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Marcus Aurelius: A Life Paperback – Illustrated, August 10, 2010

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 210 ratings

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Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD) is one of the great figures of antiquity who still speaks to us today, more than two thousand years after his death. His Meditations has been compared by John Stuart Mill to the Sermon on the Mount. A guide to how we should live, it remains one of the most widely read books from the classical world.

But Marcus Aurelius was much more than a philosopher. As emperor he stabilized the empire, issued numerous reform edicts, and defended the borders with success. His life itself represented the fulfillment of Plato's famous dictum that mankind will prosper only when philosophers are rulers and rulers philosophers.

Frank McLynn's
Marcus Aurelius, based on all available original sources, is the definitive and most vivid biography to date of this monumental historical figure.
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Frank McLynn is a highly regarded historian and the author of more than twenty critically acclaimed biographies, including Marcus Aurelius and Richard & John A graduate of Wadham College, Oxford, and London University, where he obtained his doctorate, he lives and writes in England.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0306819163
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grand Central Publishing; Illustrated edition (August 10, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 684 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780306819162
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0306819162
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.81 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 210 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
210 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides good information and context. They describe it as an interesting and enjoyable read. The narrative is described as excellent and a chronicle of this monumental historical figure. However, some customers feel the writing style is inelegant, amateurish, and rambling. Additionally, they mention that the author dislikes the philosophy of Stoicism and considers it tragic.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

14 customers mention "Information quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides good information and context for Marcus Aurelius' life. They appreciate the thorough biography that explores his life in detail.

"...Another peculiarity: he gives that extra history not as it is usual, in compartmentalized chapters of the kind "Economic features of the age of so..." Read more

"...The childhood and early adulthood of Marcus Aurelius is well described, including his education, his belief in Stoicism, and his experience with the..." Read more

"...This book is a valuable source of information but it would have been better with less opinion and more clarity." Read more

"This is a fair, intelligent, and thorough biography of the world's most beloved pagans: Emperor Marcus Aurelius...." Read more

12 customers mention "Reading quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable to read. They appreciate the last chapter providing a context for Marcus Aurelius.

"...Informative, opinionated, sometimes humorous, this is great reading even for experienced Rome history geeks." Read more

"...the person, the philosopher, and the emperor, this book would be well worth reading. . . ." Read more

"...He paints the scenes crisply. It's very engaging, the sort of book you look forward to reading as a treat." Read more

"...Certainly worth reading if you have ANY interest AT ALL in ANY of the subjects mentioned above." Read more

8 customers mention "Narrative quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the narrative quality excellent. They say it provides a chronicle of this monumental historical figure within the historical trajectory of Rome. The narrative generally flows well, though the author sometimes uses amateurish wording.

"...balanced, and fairly well historically informed, account of the life of the famous emperor..." Read more

"Overall, one of the BEST Roman biographies, BEST Roman Histories, BEST explanation of Rome's view of Stoic Philosophy and BEST discussion of..." Read more

"...His narrative generally flows well, though he frequently utilizes amateurish wording (as in his repeated use of something being 'the' thing to do)...." Read more

"...McLynn provides a chronicle of this monumental historical figure but within the historical trajectory of the Roman Empire at this time...." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing style"0 positive4 negative

Customers find the writing style inelegant, amateurish, rambling, and disorganized. The commentary is limited and lacks insight. Overall, customers consider the book a boring read.

"...McLynn needs a better editor because his writing is often inelegant. At least he should read "The Elements of Style," by Strunk and White...." Read more

"...His narrative generally flows well, though he frequently utilizes amateurish wording (as in his repeated use of something being 'the' thing to do)...." Read more

"Its rambling and grossly disorganized...." Read more

"I love Ancient Roman History, and I liked this book, but it was a boring read. The author goes on long tangents instead on concentrating on MA’s life." Read more

3 customers mention "Philosophy"0 positive3 negative

Customers dislike the philosophy. They find it tragic.

