Customer Reviews

Always I Am Caesar

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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As an undergrad and grad student at FSU, I had the opportunity to take multiple classes with Professor Tatum. He was one of the best lecturers at the University and filled classes based on that alone. He was also a definite influence on my own teaching style. Reading the book reminded me of that. The incorporation of elements of Roman culture with the biography of one of the most influential figures in history was a wonderful approach. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the Romans and to anyone taking classes on the Romans (in fact I recommended it to my own students). After seeing it at the campus library and reading it during the summer term, I immediately searched for a copy of my own.

Without a doubt this is one of the best books about Caesar that I have read (and I've read dozens). The author examines Caesar's life by first detailing the cultural and social mindset of the time in which Caesar acted. He clearly points out that the world view of the ancient Romans was significantly different from our own, and that we must attempt to understand it before we can "judge" Caesar and those with whom he conflicted. The author also examines some of the key "myths" surrounding Caesar and shows how they were originally misinterpreted and how those misinterpretations have persisted and colored our view of Caesar and of Rome at the end of the Republic. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Fabulous little book! It is arranged by theme, not chronology. Includes several genealogies. Offers many insights missing from Goldsworthy. Extremely good value for the money. Best book on the last days of the Republic I have read in a very long time.

I was impressed by the new insights contained in this book. An example is the new interpretation of the "Et tu Brute" quote by Caesar. Check it out.