kol
- 6
- reviews
- 1
- helpful vote
- 16
- ratings
-
Rubicon
- The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic
- By: Tom Holland
- Narrated by: Tom Holland
- Length: 14 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 96
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 90
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 90
The Roman Republic was the most remarkable state in history. What began as a small community of peasants camped among marshes and hills ended up ruling the known world. Rubicon paints a vivid portrait of the Republic at the climax of its greatness—the same greatness which would herald the catastrophe of its fall.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Story of the Fall of the republic told in a very lively manner.
- By Marteinn Úlfur on 12-16-24
- Rubicon
- The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic
- By: Tom Holland
- Narrated by: Tom Holland
Interesting details
Reviewed: 01-17-25
Rubicon reads like an ancient soap opera. It kept me riveted. Tom H included all kinds of detail that I have never heard before. This book covers from mid 130’s BCE to 27BCE which is basically the decline and fall of the Roman Republic. Such an interesting period told with such style by Mr Holland.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in Roman history.
Someone reading their first book on ancient Rome should, in my opinion, read an overview first and then read Rubicon. You will appreciate Rubicon even more.
For the overview I suggest Mike Duncan’s fantastic History of Rome podcast episodes 29 through 53.
I listened to Rubicon on Audible and the fact that Tom reads it himself adds much value.
I know him so well from The Rest is History podcast that he seems like a long time acquaintance. (And hello Dominic).
I give the book 6 stars out of 5.
PS Tom’s vocabulary is wider than mine. I went to the dictionary many times and have thus increased my own vocab!
Now for Dynasty!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Blood Aces
- The Wild Ride of Benny Binion, the Texas Gangster Who Created Vegas Poker
- By: Doug J. Swanson
- Narrated by: John McLain
- Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 384
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 339
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 340
The astonishing story of Benny Binion - a rip-roaring saga of murder, money, and the making of Las Vegas. Benny Binion was many things: a cowboy, a pioneering casino owner, a gangster, a killer, and founder of the hugely successful World Series of Poker. Blood Aces tells the story of Binion's crucial role in shaping modern Las Vegas. From a Texas backwater, Binion rose to prominence on a combination of vision, determination, and brutal expediency.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
FOLK ANTI-HERO
- By Ray on 08-21-14
- Blood Aces
- The Wild Ride of Benny Binion, the Texas Gangster Who Created Vegas Poker
- By: Doug J. Swanson
- Narrated by: John McLain
perfect
Reviewed: 03-03-23
Great story of Benny’s life and also of the whole era. Very well researched.
Narrator’s voice is perfect. This is a fascinating biography of the man and the times
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Scipio Africanus
- Greater Than Napoleon
- By: B.H. Liddell Hart
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 652
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 584
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 581
Scipio Africanus (236-183 BC) was one of the most exciting and dynamic leaders in history. As commander, he never lost a battle. Yet it is his adversary, Hannibal, who has lived on in public memory. As B. H. Liddell Hart writes, "Scipio's battles are richer in stratagems and ruses - many still feasible today - than those of any other commander in history." Any military enthusiast or historian will find this to be an absorbing, gripping portrait.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Excellent performance of a tough script.
- By A. Johnson on 12-23-19
- Scipio Africanus
- Greater Than Napoleon
- By: B.H. Liddell Hart
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
Wow. I wasn’t expecting it to be so great
Reviewed: 02-20-23
Super interesting history. Glad I got to read (listen, actually) it. Great author and great narrator.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
- By: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Narrated by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Length: 3 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 38,146
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 33,450
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 33,168
What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fit within us? There's no better guide through these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson. But today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. So Tyson brings the universe down to Earth succinctly and clearly, with sparkling wit, in digestible chapters consumable anytime and anywhere in your busy day.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Disappointing - not much physics
- By Rob Hahn on 07-15-17
- Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
- By: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Narrated by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
excellent
Reviewed: 12-12-22
Very interesting information and a new perspective. Final chapter is a bit of a soapbox but is very sincere by a great scientist and thinker
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
The Storm Before the Storm
- The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic
- By: Mike Duncan
- Narrated by: Mike Duncan
- Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 8,978
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 8,045
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 8,001
The Roman Republic was one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of civilization. After its founding in 509 BCE, the Romans refused to allow a single leader to seize control of the state and grab absolute power. The Roman commitment to cooperative government and peaceful transfers of power was unmatched in the history of the ancient world. But by the year 133 BCE, the republican system was unable to cope with the vast empire Rome now ruled.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Interesting, albeit a bit dry
- By Aria on 11-14-17
- The Storm Before the Storm
- The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic
- By: Mike Duncan
- Narrated by: Mike Duncan
One of the most interesting periods of Rome
Reviewed: 08-24-22
This book covers in more detail the century+ leading up the the end of the Roman Republic. You can't get huge numbers of people to agree. Need cooperation and compromise. Mike Duncan's 192 episode "The History of Rome" podcast was fabulous and led me to this book. When the traditions and procedures of the Republic began to be flouted in favor of force and violence, it was an indicator of the coming storm. We could learn something from this.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Mortal Republic
- How Rome Fell into Tyranny
- By: Edward J. Watts
- Narrated by: Matt Kugler
- Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 276
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 250
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 248
In Mortal Republic, prize-winning historian Edward J. Watts offers a new history of the fall of the Roman Republic that explains why Rome exchanged freedom for autocracy. For centuries, even as Rome grew into the Mediterranean's premier military and political power, its governing institutions, parliamentary rules, and political customs successfully fostered negotiation and compromise. By the 130s BC, however, Rome's leaders increasingly used these same tools to cynically pursue individual gain and obstruct their opponents.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A Well Written Timely Work
- By David I. Williams on 09-10-20
- Mortal Republic
- How Rome Fell into Tyranny
- By: Edward J. Watts
- Narrated by: Matt Kugler
Interesting period.
Reviewed: 07-27-22
A great work on a fascinating period in history. Highly recommended to all Roman history buffs.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!