EMPEROR: The Field of Swords, Book 3 (Unabridged)

By: Conn Iggulden

Narrated by: Paul Blake

Julius Caesar has taken his legions north into mighty battles with the Gallic tribes. But as his successes mount, overwhelming ambition and new alliances begin to threaten his friendship with Marcus Brutus, brother-in-arms and fellow warrior. Although the conquest of Gaul has made Caesar a hero all over again, his victories on the battlefield cause still more rivalries at home. And ultimately Caesar and Brutus will have to choose whether to cross the Rubicon - together or singly - and to take the fight to Rome itself.©2005 Conn Iggulden (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

The narrator pronounces names with accurate Latin

I see a lot of reviews complaining about the pronunciation of names by the narrator.

YOU FOOLS, this is the CORRECT pronunciation of Latin!

V's sounded like W's, C's sounded like K's. Cicero is pronounced Kikero by Latin speakers, Octavian like Oktawian.

I applaud the narrator for a historically accurate pronunciation of the names in this book.

Changed narrator, not for the better

The first two books in this series were very well narrated by Robert Glenister. Paul Blake’s narration ruined this story for me and made it incredible difficult to finish. There is an extreme sense of disdain in his voice for this story as he narrates it. All the character are portrayed as haughty and condescending. It is almost as if he does not respect the authors literary depiction of the characters voices and the story suffers greatly for it. Along with this, Blake’s insistence of mispronouncing character names jolts you uncomfortably from the story constantly. It seems as though Blake was asked to find a way to make this story as unpleasant to listen to as possible. I will not listen to the fourth book on Audible but will finish this series reading the book itself. The author and the story deserve a better showing than this narrator provided. On the bright side I have missed the feel of turning the page and falling into the written story maybe I should thank Blake....

Different narrator, but just as good

This was a first listen for us with narrator, Paul Blake. We're enjoying him very much. He's different from Robert Glenister (narrator of the first two books in this series) but just as good. It is rather annoying when changes are made in a middle of a series. But if, as in this case, the story is worthwhile, (and Conn Iggulden is always terrific) than getting to know a new narrator is part of the fun.

Annoying reader great story

Book is amazing but Paul Blake changes the pronunciation of character names from the previous 2 readers. Makes it hard to listen too.

Fine centerpiece of the sequel damaged by narratio

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Had the narrator of the first two books read it. I wouldn't have spent hours wondering who 2 of the main characters were. Carto and Serwilia? Just pronounce them as written, please.

What did you like best about this story?

The character of Caesar is so visceral, he is truly sympathetic. Iggulden was able to do this with Ghengis as well, to his great credit.

Would you be willing to try another one of Paul Blake’s performances?

I have to, to continue the series.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from EMPEROR: The Field of Swords, Book 3 (Unabridged)?

Some of the politics while Caesar is offstage can be tedious, but it is necessary knowledge to understand just what is going on in Rome.

Any additional comments?

Iggulden has quickly become one of my favorite authors.