The rise and fall of ancient Rome has been on American minds from the beginning of our republic.Today we focus less on the Roman Republic than on t...
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Jul 16, 2007
Taylor
rated it: 
This book is incredibly well done. I went into it with high hopes, and it met all of them.
Murphy begins the book by stating outright that, obviously, America is not an exact replica of Roma. OF COURSE there are things that are different, and he immediately points out the key differences. There are, however, some noteworthy similarities, things that crippled Rome and could potentially cripple us. These similarities are the focus of the book.
He devotes a chapter to each of More...
Murphy begins the book by stating outright that, obviously, America is not an exact replica of Roma. OF COURSE there are things that are different, and he immediately points out the key differences. There are, however, some noteworthy similarities, things that crippled Rome and could potentially cripple us. These similarities are the focus of the book.
He devotes a chapter to each of More...
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Feb 25, 2011
Chicha
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Very provocative reading and worth the time. Filled with lively anecdotes, bits of historical trivia, and humor.
But more importantly the author brings his long, deep historical, analytical perspective as a writer and scholar to examine how bloated and out of control America has become as an imperial power--with dangerous implications.
The author obviously loved his subject and it was refreshing to read chapters enriched by memories of his childhood spent exploring the va More...
But more importantly the author brings his long, deep historical, analytical perspective as a writer and scholar to examine how bloated and out of control America has become as an imperial power--with dangerous implications.
The author obviously loved his subject and it was refreshing to read chapters enriched by memories of his childhood spent exploring the va More...
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Jan 27, 2009
Derek
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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 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 b
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Oct 14, 2009
Todd
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Q: Are we Rome?
A: No, except when we are like Rome.
Interesting little (~200 pages) book comparing America to Rome with the overarching theme of whether or not America is going to decline and fall just like Rome did. The book starts with a nice walk through of the various specious comparisons people have made of America and Rome, giving them silly names like "triumphalists" and "declinists."
Then the book strives to make deeper comparisons in five More...
A: No, except when we are like Rome.
Interesting little (~200 pages) book comparing America to Rome with the overarching theme of whether or not America is going to decline and fall just like Rome did. The book starts with a nice walk through of the various specious comparisons people have made of America and Rome, giving them silly names like "triumphalists" and "declinists."
Then the book strives to make deeper comparisons in five More...
Aug 20, 2009
Dymphna
rated it: 
I picked up Are We Rome by Cullen Murphy because its title asked the very question I had been pondering for years: How much in common does America have with Ancient Rome? Will we "fall" in the same way it did?
The book goes into some detail about the similarities and differences between ancient Roman military, political and governmental organization and bureaucracy which is an informative and necessary prelude to answering the questions at hand.
The book then More...
The book goes into some detail about the similarities and differences between ancient Roman military, political and governmental organization and bureaucracy which is an informative and necessary prelude to answering the questions at hand.
The book then More...
Mar 04, 2009
Bruce
rated it:
Are We Rome? discusses several comparisons between Rome and America. In the introduction he tells the reader to think less about decadence and military strength and more about the world view of each and the slow decay of homegrown institutions. In a section titled ‘The Omphalos Syndrome’ he notes the tendency over time to hold that the capital is the source and focal point of reality. An interesting idea is that US contractors can be equated to Rome’s barbarians. “Yesterday’s Conan the Barbarian
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Jun 04, 2010
Ruth
rated it:
262 pages.
The fall of an empire and the fate of America.
The rise and fall of ancient Rome has been on American minds from the beginning of our republic. Today we focus less on the Roman Republic than on the empire that took its place. Depending on whos doing the talking, the history of Rome serves as either a triumphal call to action or a dire warning of imminent collapse. In Are We Rome? the esteemed editor and author Cullen Murphy reveals a wide array of similarities b More...
The fall of an empire and the fate of America.
The rise and fall of ancient Rome has been on American minds from the beginning of our republic. Today we focus less on the Roman Republic than on the empire that took its place. Depending on whos doing the talking, the history of Rome serves as either a triumphal call to action or a dire warning of imminent collapse. In Are We Rome? the esteemed editor and author Cullen Murphy reveals a wide array of similarities b More...
Oct 18, 2009
Elise
rated it:
Wow - what a read! Looking back on my formal education, I either must have missed a ton or much of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire was skipped completely or glossed over. I have to think the latter.
Cullen Murphy, the former managing editor of Atlantic Monthly and now the editor-at-large of Vanity Fair has done a remarkable job bringing to life the political, economic and social culture of the time with the Romans at the helm. He revels many similarities with modern politics and More...
Cullen Murphy, the former managing editor of Atlantic Monthly and now the editor-at-large of Vanity Fair has done a remarkable job bringing to life the political, economic and social culture of the time with the Romans at the helm. He revels many similarities with modern politics and More...
