Few leaders have earned the respect President Julius Nyerere did. Even fewer have continued to inspire admiration after they left office.

Dr. Henry Kissinger, an arrogant intellectual, acknowledged Nyerere's brilliance and was even outwitted by him during the Rhodesian crisis, as documented by the author (see Appendix IV). He also got a potent "dose of African nationalism," as David Ottaway wrote in "The Washington Post," when he met President Nyerere in Tanzania in 1976 to discuss the Rhodesian crisis. They differed on how to resolve it, prompting reporters to ask Nyerere if he thought Kissinger's mission to Africa was a failure. As David Ottaway who covered the event wrote in "The Washington Post": "Nyerere responded professorially by saying 'A mission of clarity is not a mission of failure.'" Kissinger, a former professor at Harvard, got a good lecture on African nationalism and the Rhodesian crisis from Nyerere, a man of immense intellect Africa will always be proud of. He was indeed an African colossus who did bestride this narrow world, as Kenyan Professor Ali Mazrui put it in his moving tribute to one of the giants of this century.

Nyerere spoke for Africa, and the world listened. He also represented the entire Third World in negotiations with the industrialized nations when he served as chairman of the South Commission after he retired as president of Tanzania. And he died a leader, one of the best the world, not just Africa, has ever produced. He was, simply put, Africa's best president. And Godfrey Mwakikagile, an African intellectual himself, has done justice to him by writing this book, immensely rich in detail, probably the best ever written about Nyerere.

The best way to honor Nyerere is to emulate his devotion, humility and simplicity. As "Newsweek" said when he died: "The world has lost a man of principle."

Dr. Julius Nyerere is gone, but he is still with us in terms of inspiration and the ideals he taught. A world leader of unparallelled commitment, especially of the Third World, he will be missed by millions round the globe.

He was also an inspiring orator with a razor-sharp intellect who was given a standing ovation for his incisive analysis and oratorical skills when he addressed the British Parliament in the seventies. A staunch Pan-Africanist, and a selfless statesman par excellence, he stood tall on the same level with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah but exercised far greater influence than Nkrumah after Nkrumah was overthrown in 1966. On the intellectual plane, only Leopold Sedar Senghor, president of Senegal, came a distant second to him among African leaders.

It has been said that intellectuals have a weakness for fellow intellectuals, as Kenyan Professor Ali Mazrui once wrote. Nyerere was one such intellectual. He enjoyed immense respect and profound admiration among Western intelectuals. Having attended school in Britain at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, he was even described as a Western intellectual. He was also taught in the Western intellectual tradition by the British in colonial Tanganyika.

Yet, he was more than a "Western" intellectual, if one at all. He was a world intellectual who was highly admired and respected by millions of people around the world, not only for his superb intellect but his exemplary leadership.

Befitting his title Mwalimu, he was also described as the greatest teacher of our time, as former Biafran leader Odumegwu Ojukwu said, quoted by the BBC, following Nyerere's death. But that was probably an understatement, although that's not what Ojukwu meant. Mwalimu Nyerere was one of the greatest teachers of all times, embraced by people of all races and nationalities. And he taught by example.

He was indeed a legend in his own time, and will remain one for generations. Godfrey Mwakikagile has written a book which puts this legend in proper perspective. It is also a book that has earned the author a place among his readers as a respected authority on Nyerere. And his work is not compromised by bias despite his strong admiration for Mwalimu Nyerere as a leader and as an intellectual. He has written a book which will be of great interest to many people including scholars, especially those interested in Tanzania's foreign policy under Nyerere.

Dr. Nyerere did, indeed, deserve the title, "The Conscience of Africa," if not of the world.

In his much praised work "Africa and the West" (reviewed in "West Africa" Magazine, January 21, 2002), Tanzanian journalist-turned-academic Godfrey Mwakikagile, who has demonstrated his thorough grasp of the forces emanating inside and outside Africa towards the continent's progress, said that to understand Africa, there is the need to psychoanalyse the African personality in relation to the world. For this reason, "Africa and the West" evokes an enlightened and erudite page-turner, a book that stands out in this year's (2002) publications.

