Ancient Rome: How It Affects You Today (Uncle Eric Book) [Paperback]

Richard J. Maybury (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1995 | ISBN-10: 0942617223 | ISBN-13: 978-0942617221 | Edition: First edition.

"Ancient Rome" discusses what happens when higher law principles and a free market economy are ignored. Mr. Maybury uses historical events to explain current events, including the wars in the former Soviet Empire, and the legal and economic problems of America today. Is your government making the same choices that led to the fall of Ancient Rome? Will history repeat?

To improve the student's learning experience, also purchase the student study guide for "Ancient Rome: How It Affects You Today" titled "A Bluestocking Guide: Ancient Rome" also available through Amazon.

Can be used for courses in Ancient Rome, U.S. History, Government, and Economics.

Table of Contents for Ancient Rome
Uncle Eric's Model of How the World Works
Study Guide Available
About the Cover Illustration
Author's Disclosure
Maps
Timeline
1. History Repeats
2. The Roman Disease that Stalks the Markets
3. The Roman Model
4. Hitler and Mussolini
5. The Roman Lust for Blood
6. Logic vs. Interests
7. Listen to the Music
8. The Return of Feudalism
9. Straight Lines
10. The Byzantine Empire
11. Summary
Bibliography
Glossary
About Richard J. Maybury (Uncle Eric)
Index
Suggested for Further Reading

Richard Maybury uses several examples from Ancient Rome to explain economic principles in his book "Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?" also available through Amazon.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 7-9--Little will be learned about the history of ancient Rome from this polemical exposition of right-wing, libertarian philosophy. Maybury focuses more on the perceived evils of 20th-century governments than on a description of the Roman world. He attributes all the economic and political problems of today's society to the persistence of the ``Roman disease'' of imperial government and he faults teachers and politicians for failing to understand the pervasive influence of the ``Roman model'' over the centuries. In the form of chatty letters from ``Uncle Eric'' to ``Chris,'' the author inveighs against this Roman model of strong government that has led directly, he says, to Hitler, Mussolini, Zhirinovsky's rhetoric in Russia, and the chaotic conditions of Eastern Europe today. And yet, in a twisted bit of historical reasoning, he blames the evils of the anarchic Dark Ages of early Europe on the collapse of that very Roman system of government and law. The model the world should follow, according to Maybury, is ``common law,'' which is vaguely (and mistakenly) said to have originated in the Roman Republic before the growth of the Empire, and which is summed up in two basic natural laws--personal integrity and respect for property. These tenets of individualism are all that is needed, he says, to create true civilization and economic prosperity. The author supports this claim with maps, occasional quotations from the Founding Fathers, and a bibliography that lists his own writings and a few standard but dated history books about ancient Rome. Libraries can, and should, offer different political viewpoints, but this book is neither well-reasoned political science nor fact-based history. It's just propaganda.

Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ

Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"'Ancient Rome' is essential reading for high school students and their parents and will be particularly valuable in conjunction with government, economics, and twentieth century history studies." --Martha Robinson, Reviewer for HomeschoolChristian.com --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 93 pages
• Publisher: Bluestocking Pr; First edition. edition (August 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0942617223
• ISBN-13: 978-0942617221
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #823,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Maybury, also known as Uncle Eric, is a world renowned author, lecturer, and geopolitical analyst. He consults with business firms in the U.S. and Europe. Mr. Maybury is the former Global Affairs editor of "Moneyworld" and widely regarded as one of the finest free-market writers in America. Mr. Maybury's articles have appeared in "The Wall Street Journal", "USA Today", and other major publications. He has penned eleven books in the Uncle Eric series. His books have been endorsed by top business leaders, including former U.S. Treasury Secretary William Simon, and he has been interviewed on more than 250 radio and TV shows across America.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History on a level that may inspire other to seek further, December 29, 2002

By 

J. P. Ledbetter "Jim Ledbetter Sr." (Ridgecrest, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Ancient Rome: How It Affects You Today (Uncle Eric Book) (Paperback)

I was surprise to see so few reviews of this seventh book in the nine book series from Mr. Maybury. It astonished me even more to find a library review that seemed to attack him. This could not have been a person who has given the "Uncle Eric" series a fair and balanced hearing.

To attack Mr. Maybury for presenting a compressed view of history on the grounds that they put forth, proves that they do not fully understand nor comprehend the overall spirit and intent of his books. As a matter of fact I found that review rather childish, inept and unjustifiable.

In any case I find this book no different than all the rest, a good read, informative and thought provoking. Mr. Maybury tells us way back in his first book of this series...that they are all simply one man's opinion of how we have arrived where we are today. It is up to the reader to research futher and consider whether they want to accept his evaluation or not. Surely tolerance itself would dictate he get a just hearing in that regard. Big government does oppress the people, and anyone who does not agree with that is just plain simple-minded.

I found this book thought provoking, challenging and educational on a level that I guess the library in queston cannot comprehend.

As a primer to history, economics, moral issues, government, polictics, money and countless other subjects Mr. Maybury brings a method that should be more widely used to educate our children. At least on the most basic level to spart their interest and bring such matters down to a level of simplification that does not turn the young reader off.

Surly we must instruct them that they should never take one persons opinion as a gospel to the truth or history or anything but to deny them the benefit of his rather extraordiary talents is a much worse sin upon enlightenment than anything Mr. Maybury has perpetrated.

All writings, no matter how well cloaked or clothed in the dust jackets of the historian, journalist, constitutional scholar or other famous authors is after all "just opinion" derived at by looking at something someone else has produced, and trying to glean what was in their minds when they put pen or quill to paper or parchment.

Librarians should remember that and not be so harsh upon people like Mr. Maybury for there is no more truth and fiction in his works than in many many others that sit upon the library shelves.

Great introductory book to history as it relates to todays world. I would strongly recommend it to the beginner.

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very good book intriguing!, March 12, 2000

By 

piffer (prunedale, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ancient Rome: How It Affects You Today (Uncle Eric Book) (Paperback)

This is one of a series of facinating books made by Uncle Eric.One very good point he makes is that history can seem like a meaningless arangement of dates unless we have a model to base it on.The book also discuses the history of the roman model and its influence through WWII.A very interesting point in this book is the power matrix. What is the power matrix you ask? Well the power matrix is the main powers that are fighting today. The old power matrix used to be Soviet Socialism vs. US Democracy.The power matrix today is Fuedalism vs. Facism vs. Islam,if your wondering why it has changed I recomend you read the book.It goes in to much more detail. Many more points are brought up in this book and I recomend it to anyone who wants to gain further knowledge of Gov. and Econ!

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and Thoughtful reading., February 7, 2004

By 

IndiansJN "JNV" (Floral City, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ancient Rome: How It Affects You Today (Uncle Eric Book) (Paperback)

These books are fun to read and make some interesting assertions. The origins of common law, higher law and the laws we have in America are a conglomeration of ideas, hammered out by the founders of our system of government not without much compromise. I find no particular fault with the research in this book. I haven't traveled to 40 different countries as Uncle Eric has, or spent a lifetime researching economic changes and how they play out over time in relation to shifts in politics, and legal trends. My situation lends iself to research and the historical facts Uncle Eric presents are accurate, his intrepretation is certainly not mainstream and that is appealing to the study of history as it makes the study of the past more human in that there are many sides to any issue and each persons set of experiences will lead them to a different conclusion. Uncle Eric is not a rabid dog for his point of view as some authors I have noted lately can be, no name calling in these books or denegrating a political party. Excellent reading for the family who likes thoughtful discussion!