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jimmacsyr's review against another edition
5.0
Really clarifies the first Caesars. Caligula and Nero are given more depth, and you can see both how they got their current reputations, and a sense for why. Various side tracks fill out the early empire and what it was like. The author uses wonderful language, a real pleasure to read (in this specific case listen to). Reader is excellent. I look forward to reading more from him.
ncghammo's review
dark
funny
informative
fast-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Rape, Torture, Incest, Sexual violence, and Child death
mariekek's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
musicdeepdive's review against another edition
4.0
Somewhat less compelling than Rubicon, maybe because the period of time Holland bites off here is almost frustratingly small. I want to know what happens to the post-Nero generations, dammit. Still very good stuff.
librarytech4's review against another edition
2.0
There was a lot of information in this book and I felt like I was drinking from a firehouse with it. It covers basically the entire history of Romes leadership, which is a lot. It did help to bring some things into perspective on a timeline though. For example I didn’t realize Cleopatra was ruling around the same time the Roman Empire started. If you are a history buff you will probably love this book, but be prepared to be overwhelmed with information.
lukeibaldwin's review against another edition
5.0
A solid follow up to Holland’s Rubicon. After a brilliant, fifty-page recap of the life and death of the Republic the book spends the rest of its first half examining Octavian as he evolves into Augustus and becomes, certainly, the most talented politician in the history of The West. The second half of the book deals with the always shaky question of succession, pulling up and dragging down an empire with each sway in the search for an answer.