And it is unsurprising that Mwakikagile's latest book, "Nyerere and Africa: End of an Era" (reviewed in "West Africa" Magazine, November 25, 2002) invokes its predecessor - "Africa and the West" - demonstrating how Julius Nyerere struggled painstakingly to show the true African personality in his drive to develop Tanzania and Africa.

As has happened in the rest of Africa, Nyerere had to swim through complicated forces shaping Africa's progress. Some he understood and could handle. Some he misunderstood and could not handle; some blinding him to both the Tanzanian and the African reality. In the end, he admitted to some failures but generally he did well compared to other African leaders.

Writing about a leader of Julius Nyerere's (1922 - 1999) stature is no small matter, and looking through him to read his mind about what motivated him to devote his life to the people of Tanzania and Africa, sometimes at great discomfort, is a giant enterprise. The reason is not only Nyerere's long-running rule, which spanned a period of major changes in Africa's political landscape - from the one-party era to the phenomenal burst of military coups to rebel-cum-civil wars and the nourishing of democracy, as well as an international system that was polarised between the United States and the Soviet Union and undermined his development drives.

That Tanzania had Nyerere as captain of its affairs might have saved it from experiencing the bloody events that visited other African states with less astute and balanced leaders. But even with such astuteness, Nyerere was sometimes drawn into the turbulent affairs of other African countries - such as his dabbling in the complicated Nigerian civil war and his invasion of Uganda to overthrow President Idi Amin.

In this context, Mwakikagile, who worked with the Tanzanian mass circulation "Daily News," examines Nyerere's policy initiatives and achievements in wrestling with forces that he confronted throughout his rule. Ernest Hemingway once wrote that "the most complicated subject that I know, since I am a man, is man's life." Nyerere was in many ways a complicated man. The picture of him ranting anti-colonial slogans and simultaneously joining Presidents Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya and Milton Obote of Uganda to invite ex-colonial master Great Britain to help put down a mutiny by their respective militaries on January 20, 1964, is one example.

However, Nyerere was at home when dealing with African forces such as when he used the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to "ask for help from fellow Africans to replace British soldiers as soon as possible. Soon thereafter, Nigeria under President Nnamdi Azikiwe sent troops to Tanganyika to replace the British. Kenya and Uganda continued to rely on British assistance until the situation returned to normal."

In these attempts, we read about other complex African events that revolved around Nyerere. While Nyerere was able to handle some and influence others, including his skill in creating the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, we read about his acclaimed vision limitations - his inability to create an East African federation as a precursor to faster regional, and by extension, African development.

Writes the author, "As Julius Nyerere said many years after he stepped down as president of Tanzania, his greatest failure was that although he managed to unite Tanganyika and Zanzibar to create Tanzania in 1964, he was never able to persuade the leaders of neighbouring countries to form a larger federation, a move he believed would have made the region a powerhouse."

What shaped Nyerere, born on April 13, 1922, in the village of Butiama near the town of Musoma in Mara Region on the southeastern shores of Lake Victoria in northern Tanganyika, now Tanzania, is explained in chapter three. Here Nyerere emerges as one who displayed high intelligence as a teenager, flowering as a thinker in his adult life, and a man who left aside the comfort of his royal birth to plunge into the turbulent affairs of Tanzanian and African politics.

Mwakikagile writes, "He was of peasant origin, but from a ruling family. He was the son of a chief of the Zanaki tribe, one of the smallest in Tanzania and in Africa with a total population of about 40,000. An excellent student, he was also known for his extraordinary brilliance and as an original thinker throughout his life and came to be acknowledged as a philosopher-king. Yet he also won accolades for his humility and simplicity and as one of the the most humble leaders the world has ever produced. He was Julius Nyerere." Nyerere had the welfare of Africans at heart, culminating in his formation of the non-political Tanganyika African Welfare Association at Makerere University College, a process that was to open the floodgate into larger national and continental politics.

Like other progressive African leaders such as Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah, who influenced Nyerere greatly, Nyerere serves as both an example and a warning to Tanzanian and African development. What Mwakikagile has done is to write a book that is food for Africa's progress - for progress is informed by the quality of a state's leaders. This is more so in a continent crying for role models and publications of Africans of distinction to inspire development.

