Julius Caesar (Gift for History Buffs)

I am a high school Latin teacher. I recently purchased Philip Freeman's biography "Julius Caesar" in Kindle format, and I was so delighted with the book that I purchased two hardback copies: one for my personal library, and one for my classroom. Dr. Freeman should be thanked for the excellence, readability and accessibility of this wonderful work. A good biography should make every attempt to portray its subject as fairly as possible, and Freeman's presentation of Julius Caesar, the man, the general, the would-be rex struck the perfect balance. I spend some time in my advanced Latin classes discussing Caesar’s character, and my students and I enjoy conflicting efforts to understand the man, irrespective of 21st-century prejudices on the nature of war, politics and virtue. I believe he struck the perfect note in capturing all this. Historical narrative often falls into one of two categories: either too in-depth for the average reader and perhaps geared more towards scholarly readers, or too shallow and prejudiced. Freeman's book should be on the must-read list for students of Latin and Classics. I especially enjoyed his chapters on Caesar’s Gallic War which, to a non-specialist like myself, improved even on Caesar himself. But my favorite element in the book is more difficult to pin down in a few words. Freeman elegantly portray this great man as the genius he was in so many ways, but a genius who succumbed to a lust for power to which we are all susceptible. He shows Caesar as a great man, indeed, one of the greatest, but a man for all that. His biography successfully evokes in the reader a real pathos for Caesar as we watch such greatness decline into almost a caricature of all the res publica detested. The reader is not angry with Caesar in his last years, only immensely disappointed as we watch the moral and political decay of such greatness. Freeman's ability to strike this marvelous emotion in his readers makes this a truly superior work. Highly recommended!

This book ends with the line: "When Thomas Jefferson showed Alexander Hamilton his portraits of Francis Bacon, Isaac Newton and John Locke as the three greatest men in world history, Hamilton, a republican to the core, spoke for many when he shook his head and reluctantly proclaimed:" "The greatest man who ever lived was Julius Caesar." I set out to read this book because I wanted to compare the two greatest "men" of history, both with the same initials (using the modern lexicon) "JC," both having a great effect on our modern calander, both involved in books freqently read today and oth born within a generation of each other some 2000 years ago Although I consider myself fairly well educated with a great interest in history, this was a real eye-opener and a delight to read. Like most, I knew a little of Caesar but had no idea of his greatness. This was a man so talented in so many ways that to call him the greatest man who ever lived 2000 years after his death is by no means an exaggeration. (I can say this because I do not classify the "other JC," strictly speaking, as a man). Caesar fought the greatest armies in the world in five major contests, conquering almost all of Europe, Spain, North Africa, Egypt and Greece, each time he was outnumbered, often massively, yet he never lost to barbarian or Roman. On the political front he defeated all of his talented Roman enemies. He was well read and wrote what could be considered the World's first modern book, still read today, "Gallic Wars." In a world known for unbelievable cruelty and ruthlessness, he almost invents forgiveness of enemies before Christ mentions it in the Sermon on the Mount (though with Caesar it seems to be more politically calculated). Enough about Caesar, let's talk a little about this book's author, Phillip Freeman though forgetting the author in favor of his subject may be the greatest complement you can pay an author!) Freeman writes a compelling, interesting book and although a college professor and Harvard PhD he does not sound like one (again, a great complement). I was very pleased that he did not, like so many other authors get bogged down in details but stuck with a sweeping story line. He writes this straight up like a modern novel using the most impeccable classical sources. If you are an expert on the Rome this might be beneath you. But for anyone else with an interest in history and how the world works you should find this book a delight.

This was an interesting book. I knew very little about Caesar’s life other than his fling with Cleopatra and his assassination at the hands of a bunch of senators. This book detailed his rise to fame and power in Rome, through both political strategy as well as the power of the military. He won many victories in the Gallic wars because of his accumen as a field commander and his ability to rally and motivate his troops. This book went into plenty of detail about those battles and the significance of Ceasar “crossing the Rubicon” (a saying I’ve used in the past without fully understanding its origin). Once he was in charge (Dictator for Life) Caesar made many changes including one that resonates even today (the Julian calendar). I have a tough time keeping up with books like this because I’m not good at remembering foreign names like Vercingetorix and Lucterius and Convictolitavus so I did get bogged down at times but that is more the fault of my limited intellect rather than the author’s prowess. Overall I’d recommend this book if you’re like me and you slept through Western Civ but now you’d like to fill in some of the gaps in your education. Caesar lived a fascinating life and this biography did a good job retelling it all.

