from the Ancient World to the Modern"). 

Writing:

The writing is very accessible and easy to understand. It is not presented in a dull manner and is captivating, making all 600 pages an enjoyable read. Every point is backed up with evidence so you do not feel like the author is forcing their interpretation down your throat. You can tell Beard is passionate and knowledgeable about their subject which clearly comes across in the writing.

Content:

The contents of this book are a wide range spanning 1000 years of Roman history. However, it does not just focus on the elites of society but Beard purposefully goes out of her way to include all members of society. Quotes from Roman sources are frequently used, which was an excellent choice by the author as they offer evidence and are very entertaining. There is also lots of pictures and illustrations throughout the book, which I find a welcome breathing point at points throughout some of the long chapters.

Value:

I originally started reading a copy of this book from my local library but had to go and buy my own copy as I knew I would want to dip in and out of it again in the future. At the end of the book, there is a rich further reading section and a timeline section. I think this is a very valuable book to own on Ancient Rome.

Overall Rating: 5/5

Rating Key:
5* - Loved it, will be reading again.
4* - Liked it a lot, will probably read again. 
3* - Good, might read again.
2* - Ok, will not read again.
1* - Did not enjoy at all.