megelizabeth's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
"Trimalchio’s funeral and monument are, like his life, a gaudy exaggeration of what normal people might have wanted. But the principle is the same: like everyone else in the ancient and modern worlds alike, he wants to be remembered."
This is an interesting book, but I wouldn't say that it's an ancient guide to modern life. It reads like an ancient history account with the odd sprinkling of application to the modern world, which is fine in itself, but it does feel like it was mis-marketed and that always irritates me.
I did learn quite a lot, and I found the writing style engaging. I also appreciated the arguments around the importance of learning classical and wider history and the acknowledgment of the lack of female presence in much of written ancient history.
However, I didn't like the author's seemingly pretty blasé attitudes towards ancient atrocities (there are a LOT discussions of these; I would strongly advise checking trigger warnings) and defence of these without - to me - sufficient nuance, and there were a few of the author's own problematic comments sprinkled throughout too.
I also would've liked to learn more about 'regular', rather than well-known, ancient people, though I do appreciate the difficulties that this kind of research and exploration would come with.
Ultimately, this was fine and gave a good rounded account of many facets of the ancient world, and I appreciated what I learnt from it, but there are probably better books on the subject out there.
This is an interesting book, but I wouldn't say that it's an ancient guide to modern life. It reads like an ancient history account with the odd sprinkling of application to the modern world, which is fine in itself, but it does feel like it was mis-marketed and that always irritates me.
I did learn quite a lot, and I found the writing style engaging. I also appreciated the arguments around the importance of learning classical and wider history and the acknowledgment of the lack of female presence in much of written ancient history.
However, I didn't like the author's seemingly pretty blasé attitudes towards ancient atrocities (there are a LOT discussions of these; I would strongly advise checking trigger warnings) and defence of these without - to me - sufficient nuance, and there were a few of the author's own problematic comments sprinkled throughout too.
I also would've liked to learn more about 'regular', rather than well-known, ancient people, though I do appreciate the difficulties that this kind of research and exploration would come with.
Ultimately, this was fine and gave a good rounded account of many facets of the ancient world, and I appreciated what I learnt from it, but there are probably better books on the subject out there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Animal cruelty, Murder, Xenophobia, Animal death, Antisemitism, Racism, Death, Misogyny, and Slavery
Moderate: Incest
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
cashleykate's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
2.25
I don't think my two stars necessarily should reflect on this book itself-- the subjects just didn't interest me as much as I hoped. Haynes is an excellent writer and this book shows she can weave a nonfiction story as well as one of fiction, but I just couldn't stay drawn into it. If you like the histories of the ancients and have an interest in sociology (because I do think that was a big factor in this), I think it may be a good choice. However, I definitely prefer memoir or nonfiction of a smaller scale rather than a comparison between modern-day and ancient times which is a VERY broad topic.
saccalai's review against another edition
3.5
It is quite amazing how many parallels there are between the ancient world and the current one.
Apologies to the narrator but I was quite disappointed that Natalie wasn't reading this one herself!
Apologies to the narrator but I was quite disappointed that Natalie wasn't reading this one herself!
atelmari's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
paging_snidget's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
A very accessible writing style. There are sprinkles of humour throughout. The author is obviously very passionate about her subject. I just don’t think I’ll take much away from this.
cloludders's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
4.25