Well done book on the mighty Caesar. Freeman has an easy and informative writing style. This is more about the man Caesar, than the General Caesar. Caesar's battles are really not highlighted, (and no diagrams either) and that is OK, since there are many other books on Caesar highlighting his battles with diagrams. See Richard A. Gabriel's "The Great Battles of Antiquity," (1994), or the more expensive three volume set "Empires at War." With that said, there is a battle that defines the man. IMO the defining battle for Caesar was The Battle of Pharsalus (48 BC) against Pompey. Pompey has just defeated Caesar at Dyrrachium: "Caesar knew he had escaped only by the grace of Pompey's excessive caution." page 276. At Pharsalus, Caesar was outnumbered, fighting against "Roman soldiers," not tribal warriors, and Pompey. Freeman presents Pharsalus causally, and again with no diagrams, describes Caesar's decisive move, "Caesar took one glance at Pompey's enormous array and realized immediately what his opponent planned to do." page 279. OK, but do you realize that not too many men could have realized immediately what to do under that incredible pressure. Caesar placed about six cohorts (this number varies with the author) at an oblique angle BEHIND the cavalry on Caesar's right wing so that Pompey and Labienus could not see that the six cohorts where there. Then as Labienus' cavalry attacked, Caesar's cavalry gave way and backed up to allow the six cohorts to attack Labienus' cavalry on their left flank, which broke Labienus' cavalry. Then the six cohorts rolled up Pompey's left wing. I just do not think Freeman shows the magnitude of Caesar's move, again, under incredible pressure, and Caesar's insight into directing the decisive move of concealing the six cohorts behind his cavalry. Not too many men could done that under that kind of pressure, but Caesar did, and won the battle. As Napoleon summed up the Battle of Austerlitz in one sentence: "Whilst they march to turn my right, they present me their flank." "Encyclopedia Britannica," 1961, Volume 2, page 699. Caesar's move at Pharsalus was brilliant and won the battle that day. Overall, Freeman's book on Caesar is well worth buying, reading and enjoying.

I'm a history nut, but I've put off reading about the Roman Empire's most interesting character most of my life because what books I could find were dreadfully dry to the point of lifelessness. Not this baby. Philip Freeman writes with all the skill of a page-turner novelist, but with a better plot than fiction could ever dream up. I devoured this book, and actually had to force myself to lay back on it so that I could savor what I'd read and be ready to absorb more. Freeman is particularly adept at dealing with telling the story through the myriad ancient names that are part of the condition of conveying Caesar's life and importance. Just keeping straight all the Gaulish tribes is a feat in itself, but the reader rides along the crest of the story on a clean line of who's who and what their relevance to the story at hand. This is a historical biography for those who dread historical biographies. While not approaching the depth of a writer like David McCullough, Freeman certainly deserves more than an honorable mention for clarity, digestability, and linking this ancient tale to patterns of history still occurring in our world right now. If I had to make one gripe, it would be that I would have welcomed more maps that allow the reader to trace the action, but this is a very minor complaint. The read is good; you will welcome it.

I wanted a good book to read and stumble on this book about Julius Caesar. I was taken by the reviews and bought it. The book is so well written that I could not put it down. It’s exciting but takes you through so many emotions about Caesar that I cannot decide whether I admire this ruler or hate him! He was for sure a prolific leader who ruled by fear and fairness at the same time. One thing is for sure, I did not want to put the book down. I knew nothing about Caesar and this book taught me a lot. The book also covers or touches on other famous people of that time. I plan on reading again!

Caesar gets a bad rap. Instead, people like Cato and Cicero have received the lion's share of acclaim since Caesar's assassination just over 2000 years ago. Cato, the staunch defender of a Republic run by, and catering to, the narrow interests of a moneyed elite; and Cicero, whose ego petty selfishness overshadows even the cumulative, undeserved praise heaped on his memory. Caesar, in contrast, could see the problems facing the Republic, its inherent flaws that would inevitably lead to its collapse, and built his career in such a way as to set it on a new course. He might have succeeded, but few shared his vision, and he was cut down by a group of assassins as a result. Freeman's book tells the story, and tells it well. The writing is clear and engaging, and it makes a great introduction for those unfamiliar with the details of Caesar's life. However, despite its overall readability, the book is somewhat light, a kind of Cole's Notes for the events and circumstances surrounding Caesar's life. Historical controversies are mentioned in passing, but for the most part, Freeman presents a fairly conventional account, taking the ancient sources at their word and painting the picture in fairly broad strokes. That's probably a positive for some (it's a popular biography after all, not a dry, academic treatise), but I would have preferred a bit more meat and analysis, even speculation. But you can't have everything -- such a biography could easily run twice the length. So for what it is, Philip Freeman's Caesar (****) succeeds, in my opinion. But if you want more, I recommend checking out Gelzer's biography, Kahn's "Education of Julius Caesar", and even Michael Parenti's "Assassination of Julius Caesar", for more detail. Parenti's book in particular focuses on the propaganda element of the works that have come down to us since Caesar's time, and gives a better context for the things Caesar was trying to accomplish.

