A.D. Anno Domini

by Kirk Mitchell

A Saga of Pride and Passion

Beginning in the year 30 A.D., as an obscure Jew is crucified for provoking the wrath of mighty Rome...this sweeping saga of human passions, imperial pride and the triumph of the spirit tells the story of the men and women who fought and loved in a time not unlike out own...when the world shook with the conflict between the decadent power of Nero and Caligula, and the blood-stained birth of a shining new faith.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

377 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Kirk Mitchell is an author who is known for his time travel, alternate history, historical fiction, and adventure fiction novels. Mitchell has also created several novelizations of movies.He writes under the pseudonym of Joel Norst

Kirk Mitchell served as a deputy sheriff on the Paiute- Shoshone Indian reservations of the desert country that includes Death Valley, and was a SWAT sergeant in southern California, before beginning his career as a full-time writer.

Reviews

[Fonch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing I must say is that I am very pleasantly surprised by this novel. We can say that it has been far better than thought. When the Publisher was young planet published by the 80-90 a series of best sellers of high quality, which were adaptations of famous movies and television series. Perhaps my favorite of this collection is "the Assyrian" Nicholas Guild https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... & from_search = true that was a postmodern version of "the Egyptian" of the exceptional Mika Waltari
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... & from_search = true (in fact, that book could be a what would have happened, if Sinuhe posed to be a soldier had opted to be welded, and non-medical, and had it been Assyrian, and Egyptian not?) Although he is a theist book is not a book protocristiano, as it was "the Egyptian". Of course, also buy those books by Nicholas Guild for my collection. One of the things I loved from the "Assyrian" was the large number of books from the catalog of planet that were of great quality. In fact I'd like to buy some, I've not found as "Lady Hawk" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... & from_search = true "Willow" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... & from_search = true
and "Pharaoh" from Francis Fèvre
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... & from_search = true However there was a book, which attracted me particularly "Anno Domini" data, which provided the editorial were wrong, since it was sold as a novel, which had the bloody end of the Roman Empire, when what is counted is the beginning (I dreamed a novel that contase Tito Flavio Aecio life his confrontation with Attila, and also the history of the Church courageously guided San Leon Magnus). In fact, in this novel "Anno Domini" which was based on a very popular television series (a friend told me, that while the series, despite having actors of the stature of Anthony Anfdrews, who by the way is one of my favorite actors (, James Mason, Ava Gardner, Ian McShane, or Fernando Rey) three subplots are the Roman part, which is very similar to the couplet of novels of Robert Graves 'I Claudius " "Claudius the God and his spouse Messalina " https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... & from_search = true https://www.goodreads.com/series/5744... what tells this part actually is very similar, but not negligible. In fact the author adds his own conclusions Tiberium, which is closer to the of "I Claudius" that the Swede Axel Munthe painted that us in his "history of San Michel" seems, Kirk Mitchell has drunk more than sources of Suetonius, and Tacitus which are more hostile historians to the dynasty Julia-Claudia, than other sources, that they could be more favorable. Tiberius is a man aged, capricious and cruel, and according to the author. Doesn't say, but seems to suggest it would be or would have traits paedophiles (never ceases to be morbid, that in series James Mason, who made the incestuous Humbert Humbert construed it of "Lolita") https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7... & from_search = true
Caligula unlike the Camus is deice do the same savagery that was in "I Claudius". Man the author Kirk Mitchell does not commit historical mistakes committed by Lloyd C. Douglas in "The robe" , nor that Thomas Costain commits in "the silver chalice" (curious is the movie that did not like anyone except me Paul Newman, who starred in it written it.) The magician like it a lot better than the novel with a disturbing, and magnificent Jack Palance as Simon. He is mentioned in "Anno Domini" but does not appear). In fact, one of the things that Kirk Mitchell despite the fictional Caleb character a zealot, who wants to take revenge on Rome for killing his family. One of the things that prevents is to blame the death of Jesus Rome like Lloyd C. Douglas, Fabbi, and Weil. Nor have to find guilt on Jews despite the sentence that his blood fall on us, and on our children . The Bible teaches us one thing to blame only lasts four generations, and that there were Jews good, and not always close to Christianity. Hillel, reef, to the own Gamaliel, who appears here. There are even Jews, that although they hate Christianity are good. The only one guilty of the death of Jesus is as Juan Manuel Cotelo calls it the legs, or as simply says the demon, and Jews and Romans would have been their instrument. However, there is no worry that God died to save us all, and redeem us from our sins, and not grudge for his death, and Christians should accept this message. Jews have been safeguarded, and have gone before us in faith, and as says San Juan Pablo II by which Jews should not blame Rome kill Jesus, to absolve itself of something that they are not guilty, and Christians we should not be anti-Semitic because it is a very serious the worst Ed I would say, because they kept this alive message to us. Returning to the emperors, also Claudio, which although it is timid looks a lot like "I Claudius" and "El Romano" of Mika Waltari https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... although no emperor comes out well. Valerio says one of the characters is the key. At the beginning they act with justice, but then removed the mask. All in all seems Claudio the least bad of the emperors, appearing. Messalina if that is very similar to the of "Claudio God and your spouse Messalina" in fact together with Sejanus seems to me one of the best mad . A woman of trends