ST Alpha - "It’s a next-level history book. It’s very good, but I’d get more out of it if I were a bit more familiar with Roman history." (Reading a Post)

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In response to "I've been flirting with this book. What do you think of it? -- nm" by ReluctantCynic

It’s a next-level history book. It’s very good, but I’d get more out of it if I were a bit more familiar with Roman history.

Posted by Roger More (aka rogermore) Feb 22 '18, 19:16

I’d read a book that goes through a linear narrative first. But the historical questions she asks are very interesting. Be prepared to have any romanticized notions about Rome - especially the Republic - challenged.

It’s also a great discussion of the historian’s job - squeezing out as much context as possible from a single piece of evidence, and having no way of knowing a historical person’s motivations beyond the superficial - with no surviving diaries, correspondence, etc

Personally I’d also have liked it to cover a longer timeframe - she covers the founding to 212 AD, when all the Empire received citizenship (which is the right choice for the history she wanted to tell)

All that to say, I’d recommend it for you.

Responses:

Thank you. This is really helpful. -- nm - ReluctantCynic Feb 22, 19:19
you should try the History of Rome podcast, only 864 parts! - Reagen Feb 22, 19:19 1
- I will, thanks! -- nm - Roger More Feb 22, 19:27

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It’s a next-level history book. It’s very good, but I’d get more out of it if I were a bit more familiar with Roman history.

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