A Novel. A Nightmare. A Future San Francisco. In the end days of catastrophic global warming, the sea has risen to reclaim the land, the Earth's oil reserves have run dry, and the Federal Government has collapsed along with the economy. Besieged by the Pacific Ocean, the ruined archipelago of San Francisco has been carved up between the gangs and a corrupt and brutal police force. While the rich flee to search in vain for civilization, those that are left behind resort to vicious tribal warfare to secure the dwindling supplies of food and fresh water. Among them is one man who's seen cities perish before, barricaded in his apartment with enough fresh water to sign his death warrant - and no way out. High above the crumbling city he watches as the fires take over, waiting for the end as the desperate hordes close in around him - but Nero has a dangerous secret, and he's not going to tell...

The New York Times bestselling and legendary author of Helen of Troy and Elizabeth I now turns her gaze on Emperor Nero, one of the most notorious and misunderstood figures in history. Built on the backs of those who fell before it, Julius Caesar’s imperial dynasty is only as strong as the next person who seeks to control it. In the Roman Empire no one is safe from the sting of betrayal: man, woman—or child. As a boy, Nero’s royal heritage becomes a threat to his very life, first when the mad emperor Caligula tries to drown him, then when his great aunt attempts to secure her own son’s inheritance. Faced with shocking acts of treachery, young Nero is dealt a harsh lesson: it is better to be cruel than dead. While Nero idealizes the artistic and athletic principles of Greece, his very survival rests on his ability to navigate the sea of vipers that is Rome. The most lethal of all is his own mother, a cold-blooded woman whose singular goal is to control the empire. With cunning and poison, the obstacles fall one by one. But as Agrippina’s machinations earn her son a title he is both tempted and terrified to assume, Nero’s determination to escape her thrall will shape him into the man he was fated to become—an Emperor who became legendary. With impeccable research and captivating prose, The Confessions of Young Nero is the story of a boy’s ruthless ascension to the throne. Detailing his journey from innocent youth to infamous ruler, it is an epic tale of the lengths to which man will go in the ultimate quest for power and survival.

Elle is determined to keep her mouth shut when the mob boss tells Nero to make her talk.

"Nero became Emperor in A.D 54. On the evening of July 18, 64 A. D., it seems that a lamp was left unextinguished in a stall still heaped with piles of combustible material. Whether this was accidental or deliberate we cannot now determine, and normally it would not have led to anything that would have attracted even local attention. But there was a gusty wind that night, and the flickering flame was fanned onto the flammable wares. The ensuing fire quickly spread. Before the onlookers could absorb what was happening one of the most catastrophic disasters ever to be endured by Rome was already underway. It was a disaster that brought death and misery to thousands. In Nero and the Great Fire of Rome, Anthony Barrett draws on new textual interpretations and the latest archaeological evidence, to tell the story of this pivotal moment in Rome's history and its lasting significance. Barrett argues that the Great Fire, which destroyed much of the city, changed the course of Roman History. The fire led to the collapse of Nero's regime, and his disorderly exit brought an end to Rome's first imperial dynasty, transforming from thereto, the way that emperors were selected. It also led to the first systematic persecution of the Christians, who were blamed for the blaze. Barrett provides the first comprehensive study of this dramatic event, which remains a fascination of the public imagination, and continues to be a persistent theme in the art and literature of popular culture today"--

This is a work of historical fiction. The background and setting have been reproduced from historical documents and archeological evidence. Many of the characters are historical figures; some were invented to fit the circumstances. The main source used to construct the background of the novel is the New Testament. I have assumed the historicity of the New Testament, being fully aware that many people dispute this. I make no claim for veracity on behalf of the Gospels; I use them only as historical references. I also used the Jewish historians Flavius Josepus and Philo of Alexandria as sources to describe certain events. The Roman historian, Tacitus, and some minor sources and legends, were also used as sources and are referenced in the chapter notes in the back of the book. The story describes the journey of a Roman soldier, Flavius, stationed in Palestine during the time of the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. As he witnesses the birth of a new religion and begins to understand the new moral values he has accepted, he must come to grips with the conflict he now faces between his new religion and loyalty to his country. Returning to Italy after his tour of duty with the Roman Army is over, he finds his new faith carries a price when he has to face the conflict created by its teachings, which begin to upset the prevailing Roman political structure. As he tries to bring justice to pagan Rome, he discovers that the class-conscious Roman State may not yet be ready for the message of the Nazarene.

