Rienzi by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

The novel chronicles the rise and fall of Cola di Rienzo, a charismatic 14th-century Roman who ascends from humble origins to become the city's Tribune, striving to restore Rome's ancient glory and enact political reforms through a popular uprising. Despite initial success in uniting the Roman populace and gaining power, the protagonist's idealistic ambitions are ultimately thwarted by the scheming of the nobility, the fickleness of the masses, and his own tragic flaws. The story serves as both a historical account of a significant period in Rome's post-imperial history and a cautionary tale about the complexities of leadership and the volatile nature of political fortune.

The 6314th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 60

Since this book was first published in 1835, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 60.0.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.