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a_spaghetti_western's review
4.0
Quite an out-of-character pick for me, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I’ve never felt particularly drawn to classical history, and I can’t say for certain how much of this work I’ve actually committed to memory— the sheer volume of information here…it’s a lot.
That said, I would recommend "SPQR" to anyone interested in the craft of historical writing. Beard’s prose is some of the most accessible I’ve ever read and the analytical transparency with which she cites her source material is really admirable. Not a single ancient historian is quoted without thorough investigation into his credibility and relationship to the subject. Leaders and ideologues are critiqued as much for their ‘heroism’ as for their failings, but Beard doesn’t stop at a both-sides-analysis of individual figures. She challenges her readers to think even harder, about how we know what we know: From whom have we learned of X’s legacy? Why would it benefit Y to publish this particular account of X? Whose perspectives does Y ignore or contradict? What can Y’s writing about X teach us about Z who lived 100 years prior?
Beyond the facts themselves, Beard encourages us to consider: What can rhetorical patterns from Ancient Rome teach us about the ways people interpret the world around them?
That said, I would recommend "SPQR" to anyone interested in the craft of historical writing. Beard’s prose is some of the most accessible I’ve ever read and the analytical transparency with which she cites her source material is really admirable. Not a single ancient historian is quoted without thorough investigation into his credibility and relationship to the subject. Leaders and ideologues are critiqued as much for their ‘heroism’ as for their failings, but Beard doesn’t stop at a both-sides-analysis of individual figures. She challenges her readers to think even harder, about how we know what we know: From whom have we learned of X’s legacy? Why would it benefit Y to publish this particular account of X? Whose perspectives does Y ignore or contradict? What can Y’s writing about X teach us about Z who lived 100 years prior?
Beyond the facts themselves, Beard encourages us to consider: What can rhetorical patterns from Ancient Rome teach us about the ways people interpret the world around them?
taylormayriley's review against another edition
4.0
An amazing historian. If you're at all interested in Ancient Roman history, this is a must-read.
aleks_png's review
It’s not the right time :( (my ass was not paying attention to the unique names)
okjaaaaa's review against another edition
I bought this book in Rome, in July 2019. I've been reading this ever since. I cannot believe I've finally finished it. Look at me go, Mom.
This was fascinating and surprisingly funny. I'd say get the audiobook if you want to read this, because it's so dense, and listen to it while reading it physically so you actually retain the information.
This was fascinating and surprisingly funny. I'd say get the audiobook if you want to read this, because it's so dense, and listen to it while reading it physically so you actually retain the information.
emma_vinkenoog's review
3.0
It was good but I don't think I was the intended audience, since this contained very little new information for me. 500+ pages of stuff you mostly already know gets pretty boring, so tbh I'm glad I finally finished it lol. But I think this is a really good and entertaining book if you are basically anyone but a classics or ancient history student/graduate :p
harryeustace118's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5