nymphomaniacs, and very ambitious. We will pass to the Jewish part because I already want to unite the three subplots. The Jewish part is very well done reminds me of Jesús from Nazareth of Zefirelli (in fact Anthony Burgess was one of the writers of Jesús of Nazareth, and Anno Domini. It will be very interesting to compare the novel by Kirk Mitchell, with the English author 'The realm of the reprobates' https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... ) baby also much drink much of King of Kings both the of Cecil B. Mille, as Nicholas Ray. Caleb, Samuel, Ruth, and Sarah divinely move among historical characters. The author takes a license, and makes that Matthias who replaced Judas is the uncle of one of the characters in fiction. Stephen who has Greek origin seems much of Lloyd C. Douglas. Insert wonderfully Kirk Mitchell the Roman part Jewish. Also and this is very commendable in a barely 300 pages sandwiched the most interesting events of the acts of the Apostles, if there is a character in part of Valerio, who like the reader this will be St. Paul, which is much less corseted, that of Henryk Sienkiewicz. Paul is superb, both as Saul, or Tracker, of convert. Flying the Christian view that thanks to the legacy of the Empire will be easier to pass on Christianity, and although Caleb brims with hatred against Roma, to see the authentic and ordinary Romans. Given that one thing are Governors, and Legionnaires, and other Romans. It can be said, that despite the crimes and massacres the legacy of Rome is positive. The third part fictional characters meet the rules of my friend Alfonseca https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... although there may be an excessive omnipresence of Valerio. It gives you time to spy for Sejanus, by should betray him, being one of the conspirators that ends with Caligula, denounce the conspiracy of Messalina, lead to St. Paul to Rome, becoming (similar to Cayo Casio Longinos de "The spear" of Louis de Wohl also marries a Jewish. Here appears the case of brother Felix Palas with Livilia). The story of Caleb is less attractive, their release seems little credible, although his relationship with Corina, who was raped by Caligula is very interesting It is one of the few novels in which appears a female Gladiator, only I had previously read two others. "To the Lions" Lyndsey Davis https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... and "Calixto the Pope forgotten" where the adorable Marcia fights in the arena, along with her lover Comodo. It is one of the most spectacular scenes of the novel by Gilbert Sinoué (can say that Christian Marcia that is comfortable lover is one of my favorite characters) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Once, that the three subplots have been explained without revealing the inner workings of the novel are going to see are failures, which has them, and unfortunately have them and at the end. In the first place is a very valuable novel, but far reaching or equals "Quo Vadis" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... "El Romano", or "the forgotten Pope Calixto". While it seems to be to eat at a novel like "The Glorious Folly" (which is the second part of the "spear" and is also on San Pablo), finally although during ¾ it is better of Mitchell, at the end of Louis de Wohl ends up being better by regularly https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9... the death of Herodes Agrippa is very disappointing. It is much better counted both by Robert Graves, and Louis de Wohl . Some of the killings are very funny, and occur in a short time, and the reader does not assimilate them, some character say that they have killed it, but you don't know how (Octavia). Pontius Pilate say you, that they have banished it, but you do not say why. Perhaps one of the big disappointments has been the treatment of the author towards acts. It is a difficult and complex character. Dumas failed with his novel to recreate it https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... . Only Henryk Sienkiewicz, and Louis de Wohl (who takes the license to become the daughter of Naomi, and Longinus. . Who by the way is also the Governor of Syria. In this novel Caligula sends him kill, so if this had happened Caligula would have killed Longinos). But returning to Actea is regrettable that the present and the typical pretty girl, and without a brain, and that over just this with Nero for interest, because it is a British spy (that says at least Agrippina, here despite a special affection between mother and son there is a scene in) cestuosa between mother and son, as it did into Boadicea Queen of the war). Actea is bleeding, because he was sympathetic to Christianity, wanted to Nero's truth, and was faithful to him even when he fell, and as pathetically shows the version of Melvin Leroy does not urge you to commit suicide, but, cried you and buried it with love and devotion. It is one of the most luminous female characters in the story, so it hurts the outrage of Mitchell. Nero is too much Manichean would have been better, it would have been like Sienkiewicz or Waltari, and the reader to ask is if he was a victim of his madness, or not. East the more demonic Nero, I have met (I will ask an ode make to Nero as it does not Julian the apostate in "You beat Galileo", but is would have appreciated a less Manichean character). Although I like more this Ofonio Tigelino, that of "Quo Vadis" (here there is a battle between Petronio his good angel, and Tigellinus to seize control of Nero.) Tigellinus and it is nail and flesh from the beginning) I have No doubt that this role play the great Anthony Andrews (I still don't understand why this man was removed, it could have been one of the greatest actors in the history. Reminds me of Leslie Howard. I saw him in a movie of nazis playing one of the villains more evil I've ever met. Finally never explain me the absence of Anthony Andrews of the screens). On the other hand, if you have displeased me Poppaea (should Poppaea and acts have been inverted roles), presenting it as a good woman, interested in Christianity (when it was closest to Judaism, in fact, received Flavio Josefo in audience before turning on) rebel then rehabilitated the Flavio) Also except a very tender sequence of San Pedro, I am not going to reveal is very fast, and lacks the emotion of other novels. In addition, it saddens me that the end close it Caleb, and not the more interesting Valerio. In summary, an excellent novel, fails to be large by precipitation of the author, but that deserves to be rescued from the limbo of the just.

