Caesar
by Adrian Goldsworthy · first published 2006
71% recommend29% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Detailed, well-researched biography of Julius Caesar covering his early career, campaigns and political rise. It offers a thorough, in-depth starting point for readers who want to understand Caesar.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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Great books to start: - Rubicon by Tom Holland - SPQR by Mary Beard - Dynasty by Tom Holland - Caesar by Adrian Goldsworthy (more of a bio on Julius C, a bit drier than the above, has section on Alesia)
on “Battle of Alesia” ↗A couple of books here. 1. Caesar by Adrian Goldsworthy. This is a biography of Julius Ceasar. There’s a story in here about a teenage Ceasar, with no institutional authority and effectively a student at this point, raising a navy to…
on “Ask HN: Which book has had the most meaningful contribution in your life?” ↗Here's a quote about Mark Antony from "Caesar, Life of a Colossus" by Adrian Goldsworthy. Good book. "Antony returned to Italy after Pharsalus and was effectively the supreme authority there from January 47 BC until Caesar's return in the autumn.…
on “The Lavish Roman Banquet: A Calculated Display Of Debauchery And Power” ↗…his book "Storm Before the Storm" is very good, focusing on the events that began the collapse of the Roman Republic: Sulla, and his civil wars. If you enjoy biographies then Adrian Goldsworthy's books "Caesar" and "Augustus" are very good as well.
on “How to be a Roman emperor” ↗Caesar's biography by Adrian Goldsworthy is excellent, but quite extensive.
on “How to be a Roman emperor” ↗Books by Adrian Goldsworthy are well received in academic journals, as far as I've seen. Especially his long book on Caesar. Not sure whether they'd be labeled universally as fun to read, though. But if you want history books focused on Rome, they're pretty accessible and apparently taken seriously enough.
on “How did people get to Britain 950k years ago?” ↗You've done much more research into this than I have. I read about it in a biography of him (Caesar: life of a colossus by Goldsworthy), but you're probably right.
on “Stoicism's appeal to the rich and powerful (2019)” ↗