"...On the other hand, however, McLynn really hates the philosophy of Stoicism, with a degree of gusto surpassed only by his (possibly willful)..." Read more

"...non-attachment, even to the lives his own children, this philosophy is described as tragic." Read more

"...68 you discover the authors true purpose: to take a huge, hate filled dump on stoicism...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2011
    This book should have been entitled Marcus Aurelius and his Age, not as it is, Marcus Aurelius, a Life. In fact, so much of the age of MA the author take the care to talk about that, in fact, as example of this, the life and feats of his son Commodus, with MA already dead, is almost enough large to make possible another biography, this Time "Commodus, a Life". So what the author gives us is a lot fuller view than what you expect from a biography, where, of course, we demand an amount of extra history to understand the character; Mc Lynn gives much more. Another peculiarity: he gives that extra history not as it is usual, in compartmentalized chapters of the kind "Economic features of the age of so and so..." Instead, McLynn just stop what he is telling us about MA, leave him somewhere in the thread of the narration and begin to tell us about that extra aspects in full, page after page, so you remember the stile of Montaigne and his genial digressions. But this is not a flaw; he does such a thing with verve and so you find after a while that so a massive books is almost already read in just a couple of days. Informative, opinionated, sometimes humorous, this is great reading even for experienced Rome history geeks.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2010
    Plato, in his "Republic," spoke of the value of the philosopher-king, arguing that that government would be best which was headed by philosophers, who understood "truth." If so, then Marcus Aurelius should have been one of the great rulers of his era. This book explores, in considerable detail and with a broad scope, his philosophy, his life, and his rule.

    He was designated as a future ruler by Hadrian, to follow what was expected to be a short reign by Antoninus Pius (who was rather elderly when he took the throne)--who, however, lived quite some time. Thus, Marcus Aurelius became emperor (actually, co-emperor) at an age older than otherwise expected.

    The book is good at providing context. At the outset, McLynn notes the importance of this work (Page xi): ". . .the only voice that still seems to have contemporary relevance is that of the man who ruled the Roman empire from 161-180 AD." He also observes that (Page 9): "We continue to use the tag 'Marcus Aurelius' for a ruler who is wise." Then, he discusses the Roman economy (including the role of slaves, which was not altogether positive in its impact on the economy) and government. Given the importance of the emperor Hadrian, the book spends some time discussing his rule and the effects of his exercise of power. Hadrian was a hard person, willing to "take out" those whom he thought might endanger his rule. McLynn refers to him as a "very dark character." Indeed, one characteristic of this volume, and one that sometimes becomes obtrusive, is his running commentary and highly judgmental comments in the middle of his narrative. Personally, I would have preferred his analysis to come at the end. On the other hand, the reader as always aware of the author's perspective, and that has its own merit.

    The childhood and early adulthood of Marcus Aurelius is well described, including his education, his belief in Stoicism, and his experience with the world of Roman politics. Hadrian designated Marcus to become emperor, and the volume describes the logic nicely. Under the emperorship of Antoninus, Marcus was kept in Rome, involved in administrative tasks. He was never really trained or developed any experience with respect to war and command of the Roman legions. Thus, he had to learn while doing later on (although he did reasonably well in command of his forces, generally good generals to assist him. We learn of his family life and of his son, the horrific Commodus, one of the most wretched of emperors (well described in the text). Indeed, some judge Marcus Aurelius negatively for having such faith in a son who turned out so vilely.

    Upon his accession (with a mediocrity as co-emperor), Marcus set about the task of keeping the empire on solid footing. There were many challenges. The economy was beginning to creak, and this he stage for future deterioration. His effort to link philosophy with rule is touched on, showing the great challenges facing a philosopher who would be king. He did not like the spectacles of Rome, but had to fund them to keep the people happy, for instance. War fi8nally broke out to the north and east, and he performed pretty well as commander-in-chief--against the Germans and others who wished to break free from Roman rule.

    McLynn sometimes seems to wander back and forth in judgment of Marcus' rule. Sometimes, he seems to note that he never lived up to his promise; at other times he observes that he did about as well as anyone could, given the emerging problems of the empire. The last chapter does a very solid job of putting Marcus Aurelius in a larger context.

