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The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic Paperback – October 16, 2018

by Mike Duncan (Author)

4.6 3,985 ratings

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The creator of the award-winning podcast series The History of Rome and Revolutions brings to life the bloody battles, political machinations, and human drama that set the stage for the fall of the Roman Republic.

The Roman Republic was one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of civilization. Beginning as a small city-state in central Italy, Rome gradually expanded into a wider world filled with petty tyrants, barbarian chieftains, and despotic kings. Through the centuries, Rome's model of cooperative and participatory government remained remarkably durable and unmatched in the history of the ancient world.

In 146 BC, Rome finally emerged as the strongest power in the Mediterranean. But the very success of the Republic proved to be its undoing. The republican system was unable to cope with the vast empire Rome now ruled: rising economic inequality disrupted traditional ways of life, endemic social and ethnic prejudice led to clashes over citizenship and voting rights, and rampant corruption and ruthless ambition sparked violent political clashes that cracked the once indestructible foundations of the Republic.

Chronicling the years 146-78 BC, The Storm Before the Storm dives headlong into the first generation to face this treacherous new political environment. Abandoning the ancient principles of their forbearers, men like Marius, Sulla, and the Gracchi brothers set dangerous new precedents that would start the Republic on the road to destruction and provide a stark warning about what can happen to a civilization that has lost its way.

Print length

352 pages
Language

English
Publisher

PublicAffairs
Publication date

October 16, 2018
Dimensions

5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
ISBN-10

9781541724037
ISBN-13

978-1541724037
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Get to know this book

What's it about?
A gripping account of the political turmoil and societal upheaval that led to the downfall of the Roman Republic.
Amazon editors say...
It's impossible to read this book about ancient Rome without connecting the dots to the world we live in today.
Chris Schluep, Amazon Editor
Popular highlight
“It is this spirit which has commonly ruined great nations, when one party desires to triumph over another by any and every means and to avenge itself on the vanquished with excessive cruelty.”
1,473 Kindle readers highlighted this
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When the Republic began to break down in the late second century it was not the letter of Roman law that eroded, but respect for the mutually accepted bonds of mos maiorum.
1,158 Kindle readers highlighted this
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But this was an age when a lie was not a lie if a man had the audacity to keep asserting the lie was true.
1,072 Kindle readers highlighted this

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Mike Duncan's popular podcast, The History of Rome and Revolutions, packed facts, dry humor and historical parallels into easily digestible 20-minute episodes. His new book, The Storm Before The Storm, focuses on the decades that led up to the fall of the Republic. From income inequality to questions about who does and doesn't deserve citizenship to the rise of populism, it's consistently surprising how the issues we're facing today were relevant two millennia ago. And if you're worried about those parallels, this book provides a dose of reassurance. We're divided, but hey, at least we're not laying siege to our political rivals' cities just yet!"―National Public Radio, Best Books of 2017

"The Storm Before the Storm is massively entertaining and relevant to our own time. All times, in fact. War, politics, money, power, corruption, and class warfare seem to overwhelm the republican Roman political system and the results are horrifying. Huge personalities like Marius and Sulla cast a large shadow, but forces beyond anyone's control seem to drive the narrative. A chilling reminder of what can happen in any republic. Masterfully told."―Dan Carlin, host of Hardcore History podcast

"Never has a book about history that's two millennia old been so timely. Duncan, in the sort of narrative prose that caused his podcasts to electrify history lovers everywhere, tells the story of the decay of Republican Rome-and its contemporary relevance drips off every page. The Storm Before the Storm has everything from vividly portrayed populist demagogues exploiting economic and social inequality to the failure of calcified republican institutions to adapt to changing circumstances. You'll learn as much about the problems we face today from this book as from any newspaper."―Benjamin Wittes, editor-in-chief of Lawfare and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution

"Written with the humor and the storytelling instincts that made him such a popular podcaster, Duncan brilliantly answers a vital question that is rarely asked: What weakened the late Roman Republic enough that it collapsed under the ambitions of the Caesars? This is history as it should be-compelling, witty, and ultimately revealing."―Lars Brownworth, author of In Distant Lands: A Short History of the Crusades

