Another OT: Anybody familiar with SPQR book series?

Whistle
1

Hi all,

I am considering purchasing one or more of these books for my son. He’s a big history buff currently studying Latin. However, I am wondering if the content is appropriate for a teenager. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Happy Holiday’s!
HeySue

2

I hadn’t heard of it, but I googled the name and found these Amazon reviews of one volume:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0312277059/102-6144624-4860169?v=glance

Might be some useful information for you there…I don’t know if anything will specifically refer to teenagers.

3

Deja Vu. The first few pages of this (readable on Amazon) reminded me of something I read in the same genre a year or two ago, but I don’t think it was the same author.

4

I don’t know your idea of appropriate but the Senate and People of Rome approve heartily.

I believe they’re mysteries. My dear decrepit mother has read many of them being both a mystery and a Rome nut.

As for appropriate let me say my mom has a filter that cuts out anything remotely perceived as obscenity on her TV and she was incensed at the famous “Wardrobe Malfunction.” Therefore I presume she finds these books appropriate.

I would recommend Colleen McCullough’s series starting with “The Grass Crown.” Much better IMHO since I don’t care for mysteries.


edited

I don’t suppose you’d want him reading anything about Theodora of Byzantium would you?

5

I’m curious,how does that work?

Slan,
D.

6

Had enough, have you? :smiley:

7

Au contraire my friend.

I believe my own television set has one of these gadgets operating by default. I can never seem to find any filth no matter how many stations I surf…

Slan,
D. :roll:

8

I’m guessing your government has a filter operating well below the threshhold of flyingcursor’s mom’s. (set to ‘archbishop’ level)
Tony

9

Wardrobe malfunctions are definitely out. :astonished:

If it’s good enough for dear old mom… :sunglasses:



HeySue

10

I spoke with my mom last night about the books. She has them all and loves them. She finds nothing objectionable based on her standards. She says the author projects a sense of living in Rome during the days of Augustus in contrast to many authors who project 1950’s Mickey Spillane onto an era of the past.

How much of a history nut is your son? Is Rome something he is more interested in then say, 18th century France?

I ask because a real study of Imperial Rome is going to be full of blood and sex. Of course that could be said for 18th century France as well. And ancient, classic Greece. And Catherine the Great. And Byzantium. And India. And renaissance Italy. And 8th Century Persia



Now if Greek mythology is someone’s passion then you can read the watered down versions by Hamilton and Bulfinch or you could go for the gusto with Robert Graves. (Hera from sea foam? Yeah sure.)

11

How big a history buff is he? Well, I don’t know many 15 yr. olds who annoy their younger siblings by forcing them to watch the History Channel.

And yes, one can’t seriously study ancient Rome without running into some serious sex and violence. I don’t object to his knowing what kind of behaviors were going on. Just don’t want the “up close and personal” view ie: The difference between saying what someone did, and describing it in detail.

I really appreciate your help with this. I was looking for someone with actual experience with the books.

Thanks!
HeySue

12

Actually, I was hoping someone would admire my use of font sizes.


That’s very refreshing. Ask me anything. I’ll be glad to help for the sake of a lad who loves history. I majored in history in college.

(for a semester then switched to computer science).