Book Log 2007 #19: Roma by Steven Saylor

Known best for his series of Roman mysteries featuing Gordianus the Finder, Roma takes a more sweeping look at the city, from its origins as a camp for traders to the seat of Augustus' empire, through the eyes of two of its oldest families and the object that connects them.

While reading this I did think quite a bit of William Martin and Edward Rutherford. Martin writes historical novels of some scope, usually focused on two families and an item or object that is the focus of their conflict. Rutherford writes in even greater historical scope, primarily on English subjects. And as similar as Roma is to the style of their works, Saylor is a better writer.

You don't have to be familiar with Roman history to enjoy the book, though it does help in catching some of the less obvious details. It's a big book, fitting given the subject and scale, but it moves quickly thanks to the pacing of the story, whose chapters are kind of semi-contained by jumping a generation or two from those preceding. I enjoyed it quite a bit and would recommend it.