David I. Williams

A Well Written Timely Work

Reviewed: 09-10-20

Popular histories of the fall of the Roman Republic are not in short supply. There are excellent entries in this crowded field. One can look to Tom Holland’s Rubicon or the recent New York Times bestseller The Storm Before the Storm by popular podcaster Mike Duncan. Into this crowded field we have Mortal Republic by Edward J. Watts. Dr. Watts is Professor of History at the University of California, San Diego. His previous works have focused on the period of late antiquity and the clashes between pagan and Christian culture. In his newest work Dr. Watts examines the forces that brought about the end of the Roman Republic.

This book does not start, as is common, with the rise of the Gracchi brothers. Those radical reformers whose lives and deaths plunged the Republic into short periods of chaos. Instead he begins in 280 BC, with the wars between Rome and the Greek King Pyrrhus. Why this period? He wants to show the nature of the Roman leaders in this period. Roman leadership was a duty that was held by men who held honor above wealth.

This is an important point that will be seen throughout this book. In the early days of the Republic the nobles of Rome “agreed that virtue lay in service to Rome and that dishonor fell upon those who put their private interests above those of the Republic.” This noble ideal would become stressed as the Roman Republic grow in size, power and wealth. The change can be seen as the Romans fight the Carthaginians for control of Sicily. The Punic Wars spread Roman power abroad and soon the Republic had foreign territories to manage. With those territories came officials needed to run them. Those officials tended to become wealthy in those jobs. That wealth became the new motive for public service. Now honor gave way to avarice. As the quest for wealth and glory became the prime motivator factions began to arrive. Those factions would eventually wear away at the fabric of the Republic until it frayed and crumbled. As Dr. Watts puts it “The new economy produced great wealth for a few winners, but the frustration of the newly poor and the fear that some of the old elite were losing their grip on power created conditions in which a fierce populist reaction could occur.

The great weakness in the Roman system was the reliance on personal honor to maintain itself. Tradition and honor were no defense against personal ambition and tremendous wealth. The populism ushered in by the Gracchi would be used as a weapon by one group of power Romans in order to gain control over the more traditionalists. The fight would rage back and forth for over a century. The ethics and values of the Romans devolved to the place where strong men like Marius, Sulla, Cataline, Clodius, Milo, Crassus, Pompey, and Caesar could tear it apart.

The book is written for the general reader. One does not need a specialized background in Roman history to understand. The topic is indeed timely. In the Preface to the book Dr. Watts hopes “that this book allows its readers to better appreciate the serious problems that result both from politicians who breach a republic’s political norms and from citizens who choose not to punish them for doing so.” That is as far as he goes in trying to connect the past and the present. It is up to the readers to notice the signs and to take warning. These warnings are prescient. The United States was founded as a Republic with the Roman Republic very much in the conscious minds of the Founders.

The book ends as did the Republic: with the reign of Augustus. For over half a century the Republic had been torn by one faction after another competing for power. What are we supposed to gather from this book? Why read another book on the fall of a government that fell 2,000 years ago? Because the freedoms and laws of a republic must continually be upheld and protected. Ronald Reagan famously said “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” Perhaps the closing statement of the book sums it up best. “When citizens take the health and durability of their republic for granted, that republic is at risk. This was as true in 133 BC or 82 BC or 44 BC as it is in AD 2018. In ancient Rome and in the modern world, a republic is a thing to be cherished, protected, and respected. If it falls, an uncertain, dangerous, and destructive future lies on the other side.”

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7 people found this helpful

Excellent Production

Reviewed: 01-08-18

It has been over thirty years since I last read Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. The story is just as I remembered, though I had forgotten some details. Of course a 43 year old sees things missed by his 13 year old self. This is a masterpiece by the great American master. How can you make Twain even better? Add Nick Offerman as the reader. Offerman is brilliant. I’m sad I can only give five stars.

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34 people found this helpful

Great story

Reviewed: 04-15-17

Evan Currie's Scourwind Series is back for that second volume. The new Empress in on her throne, but the rogue General Corrian is still strong. Now they face off as each maneuvers to outdo the other. We also get the first clues as why the Caleb Barr was built in the first place. This is a fun series and I look forward to reading more books as they come out.

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Fun Read

Reviewed: 03-29-17

Instead of faster than light travel the universe uses something called The Flow. The flow is akin to currents on the ocean. This is how the far flung empire of humans is able to maintain its existence. One problem: the Flow is collapsing. The world that Scalzi has created is a balance of power between the Emperox, the Parliament, The Church, and the Merchant Guilds. With a brand new Emperox on the throne and the flow collapsing the political order is in trouble.

