The book that I want to discuss is a biography of Julius Caesar by Adrian Goldsworthy.

Writing
the biography of men such as Caesar, a colossus even in his own time, is not easy. The man has
been immortalized numerous times notably by Plutarch, Suetonius, Shakespeare, Goscinny.
Every aspect of his life has been written about and his death immortalized to the extent that et tu
brute has come to symbolise betrayal.
Goldsworthy unlike other biographers, perhaps owing to his predilection as a military historian,
writes in a very clear, clean and detailed manner. He takes the reader forward chronologically,
elucidating on all things social, political or military. He sets the stage expanding on the state of
the republic, on Sulla, the role of the senate, the mechanisations of regime change (which has
parallels throughout history and literature, a recent example being the Kevin Spacey-starrer
House of Cards).

The book in its three parts captures the phenomenal life and rise of Caesar. The first, details
Caesars first political office around 72 or 71 B.C., his alliance with Pompey and later on, Crassus.
It explores his early years as a popular leader in Rome. The second part analyses his campaigns
in Gaul and Britania, and the third deals with his return to Rome and consequently, his rise to
supreme power.
Goldsworthy tries to be an objective writer, and succeeds in most parts. However, his admiration
for his protagonist does seep through. This a thorough biography, and does a commendable job
placing Caesar in the midst of the problematic republic, whence Caesar acts as destroyer of a
republic fraught with corruption, and in turn becomes a saviour of the people. The author brings
to life the leader who was the heart of his people.
The book, concise and coloured with political intrigue, should be an interesting read for anyone
interested in the man or his times.