The Civil War (The Penguin Classics)

Rating:
Summary: Interesting reading but...
Review: A much wider ranging story than his War in Gaul (De Bellum Galli) that covers campaigns in Africa, Spain, Greece, etc but ultimately not as much fun to read. To me, the most interesting parts of Caesar's accounts are the smaller scale anecdotes and stories. For example, after the initial route of Caesar's legions by an African army with elephants he brings an elephant into camp and describes how he familiarizes his men with the beast and develops tactics for the troops to fight against them. He also tells the story of a centurion who tries to rescue a slave being crushed by an attacking elephant. The centurion is caught by the elephant in it's trunk and is about to be dashed on the ground but manages to free himself by hacking at the elephant's trunk with his sword. The elephant drops the centurion, turns and barrels back through enemy lines. The anecdote presumably shows troops that attacking elephants can be challenged, successfully fought and made to release a soldier, and can even turned into weapons against their own armies. The only downside of this book is that much of it is not written by Caesar, but by his officers. These sections aren't written as well and tend to miss the interesting details and instead focus on the larger scale events. You can clearly tell the difference in the writing. Caesar's eye for detail is meant to help his troops in future battles (and negotiations) and makes the events come alive.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: An account of the civil war that had to happen with two such colossal egos as Caesar and Pompey. This is a less famous episode than the Octavian-Anthony war, but just as important, as it laid the ground for the appointment of a dictator which eventually evolved into the position of emperor, and also Caesars death. Not as well written or as clear as Caesars commentaries from Gaul, but give a clearer insight into the divisions in Roman politics, as others are thought to have contributed to the writings. A great follow up to Caesars commentaries from Gaul.

Rating:
Summary: One for the scholars
Review: As a direct source this book is valuable and needed. To the casual reader of history (like myself) it is a bit of a drag. The book has highlights but the authors are writing it to their contemporaries. It is difficult for the modern reader to grasp exactly what is happening. I think a book with maps and further explanations as to motivations and battle tactics (to a layman like me) would have been of greater interest. One thing I can say, however, is that you get a first hand look at what Caesar must have been like. The book clearly shows his side in the most favorable light (not surprising) but not as much as one would think.

Rating:
Summary: A civil account of the civil wars.
Review: Like his "Gallic War," Julius Caesar's account of the civil war between himself and Pompey has been called propaganda (he does speak of himself in the third person after all), written intermittently by a very busy man engaged in many other "affairs", to justify himself and his actions to the Senate and people of Rome. If this is so I would happily cast my vote for any candidate who could write with such lucidity and straightforward style, even if that candidate harbored imperial aspirations of his own.

Rating:
Summary: Conflicts Toward The Inevitable.
Review: The Civil War is finely narrated by Caesar concerning his vainful efforts in trying to get Pompey & his opponents to accede to peace in order to avert the outcoming conflict.He fails,despite his sound & convincing pleas.The rest of the campaigns are written by either eye-witnesses to the accounts or second hand informed ones who manage to carry their narrative well,except for the difficult & quite laborious prose of the Spanish campaign.Though not as exciting as The Gallic Campaign,Caesar's talent still shines through,particularly in Pharsalus & Spain during the first part of the Civil War,& Caesar's speeches & handling of people & situations are convicing & admirable.Indispensable reading & good education for military matters.

Rating:
Summary: Part Two
Review: This is the concluding half of Caesar's Commentaries, the first half of which appears as "The Conquest of Gaul". Everything I wrote about that book is also true here. This is a marvelous example of a first-hand historical account of major events written by the major protagonist. A rare and precious thing, to say the least. Caesar wrote his "Commentaries" for the popular consumption of the citizens back home. Propagandist though they may have been in their original purpose, they nevertheless are an accurate account of events and they vividly showcase the talents of their author. Besides being a consumate general and politician, Caesar was also a great speaker, a careful observer, and an outstanding writer. His writing is at once concise, informative and interesting.

This book includes three accounts that are thought to have been written by some of Caesar's lieutenants. While this may bring down the quality of the narrative a bit, it is certainly understandable given the human whirlwind that was Caesar during these years. From the crossing of the Rubicon in 49 B.C., where the book begins, Caesar proceeded to occupy Rome, pacify Spain, defeat Pompey at Pharsalus, establish Cleopatra on the throne of Egypt, defeat his opponents at Thapsus, and dispose of the last opposition forces in southern Spain by 45 B.C.

A few months after these events, Caesar was assassinated in Rome after assuming the position of "perpetual dictator". It was argued that Caesar sought to be King of Rome. In fact, however, he was not the first to assume the position of Dictator after emerging successfully from civil strife. Both Marius and Sulla had gained similar powers within the preceding 60 years. For those interested in a fictional, but nevertheless vivid and historically accurate account of this entire period, I suggest Colleen McCullough's series, beginning with "The First Man In Rome" and continuing (so far) through five volumes, the latest of which is entitled "Caesar". More are planned.

As for "The Civil War", it may not be quite as exciting or compelling as "The Conquest of Gaul", but it is still excellent reading. And it's all true. Try it. I think you'll like it.

Rating:
Summary: Part Two
Review: This is the concluding half of Caesar's Commentaries, the first half of which appears as "The Conquest of Gaul". Everything I wrote about that book is also true here. This is a marvelous example of a first-hand historical account of major events written by the major protagonist. A rare and precious thing, to say the least. Caesar wrote his "Commentaries" for the popular consumption of the citizens back home. Propagandist though they may have been in their original purpose, they nevertheless are an accurate account of events and they vividly showcase the talents of their author. Besides being a consumate general and politician, Caesar was also a great speaker, a careful observer, and an outstanding writer. His writing is at once concise, informative and interesting.

This book includes three accounts that are thought to have been written by some of Caesar's lieutenants. While this may bring down the quality of the narrative a bit, it is certainly understandable given the human whirlwind that was Caesar during these years. From the crossing of the Rubicon in 49 B.C., where the book begins, Caesar proceeded to occupy Rome, pacify Spain, defeat Pompey at Pharsalus, establish Cleopatra on the throne of Egypt, defeat his opponents at Thapsus, and dispose of the last opposition forces in southern Spain by 45 B.C.

A few months after these events, Caesar was assassinated in Rome after assuming the position of "perpetual dictator". It was argued that Caesar sought to be King of Rome. In fact, however, he was not the first to assume the position of Dictator after emerging successfully from civil strife. Both Marius and Sulla had gained similar powers within the preceding 60 years. For those interested in a fictional, but nevertheless vivid and historically accurate account of this entire period, I suggest Colleen McCullough's series, beginning with "The First Man In Rome" and continuing (so far) through five volumes, the latest of which is entitled "Caesar". More are planned.

As for "The Civil War", it may not be quite as exciting or compelling as "The Conquest of Gaul", but it is still excellent reading. And it's all true. Try it. I think you'll like it.