RUBICON by TOM HOLLAND

If you are looking for an easily read primer to the early Roman Empire and any lessons that may be derived for our times then this Book is a magnificent place to start.

On page 25 is a universal observation that usually trumps the most passionate Marxist policy advocate , " the aim of even the most poverty stricken citizens was not to change society , but to do better out of it."

On page 34 we get down to brass tacks with comparisons of dominant superpowers and their justifications for aggression...." conquering the world in self-defence" and the hidden ethos of these very superpowers "Freedom- the opportunity of other countries to follow its rules" which just about sums up the War On Terror and all of its attendant political , cultural and societal manifestations.

This review from the Observer captures the the wide ranging appeal of the Book:

"Ancient history often descends to us either through impregnable academic works or the sword-and-sandal epics of the cinema. What Holland achieves is to draw from both genres to write a modern, well-paced and finely observed history which entertains as it informs."

Richard Miles review in The Guardian gives a peer academics approval.

"It should serve as a model of exactly how a popular history of the classical world should be written."

You can see a fascinating symposium featuring Tom Holland ( he appears at the 19 min mark) about topics covered in the Book , especially Pax Romana.