Rating: 
Summary: Engrossing & readable
Review: I was expecting a rather dry historical perspective, but was pleasantly surprised to find this book to be a real page turner!
Rating: 
Summary: Fantasy, not history
Review: I Claudius and Claudius the God are entertaining but they are not history. If you wish to understand early imperial Rome, go to the sources, but take anything written by Suetonius with a large pinch of salt. In England we have the gutter press, is the American equivalent the National Enquirer? Put it this way, Graves re wrote Suetonius whose mish mash of turgid gossip is about as reliable as a History of the Jewish People commissioned by A. Hitler. The Roman historian Tacitus was no lover of the empire. His account offers an intelligent perspective on the policies, personalities and brutalities of Roman life - an intelligent and accessible alternative to Suetonius. Graves was writing to sell books, not to explain. If you want intelligent novels covering the same ground try Allan Massie's works. If you enjoy I Claudius as an entertaining read fine; just don't take it as authentic. I don't like propaganda from any political, religious or historical point of view. Swallowing Graves' works without a second thought is all too common and to me disturbing. I know this can only read very pedantically, but what the hell, how about sticking with the truth, or attempting to weigh up what the truth is, rather than accepting one popular version.
Rating: 
Summary: Sorry, but this book was boring.....
Review: So I'm not an English Major. That's probably why I ended the five star streak. The reason I am giving Graves novel three stars is because of the terror the abominable Caligula crashed upon his citizens. Maybe I am just being gruesome. But the killings and the bloodshead of Caligula's reign was the only exciting part of the book. The first 300 pages were just too detail oriented for me. Boring. Just plain boring.
Rating: 
Summary: Murderous wars, insane raving and Stalinesque purges
Review: "I, Claudius" is one of the most interesting historical novels I've ever read. The "autobiographical" style succeeded in engaging my interest right from the beginning. Caligula's raving reminded me, in a way, of certain parts of Jung Chang's "Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China". Also, I had heard of the German national hero, Arminius (Hermann), before, and "I, Claudius" provides a very interesting account of Arminius's victory over three Roman legions in the Teutoburger Forest, and of his subsequent fate. Overall, the book presents a captivating view of the history of early imperial Rome, with its murderous wars and spectacles, Stalinesque purges and constant hopes of redemption.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging Roman History Comes To Life
Review: Robert Graves invites all to witness the life and times of the Claudio-Julian family of Ancient Rome through the eyes of Claudius the "dim witted" stuttering historian and member of the Julian family. With relaxed informal narrative Claudius gives us a glimpse at the trickery and utter evil doings that transpired throughout the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius and Caligula until, after a lifetime of out witting the rest of the family, Claudius the "dim wit" is crowned emperor. This book is riveting from start to finish and never once leaves you wanting a more complete view of every relationship, murder, and imperial decision that transpired. This book's only fault is that is ended too soon. Claudius the God is an excellent sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful first-person history
Review: This book is fascinating from start to finish. Graves is a fantastic writer and story-teller. If one wants to get a teen (or adult, for that matter) interested in ancient history, this is the book to give them.
Rating:
Summary: History Comes Alive !!
Review: Welcome to ancient Rome, a world of intense political intrigue, a ruthless pursuit of power and personal gain, where family-feeling counts for little. Claudius is a bit of a Forest Gump kind of character, quite willing let the tide of events sweep him along. Livia is the real heroine of the story; she is one of the most sinister ladies I have come across in all of literature. With his wide knowledge of the Roman world Robert Graves paints a compelling and engaging portrait of a very cruel era. The mad Caligula's excesses - he sleeps with his sisters, makes his horse a consul, declares himeself a god, goes to war against the sea, conducts massacres on the most ludicrous of pretexts- all this makes Stalin's actions seem tame by comparison. If you're looking for a good story that will keep you pleasantly engaged for a few hours, read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Was Rome really this bad????
Review: I had to read this book for an independent study in Grade 12 English and I can honestly say that I was completely reviled by the utter lack of content in this quasi-classic book. I found there to be no plot and very little substance in the entire book and I am very disappointed in the judgement of the critics who put it #14 in the list of the top 100 books of this century. I cannot say that this book is good because lying is a sin and I don't want to go to Hell. I, Claudius cannot be a good representation of the works of Robert Graves because it is a pitiful example of a book, period..
Rating:
Summary: The life and troubled times of early Rome.
Review: Robert Graves gives a remarkable account of life during one of the most significant epochs of Western civilization. Taken from the perspective of one of history's unlikeliest heroes, -- Claudius the limp, Claudius the stutterer, Claudius the fool -- Claudius sets out to accurately document the tumultuous times of a Rome suffering a power vacuum, as well as survive the ordeal. An excellent novel brimming with humor, intrigue, and authenticity enough to satisfy every kind of reader. Think Umberto Eco and Lawrence Norfolk.
Rating:
Summary: CCClaudius at his greatest!
Review: Robert Graves puts the most important time in Roman history into an interesting novel. Graves keeps you compeled with a 1st person novel about Claudius. His terrible tortures in his childhood, to his slow aquaintance with politics. The reader finds themselves ingulfed in the family feuds of the most interesting family in all of Rome. Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus would be proud!
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