A review by zhengsterz
Augustus by John Williams

adventurous informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Augustus is a fictional biography of Octavius Caesar the man who started the Pax Romana(period of immense prosperity ) told through fictional letters that depict the changes of Rome at his hands. Although based on real life events, the letters in the book are fictional and are the author's interpretation of the relationships Octavius had with those around him. An intriguing approach to a biography but it works marvelously to make you empathize with each and every person who was in Octavius' sphere of influence. From his daughter Julia, to his wives his closest friends Agrippa and Maecenus we get a glimpse into what might have been their actual relationships. Octavius himself only has a letter attributed to him in the last and final chapter of the book where we finally see the Machiavellian statesman pondering on the life he's lead and his disillusionment with power and what he had to give up to maintain it. It is a very sobering look into the burdens that a man of his caliber has to shoulder and his resulting cynicism is believable and heartfelt. His clarity and assuredness of his ultimate duty to his country is awesome inspiring even as we look through the lens of characters gone past. A great book for sure.