The October Horse

A Novel of Caesar and Cleopatra

By: Colleen McCullough

Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

With her renowned storytelling gifts in full force, Colleen McCullough delivers a breathtaking novel that proves once again that she is the top historical novelist of our time.

Grand in scope and vivid in detail, McCullough’s gripping narrative thrusts readers headlong into the complex and fascinating world of Rome in the tumultuous last days of the Republic. At the height of his power, Gaius Julius Caesar becomes embroiled in a civil war in Egypt, where he finds himself enraptured by Cleopatra, the nation's golden-eyed queen. To do his duty as a Roman, however, he must forsake his love and return to the capital to rule.

Though Caesar’s grip on power seems unshakable, the political landscape is treacherous—the returning hero has no obvious successor, and his legacy seems to be the prize for any man with the courage and cunning to fell Rome’s laurelled leader. Caesar’s jealous enemies masquerade as friends and scheme to oust the autocrat from power and restore true republican government to Rome. But as the plot races to its dramatic conclusion, it becomes clear that with the stakes this high, no alliance is sacred and no motives are pure.

The fact so much had been cut out

The book is sooo abridged to be unrecognizable. All of the bits that make it so remarkable are removed. I was extremely disappointed. In fact returned the book so unexpressed. An unabridged version would be wonderful. I have had The First Man in Rome unabridged and loved it

Not the complete book.

Ms McCullough’s rich, well researched book does not deserve to be abridged as this version has been. I have read this book several times in its complete form. It quickly became apparent that large portions of this wonderful book were missing. Material vital to creating the cast, history and flavor of the original book have been gutted.

The existing narration is superb. Rich, warm tone, very expressively done.

However, not worth a credit if one wants to experience the full wonder of the original.

Gutted version of actual book!!

Why on earth don’t they record unabridged versions of Colleen McCullough’s books? Cleopatra hardly appears in the this hacked-up version. I thought it was unabridged, especially based on stated length. Returning it. Don’t waste the credit!!!

You need to know the version is abridged

I have downloaded all of the Rome books at a cost of about $60. If I knew before that they were abridged in a way that removed all of the interesting military strategy, I never would have spent the money.
How about a refund of my credits.

Pity abridged

I read “First Man in Rome” without knowing it was part of a series. Enjoyed several of the books recorded earlier which were unabridged. This is a good story. Wish it weren’t abridged.