Tacitus: The Annals of Imperial Rome (Penguin Classics)

Rating:
Summary: I Hate to be the Odd One Out, But...
Review: This may be a case where, I read another book, at least it seems like it. The average review for this is 4 1/2 stars, but I simply cannot rate this book that highly. I found, "The Imperial Annals of Rome" tortuously long and arduous to read (and I've packed away quite a few 1000+ page books). This might be more accurately summarized as, why I hate Tiberius. Tacitus spends most of the book going into excruciating detail about minor trials and Tiberius' personal faults (which he has many) and his public enemies (most of which are duly executed). When I compare this book to "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" or "Conquest of Mexico" by Prescott, or " The Peloponnesian War" by Thucydides, I find Tacitus' work sorely lacking. The greatest criticism of him I might make would be that he becomes so entrenched in minor details, the the work never becomes transcendant speaking not only of events of history but also of the nature of man and power. I know I might be quickly rebuked for this blaspheme, but I would recommend any number of works over this one. Sorry Tacitus.