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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
This is a great book I just realized I’m just not interested in the history of Ancient Rome at that level of detail that is presented in this book..
Went to Rome, didn't finish it in time.
informative
slow-paced
slow-paced
Very long and not always interesting but an excellent attempt to put 1,000 years of ancient history into context
informative
medium-paced
informative
reflective
slow-paced
informative
relaxing
fast-paced
After reading a review of this book, I decided to give it a try since I realized that I know very little about the history of Rome either the Republic or the Empire other than the barest outline. Unfortunately, while there was lots to learn in this book, two things prevented me from enjoying it as much as I could have: 1) Ms. Beard continues, what I think is one of the most annoying new conventions in non-fiction literature these days, she constantly inserted herself to admonish the reader of one thing or another within the framework of the book. Isn't that what the preface and/or the introduction is for? Please keep it out of the text itself. DANG! And 2) She constantly reminds the reader that a) We don't have a whole lot of evidence to support any conjecture about historical (or made up for that matter) events so therefore b) we will never know for certain what really happened whenever..... Yes, say it once, move on and give us your reading of the historical evidence. If I didn't want your opinion, I wouldn't read your book! Dang, THAT'S annoying.
But that being said, if you can ignore the downside, it is very readable and often quite a fun read.
But that being said, if you can ignore the downside, it is very readable and often quite a fun read.
informative
reflective
medium-paced