The book "Why Kids Don't Have Heart Attacks", was a wonderful book that help me to realize that I am not alone. Throughout the entire book, I could relate to many of the issues, points, and solutions that were given. It inspired me emotionally, physically, and mentally. After reading the first chapter, I started making some positive changes in my life. I felt like this book was personally written for me taking me back to my child-hood years to remember how precious life is. Being a somewhat quiet person, this book broke my silence, and gave me the strentgh to share with others what I was going through. I laughed and I cried from the beginning to the end of this inspirational book. Thank You

Initially, when I first purchased this book - I thought.... This book is in its season, divine order and right on time!

Although Julius' angle is perceived to be coming "From a Child's Eye," the concepts and story lines are for today's adults - especially for those who don't know how to relax, enjoy life and as a child would say "do it again!"

Today's adult work 12 hour days, eat poorly, live in front of a computer, not enough exercise (if any), taking in inconsequential television programs - all while trying to maintain interpersonal relationships with family, friends and coworkers. When we can't seem to do it all (live up to the worlds expectations) - we resolve to believe we need Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Serafem, Retlin you name - adults are prescribing to it!

"Why Kids Have Fun, While Adults Take Prozac" is a root stimulator. Stimulating the root systems of adults, igniting their return to the ONLY place where drugs are not needed to enjoy one's life - through the eyes of a child! Children don't hold on to yesterday. They look forward to tomorrow. They don't worry about other peoples opinion. They don't see color lines, size, length, or materials! They are creative, adventurous, jovial and visionaries! Always dreaming, forgiving, hoping and believing and enjoying every waking moment of their lives to the fullest!

After reading / digesting this book, I no longer felt like I had to secretly cry, pretending like I could "HANG!" I've strengthened my organizational skills, I've developed a working plan to prioritize the amount of time and attention I will "selfishly" give. The tool of this book - is a life jacket! Thrown to the Adults of this Millennium - and its right on time!

Julius, thanks for your candidness and obedience!

Initially, when I first purchased this book - I did so in support my friend, well, at least - I thought. This book is in its season, divine order and right on time!

Although Julius' angle is perceived to be coming "From a Child's Eye," the concepts and story lines are for today's adults - especially for those who don't know how to relax, enjoy life and as a child would say "do it again!"

Today's adult work 12 hour days, eat poorly, live in front of a computer, not enough exercise (if any), taking in inconsequential television programs - all while trying to maintain interpersonal relationships with family, friends and co workers. When we can't seem to do it all (live up to the worlds expectations) - we resolve to believe we need Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Serafem, Retlin you name - adults are prescribing to it!

"Why Kidz Have Fun, While Adults Take Prozac" - is a root stimulator. Stimulating the root systems of adults, igniting their return to the ONLY place where drugs are not needed to enjoy one's life - through the eyes of a child! Children don't hold on to yesterday. They look forward to tomorrow. They don't worry about other peoples opinion. They don't see color lines, size, length, or materials! They are creative, adventurous, jovial and visionaries! Always dreaming, forgiving, hoping and believing and enjoying every waking moment of their lives to the fullest!

After reading / digesting this book, I know longer felt like I had to secretly cry, pretending like I could "HANG!"

I've strengthened my organizational skills, I've developed a working plan to prioritize the amount of time and attention I will "selfishly" give. The tool of this book - is "its a life jacket!" Thrown to the Adults of this Millennium - and its right on time!

Julius, thanks for your candidness and obedience!

Dear Reader, Your a Brave Man, Julius Zimmerman is a very hilarious can't put down book. You should really read it. Julius has to take French lessons and he can't even say his own name in French. Julius's mom signed him up for a summer job as a babysitter. Julius's first day of French class and babysitting was horrible. During his job he learns a lot aboat responsibility. Near the end he has to potty-train Edison Blue and he learns a lot of French. To find out more about the book you'll have to read it.

Your Brave Man, Julis Zimmerman is a funny book. I coudn't put the book down four nothing at all. My favorite part was when he had to potty-traind Edison. I thought that was so funny.I was about to fall out of my chair. Another funny part was when he put Edison in time out that must of hurt his hand. I'll give it five stars.

