Taylor Caldwell brings craftsmanship and writing skill to "A Pillar of Iron," but beyond that, her novel is talky and historically inaccurate. Focusing on a heroic Cicero who never really existed, "A Pillar of Iron" seems mostly a showcase for its author's mid-twentieth century political concerns. I'd love to see Cicero's reputation revived but don't think Caldwell has really succeeded in doing that here.

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