Imperium

I’m in the middle of Imperium, a Robert Harris political thriller set in ancient Rome and starring Cicero, the greatest orator of all time. It’s every bit as intriguing as a John Grishman novel, with the added thrill of being based on the real court documents and speeches of Cicero as transcribed by his secretarial slave, Tiro, who also narrates the story. Cicero’s speeches, timing, and strategies are awe-inspiring. “Minor” characters include Julius Caesar, Pompey, and others. It’s hard to put this book down.