#41 The Civil War by Caesar

Civil War by Julius Caesar, 151 pages.

I was hoping this book would be as readable as the Gallic War, but it was more boring.  I don't understand, dramatically there is more at stake here, and the players are much grander than a loose confederation of Gallic tribes.  But this did not read good.  The rendering of Pompei as incompetent and at times merciless really did not make for compelling drama.  Of course Caesar is the hero in this book.  he is full of mercy, reason, and magnanimity.  He can do no wrong, though he does mention some of his defeats, but as a true statesmen they were not his faults.  Trying to get the reality of the Civil War by reading Caesar's book is similar to getting factual and unbiased news from FoxNews.  Still, it was an interesting book if only to see how Caesar views himself in the Civil War.  He is the victim of overreaching politicians spurred by the malignant Pompei, so nothing is his fault.  Not the countless dead romans, the exploding roman economy, the weakening of the republic, nothing.  I have to admit I am not a huge fan of Caesar's, so I read his book with that bias coming into it.  My bad.