Along the Mediterranean coast, the Roman empire's richest citizens are relaxing in their villas, enjoying the last days of summer. But the gorgeous weather belies impending doom, and only one man is worried. The young engineer Marcus Attilius has taken charge of the Aqua Augusta, the enormous aqueduct that brings fresh water to the people around the Bay of Naples. There is a crisis on Augusta's main line--somewhere north of Pompeii, on the slopes of MOunt Vesuvius. Attilius must repair the aqueduct before the reservoir runs dry. His plan is to organize an expedition in Pompeii, then head out to the place where he believes the fault lies. But Pompeii proves to be a corrupt and violent town, and Attilius soon discovers that there are powerful forces at work--natural and otherwise--threatening to destroy him.
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罗伯特·哈里斯,英国最重量级畅销小说,一九五七年出生于英国诺丁汉,毕业于剑桥大学。他曾担任英国广播公司(BBC)记者、《观察者报》编辑、《星期日泰晤士报》和《每日电讯报》专栏作家。二00三年曾获得英国新闻奖,英国新闻奖被公认为英语新闻业的奥斯卡,是英国新闻业者的最高荣誉。 他自一九九三年开始小说创作,作品包括长篇小说《祖国》、《谜》、《大天使》、《庞贝》和《帝国》以及五部非小说著作。其中《大天使》、《谜》都曾被改拍成电影,他本人也曾参与多部电影的编剧及制作。著名导演罗曼·波兰斯基对他的作品推崇备至。
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最残酷的主人莫过于从前的奴隶,这真是生活中的真谛。P069
说到底,当领导就是盲目地选择一条路线并摆出副自信从容的神情,认定做出这样的决定有充足的理由,除此之外,当领导还能是什么呢?P005
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