Rating: 
Summary: Fairly good. Disappointment compared to First Man in Rome.
Review: Sulla's invasion of Italy and Pompey's character adds interest to the story, but Caesar's victory over Myteline and Pontus were rather bland. In any case, they're not as cool, exciting, noble, or capable as Gauis Marius. A big disappointment once you've read First Man in Rome.
Rating: 
Summary: Fortune's Favorites
Review: The third installment in McCullough's magnum opus (after The First Man in Rome , LJ 9/15/90, and The Grass Crown , Morrow, 1991) continues her chronicle of the decline of the Roman Republic and the impending rise of the Roman Empire. The novel's events are dominated by Sulla's return from exile and subsequent installation as Rome's first dictator in almost 200 years; Pompey the Great's machinations as the wealthy provincial, which clears his own path upward through Roman politics; and the maturing of Gaius Julius Caesar, who will ultimately set Rome upon it's imperial course. These three are ``Fortune's favorites.'' Painstakingly researched, McCullough's Roman saga is like a trip through time. Her characters come to life as do their surroundings. While giving us rollicking good fiction, McCullough has also made clear the bribery and chicanery that made up Roman politics. She has given us clear insight into how Rome found itself changing from a republic to an empire. Highly recommended
Rating: 
Summary: But who favours Fortune?
Review: Third in the series of books on ancient Rome. Unlike the others, there is less emphasis on central characters, and more on the situation at large. Surprising lack of emphasis on Pompey the Great as there was on Sulla and Marius in the previous books. The book is almost a play on the ancient chinese curse, 'may you live in interesting times' as the fall of Sulla, the rise of Pompey, the slaves revolt, and various foreign calamities take place.Well worth a read.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating reading, spellbinding!
Review: This book is just what the title says, it concentrates on the characters that seemed to have their share of good luck for a while: Pompey, Spartacus, Sulla to name a few. It also is the beginning of reading about Julius Caesar, which really started in the "Grass Crown" and from the first page about him you are riveted and want to know more and more about him. You can't wait until he grows up to see what he'll be like (and believe me, he lives up to all of your expectations!) This book also sees Sulla's illness and eventual death, which is sad to see if you've read the previous books, albeit bittersweet. It's so good, do yourself a favor and read these books--NOW!
Rating:
Summary: great sequel, if less unified
Review: This continuation volume is a bit disjointed when compared to the wonderfully unified earlier volumes. You have Sulla, who has suddenly become very ill and aged, in the ascendant; his soul sickness comes to full flower here with his power, which he wields with the most chilling ruthlessness as he attempts to return Rome to an earlier age. Then, there is the young Julius Caesar, whose star is just beginning to rise and whose character is utterly unique and fascinating. (There is an hilarious episode where he is captured by pirates, whom he seduces with his wit while telling them he will return and crucify them, which he subsequently does.) The narrative shuttles between the two rather disjointedly, in a time of change as the Roman Republic breathes its last.Despite this disjointedness, I enjoyed this novel as much as I did the previous ones. Indeed, I was enthralled as I experienced the history of Rome, which I have studied my entire adult life, in a new way. This is one of the best series of historical novels I have ever read and I can't wait to read the next ones in the series. I believe that McCullough achieves her ambition of making as complete a portrait of an age as can be done in fiction. Warmly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Nice meaty history
Review: This novel is the way a history novel should be written - highly accurate, but with many educated guesses about Roman society. I'm just glad I don't have to live in it... Only two complaints - Wot, no pirates??! Wot, no worms??!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Read - both entertaining and informative
Review: While this book was not as good as some of the others in the Masters of Rome series it is still excellent in it's own right. Fortune's favourites is extremely entertaining, containing very good factual information and providing different theories and perspectives on events and people. In particuar the author is much kinder to figures like Marius and even Sulla than many other historians tend to be. This is also the case with Caesar in her later books. This book is a great read, the often dry historical details are presented in a very readable format and enjoyable manner.
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