This was my first John Scalzi book to read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is paced well, the overall plot is entertaining, the characters are fun and intriguing. A lot of readers are criticizing this book because of the writer's politics. I probably disagree with Mr. Scalzi far more often than I agree. That doesn't matter in the least when it comes to an enjoyable book. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

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3 people found this helpful

Wonderful

Reviewed: 07-01-15

Another outstanding series from the teaching company and Dr. Kenneth Harl. I've come to expect nothing less than excellence when I see Dr. Harl's name on a course. Once again he lives up to my expectations. This is an excellent survey of the Scandinavian world from prehistoric period through the early Middle Ages. Highly recommended for anyone who loves history.

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2 people found this helpful

Wonderful New Detective Series

Reviewed: 06-03-15

Jake Fayter falls to his death during a routine rock climbing accident. At least that is what the report reads. His parents disagree. So they turn to their son’s old friend, Detective Inspector Nick Dixon. Dixon was once Fayter’s climbing partner and has a hard time believing the report. He knows that there is no way that Jake made the mistake necessary to cause his death. So he begins to investigate. As he digs into his friend’s death he soon realizes that he is not going to like what he discovers.

As The Crow Flies is the first book featuring DI Nick Dixon. He is a quiet man who requested a transfer back to his home area instead of staying in London and working his way up the administrative ladder. Now he has a small place that needs furniture, a dog, and the peace and quiet of the countryside. Of course he also is on the trail of a team of burglars who keep breaking into the houses of the recently deceased. Now he has what appears to him to be the suspicious death of an old friend. Before it is over he will find himself dealing with a smuggling operation, drug dealers, and a killer who won’t go down easy. Boyd’s is an excellent stylist. He brings his characters to life and allows them to develop as the story goes on. The book is full of great characters who you feel you want to know better.

As I read this book I couldn’t help but think that this story and these characters are perfect for a BBC mystery series. This is the kind of detective drama that so many of us have come to know and love over the years. I read a lot of books. Usually over 150 per year. Some of the books are old friends, most are new. The majority of books that I have read I doubt that I will ever read again. Damian Boyd’s DI Nick Dixon novels fall into that rare category of books that I will definitely read and enjoy again and again over the years. I look forward to more in this series. I suggest that you order this book right now. It is the perfect book to take with you on summer holiday. It is also the perfect book to curl up with in your favorite reading chair. In other words, it is just a great book.

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39 people found this helpful

Brilliant finish

Reviewed: 05-29-15

Sometimes you don’t want to know the truth. The townspeople of Wayward Pines had wanted to know the truth. They wanted to know why they were trapped in this town. Then they discovered the truth, that they had been kidnapped and were 1,800 years in the future. They have also learned that the world is now inhabited by a bestial species that had once been man. All of that was bad enough, but when, in their anger they refused to obey the man who had put them there he does the unthinkable. He shuts down the electric fence, opens the gates, and lets the monsters in.

That is how Wayward the second book in the series ends. Now in The Last Town we go through the next two days of hell that the people in Wayward Pines suffer. Alone, mostly unarmed they have to try and stay alive. They have to avoid the terror that is killing and consuming them. Sheriff Ethan Burke didn’t know that David Pilcher would go this far. But he underestimated the megalomania that gripped the billionaire inventor. Now Burke has to try and keep himself and as many of the residents alive as possible. Most importantly he has to get to the hidden command center to challenge Pilcher and confront him with his crimes.

The Last Town is a breakneck paced novel. The action is almost non-stop. The fear and the horror that the residents face is quite vivid. You feel for these people who have had everything taken away from them and are now at the mercy of a madman and a swarm of ravenous monsters. How the people survive and how they choose to keep the human race going is quite interesting. There are some who will wish for a different ending, but I felt that the ending was perfect and really wrapped up the series. This was one of the more interesting series that I have read this year and I recommend it.

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5 people found this helpful

Detective Story meets Horror meets Sci Fi

Reviewed: 05-25-15

Secret Service Ethan Burke has a problem. He and another agent were sent to locate two missing agents in Wayward Pines, Idaho. Right after pulling into town they are struck by a large 18 wheeler. After waking up in the hospital Ethan discovers that things are odd in this town. He can’t seem to get out of the town of Wayward Pines. He remembers his car getting hit by the truck, but the rest of his memories are vague. The whole town seems odd. The doctor doesn’t check on his patients. The sheriff is not at all helpful. All Ethan really wants is to phone home, to talk to his supervisor, and to find his wallet so he can get a hotel room and something to eat. Before long he makes a staggering discovery and things go from bad to worse.

