Wednesday's Pick!

Antony and Cleopatra is a continuation of Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome Series. McCullough is a strong and proven writer; she was brave to take on the epic proportions of Roman history and the drama of Antony and Cleopatra. How many books, films, and other media versions exist of these famous figures?
For those who are continuing along in McCullough's series, this book pulls together some of the threads from previous works, such as The October Horse. If you have been following the TV series, "Rome", you may want to read this novel to further investigate the battles of wits and forces. However, this sprawling story certainly stands alone. The time frame covers 41 to 27 B.C.Some parts of it are less known, and others quite well known. For example, while Antony is camped in Ephesus, he sends for Cleopatra. He bids her to come to him; she fumes, "How dare he! Am I not the Queen! He can come here!" As we know, Cleopatra does sail in her magnificent barge to meet Antony,but she does not concede this first move without her own victories in mind. So begins the war of wills causing conspiracies and battles to cover all of Italy, Egypt, Greece and surrounding areas for this story of connivance does not centre solely on Antony and Cleopatra. Consider other main characters: Sextus, Pompeius, Agrippa, Lepidus, Octavia, Livia Drusilla and of course, Octavian (later known as Augustus Caesar). Alliances marry revenge and jealousy to love and loyalties; Antony allies with Octavius Caesar by marrying his sister, Octavia, but then leaves her to return to Cleopatra. In revenge, Octavius attacks leopatra's fleet ensuring war and the downfall of loves and lives. Where do Cleopatra's loyalties lie -- with her son, Caesarian, son of Caesar who she hopes will one day rule Rome or her beloved Antony? Of course, we know how it ends. Or do we? Was it really an Asp? Who murders Caesarion and why?
Colleen McCullough offers the reader quite a read with military campaigns, gods, relationsips, love and grief and intrigue in this monumental novel.