I finished this book a short while ago and have wanted to post a review, especially because I highly recommend it. In his introduction, Philip Freeman says that the inspiration for the book partly came from his students after he started talking about Julius Caesar, and that not a lot is known. I know that even though I love classical history, I didn't know a lot about Caesar.
It was a great introductory book to Caesar. If you're looking for something much more comprehensive, then a standard...oh let's say history book, might be a little better. Because it will have more dates and more little details. But if you're looking for something to read, to learn more from, but don't necessarily have the time to delve head on into Caesar's life, then I think this is a great read.
I think it can go without saying that Caesar was a great man, larger than life. Reading through the book, there was so much that he accomplished when the odds were seemingly against him. But I wouldn't necessarily say that he was gambling so much on so little. His risks were calculated and he was a great strategist, learning from his mistakes and from his enemies.
As to the book itself, I think it was written in a very accessible way, going back to my comment that you needn't have studied classical history to really understand or retain a lot of what's presented. And I'm actually kind of looking forward to reading it again in the near future. Caesar led a very full life, and there's more to pick up on than I did during my first read, which I also admit was fairly quick because I have got a full stack of "to read" books. I need to work on getting through those too.
It was a great introductory book to Caesar. If you're looking for something much more comprehensive, then a standard...oh let's say history book, might be a little better. Because it will have more dates and more little details. But if you're looking for something to read, to learn more from, but don't necessarily have the time to delve head on into Caesar's life, then I think this is a great read.
I think it can go without saying that Caesar was a great man, larger than life. Reading through the book, there was so much that he accomplished when the odds were seemingly against him. But I wouldn't necessarily say that he was gambling so much on so little. His risks were calculated and he was a great strategist, learning from his mistakes and from his enemies.
As to the book itself, I think it was written in a very accessible way, going back to my comment that you needn't have studied classical history to really understand or retain a lot of what's presented. And I'm actually kind of looking forward to reading it again in the near future. Caesar led a very full life, and there's more to pick up on than I did during my first read, which I also admit was fairly quick because I have got a full stack of "to read" books. I need to work on getting through those too.
2 comments:
"The Earliest Greek Sources on the Celts" one boring book from Mr.Freeman
oh God,
its like 400 pages long sleeping aid pill.
peace
Well...maybe there was just too much and listing all the facts and sources made the subject a little more convoluted. With Caesar, since that was the main subject and there's a lot, he was able to edit out the not so interesting parts.
Thanks for your thoughts. Maybe I'll make a note to avoid that one or at least know before hand that it could be a little dry.
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