Caesar: Life of a Colossus by Adrian Goldsworthy
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Book Reviews of Caesar: Life of a Colossus
Book Review: Pretentious
Summary: 3 Stars
I was looking for a basic grounding in Roman history and customs and Caesar's exploits in the 1st century BC. It came down to Freeman's and Goldsworthy's biographies. This one is 600 pages and Freeman's is 400 pages. In the end I decided to read both, beginning with Freeman.
Freeman's biography moved smoothly and succinctly along, pausing when appropriate to explore Roman mores and the rather strange (to the modern eye) interactions and motivations of Caesar, Pompey, Crassius, Cato and Cicero. It remained straightforward and interesting throughout with no pretense of originality or self-importance.
I was disappointed with Goldsworthy. He often seemed ponderous and verbose, as if trying to impress a scholar but offering a less well told story in an extra 200 pages.
Go with Freeman and skip Goldsworthy.