[Walter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back in 1985, NBC created an epic television mini-series called Anno Domini, a drama set in the first century that contrasted the decadence of the Roman emperors with the spirit of the apostolic church as described in the Acts of the Apostles. I loved the mini-series, although I have always been confused about why NBC spent millions of dollars producing this thing and then showed it on TV only once, and never showed it again (although it is available on DVD). So, when I saw this book at the book store, I thought that this was the novel upon which the mini-series was based. But it turns out that the chicken and the egg were switched here. The mini-series came first, and this novel was written as a book version of the mini-series. This is disappointing, because this novel has nothing that is not shown in the mini-series. If you have seen the mini-series, there's no point in reading this novel.

However, the story here is quite compelling. A Jewish family is dispersed in the Roman Empire as a result of the Jewish insurgency that took place in the first century. Part of the family ended up as slaves in Rome, where they interacted with Roman nobility. The family also interacted with the fledgling Christian church, facing the dilemma of joining the Church and being rejected by the Jewish community or turning their backs on what they have come to believe as the truth. It is a story similar to Ben Hur, although this novel spends quite a bit of time discussing the Roman Emperors themselves, which is a fascinating twist.

If you have not seen the mini-series then I would recommend reading this book. But, this novel is really just a retelling of the story told in the mini-series, so it is not worth your time if you have seen it.

[Mieczyslaw Kasprzyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This tale of the very early days of the Christian Church, set mainly in the Holy Land and Rome, is entertaining and interesting. We mainly follow St Paul's "adventures".

[Trisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure where to start with this review. The novel itself was choppy and disjointed, leaving me feeling confused about events that were happening. There was no actual violence, which is usually fine by me as I'm not a fan of gruesome scenes, but it just left the storyline hanging. For example, so-and-so takes a sip of wine at dinner and the paragraph ends. In the next paragraph, we have jumped ahead three months and in the conversation between two completely different characters, you find out that so-and-so was dead. Wait, what?! Was he murdered? Poisoned?! That's pretty much how the entire novel went. I have no idea who certain characters were, like Peter. Who the heck was he? I kept getting him confused with Paul, who used to be called Saul. Peter was mentioned about 4 times in the entire novel, but then had a dramatic ending, and I was like... "Who?" The time frame kept skipping forward with no warning, sometimes I was unclear how much time had passed. Months? Years? Now someone has children? Wait, what? I kept hoping to get swept up in the "epic saga of Rome", but it was just too convoluted and lacking in depth to happen. So disappointing.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent book on the early days of Rome in the First Century.It begins on the scaffolding after the crucifixion of our Lord in A.D.33 and ends with the burning of Rome in A.D.69. It covers the Claudio-Julian Family with the emporors Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero. A great story that could have been taken from the Bible. One must suspend one's faith and read this as FICTION.

[Justin Durand · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full of distortions and factual errors. This one is more of a "Gee, I wish it could have been like this."