After visiting Italy, I was compelled to find out more about this conqueror. What Freeman offers here doesn't disappoint. The story flow naturally and I found that I couldn't put the book down. I'm not normally a history buff, I've read other biographies, but this was extremely easy to read (I read it in two days). I will now begin adding the author's other works to my cart. The author does a great job of working in ancillary stories to give the reader context of Caesar's campaigns even referring to Caesar's work "The Gallic Wars". The author also does a great job of informing the reader when information is merely speculated when there isn't a first-hand account. It was amazing to see the amount of power Caesar had and even more amazing to learn the content struggles it took for him to get there. Truly an amazing historical figure. I can say that after reading this I will be reading about the conquests of other Roman Emperors (Note: Julius Caesar was not the first Emperor of Rome, his great nephew Octavius who we all know as Augustus Caesar become the first Emperor). Ok Freeman... Now onto your next book: Alexander the Great... You've set the bar pretty high.

I finished the book in 4 days. Amazing to think this is not a hbo super Tv serie.

Bought this for a present and it was gladly received.

Freeman has written an excellent biography of Julius Caesar. First his writing style is fluid, clear, and very entertaining. English is not my native language though I understood very well and easily Freeman's writing. His biography starts with Caesar birth and youth for which we don't have many sources. The first antic sources start when caesar is about 16 and becomes a priest of Jupiter. We discover young Caesar starting to learn politics and already showing a keen intelligence, an exceptional integrity and a true desire to serve the people. For 20 years Caesar will follow the senatorial way proposing fairer laws and being the attorney of victims. Soon the optimates will identify him as a dangerous politicians that threaten their privileges. From 59 to 51 B.C. Freeman describes with plenty details the Gallic wars and shows how Caesar was not the bloody tyrant depicted by most gentleman historian. From 49 to 46 B.C. Freeman depicts the civil war where Caesar will try to find a peaceful compromise while Pompey and the optimate had one goal in mind: destroy Caesar and his army. Well, they won't reach this goal and despite a much smaller army Caesar will triumph in Greece, North Africa, Turkey and bring back peace to the whole Roman empire. The next parts depict the reign of Caesar from 46 to 44 during which he'll conduct fundamental reforms providing more equality, more rights, more fairness to the very unjust roman society. Concomitantly Caesar will also reform Rome, transforming an under-organized city-state into the administrative, legal and political nexus of a vast Empire. The last part describes the tragic assassination of the one "who probably was the greatest man who ever lived" (these are the last words of the books. In conclusion Frreman book is very very well written. The story is captivating. The content is very close to the antic source (including Caesar own written accounts) and the analysis is much more objective than what is proposed by most historian biaised by their ruling class prejudices. So without any hesitation, 5 stars to this great book.

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.

...to the packed life of Julius Caesar. Philip Freeman refreshingly starts right at the beginning. Contrary to other authors who present a rehashed history of the late republic as a framework to their biography - which then starts only on page 30 or even 50 - , Freeman goes in medias res, picking up loose threads of needed background info, like a weaver does, to integrate it into his tapestry. His style is down to Earth, relatively fast-paced, fluid and readable, although he occasionally takes poetic licence with the established SPO word order. There are no footnotes to interrupt this flow but annotations at the back of the book. Two maps supply the geographical context, although they might have been a little bit more detailed. Eight pages of glossy bw pictures grace the middle of the book. One note to the publishers: the second picture on page 1 is NOT Marius, but Sulla. Thankfully, the cover shows an enlarged picture of the Napoli Caesar, itself a reproduction of the Tusculum head, and not a Vatican/Augustean falsification. Mr. Freeman displays great knowledge of the primary sources and does not generally succumb to overinterpretation or following other historians' footsteps. Facts of questionable logic or credibility he leaves open, but supplies sane arguments for or against, e.g. Caesar's involvement in the Catilina conspiracy. Only towards the end of the book, when he deals with the honours Caesar allegedly accepted, his research level drops. What he does manage very well is to show the tremendous odds against which Caesar labours to reform the republic, even if he does destroy the rotten body in the process. Also, he highlights Caesar's numerous unorthodox decisions, reminiscent almost of Hannibal: determine the least likely course of action...and then take it! What I liked best about his book is that he never neglects to mention how many times Caesar refrained from taking drastic measures when he could have been cruel, his continued clemency in the Civil War - and how little appreciation it gained him. It is a sad example of moderation misunderstood. Note: this is a review to an edition with a different cover.