Rome's Last Citizen: The Life and Legacy of Cato, Mortal Enemy of Caesar

The historical writing was mostly well done and enjoyable. However the final pages absolutely ruined this book as the two mega-democrat authors rip Cato, George Washington, America, principles of liberty and republican government, and make clear that the purpose of this book is to make a mockery of these values and the historical figures. What a shame, that these two hacks could not resist injecting a double dose of their communist venom into what was an otherwise decent historical read. Sad.

Cato the Younger was a pivotal figure in the history of ancient Rome, as well as a Stoic philosopher who is still looked upon as a role model by many. This biography is well written and fairly balanced. The authors refrain from indulging into the usual stereotypes about Stoicism, and get most of the major points about the philosophy right (unlike the author of a recent biography of Marcus Aurelius, for instance). They also provide a critical yet sympathetic portrait of Cato himself, and discuss his influence through the centuries up to modern times. That latter part comes across as a bit incomplete and aphazard, with some noticeable holes throughout here and there, but it still is a welcome addition to the book. Cato himself was a man of high principles, who rarely failed to uphold them. And yet perhaps because of this he ultimately did not succeed in his quest to save the Roman Republic from the tyranny of Julius Caesar (and eventually from its devolution into empire). He just couldn't bring himself to compromise with potential politically allies, and when he did, it was too little too late. One wonders if modern politicians and citizens of 21st century democracies couldn't learn a thing or two from the successes and failures of the ancient Romans, and of Cato in particular. I have published a six-part commentary on this book, entitled The Cato Chronicles, at my blog, how to be a stoic dot org.

I got the idea to read this book after reading a chapter about Cato in "The Lives of The Stoics" by Ryan Holiday. I was not disappointed. This book is a thorough analysis of Cato's life, the politics of Rome, and the historical context of the time. The author painted an excellent picture in recreating the circumstances that led to Cato's rise in popularity and his eventual death. I now understand why Cato was so highly admired by people centuries later, including the founders of the United States. Although it took me a while to finish reading it due to the depth of the content, I highly recommend this book.

I was introduced to Cato the Younger earlier this year while reading Plutarch. Few other "heroes" affected me as profoundly as Cato the Younger. Almost immediately upon finishing Plutarch's Cato, I went searching for more material. The two additional sources I ended up purchasing were Joseph Addison's play and Rob Goodman's book.I'm no Cato scholar, so I can't speak to the accuracy or nuances of his history compared with any other historian -- but as far as an extremely insightful and entertaining read, Rob Goodman captured exactly what I was hoping for. Not only did he give me a detailed perspective of Cato's life, he also filled it in with the legacy of Cato down through the ages. I could feel my mind exploding as I uncovered the juicy details that Plutarch only brushed upon -- I wanted more, and here I found it. Cato as the man, Cato as the politician, Cato as the Stoic, Cato as the paragon of virtue, Cato as a real flawed character, Cato in his own time and Cato as we have demonized and idealized him since. Dante asked, "What man on earth was more worthy to signify God than Cato?" I ask: what man on earth was more mythologized over and over again to fit and inform the zeitgeist of the times?While I love the historic Cato with all his flaws and contradictions, I can't help but feel a special affinity to the Cato of the revolutionary war -- the Cato of George Washington. How could this Cato not inspire dedication to Stoic virtue and gentle enlightenment? I found myself, like George Washington wanting to BE this Cato. This Cato, unlike Seneca or Epictetus, comes with a special weight of actually having lived his Stoic virtues as a politician, inspiring us to this special possibility. Who doesn't love the story of the virtuous standing up to the tyrant -- and though he loses his life actually wins? Cato, Jesus, Socrates, we love them all! For it tells us there is something greater to die for, and something greater to live for. What would the revolution war be if we didn't have this mythologized Cato? Would its possibility still be a possibility? Though a majority of people now days don't even know who Cato was, I can't help but think how we as a people in this post-revolutionary era have both been created in his image and he created in ours.Rob Goodman is not only brilliant in bringing all the pieces of Cato to perspective but brilliant in bringing this superb history to a modern audience in a simple and necessary way. I'm with Seneca on this one -- "Choose Cato" and there is no better way to start than here with Rob Goodman's book.

I knew the end of the book even before I began it, but I was enthralled all the same. Well written and concise. I think the man himself would be proud.

Very well researched.

Bought as a present for my husband who comments "Cato the Younger was my hero, but now I wonder if he was as good as he should have been. Thanks to the book, I now know that we have to look at the real decisions people make." Historically, he says, this book is the best he has read on this subject.

Very insightful book

I read this book side by side with John Maddox Novels where he created fictitious stories from real happenings. So i could follow side by side what happened in real life (romes last citizen) and how it played out in a story (spqr novel series).This book is incredibly well researched. It is not taking a side pro Cato, but rather criticizes he flaws. And it is so interesting.