Julius Caesar

Life & Times

by Nigel Cawthorne

Gaius Julius Caesar (100-44 BC) was not a great military genius. He was first and foremost a politician who used his skills in oratory to inspire his men. His conquests spread Roman law, customs and language throughout Europe and secured the ascendancy of its empire for five hundred years. But he ascribed his victories in Gaul, the Roman Civil War and in Asia Minor to two things – luck and leadership.

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

About the author

Nigel Cawthorne is an Anglo-American writer of fiction and non-fiction, and an editor. He has written more than 80 books on a wide range of subjects and has contributed to The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph Daily Mail and The New York Times. He has appeared on television and BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Many of Nigel Cawthorne's books are compilations of popular history, without footnotes, references or bibliographies. His own web site refers to a description of his home as a "book-writing factory" and says, "More than half my books were commissioned by publishers and packagers for a flat fee or for a for a reduced royalty".

One of his most notable works was Taking Back My Name, an autobiography of Ike Turner, with whom he spent a number of weeks working with him on, taking up residence in Turner's house. The book caused much controversy, resulting in court cases for three years following its release.

Cawthorne currently lives in Bloomsbury, London with his girlfriend and son, Colin (born 1982).

Reviews

[Joar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative and dull. I finally learned that Caesar's last words were not really "Et tu Brute?" ("And you, Brutus?") - which is in Latin, as Shakespeare led us to believe; but "Kai su, Technon? ("You too, my child?") - in Greek - upon seeing Brutus also wielding a dagger.

I learned a lot about history considering this time period was part of my high school history, which says a lot about my inattention to classes.

A bit anticlimactic (I thought there was a lot of gore and gruesome deaths) but a great read nonetheless.

[Manav · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book gives a glimpse in the life of Julius Caesar who is treated as one of the greatest Roman General and statesman.

[Vikas Datta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems to be a little biased against old JC, and seems to be just a chronicle without putting him in the bigger perspective of his times, not to mention against the view and judgment of posterity. I do think he deserved better