You're a Brave Man, Julius Zimmerman is one of the most funniest books I have ever read. It was so funny I could not put it down! It's about a boy named Julius Zimmerman who thought he was going to have a good time this summer,Wrong! He had to baby-sit and take French lessons not what he expected. He had to baby-sit a boy named Edison Blue a three year old who is not even potty-trained! He also had to take French lessons which he knew nothing about he didn't even know his own name in French. You have to read this book!

I found Eitington's The Winning Trainer the best of the category. If you were to have only one training book for limited space available for your suitcase, I recommend this. Actually, when I leave my office for an overseas assignment, The Winning Trainer is always my companion. It is comprehensive and practical. Yes, it is the reference for active trainers.

No one in the training field or doing anything even close (teachers take note!) should be without this book. I started workshops for high school students and have done exhaustive research, and spent a great deal of money. This book is by far one of the most outstanding resources anyone could have. I have covered mine to keep it from tattering, since I use it constantly in planning. It is so comprehensive...you can start with just a subject/topic...and find dozens of ways to present it. You can be a novice, or an experienced professional and benefit from this book. I simply don't have the words to express how valuable it has been to me. It is a gold mine of information about the teaching and learning processes.

This is an encyclopedia in one volume for the training professional -- one you can't do without. In clear, concise language the Eitington provides the concepts and ideas to prepare the learning environment, involve the participants, deliver content, and evaluate the learning experience. You won't find another book like it anywhere!

Finally after 91 years of "scholarly" and mediocre translations of The Agricola by self appointed "learned academics" A. R. Birley has produced a work that demonstrates why Tacitus has been regarded as among the best historians and rhetoricians of antiquity. The beauty and the elegance of the original is apparent in this translation, that has been lacking since the translation of W. H. Fyfe in 1908. The love and the sense of loss that Tacitus had for his father in law is still apparent to us, who live two thousand years after them.

To illustrate the superiority of this translation a few examples follow:

The first example is the translation of the term "divus" as in "divus Augustus" or "divus Claudius". Fyfe translated this term as sainted, and Birley as deified. Both of these seem to be adequate renditions of the term. However the Leob Classical Library's translation, by M. Hutton, translates the term as "of happy memory." This is curious because in their edition they compare the original Latin on the left with the English on the right. One would think that one of Leob's editors would have just looked at the Latin to see if it at least resembled the English. But this is even preferable to the Penguin translation, by H. Mattingly revised by S. A. Handford, wherein they just dropped the term altogether. Apparently Messrs. Mattingly, Handford, and Hutton felt that we the reading public wouldn't understand roman titles of respect and sought to protect us from this pagan ritualism.

A second example occurs near the end of the third chapter when Tacitus laments the passage of fifteen years due to the tyranny of Domitian. Birley's (and Fyfe's was similar) translation reads; "So many years have been stolen from the middle of our lives, years in which those of us who were youths have become old men and the old men have reached almost the end of their allotted span - in silence." The Penguin translation reads; "since so many of our best years have been taken from us - years in which men in their prime have aged and old men have reached the extreme limit of mortality, without ever uttering a word." The Leob translation has, "for out of our prime have been blotted fifteen years, during which young men reached old age and old men the very bounds almost of decrepitude, and all without opening their lips." Apparently the Leob and Penguin translators wanted us (the reading public) to understand that the young are now old and the old almost dead, but in their haste to "dumb-down" the original they sacrificed the beauty, the brevity and the profound nature of Tacitus. Furthermore the Leob and Penguin translators apparently didn't realize that it was "us" that had aged and not other "young men" who had aged.