Aug 07, 2011
this book says perhaps we are and maybe we are not. So I think you need to read it and draw your own conclusions. Not having studied the classics (biology and city planning in graduate school) I am at a loss to validate what the author has written. It is well documented with copious endnotes supporting his conclusions. My perception from reading is that we are closer to being the empire than the republic. As Jane Jacobs highlights in "Dark Age Ahead" there are events and policy
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Aug 17, 2010
Hubert
rated it:
The premise is fascinating. We'll see how the evidence holds up. At first glance it seems like the Rome part reads more compellingly than the American part.
(after finishing the book:)
Very compelling comparison of the political situations of the Roman empire and the American state broadly defined. Some of the most interesting material appears as factoids or tidbits (e.g. that the most recent Betty Crocker image is a compilation of 12 different women's faces!).
The qua More...
(after finishing the book:)
Very compelling comparison of the political situations of the Roman empire and the American state broadly defined. Some of the most interesting material appears as factoids or tidbits (e.g. that the most recent Betty Crocker image is a compilation of 12 different women's faces!).
The qua More...
Sep 14, 2008
Robin
rated it:
This book looks at the rise and fall of the Roman Empire and draws some parallels with the United States and the political issues and situations we are dealing with today.
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Jul 29, 2011
Kirk
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Rise and fall of empires. Well, at least one and a warning for saving the second. Murphey writes an interesting analysis of a question many historians and political scientists have ask. (Are we Rome?) Takles the issues of outgrowing empires, failures to recognize repetition of history, being content, resting on the past, when power meets reality, etc. However, Murphey does not compare us "as" Rome, but I feel warns us of becoming a falling Roman empire. Like issues of global warming, w
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Feb 23, 2009
Jack Kirby and the X-man
rated it: 
I received this book as a gift, so I thought it would only be polite to at least start reading it.
I think the review from Noel Malcolm in the UK's Telegraph sums up my general feelings about this book. While being moderately well read, and writing moderately well, Cullen Murphy doesn't say anything that rises above simplistic rhetoric. More...
I think the review from Noel Malcolm in the UK's Telegraph sums up my general feelings about this book. While being moderately well read, and writing moderately well, Cullen Murphy doesn't say anything that rises above simplistic rhetoric. More...
Sep 23, 2010
Steve
rated it: 
I probably tend to over rate books. This time I'm sticking to the letter. I wish I had read the essay, upon which this was based, first. It was probably more focused. With this I got the sense of padding. The book is a book of questions. Hundreds. But they are all part of the title. Are We Rome? Yes, and No. The chapter on contracting was interesting, but it had little to do with Rome. The others, such as Imperial Overreach, are fairly obvious, though Murphy does a good job with his v
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Jul 16, 2008
Don
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I'll admit I was surprised at the general objectivity of this book. When I saw it was by the former editor of The Atlantic Weekly and current editor of Vanity Fair, I was ready for much more of a slanted book. However, the author makes a good, generalized study of the similartities and differences between the Roman Empire and current America. This should not be confused with a history text, by any means (the "Batman Begins" screenplay is the bibliography, for cryin' out loud), but for
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Feb 16, 2009
Donna Jo
rated it:
Murphy draws some obvious parallels between ancient Rome and the present USA, pointing out drawbacks, immoralities, and just plain wrongness leading to downfall.
Along the way, he namedrops with shameless abandon, both ancient and modern personalities. On the days you are convinced that we're going to hell in a handbasket, Are We Rome? will confirm it.
But Murphy leaves us with a slightly more optimistic future--he feels that Americans have seen the end rushing up and have built in More...
Along the way, he namedrops with shameless abandon, both ancient and modern personalities. On the days you are convinced that we're going to hell in a handbasket, Are We Rome? will confirm it.
But Murphy leaves us with a slightly more optimistic future--he feels that Americans have seen the end rushing up and have built in More...
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Jun 19, 2007
Brian
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This book is not political but historical and objective. Cullen Murphy provides an excellent analysis of the state of American society and how it compares and contrasts to that of the Roman Empire.
It is primarily informative and thankfully does not drip with the doom and gloom scenarios some might prescribe to our current situation.
Murphy chooses six areas were Rome and America are slowly starting to resemble one another, including our immigration and border situation, ou More...
It is primarily informative and thankfully does not drip with the doom and gloom scenarios some might prescribe to our current situation.
Murphy chooses six areas were Rome and America are slowly starting to resemble one another, including our immigration and border situation, ou More...
Jan 12, 2011
Hillary
rated it:
I have to agree with reviewers who found not much new here for readers somewhat familiar with Roman history. The areas Murphy chooses to investigate are intriguing (mindset in the capital, military, borders). The strongest chapter is the one on corruption. (It caused me not to just to reflect on current events, but to re-think history. I'm accustomed to think of relative democracy evolving from feudalism. I had never thought of feudalism evolving from relative democracy.)
Jan 17, 2008
Patrick
rated it:
Very interesting book parralling the history of the Roman Empire and comparing it to modern day America.
