If you’re looking for a history book, this isn’t it.

If you’re looking for a history book, this isn’t it.

I am a big fan of the Roman Republic. I was hoping for a book with more detailed information.

So, I was very disappointed when I realized what this really was. It’s color. It fills in emotional gaps, but if you don’t already know the history of Rome, it’s lots of colorful, almost poetic frills.

But for me, it actually worked out well. It turns out I knew more names, dates, locations and key turning points than I realized.

So for me, the performance settled into a pleasant stroll through the last 100 years of the Republic.

As I’m writing this, I honestly can’t remember exactly what was covered in the book, because I already knew all of the facts. Did he cover Marius and Sulla?

He must have. It was too critical not to be here. Yes. I’m sure he opened up with that.

But if you like sports announcers, two of the best were football’s Pat Summerall and John Madden.

I was looking for Pat Summerall, the great play-by-play man. But it was John Madden who showed up in this book.

Just the facts? Nope, the color man showed up to give all the background. The stuff that burned in the hearts of the Roman Citizen.

This was a worthwhile use of my time. If you don’t know the factual history of Rome, this is definitely a great book to read, or in my case listen to.

But you’ll be much better served if you leave this on the shelf. Go read a couple of books on the deep history of Rome. Then come back to this fill in the emotional gaps. It’s a nice journey to take.

7 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Narrative

This is not history, it’s a story with a historical setting. Holland synthesizes the arguments of many historians and essentially writes a story of the events leading to the end of the Republic. Well written and entertaining, just don’t expect it to be a history.

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

A well written narrative history

Tom Holland knows how to make ancient history come to life. Excellent narration by Mark Meadows, as usual.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Excellent in every way

Tom Holland weaves a fascinating and passionate account of all the hosts of characters involved in the fall of the Republic.

It took a bit of time getting used to the narrator. But eventually it was quite good.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

A Dream Called Rome

Tom Holland's telling of Roman history brings its culture and characters to life in a way that is sorely lacking in modern histories. The narrator does a splendid job conveying the drama and emotion of an event, keeping it from devolving into a dry lecture. Strongly recommend, pick it up if you have the chance.

Really great listen

Loved it. Unusual approach to Caesar very well written. So much fun it reads like a novel proving history does not have to be boring. The narrator is superb. Full of interesting facts and insights not as approachable elsewhere. This is a wonderful entertaining introduction to Caesar's Rome.

Great History

Great overview of the era. Interesting take on a theme and well written. Great voice artists.

Great Book on the Republic

I liked how the book got into the psychology of the Roman elites and public and made their motivations and actions more understandable

Pivotal , For Me

I saw Caesar's genocide , followed by a traitorous death. They deserved each other.

Ancient drama

The dramatic narrative writing of the author. Brought ancient people wars and politics to life.