As my year of Ancient Rome moves into the Second Century AD, the pickings begin to get a little slim. One might even say that the Empire has peaked and is beginning to fail, and that this is reflected in a cultural decline and fall. This month’s major Roman works include histories of the previous century’s emperors, as well as a short collection of satires that fails to surpass Martial’s satirical epigrams from last month. The historical mysteries of the Republican and Vespasian eras, however, continue to delight. And of course, I read much more than just the Roman works. This month you'll find Heinlein; Queer Eye for the Straight Guy; holocaust fiction and nonfiction bearing ominous parallels with the state of today's hate-crazed Republican Party; and a look across America in Colin woodard's excellent American Nations.Enjoy!
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