Status
Available
Collection
Publication
Boston : Houghton Mifflin Co., 2007.
Description
The rise and fall of ancient Rome has been on American minds from the beginning of our Republic. Depending on who's doing the talking, the history of Rome serves either as a triumphal call to action, or a dire warming of imminent collapse. Esteemed editor and author Murphy ventures past the pundits' rhetoric to draw nuanced lessons about how we might avoid Rome's demise. Working on a canvas that extends far beyond the issue of an overstretched military, Murphy reveals a wide array of similarities between the two empires: the blinding, insular culture of our capitals; the debilitating effect of corruption; the paradoxical issue of borders; and the weakening of the body politic through various forms of "privatization." Most pressingly, he argues that we most resemble Rome in the burgeoning corruption of our government and in our arrogant ignorance of the world outside--two things that are in our power to change.--From publisher description.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member NickHowes
America's top parlor game, is America mimicking the Roman Empire in its rise and fall? And we in the decline? The author makes many good points but you can take heart in his final conclusion. Despite corruption, slavery, military dominance, and inequities of all types, Romans were ultimately
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fatalistic in their role. Americans, in contrast, despite similar inequities, corruption, and isolationism, have always looked to the future with hope and expectation. As the author makes clear, there is no room for complacency. Excellent analysis and insight touching on many relevant issues you won't even have considered in contemplating the issue. Show Less
LibraryThing member derekstaff
A brief but engaging look at a number of comparisons between ancient Rome (more specifically, the Roman Empire) and the modern U.S. Cullen examines not only the obvious and common relationships (military power), but a number of less commonly observed connections (such as privatization of government
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functions, border and immigration issues, the seats of power themselves). It provokes some interesting thought, and provides insight on some aspects of both civilizations with which some people will be surprised. Cullen also has a gift for clever turns of phrase. The book is excellent for the casual reader. Show Less
LibraryThing member dickmanikowski
Thoughtful comparison between the modern United States and imperial Rome in terms of military and economic dominance, cultural influence, prosperity, economic inequality, and border issues. While the author is very careful not to draw conclusions that are too broad, some of the parallels are
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equally fascinating and frightening. Show Less
LibraryThing member BobNolin
Fairly interesting, though I had to keep pushing myself to finish it. Subtitle is completely misleading. Should be called "How Rome Didn't Fall and A Few Useful Bits We Can Learn From Them." Interesting to history buffs, not so interesting to Michael Moore fans, I would think. At times, reads like
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a master's thesis, with index card upon index card factoids piled up. If Rome is your thing, you'll know all this stuff already. But for the rest of us, it's informative and does dispel the myth that "we" are Rome. The full story is a more complex (hence the hail of index cards), but could be (and possibly was) condensed into a magazine article. The final chapter is worth reading, since some definite conclusions are finally drawn, some opinions voiced, some meat on the table. Show Less
LibraryThing member nmele
In this short but very interesting book, Cullen Murphy examines the currently very in vogue comparison of the U.S. to the Roman Republic/Empire. His thorough research and insightful comparisons are nonpartisan, at times very surprising, at times not, but always thought provoking. My biggest
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disappointment was his conclusion, which is that America will not "fall" like Rome because the essential quality of our society is a drive to progress and change. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
Looks really promising, is very easy and enjoyable to read and seems excellently researched, is concise rather than wordy - but I just had to give up because I just don't know enough classical history. It would have taken me forever to get through it, researching all the references, and I'm too old
Maybe a one-question-quiz will determine if you qualify: Have you ever heard of some dude named Alaric, or if not do you understand the Wikipedia article when you look him up?
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for that s***. However, I do highly recommend it for people who come at it already interested in politics and with some background in history. Maybe a one-question-quiz will determine if you qualify: Have you ever heard of some dude named Alaric, or if not do you understand the Wikipedia article when you look him up?
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Subjects
Awards
Dayton Literary Peace Prize (Runner-Up — Nonfiction — 2008)