From the Nebula Award–winning author of Way Station: Ten stories—including one never before published—of mystery and imagination in a world that cannot be. People work; folk play. That is how it has been in this country for as long as Sam can remember. He is happy, and he understands that this is the way it should be. People are bigger than folk. They are stronger. They do not need food or water. They do not need the warmth of a fire. All they need are jobs to do and a blacksmith to fix them when they break. The people work so the folk can drink their moonshine, fish a little, and throw horseshoes. But once Sam starts to wonder why the world is like this, his life will never be the same. Along with the other stories in this collection, “I Am Crying All Inside” is a compact marvel—a picture of an impossible reality that is not so different from our own. Also included in this volume is the newly published “I Had No Head and My Eyes Were Floating Way Up in the Air,” originally written for Harlan Ellison’s The Last Dangerous Visions.™ Each story includes an introduction by David W. Wixon, literary executor of the Clifford D. Simak estate and editor of this ebook.

The Roman emperor Nero is remembered by history as the vain and immoral monster who fiddled while Rome burned. Edward Champlin reinterprets Nero's enormities on their own terms, as the self-conscious performances of an imperial actor with a formidable grasp of Roman history and mythology and a canny sense of his audience. Nero murdered his younger brother and rival to the throne, probably at his mother's prompting. He then murdered his mother, with whom he may have slept. He killed his pregnant wife in a fit of rage, then castrated and married a young freedman because he resembled her. He mounted the public stage to act a hero driven mad or a woman giving birth, and raced a ten-horse chariot in the Olympic games. He probably instigated the burning of Rome, for which he then ordered the spectacular punishment of Christians, many of whom were burned as human torches to light up his gardens at night. Without seeking to rehabilitate the historical monster, Champlin renders Nero more vividly intelligible by illuminating the motives behind his theatrical gestures, and revealing the artist who thought of himself as a heroic figure. Nero is a brilliant reconception of a historical account that extends back to Tacitus, Suetonius, and Cassius Dio. The effortless style and artful construction of the book will engage any reader drawn to its intrinsically fascinating subject.

In Richard Barnum's book, 'Nero, the Circus Lion: His Many Adventures,' readers are transported into the thrilling world of a circus lion and his extraordinary escapades. Written in a whimsical and engaging style, the book explores Nero's daring feats and heartwarming interactions with humans. Set against the backdrop of the circus, Barnum skillfully weaves together themes of friendship, loyalty, and courage, making this a compelling read for all ages. The vivid descriptions and lively narrative draw readers into Nero's world, creating a truly immersive reading experience. Richard Barnum, known for his love of animals and captivating storytelling, draws on his own experiences with wildlife to bring Nero's story to life. His deep understanding of animal behavior and his passion for conservation shine through in this delightful tale of a lion's adventures. I highly recommend 'Nero, the Circus Lion: His Many Adventures' to anyone who enjoys heartwarming stories that celebrate the bond between humans and animals. Barnum's enchanting prose and the endearing character of Nero will surely captivate readers and leave them with a renewed appreciation for the wonders of the natural world.

Born illegitimately into Roman royalty in AD 48, Ushriya is left for dead. Raised to age four by merchant bakers in the wanton town of Pompeii, she is kidnapped by slave traders and returned to Rome where she becomes the slave of a wealthy Roman soldier and his wife. Hearing of a teacher espousing a new morality, Ushriya begins following him before escaping the Great Fire. She finds herself back in Pompeii, desperate and disoriented at the notorious brothel, the Lupanare, where survival forces her into prostitution. When an unexpected revelation connects Ushriya to the unpredictable Emperor Nero, she must accept her identity to fulfill her royal destiny.