JULIUS CEASER

Gaius Julius Caesar was a Consul, Pontifex Maximus, Governor, Orator, Writer, warrior, General, strategist – both military and political. It is no exaggeration to say that Caesar was a giant among giants (Cicero, Pompey, Cato- the former two are his frenemies, and latter is rival) and laid the foundation of the Roman Empire as he saw that the Republic is dead long before anyone else. Compared to most people I considered that I am somewhat familiar with Caesar’s life and times and had less expectation from the book. But fast-paced biography took me on a history course that is both informative and entertaining. For most people, Caesar is a tragic hero and for revisionists, he is a villain who waged wars for his glory and a populist – which he was. Philip Freeman shows us the nuances of Rome’s history, politics, and the tensions on the periphery of Roman provinces. I couldn’t help but admire many qualities of the man. The young Caesar was brave enough to defy Sulla, the dictator, and refused to divorce his wife, Cornelia. The older Caesar, unlike many of his contemporaries, often forgave many of his military and political enemies (which would cost him his life later). But he made a policy not to forgive twice. There are two qualities that I would say would make him successful no matter which era or place he lived in. He had deep insight into Crowd psychology and human nature. He was able to influence his troop during impossible battles in tough climates, and then-unknown tough places like Britannia and developed political acumen to handle Roman polity. At battles – both military and political, Caesar often took risks like a high-stakes gambler, and this seems to bring out the best of his uncanny ability to adapt, improvise and strategize. And he nearly often comes on top when he is against impossible odds. His influences are still present in today’s world if we observe closely. The month of July in the Julian and Gregorian Calendar is in his honor and the present-day Gregorian Calendar is a modification of his Julian Calendar. My only minor complaint is that the biography doesn’t talk much about the relationship with his adoptive son, heir, and future Emperor of the Roman Empire Gaius Octavius/Augustus. His footprint on history is no less than his adoptive father's. Overall top-notch biography, I really enjoyed this book and ordered the biography of ‘Alexander, the great’ by the same writer.

This was really a joyous time to read this novel. Philip has greatly dealt with a legendary personality thru his work. He not only gave a well-read a/c of Caesar but also successfully created a resonating picture of two millennia old incidents. Someone who has already read some of the accounts of ancient Roman history will surely come out with this above mentioned experience. From my side, I learnt a lot thru this book. When you have some fragments of classical history on your mind and the much more is provided to you then it automatically increases your interest to learn about that topic. Caesar was not only a well-balanced person, who used his mind and heart jurisprudently simultaneously, but also an 'enlightened despot' contrary to a 'dictator'.

Good book.

The book holds your interest till the end …unputdownable … no verbosity… loved it … a quick read … only increases my admiration for one of the greatest men to have lived …

Mine of knowledge

If you want to know Caeser read it, If you want to understand human emotion, read it.. What a book... After winning the whole world and being a great military strategist and what not.. Julius Caesar showed extraordinary amount of mercy...But at core he was a child as we all are.... .Would not call him a dictator but certainly a king ..... But who had the greatest balls in roman history ?? Cato ..

A really good book!

This book sneaks inside the brain of the history's greatest general, showing us all the aspects of his life. All his actions, thoughts and even misdeeds are written in a form that will be easily understood by common reader. At the same time, without having any partiality on his life, the author has made it pure subjective. Also the written style of story telling is also amazing, which doesn't make this book boring, but grips you like any best-selling novel. A must read for people inside or outside of power dynamics.