"Mike Duncan turns his talent for clear and engaging exposition to an underappreciated period of Roman history: the last days of the Republic, before the rise of Caesar and the agonizing civil wars that yielded the Roman Empire. Duncan's readable and witty style, and his eye for the telling detail and memorable anecdote, carry the reader through a gripping narrative."―Peter Adamson, professor philosophy, LMU Munich, and host of History of Philsophy

"Remarkably engaging."―Washington Post

"Written in Duncan's usual congenial style. He zeros in on Rome's polarization between 'optimates' (conservatives) and 'populares' (populists), the disintegration of participatory democracy, and the concomitant rise in inequality, uncivil discourse, and violence. The parallels with modern times, and particularly contemporary America, leap off the page."
―Huffington Post

"This companionable and sprightly book captures the political drama and human passion of that extraordinary story."
―New Criterion

"Marvelous... A highly enjoyable historical narrative that reads almost like a modern political thriller."―New York Journal of Books

"A stark warning about what can happen to a civilization that has lost its way."―Smithsonian Online

"If you're a fan of Roman history, you will dig this. And if you're just a fan of good storytelling, you will dig this."―Jonah Keri, host of CBS Sports' The Jonah Keri Podcast

"A fantastic primer on the causes behind... the things we must be so careful about in our own politics today. Why norms must be respected. Why problems can't be kicked down the road. Why populism is so dangerous. Definitely read this book."―Ryan Holiday, media strategist, writer, and author of The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, The Daily Stoic and Perennial Seller

"An amazingly enjoyable history... With his fresh approach, Mike Duncan shows that it is important to understand what happened two thousand years ago to understand what is happening now and in the coming centuries."―Washington Book Review

"An impressively well written, exceptionally informative, inherently fascinating historical study, The Storm Before the Storm is an extraordinary read from beginning to end."―Midwest Book Review

"A lively, extremely well-informed chronicle of nearly seven decades of Roman political and social life... Drawing on ancient sources as well as modern histories, the author reveals chilling parallels to our own time... Crucial decades in the history of the ancient world vividly rendered."
―Kirkus Reviews

"Excellent... Award-winning podcaster Duncan proves to be just as effective at working in a written medium, presenting historical personalities and complex situations with clarity and verve."―Library Journal

"Disentangles well some complex events others neglect."―Wall Street Journal

About the Author

Mike Duncan is one of the foremost history podcasters in the world and author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Storm Before the Storm. His award-winning series The History of Rome has generated more than ninety million downloads and remains one of the most popular history podcasts on the internet. Duncan has continued this success with his ongoing series Revolutions -- which so far has explored the English, American, French, and Haitian Revolutions. Since debuting in September 2013, Revolutions has generated more than forty-four million downloads.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1541724038
Publisher ‏ : ‎ PublicAffairs; Reprint edition (October 16, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781541724037
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1541724037
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #12,961 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3 in Ancient Rome Biographies
- #3 in Historical Italy Biographies
- #18 in Ancient Roman History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 3,985 ratings

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Mike Duncan

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Mike Duncan is one of the foremost history podcasters in the world. His award winning series "The History of Rome" chronologically narrated the entire history of the Roman Empire over 189 weekly episodes. Running from 2007-2012, "The History of Rome" has generated more than 65 million downloads and remains one of the most popular history podcasts on the internet. The enduring popularity of "The History of Rome" earned it aniTunes Best of 2015 award and forms the basis for his forthcoming book “The Storm Before The Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic” (Public Affairs Press). Duncan has continued this success with his ongoing series "Revolutions" — which so far has explored the English, American, French, and Haitian Revolutions. Since debuting in September 2013, "Revolutions" has generated more than 18 million downloads. Thanks to the worldwide popularity of his podcasts, Duncan has led fans on a number of sold-out guided tours of Italy, England and France to visit historic sites from Ancient Rome to the French Revolution. Duncan also collaborates with illustrator Jason Novak on informative cartoons that humorously explain the historical context for current events. Their work has been featured in The New Yorker, The Paris Review, The Awl, and The Morning News. He lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

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4.6 out of 5

3,985 global ratings

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Michael

A Captivating and Insightful Journey into the Fall of the Roman Republic

Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024

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The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic by Mike Duncan is an absolute masterpiece that brilliantly captures the tumultuous period leading up to the fall of the Roman Republic. As a history enthusiast, I found this book to be both enlightening and captivating from start to finish.

