Are We Rome? - by Cullen Murphy (Paperback)

About the Book

Esteemed editor and author Murphy draws nuanced lessons for how America might avoid Rome's fate. In lively, richly detailed historical stories based on the latest scholarship, the ancient world leaps to life and casts the contemporary world in a provocative new light.

Book Synopsis

What went wrong in imperial Rome, and how we can avoid it: "If you want to understand where America stands in the world today, read this."--Thomas E. Ricks

The rise and fall of ancient Rome has been on American minds since the beginning of our republic. Depending on who's doing the talking, the history of Rome serves as either a triumphal call to action--or a dire warning of imminent collapse.

In this "provocative and lively" book, Cullen Murphy points out that today we focus less on the Roman Republic than on the empire that took its place, and reveals a wide array of similarities between the two societies (New York Times).

Looking at the blinkered, insular culture of our capitals; the debilitating effect of bribery in public life; the paradoxical issue of borders; and the weakening of the body politic through various forms of privatization, Murphy persuasively argues that we most resemble Rome in the burgeoning corruption of our government and in our arrogant ignorance of the world outside--two things that must be changed if we are to avoid Rome's fate.

"Are We Rome? is just about a perfect book. . . . I wish every politician would spend an evening with this book."--James Fallows

Review Quotes

"Are We Rome? is just about a perfect book . . . I wish every politician would spend an evening with this book." --James Fallows, international correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly

"Elegant, learned, and graceful . . . this is a disturbing book brimming with hope." --E.J. Dionne Jr., syndicated columnist, and author of Why Americans Hate Politics

"Cullen Murphy has written a book of remarkable richness . . . brisk, learned, and highly entertaining." --Samantha Power, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Problem From Hell

"This is a lovely book . . . It may be the most important thing written about the U.S. government in many years." --Thomas E. Ricks, author of Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq, and military correspondent for The Washington Post

"Cullen Murphy gives a thoughtful, entertaining look around." --Richard Brookhiser, author of What Would the Founders Do?