The Dream of Rome Paperback – March 5, 2007

Cleverly written makes history palatable. Makes important points about the practicality of a united Europe and especially about the desirability of Britain in it. And, of course, so relevant, being the opinion of the present Prime Minister long before he took office.

Mr. Johnson possesses great wit, and the results of a terrific education in the Classics. While I'm not as enthusiastic a free-trader as he is, his points on the free movement of goods throughout the Roman Empire contributing to a sense of commonality of identity among Europeans are well taken. Readers will gain a nice overview of Roman history and classical literature -- a little Greek, a little Latin. I'd highly recommend this book.

Must read book to understand current affair in light of Roman dream

Johnson makes the reader a quick student of history, and from there makes him see the history that is quietly working to undue today's European Union. It's an easy, flowing, but compelling study that brings the Europe's past, present, and future into focus.

Good light entertaining read into 1,000 years of history that in the past tended to be fact laden droning paragraphs as hard, long and boring as a Roman road.

Anyone observer of the European Union will almost surely wonder whether the 25-nation bloc is every really going to get it together. It's tempting to think the region just has too many languages, cultures, histories, and regional priorities to be able to ever make the leap from a trading bloc or customs zone to a real community -- notwithstanding the common currency. There are a thousand historical precedents to believe it will never work and just one to prove it can: Rome.A thorough comparison of Rome at its height with the beleaguered EU is the centerpiece of The Dream of Rome, from author and British Member of Parliament Boris Johnson. To Mr. Johnson, there is an admiration for Rome's long-lasting pax Romana in the continent's DNA. Ambitious leaders from Charlemagne to Mussolini tapped into it and even since then symbolism abounds. Witness that the 1950s treaty that created the six-member European Coal and Steel Pact that became the EU and the 2004s signing of the European Constitution (since abandoned), were both signed in Rome with the same pomp and circumstance and one might imagine for a returning victorious Roman legion and the coronation of a new Emperor.There's no doubt that the Romans succeeded where the EU has so far failed. Mr. Johnson argues that is because the former had a genius for assimilating of new cultures --anyone could become a Roman citizen as long as they conformed to the Roman ways -- while European today time after time chooses to ignore minority groups until there is no alternative.Witness the riots in Paris in 2005, the barriers to Northern African immigration set up in Sicily and Greece, protectionist economic barriers going up all over the continent (even against goods from other members states), and restrictions on the flow of labor. Romans' assimilation included learning Latin, the common language, and the same educational values. The EU, on the other hand, seems bent on preserving even regional dialects spoken by a few thousand people and cultural and educational differences between countries, regions, and cities, are celebrated rather than looked on as a potential source of trouble.The question is: is this good or bad?Personally, I would never advocate the EU choose a more "Roman" path in its politics. For good or for bad -- and I think it's for good -- put a Portuguese, a Dane, and a Pole in a room and they'll have little to talk about, even if they managed to surmount the language problems. That diversity may eliminate any possibility of a pax Europea even before it gets out of the gate, but I think there are more important values to adhere to.Trouble is, it's not clear what Mr. Johnson thinks about all this either. He never says what he thinks the EU should learn from the successes and failures of ancient Rome. The argument he makes are so neatly stacked and readably explained that a lack of some central lesson is conspicuous enough in its absence to be considered a major flaw.(I read the British edition of this book)

I really like his writing

No time for an extended review so it will have to suffice to say this book is tremendous. After seeing old Boris speak at the Melbourne writers festival this year I became aware it was high time I learnt SOMEthing about classical history. The Dream of Rome is an excellent partner to 'The History of Rome' podcast by Mike Duncan through which 100-odd hours I'm working my way through. Johnson's humorous, pithy style brings verve and flair to what could perhaps be a dry topic. I am a confident Euro-skeptic but Johnson presents a thoughtful and respectful analysis that avoids simple conclusions and may even persuade those with less hardened views than my own.A particularly memorable quote, 'With no disrespect to students and lectures of media studies courses but if those same people spent that time studying classics I dare say they have a great deal more useful things to write about the present time' (or thereabouts).. The relevance of ancient rome to our times is my biggest revelation in years. Get on it.

una sorpresa positiva

Johnson gets completly in the Roman mind set and gives a lively impression how they thought. Also interesting background on the sources of the New Testament verses. His attempt to show up the differences between the EU and the Roman Empire don't though work. The EU is also about peace thus prosperity and common values and perhaps external theats. But the attempt is interesting. Interesting discussion on a future invisaged coming together of Europe and the Muslim world.

A thoroughly enjoyable and enriching reading. Full of interesting details but an easy, frequently amusing, reading. With a very challenging and unexpected approach to the analysis of the building (and decline) of the Roman Empire and with daring comparisons with the modern European Union building. Of course, some of the author's opinions are more than debatable and biased by his own views (negative views) on the E.U. and on catholicism, amongst other. But, still, a book that certainly deserves being read. A book that helps you learn, think, and debate with yourself.

This is actually a very good little book on the Roman Empire and Europe before the dark ages. It is readable and accessible, but that doesn't take anything away from the fact that it's an incredibly well researched book, and written by a man who clearly knows and loves his subject. It helped join a few dots in my knowledge of Rome, and the analysis of events is first-rate - making me reappraise how our modern lives and culture have been influenced by it all.What has made the book more relevant is the comparisons between the Empire and the modern EU (especially in light of the 2016 referendum result). Comparing what worked well for the Romans, and what isn't working well for the EU is a very interesting way to look at the topic, as is the influence of Islam on world history which has continued to influence modern views.I'd highly recommend this book.

An amusing historical analogy that reveals some of the less obvious obstacles the European integration.