Unlike the Schiff biography, Galsworthy takes the tack that Egypt was a valuable but pretty small moon in Rome's orbit and much of the drama a moot point. I do like that he's very clear on what the sources say and where the holes are, are he explains when he's filling in with contextual "we don't know what exactly happened, but here's how elite Hellenistic people did in similar situations," and Octavian is a ruthless schmuck, but a brilliant and ultimately successful one.

A deep and broad account of Antony and Cleopatra - the depth is evident in that the stories of each start early (e.g., for Cleopatra, back through the Ptolemies); and the breadth is evident in that the book includes an enormous amount of information about Roman politics and empire-building (I felt like I learned a lot about Julius Caesar too). Due to this approach, the reader can understand the full context in which Antony and Cleopatra lived. The author clearly knows his sources well, and can make useful calls about which ones may have been exaggerating or had political agendas. Dense, but well-written.

A very interesting overview of these two tragic figures. Goldsworthy's prose is excellent and will keep you reading.

Superb, I thoroughly enjoyed this history. Coming into it I knew only the bare bones and what popular culture wants us to know. It was a very interesting and informative read of the 'facts' of the story of one of histories tragic couples.

Given how little is known of Cleopatra, there are a lot of gaps in her history, as opposed to more being known of Antony. Nonetheless this was a great read and introduction to them and their place and part in Roman history and Europe's too.

I would like to read more on them but I can't see what could be added to a comprehensive read. The book not only touches on them but the history around them, Sulla, Pompey, Caesar and Octavian. Essentially a history of the final throes of the Roman Republic.

I do wonder how different it could have been had Antony been a competant General and had his own Aggripa leading his lines.