Empires of Trust

How Rome Built - and America Is Building - a New World

By: Thomas F. Madden

Narrated by: Richard Poe

In Empires of Trust, Professor Thomas F. Madden explores surprising parallels between the Roman and American republics.

By making friends of enemies and demonstrating a commitment to fairness, the two republics - both "reluctant" yet unquestioned super-powers - built empires based on trust. Madden also includes vital lessons from the Roman Republic's 100-year struggle with "terrorism."

©2008 Thomas F. Madden (P)2008 Recorded Books,LLC

insightful walk though history

Really enjoyed this in depth discussion of the history of the Roman Empire. So many parallels to how societies develop and evolve. Pretty clear that the human condition seems to repeat itself. I believe that this book can be very valuable to all citizens to better understand the role of government and the responsibility that each individual has in shaping the future.

Provocative comparison, Rome vs US circumstances

Madden's portrayal of early Rome sometimes takes on a Normal Rockwell quality. Rome was, aw shucks, just some well meaning guys who were dragged into building an empire when they really just wanted to stay at home and remodel the living room.

If you can get past the whitewash, the book provides and interesting walk through Rome's early history. The political science treatment of Rome's development is a refreshing break from dull recitation of chronological events that comprises most history books.

Madden steps on plenty of toes. He s an equal opportunity offender, providing analysis and opinions that give nearly everyone an opportunity for righteous indignation. But thats what makes it genuinely interesting and thought provoking.

If you like history, political science, current events, AND if you can enjoy reading a work that is going to challenge your political orthodoxy, then you'll probably like this book.

If you find yourself shouting at Fox news commentators on TV, then you might give this a pass, take a xanax and read Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. (actually if you read Decline and Fall, you won't need the Xanax..zzzz..)

Gripe: Annoying and repeating grammar mistakes in pluralization. Maybe its GW Bush's influence on the evolution of grammar..... "is the children learnin' "

Excellent!

This is a must read for anyone interested in the realities of how our world works. A great example of the old "The more things change the more they stay the same" rule. The section near the end of comparing the Romans fighting the Jews and the Americans fighting the Islamic fundamentalists was spot on.

Too bad not enough people in the Obama administration read this book before they decided to pull out of Iraq. They merely put off what will be inevitable and lost a lot of lives to boot.

Good but repetitive.

Interesting argument on the problems of our time and their causes. Author does glaze over the horrors of Rome such as the third Punic wars causes (carthago delenda est).

Also is very repetitive especially early on with many concepts.

Would absolutely recommend to others.

required reading

Awesome book, great survey of history and a reminder of how great and educated our founding fathers were.

Narration is terrific.

I liked this book so much that I bought 15 hard copies and gave them to the most influential people I know.

Understanding the concepts in this book (whether you agree or not) is a prerequisite to debating the relevant issues of today.