The Dream of Rome [Paperback]

Boris Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2007

Focussing on how the Romans made Europe work as a homogenous civilisation and looking at why we are failing to make the EU work in modern times, this is an authoritative and amusing study from bestselling author Boris Johnson. In addition to his roles as politician, editor, author and television presenter, Boris Johnson is a passionate Roman scholar. The recent 'Dream of Rome' TV series saw him travelling throughout the Roman Empire in order to uncover the secrets of the governance of the empire, and the reasons behind why the Romans held such power and prestige for so long. Fiercely interested in Europe and the current issues facing the European Union, Boris Johnson will look at the lessons we could learn from the Romans and how we could apply them to our modern politics. Boris Johnson was the editor of the Spectator, MP for Henley and is now the new Shadow Minister for Education. He writes a column for the Daily Telegraph and lives in London and Oxfordshire with his wife and their children.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'As an introduction to the history of the Roman empire, this book is hugely stimulating. I read it in two sittings, completely gripped. If Ruth Kelly has an ounce of sense, she will make this book compulsory reading for every 16-year old in the country.' Toby Young, New Statesman 'History comes alive only when written from the heart and Johnson's is full of swashbuckling japes, bloodthirsty yells and energetic sideswipes.' Craig Brown, Mail on Sunday 'Written with all the wit and zest that have helped to make him Britain's favourite celebrity MP.' Tom Holland, Daily Telegraph 'Johnson has not been intimidated by dry classics masters: his style is bright, breezy, populist and pacy.' The Times 'Described with his special combination of sharp-eyed intelligence and golly-gosh exclamation!the sublime and the bizarre are richly represented in this portrayal of ancient Rome!a splendid romp through the Roman world.' Sunday Telegraph 'Lovers of Latin and ancient history unite! At long last there is a warm, funny, erudite introduction to the Roman empire!The success of "The Dream of Rome" lies in the modern twang of the author. It is an art Boris Johnson has to perfection!a marvellous reader-friendly account of Rome.' Independent

About the Author

Boris Johnson is an MP for Henley, and has been Shadow Minister for Higher Education since December. He writes a column for the Daily Telegraph and lives in London and Oxfordshire with his wife and their children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial; New Ed edition (March 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007224451
• ISBN-13: 978-0007224456
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,102,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The EU won't be built in a day, September 15, 2006

By 

Eric J. Lyman (Roma, Lazio Italy) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dream of Rome (Paperback)

Anyone observer of the European Union will almost surely wonder whether the 25-nation bloc is every really going to get it together. It's tempting to think the region just has too many languages, cultures, histories, and regional priorities to be able to ever make the leap from a trading bloc or customs zone to a real community -- notwithstanding the common currency. There are a thousand historical precedents to believe it will never work and just one to prove it can: Rome.

A thorough comparison of Rome at its height with the beleaguered EU is the centerpiece of The Dream of Rome, from author and British Member of Parliament Boris Johnson. To Mr. Johnson, there is an admiration for Rome's long-lasting pax Romana in the continent's DNA. Ambitious leaders from Charlemagne to Mussolini tapped into it and even since then symbolism abounds. Witness that the 1950s treaty that created the six-member European Coal and Steel Pact that became the EU and the 2004s signing of the European Constitution (since abandoned), were both signed in Rome with the same pomp and circumstance and one might imagine for a returning victorious Roman legion and the coronation of a new Emperor.

There's no doubt that the Romans succeeded where the EU has so far failed. Mr. Johnson argues that is because the former had a genius for assimilating of new cultures --anyone could become a Roman citizen as long as they conformed to the Roman ways -- while European today time after time chooses to ignore minority groups until there is no alternative.

Witness the riots in Paris in 2005, the barriers to Northern African immigration set up in Sicily and Greece, protectionist economic barriers going up all over the continent (even against goods from other members states), and restrictions on the flow of labor. Romans' assimilation included learning Latin, the common language, and the same educational values. The EU, on the other hand, seems bent on preserving even regional dialects spoken by a few thousand people and cultural and educational differences between countries, regions, and cities, are celebrated rather than looked on as a potential source of trouble.

The question is: is this good or bad?

Personally, I would never advocate the EU choose a more "Roman" path in its politics. For good or for bad -- and I think it's for good -- put a Portuguese, a Dane, and a Pole in a room and they'll have little to talk about, even if they managed to surmount the language problems. That diversity may eliminate any possibility of a pax Europea even before it gets out of the gate, but I think there are more important values to adhere to.

Trouble is, it's not clear what Mr. Johnson thinks about all this either. He never says what he thinks the EU should learn from the successes and failures of ancient Rome. The argument he makes are so neatly stacked and readably explained that a lack of some central lesson is conspicuous enough in its absence to be considered a major flaw.

(I read the British edition of this book)