However, he does have some basic factual errors (i.e. refers to two air force ones, when any air force craft in the air with the president is in fact Air Force One, he was referring to the two planes often referred to as AF1). Simple mistakes about current facts makes you question intrepretations of historical facts.
All in all, it is an excellant look on a topic tha More...
However, he does have some basic factual errors (i.e. refers to two air force ones, when any air force craft in the air with the president is in fact Air Force One, he was referring to the two planes often referred to as AF1). Simple mistakes about current facts makes you question intrepretations of historical facts.
All in all, it is an excellant look on a topic tha More...
Nov 20, 2009
Rick
rated it:
An engaging look at whether or not the US is following in the footsteps of the Roman Empire. Murphy takes a broad look at the subject and finds some unexpected points of comparison. I wish he had delved deeper into the time of Caesar and Cicero when the Republic proved unable to deal with the multiple crisies it faced, and dictatorship followed. But definitely worth the read.
Dec 12, 2007
Shannon
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I learned a great deal about individual battles that contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire. This book goes beyond the obvious comparissons that are made with the US and the Roman Empire- it starts by defining "Empire" using the Romans as the model. While the author does point out similarities, he is just as quick to point out differences, even minute ones within the similarities. He is not afraid to show his bias- definitely New England left leaning politics-wise- but he ma
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Nov 18, 2007
Meg
rated it:
Great overview of Rome's history, how "the fall" of Rome took centuries as opposed to a battle or two, who the soldiers were in Rome's early days (the elite chasing "Glory") compared to who was joining the military in later years (those pesky, dirt covered barbarians), and the nature of "political favors", of public vs. private enterprise (elements like Blackwater/private "security" firms who are usually called "civilian contractors" in the media
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Mar 29, 2008
Mark
rated it:
Both conservatives and liberals point to Rome as a warning of things to come for America. Both camps are correct in their drawing of similarities, but both routinely cherry pick bits and pieces that support only their viewpoint without acknowledging the massive differences.
Cullen Murphy does a masterful job of providing a running compare/contrast of America's Roman tendencies with Rome's American tendencies. The specifics such as an overextended military, massive influxes of immigr More...
Cullen Murphy does a masterful job of providing a running compare/contrast of America's Roman tendencies with Rome's American tendencies. The specifics such as an overextended military, massive influxes of immigr More...
Jan 16, 2009
Thomas
rated it:
Fantastic book. Fast, informative, and important. This thought-provoker will teach you much and keep you up late at night pondering the fate of America. One of the best studies of Rome-cum-America and the nature of empires around. Highly recommended. My hat is off to Cullen Murphy for writing the book I wish I had.
Oct 17, 2007
This is so far an excellent book. The author doesn't just cheaply make hay over the overused old chestnut of comparing America with ancient Rome; he really gets into the nitty gritty ditty gritty dirt as regards particular examples of decline and strength in both societies. He astutely acknowledges those problematic aspects of the comparison which do not hold (for example, no real comparison can be made in modern America with slaves and their status in ancient Rome), but doesn't belabor the po
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Jul 18, 2011
Garrett
rated it:
Elaborating on the similarities of the Roman Empire and the US is a interesting idea, but the author chooses to focus on some of the dullest aspects and avoids points that could have been better. The common trait of decaying public morality in the two civilizations is dismissed early on.
Dec 21, 2010
Regina
rated it:
Ooooh. First time, I read it for the content. The second time for the pure joy of the rhetoric. Ah, those sneaky comparisons. Those well supported false arguments. That snidely reductive element of scholarship. Sigh.
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Feb 03, 2009
Joe
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Interesting take on perspectives concerning the great empires, and a new twist on a compelling discussion. I enjoyed it very much as a simple read. Not a necessary work, but fodder.
Sep 03, 2009
Christie
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i found the author's comparison of america to ancient rome very interesting, although a bit pessimistic at times. i would have liked him to elaborate more on this (it was quite short).
Nov 17, 2008
Chad
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Are We Rome?
In the ways that matter, yes.
In the context of a complex civilization on the verge of collapse we are Rome to the tenth power. We are hyper-Rome. Mega-Rome. Turbo-Rome. We share Rome’s sense of greatness, uniqueness, and invulnerability as well as the hubris that accompanies pride and overconfidence. We have surpassed Rome in terms of technology, but our dependence on this technology only makes us more vulnerable. We have also surpassed Rome in the size and co More...
In the ways that matter, yes.
In the context of a complex civilization on the verge of collapse we are Rome to the tenth power. We are hyper-Rome. Mega-Rome. Turbo-Rome. We share Rome’s sense of greatness, uniqueness, and invulnerability as well as the hubris that accompanies pride and overconfidence. We have surpassed Rome in terms of technology, but our dependence on this technology only makes us more vulnerable. We have also surpassed Rome in the size and co More...