    All in all, if one be interested in Marcus Aurelius the person, the philosopher, and the emperor, this book would be well worth reading. . . .
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2025
    There are seriously mixed reviews of this book here, so I was hesitant to buy it at first. Another biography (by Donald Robertson) of MA even made a negative remark about this one. Still, it seemed like it could broaden my picture of MA. I'm interested in his humanity as well as his philosophy. I'm only early on in the book, but since it's long and may be awhile before I can fully assess it, I'll offer my first impressions. The author's voice is wonderful, as if he's talking to you, clear and with plenty of sly asides. He uses the familiar resources, so while I'm no expert, I feel I can rely on his information. He paints the scenes crisply. It's very engaging, the sort of book you look forward to reading as a treat.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2013
    This book is comprehensive and detailed. I am new to ancient history but not ancient philosophy so, in choosing this book, I was looking for historical, cultural, and economic context for the ancient philosophy I've been reading. Indeed, I found context and I now better understand the complexity of the Roman Empire of the first two centuries. I got what I was looking for in buying this book. There are some problems, though. McLynn needs a better editor because his writing is often inelegant. At least he should read "The Elements of Style," by Strunk and White. He uses words that no one else knows or uses (or should use) such as "valetudinarian." "Invalid" or "hypochondriac" are better words. He even uses words that are archaic. Another problem is that McLynn regularly demonstrates bias. Instead of neutrally disagreeing with the views of other writers and historians, he disparages with emotion and invective. Regarding Marcus Aurelius's importance as a Stoic, McLynn has nothing but disdain. He doesn't understand how or why Stoicism developed as an important philosophical defense against the horrors of the ancient world of war, famine, plague, slavery, torture, and terrible infant mortality. Rather, he labels Stoicism as inhumane. So, McLynn has written a book about one of the great emperors of Rome, yet clearly misunderstands and misrepresents the philosophy that was at the core of Aurelius's being. This book is a valuable source of information but it would have been better with less opinion and more clarity.
    17 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Joe S
    5.0 out of 5 stars Marcus Aurelius
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 16, 2023
    More than a biography of Marcus Aurelius, this book explores Stoicism, Christianity, Judaism, Paganism, Roman culture, war and the army, Galen, Commodus, Hadrian, Greece, Asia, Spain, etc.

    The writing style is complex but engaging, with rather obscure words and language thrown in. At around 540 pages of main content, with a small font, it's a relatively long book but never felt a challenge, always enjoyable.
  • Baptiste FAYOL
    2.0 out of 5 stars Plus un livre sur l'histoire Romaine que sur la personne de Marc Aurèle
    Reviewed in France on September 3, 2017
    Je vous le déconseille si vous voulez apprendre des choses sur Marc Aurèle. La majorité du livre est sur ce qu'il passé avant ou après son règne, des listes de noms, de faits, de dates n'ayant que très peu d'intérêt. J'ai commencé à sauter des pages quand c'était trop barbant puis j'ai carrément arrêté.
    Bonne chance si vous décidez de le lire quand même.
  • bruce r macquarrie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
    Reviewed in Canada on March 7, 2013
    A second tour through this book! A good overview of Hadrian and Antoninus as well as thorough consideration of Aurelius'
  • Neil MacLeod
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good factual Historical book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 11, 2023
    Full of interesting fact Well set out and paced well
  • Patrick Sullivan
    2.0 out of 5 stars A Wealth Of Information, But Not Necessarily In Regards To Marcus Aurelius
    Reviewed in Canada on November 23, 2009
    This book has so much background information, you sometimes forget you are reading about Marcus Aurelius. You will read about Julius Caesar`s war plans for the Parthian Empire. How Mark Anthony`s battle with the Parthian Empire, enabled Augustus to become the Emperor of Rome. Yes it was all very interesting, but just a little off track. The book ends up being much longer then it needed to be. The book does not have a table of contents, and the title of each chapter is blank.
    The reader will end up getting all the details of Aurelius`s life. It is just going to take a while. The chapter on Emperor Commodus, was quite gripping. Commodus combines Stalin like purges of the government, with the sadistic living of a serial killer.
    In the very last chapter there was a reference to Ulysses S. Grant`s Personal Memiors and Aurelius`s Meditations. This gives you an idea, just how far off track Mclynn manages to get.

    If this book was re-titled as some sort of general Roman history, I would perhaps recommend it. I would recommend the a reader to look elsewhere, in regards to Marcus Aurelius.