Reviews

Commentaries on: The African War by Julius Caesar

ninjakitty's review against another edition

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3.0

A great book in the sense that its author was who he was. The history that can be garnered from it based on that alone is immeasurable. However, it was a bit tiring listening to the countless reasons why Caesar was always right and his opponents were always wrong. It made the narrative quite unbelievable. Great as a source and a starting point.

tywhiplashing's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging informative reflective tense

5.0

jatkin02's review against another edition

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4.0

Includes Cæsar’s commentaries on both the Gallic and Civil wars. The tone of the two sets of commentaries is markedly different. The Gallic commentaries emphasizes Cæsar’s generalship and military cunning. The Civil commentaries emphasize military prowess in the context of a lifelong practice of mercifulness.

Conclusion: great read as historical texts but be ever mindful that these were written with political intent for the audience of power in Rome.

alexpler's review against another edition

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4.0

Que la historia la escriben los vencedores en este caso es literal. César se ciñe a los hechos pero los estructura de tal manera que solo puedes ponerte de su parte. Más allá de mera propaganda, este libro es sobre todo un relato bélico tan sucinto como emocionante, lleno de detalles de estrategia e ingeniería que aportan verosimilitud a lo narrado.

prairiephlox's review against another edition

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5.0

I have nothing to say about what particular version of the Gallic Wars I read. I’ve read several versions, and as none of them were in Latin, and I can make no comparison, I’ll just say they were all good.

This is a fascinating account, written first hand, of Caesars invasion of Gaul, of the people’s resistance, and the struggle to hold on to the conquest. If nothing else it makes you appreciate the ability to communicate long distances in modern combat. Its so excellently written, its so informative, you’ll be floored. I was completely in awe of Caesar the whole time. Absolutely a must for anyone interested in classical antiquity or the history of warfare.

This book is provided for free as an audiobook by Librivox.org

victoriabriar's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

The fact that it’s written by Julius Caesar himself gave me a thrill every time I read ‘I’ 😍

alisonkinkead's review against another edition

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adventurous informative tense fast-paced

4.25

kingofblades113's review against another edition

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challenging informative slow-paced

3.0

rallemandi's review against another edition

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informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

griddleoctopus's review against another edition

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4.0

Fascinating historical document. Very strange to see Caesar's armies crushing so many familiar modern towns. Not great for an overview of the period though - a lot of knowledge is understandably assumed, but it's amazing that the period is so familiar and modern. We really haven't advanced, mentally, in 2000 years.