The final example is from the last paragraph of the Agricola. Birley's translation reads; "Many of the men of old will be buried in oblivion, inglorious and unknown. Agricola's story has been told for posterity and he will survive." The Penguin translation is close and reads; "With many it will be as with men who had no name or fame: they will be buried in oblivion. But Agricola's story is set on record for posterity, and he will live." But the Leob translation gives us; "Many of the ancients will forgetfulness engulf as though neither fame nor name were theirs. Agricola, whose story here is told, will outlive death, to be our children's heritage." The remarkable thing about the Leob translation is that it doesn't even resemble the Latin original with spurious details about children's heritage and engulfing forgetfulness. That is bad but Penguin is worse because the editors added a note that this last passage is "strange". They didn't realize that Tacitus had lifted a line from Horace. One must wonder why these "scholars" learned Latin in the first place if they weren't going read and study the classics. Maybe Penguin's editors simply thought we, the public, would be oblivious to other classical writers and would learn to hate the Romans as they so obviously do.

There are many other examples in both the Agricola and the Germania that I could quote however; that would serve no purpose. In conclusion this translation of the Agricola reminds me of why I admire and respect the writers of antiquity. Perhaps the reason that the ancients are no longer esteemed isn't because they are no longer relevant to our age but because of the miserable quality of recent translations.

This book contains a pair of early works by the great Roman historian Tacitus. Agricola is an homage to the historian's father-in-law, a Roman governor in Britain during the 1st century A.D. Germania describes the German people and their culture during the same period.

The author's admiration for his late father-in-law is manifest in Agricola. Sometimes his admiration comes across as tender, sometimes as fawning. Tacitus writes near the crest of Roman world-domination (Americans take note). He frequently adopts the tone of a tourist in a third-world country -- sometimes looking down his nose at local customs, sometimes in fascination at a primitive culture that compares favorably to a Roman empire suffering decay and corruption. He is a loyal Roman and an educated man. As such, he can glorify Rome and, in the same breath, criticize Rome's tyranny and empathize with the empire's victims. Tacitus lends an eloquent voice to Rome's enemies and those facing enslavement. The speech (probably apocryphal) of Caledonian warlord Calgacus before the climactic battle of the Graupian mountain may be the best section of either book. Backed up to the northern tip of modern Scotland, Calgacus tries to rally his men before battle. "Now there is no people beyond us," he says, "nothing but tides and rocks and, more deadly than these, the Romans ... They have pillaged the world ... They plunder, they butcher, they ravage, and call it by the lying name of empire. They make a desert and call it peace."

Tacitus has no personal connection to any person in the second book, Germania. His writing is more sterile here, but he provides a captivating description that seems part based on observation and part on rumor.

Tacitus is a pithy writer, given to understatement and the wry aside. The translator does a tremendous job of carrying these qualities across in English. Important books both, Agricola and Germania provide some of our only glimpses of the early ancestors of the English people, the Anglo-Saxons and the Britons.

Tacitus' opens up a lost world before the Christians in what was, for many of us, our mother countries - Britian and Germany. The book is divided in two; the first piece `Agricola' (farmer)is named after the father-in-law of Tacitus. Tacitus gives us part biography and part eulogy in order to confer immortality on Agricola's memory at the edge of Empire among the barbarians. Agricola was loved and honoured by Tacitus, and Tacitus gives an account of his military and political triumphs before being called to Rome. For anyone interested in early British history, warfare or pagan themes observed first hand, this is a must have.

The second part is an amazing series of geograpgical, religious, and general cultural observations among the Germans. In this age of political correctness, Tacitus' observations are a delicious treat of unfettered notation of racial difference and character that still ring guiltily true about the Germans (good and bad), especially in the first half of the last century. "Their holy places are the woods and groves, and they call by the name of god that hidden presence which is seen only by the eye of reverence." ... "They count, not like us, by days, but by nights." ... "No form of approval can carry more honour than praise expressed by arms."

Great stuff. Short, entertaining and informative of another time and place.

