Duncan: 1764 books

Immortalized through their exploits at the battle of Thermopylae under the legendary Leonidas, as well as countless other victories throughout the classical period, the Spartans were some of the best-trained, -organized and most-feared warriors of the ancient world. The small state of Sparta, known...

民主制度終將如羅馬共和國一般，逐漸走向衰亡的命運 煽動民粹的政客、僵化失能的政體、徒有其名的選舉…… 書中每則故事都反映當代現況，讓你我反思今日的問題 希臘羅馬史研究專家、成功大學歷史系教授翁嘉聲　全書審定、專文導讀 「中古歐洲三部曲」作者拉爾斯．布朗沃思強力推薦 Amazon、Goodreads網站2000以上讀者好評 《紐約時報》、《華盛頓郵報》非小說類暢榜前10名 羅馬共和國是人類文明史上最傑出的成就之一，羅馬從義大利中部一個小城邦，逐漸征服、吸納周邊民族，擴張為更大的國家。在羅馬歷史上不乏暴君、野蠻首領與專制君主，但數世紀以來，充分發揮公民合作與參與精神的羅馬政府，在古代史上依舊歷久彌新，後人難以匹敵。 西元前一四六年，羅馬征服了迦太基與希臘，終於以地中海強權之姿崛起，但共和國的成功卻正是它毀滅的原因。古老的共和體制無法應付此時羅馬所統治的龐大帝國，逐漸加劇的貧富不均擾亂傳統生活方式，地域性的社會與種族偏見導致公民權與投票權的衝突，貪腐橫行與政客無情的野心也引發暴力政治衝突，粉碎曾經堅不可摧的共和國基礎。 以編年體書寫的《在風暴來臨之前：羅馬共和國殞落的開始》，使讀者一頭栽進面對詭譎政治新環境的第一個世代。這個時代的改革者試圖找回共和的舊理想，但在面對一群固守於個人特權，不願挽救風雨飄緲共和體制的人們面前，他們又該如何作為呢？難道羅馬共和已完成它的歷史使命，將由獨裁帝制接下歷史的火炬嗎？ 【國際書評】 本書是關於西元前一四六年羅馬攻陷北非迦太基和希臘科林斯，勢力邁向尖峰，但同時也見證羅馬共和開始發生系統性崩潰；之後接著發生一連串改革、反改革，甚至暴力及內戰，直到西元前八○年蘇拉這位羅馬「最後的共和主義者」贏得內戰，重整憲法，恢復共和為止。這是羅馬共和最後一次力圖振作的戲劇性時代，充滿不同政治理想及立場的對抗，以及有趣政治人格的刻畫。……本書因此是介紹這段「失敗」的過程，所以副標題說這是「羅馬共和殞落的開始」。誠然，書中詳細說明理想與現實之間的對話及爭執，以及那些努力想恢復這共和憲政理想之各式人物的故事。 ——成功大學歷史系教授翁嘉聲 《在風暴來臨之前》極富娛樂性，而且與我們這個時代息息相關。事實上，它與每一個時代都有關連。戰爭、金錢、權力、貪汙腐敗與階級鬥爭籠罩著羅馬共和國政體，其結果令人驚駭。馬略與蘇拉等不凡人物投下了巨大陰影，然而超乎任何人控制的種種力量，似乎推動著敘事前進。令人寒心的歷史事件，提醒讀者它可能發生在任何一個共和國中。作者是個說故事高手。 ——丹．卡林（Dan...

Ludwig Wittgenstein was the most influential, and arguably the greatest, philosopher of the twentieth century. This fact about his influence is not only a matter of how much he influenced people but also of how many people he influenced. His early work was taken up by some of the pioneers of analytical...

This book is the outcome of an idea, and the idea is very simple. It is that the best way to understand the dramatic transformation any idea can bring and to successfully bring ideas across, is to think of them as profound insights and moments of clarity often disguised as wit, captured in one single...

'Your bed shall be the moorcock's, and your life shall be like the hunted deer's, and ye shall sleep with your hand upon your weapons.' Tricked out of his inheritance, shanghaied, shipwrecked off the west coast of Scotland, David Balfour finds himself fleeing for his life in the dangerous company of...

This book is about the Republic of the Philippines. It is the truth about the country, as seen through the eyes of a foreigner who lives there, and has been associated with the country since 1981. It tells of the culture, the people, the economy, the poverty, the disasters, the politics and of the...

If you're a liberal or a democrat, and especially if you're a Liberal Democrat, this masterful and considered collection of thought-provoking quotations should belong to you. All the great Liberals are packed into this slick reference guide, from Gladstone to Ashdown, Kennedy (John F.) to Kennedy...

This anonymous tourist pamphlet written at the beginning of the 20th century covers the culture, history, architecture and romance of New Orleans, Louisiana. Although written in the 1920s or 30s the guide is remarkably useful. Covers Jackson Square, Pontalba Buildings, St. Louis Cathedral, Napoleon,...

A unique look ‘inside’ 30 of Cape Town’s most notable buildings. If you have ever wondered what lies behind an interesting façade, or wished you could peek behind a closed door, Hidden Cape Town is the book for you. The author and photographer have collaborated to reveal the architectural secrets...

Exam Board: AQA, Edexcel, OCR & WJEC Level: A-level Subject: History First Teaching: September 2015 First Exam: June 2016 Give your students the best chance of success with this tried and tested series, combining in-depth analysis, engaging narrative and accessibility. Access to History...

She left everything behind to follow her heart … The enthralling true story of a British war bride after World War II. June Baker saw the American soldier walking toward her. In the gray of wartime England, he looked out of place—as if a blond movie star had just dropped out of the...

The African Safari Journal and Field Guide is the perfect book to take on safari because it is a wildlife guide, trip organizer, phrase book, safari diary, map directory and wildlife checklist, all in one! And because many on safari have strict baggage limits, this SEVEN-BOOKS-IN-ONE journal becomes...

How has the climate changed in the past? How is it changing now? How do we know? And what kind of a future do we want to create?

It was necessary that a considerable portion of the work should deal with the Land Question. To its consideration the came in comparative ignorance of the entire subject, and therefore unprejudiced by ideas and associations of which it might be impossible for a native of the island entirely to divest...