Duncan's meticulous research and engaging writing style make complex historical events accessible and fascinating. He has a remarkable ability to weave together the political, social, and economic threads of the era, providing a comprehensive understanding of the factors that contributed to the Republic's decline. The book delves into the lives and actions of key figures with vivid detail, making them come alive on the pages.

One of the standout aspects of this book is Duncan's narrative flair. He balances scholarly rigor with a storytelling approach that keeps the reader hooked. Each chapter is structured to build suspense and intrigue, making it hard to put the book down. The way he connects historical events to contemporary parallels adds an extra layer of relevance and insight.

The Storm Before the Storm also excels in its ability to provide context and clarity. Duncan explains the significance of each event and decision, making it easy to follow the complex political machinations and power struggles. His analysis is sharp and thought-provoking, shedding light on the consequences of corruption, ambition, and social unrest.

Overall, The Storm Before the Storm is an outstanding work of historical non-fiction. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Roman history or the dynamics of political power. Mike Duncan has created a compelling and informative narrative that will stay with readers long after they have turned the last page. I highly recommend this book to history buffs and general readers alike. Five stars!

One person found this helpful

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Rey Mundo Magnus

Highly enjoyable

Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2024

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The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic by Mike Duncan

Mike Duncan has found a niche in history that he laid out in an easy to read, and very enjoyable format.

At the front of the book there are two very general maps of the regions discussed, that actually ended up sufficing well as they show the relevant areas in sufficient detail.
I took screen shots of those two maps for faster access, which made traveling through the various regions an adventure. Additional maps dispersed throughout the book, would have been sincerely appreciated.

This book takes the reader on an historical journey, from chapter to chapter, and was a real pleasure to read, it is informative and well written

Duncan's writing style held my interest throughout, I felt I learned from it, which brings a smile.

Duncan is on par with many of the leading writers of our day, I look forward to reading more from him

One person found this helpful

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Frank

A surprisingly good read.

Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2024

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Quite interesting and well worth the read if you're interested in the subject at all. Very nearly a blow by blow description of the beginning of the end.

One person found this helpful

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Charles Scott

Virtue may be its own reward, but the military genius Consul of Rome did not ransack the city for its philosophy.

Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2018

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The book, The Storm Before the Storm, by Mike Duncan was published in 2017. The impressively well-researched, concise, and scholarly work relates to the stone-throwing, sword-wielding history of Rome during the time period roughly four to seven generations before the birth of Jesus Christ. A stark sense of foreboding begins to dawn on you when you read between the lines. You find the inference "raising an army in Rome was not difficult" has far-reaching implications. In addition, the author provides readers with an excellent English translation of an esoteric Latin quotation attributed to a wise and prominent philosopher at the beginning of each chapter. Insightful, the quotation drives home a major point, gives greater meaning to, and offers a unique perspective for the topic in question in each chapter.
If you are not already a well-versed lover of Latin linguistics, the author takes time to explain the meaning, usage, and function of certain obtuse, archaic, or technical terms, which have evolved or been incorporated into the daily lives of virtually every Roman citizen. You can't help but gain a deeper appreciation of the Forum, the Senate, and the Assembly, as well as many of their principal members and arch-enemies.
Who among us has ever heard of the dangerous exploits and grisly adventures of Gracchus, Marius, Jugurtha, Sulla, Mithridates, Drusus, or Cinna? I certainly haven't, until I began to delve into this particularly interesting book of antiquity. If you haven't heard of these several notable larger-than-life personalities either, and others, of whom the author mentions, you are in for a real treat. The author goes on to elaborate and elucidate, telling their individual stories, which are nothing short of incredible. The conflicted history of these terrible and terrific titans of Western Civilization turns out to be spectacular, overwhelming, and decimating. Yet, at the end of the day, the reader may pause and reflect that something good must have come out of all the strife and chaos they created after all. The possibility of peace, prosperity, and better government, for instance. Greater respect for humanity, human life in general, and personal dignity would only arrive a couple of thousand years later for some, the enlightened and fortunate ones. More drastic changes would be needed first.
R. Royce watched a professional bull-riding event on television. The commentator's advice for the average cowboy was, "You have to point your toes out and dig your heels in, if you want to stay on the bull." Royce had to think about that one for a minute. The object of riding a bull for the cowboy is to stay on top for at least 8 seconds with one hand raised in the air and one hand grasping the leather harness tightly wrapped around the bull's mightily muscular mid-section. Rodeo judges determine his score by how well he rides the bull. What the commentator neglected to mention is that a real cowboy wears silver spurs that jingle, jangle, and dangle on the heels of his boots. When he forcibly digs them into the haunches of the bull, the bull goes absolutely crazy, bonkers. The bull receives quite an unpleasant sensation, if not downright painful. He begins to jump high into the air repeatedly, writhing uncontrollably. He performs the most amazing contortions imaginable. He gyrates and spins around wildly, bucks, twists, and turns--anything to prevent the cowboy from digging the star-shaped metal spur points into the tender flesh of his flanks. So, technically speaking, digging his heels into the haunches of the bull, does not so much help the cowboy stay on the bull better, but it definitely helps him score more points with the judges, should he ride the bull for the required length of time.
Along about that time his friend and cohort Cornelius Korn telephoned. Royce picked up a nearby cell-phone. He told Royce that the dental bridge in his mouth had come loose while he was biting into a casserole entree.
"The bridge is rock solid. It lasted about thirty years and the dentist offered to glue it back in on the spot," he said. But, Korn was more concerned about the strength of the teeth underneath. The dental assistant took some routine panoramic x-rays, and scheduled another appointment for the actual dental work to commence. "The initial shock of losing three teeth at the same time has worn off," Korn continued. But he was still uncertain whether to have the dentist fabricate and install a new bridge, or get an implant and three crowns."
"I'd definitely get a second opinion from the dentist who does implants," said Royce. "He should know if you are a suitable candidate for the delicate procedure."

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Fabián Rodríguez

Simplemente fascinante

Reviewed in Mexico on September 27, 2023

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El período entre las guerras púnicas y la guerra de las Galias no es lo suficientemente tratado, o al menos, no es divulgado con la misma celeridad que estos grandes eventos. Leer cómo poco a poco las tradiciones y tabúes que mantuvieron la República durante 500 años colapsaban cual piezas de dominó, y las diferencias entre los optimates y los populares se acrecentaban más y más, no podía parar. Lo terminé en un mes. Un excelente trabajo de divulgación.

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Al

Readable and intriguing

Reviewed in Canada on December 5, 2022

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I loved this book. I have read many volumes on Ancient Rome and this is the most accessible. Duncan covers the time from 200 BC to 0. Strongly recommended to anyone interested I Ancient Rome.

One person found this helpful

Zhats

Great, informative work

Reviewed in Germany on March 31, 2024

Verified Purchase

A book full of interesting facts and oceans of blood. The amount of massacres is astonishing. Suicides as well. Roman morals were truly domething else. Everyone's life was always at risk, from slave to emperor, citizen or barbarian. They had very risky lives, so they probably knew how to enjoy themselves too.

Kindle Customer

Easy and entertaining

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 10, 2023

Verified Purchase

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this on holiday - very interesting and insightful. I’d recommend

Rajeev Ramachandran

Recommended

Reviewed in India on May 25, 2021

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Reads like a novel, finished this in two sittings. And very thought provoking.

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