This abridged version of Maimonedes thoughts covers about one quarter of the complete book with the same title. The selection by Guttmann concentrates on Maimonedes' attempt to bring rational Aristotelian philosophy in accord with classical Jewish literature. Thus, allegorical reading of the anthropomorphic features of the biblical God is urged for a better understanding of the hidden meaning and to bring it in conformity with reason. Other main aspects covered deal with Prophecy, Providence and the way to a godly life. It is the latter which struck me as most interesting because the dedication of every moment of one's life to God (except when engaged in mundane duties which ought to be kept to a minimum) is precisely what one finds in the Bhagavad Gita except that the name of the Deity is Krishna rather than Yahweh. Apart from the name there is absolutely no other difference. If we are serious in believing that there is only one God in control of the universe this should not be disturbing because all nations are entitled to use their name for the Deity which encompasses all. Yet Maimonedes insists that only through contemplation of the Jewish law can perfection be achieved and one finds some rather derogatory remarks about those who think otherwise. Although Maimonedes emphasizes that the way to God is through humility, tolerance of the views of others will not be found. Furthermore, while intellect and reason are extolled Maimonedes has no difficulty accepting oral traditions of biblical stories, especially in regard to Abraham, Jacob and Moses, which have not only no corrollary in the Pentateuch but are at times at variance with it. Thus, the imaginative faculty and the rational faculty, as Maimonedes called them, and which distinguish the human being from animals, did not seem to find complete harmony in his view of the world and may leave some of us still perplexed.
The introductions to the book by Frank and by Guttmann are very helpful in setting Maimonedes' work in its appropriate context. For the student of comparative religion this is a useful introduction to medieval Jewish philosophy as it originated in a Muslim milieu and which is still held in high esteem by some modern theologians.

Rambam knocks me over. This is an amazing work. This is one of the most important books in any language. This translation by Pines is excellent, clear, simple, unobtrusive, and has just the right small amount of clarifying notes.

The Guide clearly should be studied with others. I would like to discuss each chapter with other people as we read (and maybe re-read) them. My email address is my firstnamelastname at yahoo dot com.

This is volume one of a two volume set, so be sure to get both volumes. Volume one contains two interpretive essays, one by Leo Strauss and one by the translator, the former alone making this translation worthy of purchase, according to the Times Literary Supplement. Maimonides' work itself is an intentionally tangled web of reason, not to be undertaken by the casual reader; such a reader will leave disappointed with its obscure style. Maimonides assumes a great deal of Scriptural knowledge and a familiarity with the most important commentators of his time. Nevertheless, for those willing to put in the effort both in learning the fundamentals of religion and in exploring an almost endless maze of logic, Maimonides will provide a sumptuary feast and sketch the outlines of his view of philosophy and faith.

I got this book in the 8th grade because my teacher required it. I was not exactly extactic about learning 350 SAT words. Infact I did not even remember probably more than 50 of them. (that's a fact) But I actually do hear them used a lot and they are not incredibly tough but they are not easy words. In fact I never even did any of the excersises yet it is a great reference book and study utility. This is a must for any middle-schooler/high-schooler. I still have it and after a year of being in my backpack it is quite tattered. (still useful though) A teacher will inevitably make you get it for a class though. Probably a good chunk of high school students own a copy or have it in their household. It is also great for studying grammar. You have to learn the words so you need to figure out how it goes incontext. Very Useful and high recommended!

This is a must have for anybody taking the SAT I (this or the Barron's comphrensive prep book). This helped my verbal score go up 40 points, and on the test, I was able to get all of the sentence completions, and missed only one analogy. If you want a great score, this is the your book!

Quite simply, this is an invaluable book for the person who desires to improve their SAT scores. My personal experience saw my scores rise from a 1220+ to a 1340+, and the only subject that I really worked on was vocabulary. Obviously, the vocab helped with vocab sections, but it also worked for reading sections.

I attribute my rise in scores to this book. I did spend hours with it, but that is part of the studying process.

A terrific insight into the professional career of Julius Shulman. His work, his thoughts on Architects and their work and a cross section of some of the most beautifully crafted Photographs of Architecture from his files.

If one is ever to purchase a book concerning mid-century modernism, purchase this book. The photography is amazing, and inspiring. The text is informative without being verbose. This is definitely one of the top ten favourites in my collection.
Mr. Shulman is absolutely brilliant.

an amazing book; the photography is superb in capturing the essence of architecture

In writing a Web biography of Julius Caesar, I read dozens of books trying to explain this chameleon man, probably the most famous Roman who ever lived. And after it all, I came back to this as my firm choice as THE book to read if you want a comprehensive, scholarly, yet still fascinating excavation of everything we truly know about Caesar.

