Fairies and Fusiliers captures Robert Graves at his most combative and inventive, where trench warfare collides with classical myth, fairy tale, and sharp-edged wit. Across these poems, soldiers, critics, saints, children, and legendary figures share the page in a voice that is defiant, ironic, and deeply humane. Graves rejects fashionable "newness" in art, defending old forms, plain speech, and the living force of imagination even as war, death, and memory press in. The collection moves f...

This ancient biographical history of Roman rulers from Julius Caesar to Domitian is translated by the acclaimed classicists and author of I, Claudius.As personal secretary to Emperor Hadrian, the second century scholar Suetonius had unlimited access to the Roman Imperial archives. Drawing on this wealth of source material, he wrote a sweeping account of the lives of Rome's first twelve emperors. From the empire's most accomplished leaders, such as Julius C...

The Claudius Novels includes Robert Graves' best known historical novels, I, Claudius and Claudius the God. In I, Claudius, Robert Graves begins the story of the limping, stammering young man who is suddenly thrust onto the throne after the death of Caligula. Once a rather bookish young man with a limp and a stammer, a man who spent most of his time trying to stay away from the danger and risk of the line of ascension, Claudius seemed an unlikely candidate for Emperor. Yet, on the death of...

Robert Graves' "English Poetry" is a profound exploration of the evolution and essence of English poetry. In this work, Graves delves into the intricacies of poetic forms, styles, and the historical context that shaped the voices of renowned poets. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the emotional and intellectual underpinnings of poetry, encouraging readers to appreciate the depth and beauty of the written word. Graves' insights illuminate the connection between language and emo...

The author of I, Claudius puts his own twist on the myth of the Argonauts' quest for the Golden Fleece: "A tour de force . . . A richly tapestried epic" ( Kirkus Reviews).An inventive reimagining of the story of Jason and the Argonauts, this novel by renowned poet and classicist Robert Graves brings heroic figures of Hellenistic myth to life. Graves's Jason is belligerent, energetic, and full of life, and the society Graves builds for him is outla...

This "vigorous tale" by the acclaimed author of I, Claudius captures the sixth century fall of the Byzantine Empire as seen through the eyes of a servant ( Kirkus Reviews).Threatened by invaders on all sides, the Eastern Roman Empire of the sixth century fought to maintain its borders. Leading its defense was the Byzantine general Belisarius, a man who earned the grudging respect of his enemies, and who rose to become Emperor Justinian's greatest ...

"One of the really remarkable books of our day"—the story of the Roman emperor on which the award-winning BBC TV series was based ( The New York Times).Once a rather bookish young man with a limp and a stammer, a man who spent most of his time trying to stay away from the danger and risk of the line of ascension, Claudius seemed an unlikely candidate for emperor. Yet, on the death of Caligula, Claudius finds himself next in line for the throne, and must st...

Translated from the Latin by the poet and author of I, Claudius, this ancient Roman novel follows the many adventures of a man who transforms into an ass.Driven by his all-consuming curiosity, a young man of good parentage named Lucius Apuleius takes a trip to Thessaly. Along the way, amidst a series of bizarre adventures, he inadvertently offends a priestess of the White Goddess, who promptly turns him into an ass. How Lucius responds to his new misfortun...

From the author of I, Claudius: "A re-weaving of Homeric myth reveals the true story of The Return of Odysseus for Nausicaa" ( Kirkus Reviews).In this innovative re-imagining of the Odyssey's history, Sicilian princess Nausicaa recounts her story, and how she, not the poet Homer, came to write the Odyssey. Set in the eighth century BC, it recounts the story of a determined young woman who lives an adventurous life: rescuing her f...

The I, Claudius author's "lightning sharp interpretations and insights . . . are here brought to bear with equal effectiveness on the Book of Genesis" ( Kirkus Reviews).This is a comprehensive look at the stories that make up the Old Testament and the Jewish religion, including the folk tales, apocryphal texts, midrashes, and other little-known documents that the Old Testament and the Torah do not include. In this exhaustive study, Robert Graves p...

The Oxford Book of Poetry masterfully curates a rich tapestry of poetic voices and styles, spanning centuries and cultures, to encapsulate the evolving landscape of verse. This anthology showcases the grandeur of classical epics, the intricacies of Romantic meditations, and the quintessential charm of Victorian sentimentality. Within its pages, readers will uncover stirring sonnets, haunting elegies, and narrative ballads, with standout pieces offering luminous insights into the human cond...

In this sequel to I, Claudius, the story of the Roman Emperor—on which the award-winning BBC TV series was based—continues . . .In I, Claudius, Robert Graves began the story of the limping, stammering young man who is suddenly thrust onto the throne after the death of Caligula. In Claudius the God, Graves continues the story, detailing Claudius's thirteen-year reign and his ultimate downfall. Painting the vivid, tumultuous, and decadent s...