Introduction: Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great were two of the greatest generals Rome had ever produced. Together they had brought vast stretches of territory under Roman dominion. In 49 BC they turned against each other and plunged Rome into civil war. In this book, Adrian Goldsworthy relates the gripping story of this desperate power struggle. Drawing on original accounts of the war, he examines how legion was pitched against legion in a vicious battle for political domination of the vast Roman world. The armies were evenly matched, but in the end, Caesar's genius as a commander and his great good luck brought him victory in 45 BC.
Updated and revised for the new edition, with full-colour maps and 40 new images, this is a detailed introduction to one of the last conflicts in the Roman Republic before the establishment of the Roman Empire.
Review: At a brief 144 all inclusive pages, this is a quick read over a couple of days at best. I found it a real pleasure to read, despite being short and covering such a large subject. The book serves as a good introduction to the subject and will give you an understanding of how a famous general became an Emperor, only to be murdered by those he had showed clemency to. I particularly liked the language and manner it was written, not being academic, it is very accessible.
The narrative moves at a pace, there is no in-depth analysis or going off at a tangent, the book is focused and tight, if that makes sense. Events are given context, and moves in chronological order, with a full cast of characters present.
There is not a lot more to say, and I'll close with these images from the book.
Definitely recommended.
The scene today,
A basic map, you get the idea of how the battle was fought.
Words on a page,
The closest thing to a photograph from the day.
Coins, image having one of these today.
No, its not Colin Farrell as Penguin.
Again, the scene today, and having visit the place, you have a sense of the history and that which has gone before you.