Gelzer's book is a classic on everyone's list. First published in German in 1921, Gelzer labored and rewrote it over half a century, reading and rethinking all the time. It was finally translated into English in the 1960's. As he modestly concludes, "Much has been written about Caesar. The appearance of despotic rulers [Stalin, Hitler] of quite a different stamp has not always been favourable to the judgment passed on him. A fresh study of the sources has, on the whole, convinced me of the correctness of my interpretation." Gelzer makes those sources lucid, explaining contradictions, noting where a history is political rather than factual, smoothing out inconsistencies and providing copious notes for the reader who wants to learn more. There is a clarity and precision to his writing that is oddly restful, yet continually interesting, for which we must thank the readable translation by Peter Needham.

In recent years, it has become fashionable to dismiss Caesar as a power-hungry megalomaniac, to psychoanlyze him, to portray him from every vantage point; but no one can deny his genius. Gelzer, unlike some modern biographers of Caesar, never strays from the facts; his thoughtful and precise narrative of every scintilla of truth remaining to us, takes you as close to the man as you are ever likely to get. About the true nature of Julius Caesar, every thinking reader must make up his own mind. Gelzer will give you the best tools to do so, while painting an unforgettable portrait of the failing Roman Republic.

Do not buy this book if you're looking for gossip about Caesar's [love] life or his romance with Cleopatra. You're not going to find any dirt or gossip about his private life; just a very sober,well argued and researched political biography. Along the way you'll hopefully come to appreciate just how remarkable Caesar's accomplishments were, given the obstacles he had to overcome along the way. Among the points which Gelzer makes is how completely different the ancient Roman Republic was compared to our modern ideas of a democratic republic. In fact, it was nothing more than an oligarchy where leadership changed hands among a rich,and ambitious elite. By Caesar's time this political system was on its last legs and it was inevitable that a general leading an army was going to overthrow the whole system at some point. While it's true that Octavian(Augustus)deserves credit for creating the system of government which ruled the empire he inherited,it's also true that he wouldn't have been able to do this had Caesar not paved the way before him. Add to this the fact that he was able to do just about anything better than any of his contemporaries and you begin to see why has continued to remain such a fascinating (and controversial)figure down through history.

Gelzer produced a fantastic work with this seminal masterpiece. This is scholarship and historical analysis of the very highest order - ranks alongside Theodor Mommsen.

I've read no other work that measures up to Gelzer's biography of Rome's greatest citizen. His inspirational definition of what it is to be a politician versus that of Statesmanship is forever etched in my mind.

Those seeking contemporary pseudo-psychology, 'opinions and soundbites' need to look elsewhere as this is not Plutarch at his most irritating. A perfect counter-balance to the anecdotal and condensed approach of Plutarch.

Definitive and unsurpassed in its authority.

While I haven't actually used this book I have used its predecessor and find that the two are very similar in format. I have gone through all 26 of the sample pages and found each "trick" or method is very well designed. Each consists of a concise but clear explanation, two or three fully explained examples followed by two sets of exercises. the first are easy applications; the second harder. All of the methods are valid rapid calculation devices. Unfortunately, most of the multiplication and division methods involve special cases which the average person may not ever see or recognize in typical daily encounters with the need for computation. The addition and subtraction methods are more general. The book will prove most valuable to someone who is already fairly accomplished in computation skills but wishes to brush up on them and, perhaps, to pick up a few rapid calculation methods which can be used very frequently. Otherwise, the book may help one brush up on rusty comp. skills or prove interesting in attempting to discover why the various "tricks" work (the author does not explain the mathematical basis on which the methods rest - he deals in "how-to" not "why?". One final caution - if you have not memorized the basic arithmetic combinations of addition, subtraction, mulltiplication, and division this book is not for you.

Great book.Really does get you thinking differently about mathematics.The stuff they teach you in school is just to complicated and drawn out.This is not.A must for those who want to 'cut to the chase'.

The tricks in this book are better than the first book. If you can only buy one, get More Rapid Math Tricks and Tips : 30 Days to Number Mastery. It has some of the same features of the first book but better tricks.