Now Ethan has to use all of his skills to stay alive and to escape the town. But how do you escape a town surrounded by steep cliffs and an electric fence? Why is everyone acting so odd. Who is the mysterious woman who seems to be helping him, but whose existence is denied by everyone else. The answers to these questions will leave Ethan stunned and changed.

Pines is a fascinating book. I have to admit that I had several near misses with this book. It seemed really interesting at first, then it got a little weird and I thought it might be going a way I didn’t care for. I pushed on, still intrigued and started to like it again. Then it looked like it might be something in the same vein as the TV series LOST and I really wanted to stop. I didn’t like that particular series at all. But I pushed on and realized that I was wrong in my fears. By the end it had really gripped me. I can’t say much more about the plot than that. I don’t want to give anything away and this is a book that is hard to talk about without giving too much away.

The characters are interesting. There is a full picture of Ethan that develops throughout the book. The writing is very good and the pacing is perfect. I really enjoyed the first novel and plan to read the next. The novels have now been turned into a series on FOX. Check out this book if you like mysteries with a touch of science fiction. Don’t stop reading the book until you have reached the end.

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3 people found this helpful

Another great Alix London Story

Reviewed: 05-19-15

Whoever said that life around fine art is dull? It is not dull for Alix London. Called in to help restore a few paintings for a museum in Palm Springs she thinks that this will be an easy assignment. She couldn’t be more wrong. Soon things will go from bad to worse.
Alix London is an art restorer with a connoisseur’s eye. This can be both a blessing and a curse. On the blessing side it helps her to restore works of art with great precision. It also allows her to act as an excellent advisor for people wanting to build their own art collections. On the other hand it can be quite a curse. She can look at a painting and get a bad feeling. That feeling always means that the painting is a forgery. Her problem is that she can’t always figure out what is bothering her. This time she just happens to look at a Pollock hanging in a museum where she is restoring some works scheduled for sale. She can’t quite place her finger on what is wrong with it, but there is just something about it. Within hours of raising a question about the Pollock there is an attempt on her life. This is just the beginning of what will be Alix’s most dangerous adventure to date.

The Art Whisperer is just the enjoyable, lighthearted mystery we have come to expect from the Alix London series. All of our favorite characters are here and we get a little more development each time. We have Alix’s father Geoff, a one-time curator and forger. Geoff’s old friend and accomplice Tiny is along for the ride. Alix’s friend Chris, the multi-millionaire tech expert, makes an appearance with her usual flair. Of course Alix, once again, works with FBI Special Agent Ted Ellsworth. She is worried about her relationship with Ted. She still has a crush on him, but after the way she spoke to him at the end of the last novel she doesn’t know if he wants anything to do with her.

As always the characters are enjoyable. The story is paced nicely and well written. Alix London really does deserve her own television series. This would be an enjoyable show to watch and it would actually be quite educational. It isn’t often that one gets to hear about great works of art in mystery literature. At 260 pages it is an easy book to read, perfect for taking with you on vacation. If you haven’t read the Alix London books before you should dive right in. If you have read the first two then you don’t need to hesitate for a minute. Pick this up and enjoy.

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4 people found this helpful

Good fun

Reviewed: 05-17-15

Alix London is back. This time the young art restorer is working as an undercover consultant for the FBI. What starts out as a mission to just keep her eyes open turns into a serious affair involving theft, murder, and forgery. All in a day's work for our intrepid art expert.

Free business tycoon Panos Papadakis is holding an exclusive art auction aboard his luxury yacht. He plans to sell off a few of his personal paintings and has invited a few of his personal friends to join him on the cruise. He has also invited Alix London along as an art expert to make the trip more informative. Unknown to Panos Alix is there at the request of the FBI. They want her to keep her ears open for any shady financial dealings that Panos may be involved in. Her job quickly becomes complicated when she begins to doubt the authenticity of one of the paintings. Alix has learned to trust to her instincts when it comes to art, but will they serve her well when dealing with people who will stop at nothing, including murder?

The Art Whisperer is the second book in the Alix London series by Charlotte and Aaron Elkins. The book is a lighthearted mystery and is a lot of fun. The characters are enjoyable and the pacing is quite nice. This is a perfect book to take along to the beach or to just curl up with.

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