Pax: War and Peace in Rome's Golden Age

Very well written and read.

Tom Holland is chock full of interesting facts, factoids and accumulated anecdotes in this book, which benefits from the inclusion of “Dramatis Personae” and a Timeline too. Thanks too for many maps scattered throughout the text- except for the horror of his mislabeled Upper and Lower Germania that was completely confusing and contradictory to the text for 10 pages.Thanks to a former reviewer for pointing this out, which I saw only afterwards sadly.This is a good read for the initiate to Ancient Roman history, but Holland’s problem is that he can not write lucidly without extolling his self-infatuation with murdered syntax. Nevertheless, it is a useful addition to the burgeoning library of the Roman Empire’s story.

The media could not be loaded. "Pax: War and Peace in Rome’s Golden Age" by Adrian Goldsworthy is a captivating exploration of one of history's most transformative periods—the Roman Empire's Golden Age. Goldsworthy's meticulous research and engaging narrative style bring to life the complexities of Rome's quest for peace during this era.The author skillfully navigates the political landscapes, military campaigns, and cultural nuances of Rome's Golden Age, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by the empire. Goldsworthy's ability to weave together historical events, character sketches, and societal developments creates a vivid tapestry that immerses readers in the heart of ancient Rome."Pax" not only delves into the military conquests that marked this period but also examines the intricate efforts made by Rome to maintain peace within its borders. Goldsworthy sheds light on the diplomatic maneuvers, governance strategies, and societal dynamics that contributed to Rome's pursuit of stability.One of the book's strengths lies in its accessibility; Goldsworthy expertly balances scholarly rigor with readability, making the complexities of Roman history accessible to a broad audience. Whether you are a seasoned historian or a casual reader, "Pax" offers a rich and engaging narrative that educates and entertains.In summary, "Pax" is an illuminating journey through Rome's Golden Age, offering a nuanced understanding of the interplay between war and peace in one of history's most influential civilizations. Adrian Goldsworthy's expertise and storytelling prowess make this book a compelling and enlightening read for history enthusiasts. Highly recommended.

Very well written, a pleasure to read. Facts and explanation of characters. Fascinating time in history. Now looking for more books by the author.

As always - holland weaves a masterful story. Ends a bit too abruptly (leaves you wanting another 400 pages). Felt like his editor was asking him to wrap it up when he gets to Hadrian. I hope he has another 300 years in him.

Pax: War and Peace in Rome's Golden AgeTom Holland took me by surprise. His writing style sets him apart from Adrian Goldsworthy, Anthony Everitt, Marc Morris, Dan Jones, Amanda Podany, Paul Rahe and others that I enjoy.I own two other Tom Holland books, Persian Fire and Rubicon that I bought on Amazon but have yet to read. I obtained Pax as a Kindle library loan, which means my Amazon review will most likely be set back into oblivion, so I will keep it brief.Pax flowed somewhat disjointedly but in a nice sort of way, I learned to really enjoy the writing style. I learned tidbits of history throughout, that were of great interest.After reading Pax, I am looking forward to reading Holland's other books, so from that perspective it sufficed very well.I would certainly recommend this book. I am very happy I took the time to read it, leaving me with lots of notes to breeze throughThank you Tom Holland, great book

Great subject, great writer, great book!

If you're like me, you tend to trust the three star reviews more than the others. Or not. I have read all of Holland's books. I have also read Josephus, Tactitus, Seutonius and who knows what else concerning this period. Personally, I have more or less given up on Holland as a serious historian, but a friend gave me this book for Xmas and, like I said, I do like this period of history.Holland is smug and can be annoying. He loves the more titillating material and generally slants his writing towards that. He never strays far from common prejudices and assumptions. His book on Christianity is especially revealing of these proper English biases. The best thing I have ever seen him do was a documentary on the history of Islam. Very good. Maybe because it is a culture that is not his own he is better at being objective. Who knows. And even then, his need to put himself front and center is off putting.As for this book. He says things where you think, a footnote, please? Where does this opinion come from? What basis do you have for it? His take on Josephus borders on antisemitic, pulling out all the old tropes. And his view of Titus is based almost soley on one small comment in Seutonius which Seutonius himself contradicts. It is just strange how much this guy revels in the tropes about Romans and their mores, repeating the slander that Roman writers so often employed as if it were historical fact.That said, a fast, easy read pulled from a lot of sources. Superficial, but since so little is written about this period, sure. Why not.

Fascinating read. Brings the characters to life. An historical narrative that is educational and a pleasure to read. Highly recommended.

Defectuoso

I only read historical novels these days as I find the actual past way more exciting than anything fiction can dream up. This book is, as they say“unputdownable”, as it takes you on a rollercoaster ride through, probably, the less well known and sexy period of Roman rule. Equally enjoyable as the narrative itself, is the use of language, expertly employed to provide a rich description of the characters and vividly envoke a Roman world that you can practically touch, smell and taste. My only regret is not buying these books in order.

He is better on the podcast.

Well researched book but, to be honest, much prefered Dynasty.