Dictator

By: Robert Harris

Narrated by: David Rintoul

'Confirms Harris's undisputed place as our leading master of both the historical and contemporary thriller' Daily Mail

LAWS ARE SILENT IN TIMES OF WAR.

There was a time when Cicero held Caesar's life in the palm of his hand.

But now Caesar is the dominant figure and Cicero's life is in ruins.

Cicero's comeback requires wit, skill and courage.

And for a brief and glorious period, the legendary orator is once more the supreme senator in Rome.

But politics is never static.

And no statesman, however cunning, can safeguard against the ambition and corruption of others.

'The finest fictional treatment of Ancient Rome in the English language' - The Scotsman

Riveting and tumultuous, DICTATOR encompasses some of the most epic events in human history yet is also an intimate portrait of a brilliant, flawed, frequently fearful yet ultimately brave man - a hero for his time and for ours. This is an unforgettable tour de force from a master storyteller.

Critic reviews

Triumphant, compelling and deeply moving…the finest fictional treatment of Ancient Rome in the English language. They are distinguished by the mastery of the sources, sympathetic imagination, political intelligence and narrative skill…It’s a wonderful, dramatic, story, wonderfully told (Scotsman)

Robert Harris’s Cicero trilogy ends in grand style…the culmination of 12 years work and a remarkable literary achievement

The book works…more than that; at times it sings… Thrillers are supposed to thrill, but few really do raise your heart rate and short-circuit your critical faculties…Exhilarating…This trilogy deserves the highest compliment that can be paid to a work of historical fiction

Robert Harris completes his wonderful trilogy based on the life of Cicero. I haven’t enjoyed Roman history more since Robert Graves’s I, Claudius (Anthony Horowitz)

Harris’s fascination with politics galvanises his impressive knowledgeableness into compulsive fiction (Peter Kemp)

Harris is brilliant at the political then-as-now, giving Caesar with a hint of Blair – and also of Thatcher (Peter Stothard)

Staying close to the sources, Harris picks his way masterfully through Cicero’s personal and political dilemmas…superb…does full justice to one of Rome’s most interesting complex and humane statesmen, whose pragmatic political treatises proved so influential during the renaissance and enlightenment

Harris skilfully navigates these fraught years in Cicero’s life … Dictator triumphs

A superior historical thriller (Fiona Wilson)

Harris’ version of Cicero is a tremendous creation

Brilliant and enthralling

Having read other histories of the same people and period I was very impressed at the accuracy and detailed narrative. It’s written with compassion and understanding and does a much finer job of describing the events than for example conn igguldens very shameful reduction of these excellent incidents and personalities to soap opera. Highly recommended.

Excellent character writing and narration, poignant but very thought provoking

Robert Harris might be one of my new favorite authors from experiencing this trilogy alone. There's so much in these 3 books to love, but my highlights are: the incredible narration, the way of weaving historical events and figures with the perfect amount of imagination and plot to fill the gaps for a good story, and the wonderful and exciting prose.

heart wrecking end to a monumental work

I was a fan of the trilogy when they were first released. the books are so well written, weaving an intricate story of a time when so many great and not so great men and women lived. the story was never doubted. the narrator tho was not good at first, I can't different from 1 character to another character. but towards the last few chapters his delivery was better eventhough I felt something was missing. that something I found in the narrators for book 1 and especially book 2. but the story is so addictive with a heart wrenching ending, the inadequacies of the narrator isn't felt much more than mere what ifs.

Death of Liberty

An incredible finale to Robert Harris's series on the life and death Marcus Tullius Cicero, the death of the Republic and finally the birth of the Empire.

I'd recommend this book and series to anyone with a remote interest in historical fiction, history or just an interest in good storytelling!

"A room without books is like a body without a soul"
-Cicero

Thoroughly enjoyed

Another well written and narrated book in the series by Robert Harris. Definitely recommend this along with the other two books.