The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic

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!

Feels like sitting and listening to the author tell you stories. Easy to digest and follow what is happening. Great read and a lot of history that isn't typically covered in studies.

What a history…bloody one! I have some familiarity with Roman history. Yet, this blew me out of the water. There’s so much to learn about this…it is truly fascinating to know all those details in the early days of the Roman Republic. I admit that it was really hard to keep up with names. It is because so many of them rise and die with a speedy exit! While there’s one issue I had with this book is the ending part. It felt abruptly closing…it seems like there was more to it prior to Augustus’s rise. I would love to read those details.

I was a follower of Mike Duncan's "History of Rome" and "Revolutions" podcasts and very much enjoyed this read-by-the-author audiobook. Duncan has a solid background and grasp of this era and his work shares the nuances of politics and personalities with the reader/listener. HIGHLY recommended if you are a student/fan of the history of ancient Rome prior to the Emperor Augustus.

Fits in well with other books I own that deal with the Roman Empire. Gone through roughly half the book so far, and it’s very informative.

The author proves in this book that the beginning of the end of the Roman Republic should be traced to the period between 146 and 78 BC, rather than the events of the First and Second Triumvirate. During that time, too many ambitious men rose to power one after the other breaking the unwritten rules of Rome's Republic (mos maiorum). Each time those rules were broken set a precedent for the next populist demagogue to repeat the feat and go an extra step in breaking the law and destroying the pillars of the Republic. This story is told in a fast-paced way, with enough detail to learn about the key events of the era, but without dwelling too long in them. When ancient sources are contradictory, Duncan tries to present both views, but telling us which one he believes and why. In a time period full of political developments and wars, the author manages to retell the events that keeps the reader's attention. Also, it must be noted this book seems to be really balanced and without bias towards the main characters. It's easy to find authors that try to present conflicting characters like Marius or Sulla in either a good or bad light, depending in their own views. Duncan seems to have no trouble in presenting the good and the bad of each character, without taking sides. He does (understandably) seem to lose this balanced approach when talking about other characters who seem interested in burning the world down, like Saturninus. Overall, very good book, highly recommended for readers interested in this period before the last years of the Roman Republic. It provides context that helps understand how is it that a few years later we see characters like Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony, Pompey and Octavian.

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

Cadeau

This is an excellent book for people wanting a riveting introduction to the fall of republican Rome. It's got all the info, and none of the boring prose typical of history books.

Excellent! Mike Duncan writes with humor and passion about an important and less-highlighted time in ancient Rome's history--the beginnings of the end of the Roman Republic. I found this book helped expand my own knowledge of this era as well as learning more details about the men and women who helped shape the end of the world's first republic.

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.