Recommendations on book(s)

The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire
Enemies of Rome

The Founding Fathers in Their Own Words

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If you have Netflix (snail mail), try I, Claudius. This is an outstanding tele-play covering the Julio-Claudian emperors from Augustus through Claudius

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At least part of it is on YouTube

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Looking for good books about the Roman empire

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Novel: Julian by Gore Vidal

Colleen McCullough (The Thorn Birds) has written a series of novels about The Caesars, but I have not read them

Caesar & Christ by Will Durant

The Roman Way by Edith Hamilton

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and the Founding Fathers

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1776 and John Adams by David McCullough

Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis

Miracle in Philadelphia (about the Constitutional Convention)

The Traitor and The Spy by Flexner (about Benedict Arnold)

Novel: Burr by Gore Vidal

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I think it is based on a book but have never read it

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Robert Graves, author of I, Claudius:



FWIW there was an earlier attempt to film the novel -- in 1937, starring Charles Laughton and directed by Joseph von Sternberg. Unfortunately it was never finished.

In 1965 the BBC made a documentary about this ill-fated production called The Epic That Never Was, which features some clips from the film itself.

The Epic That Never Was (excerpts)

If you're looking for a highly readable account that's slightly fictionalized (much like the Killer Angels on Gettysburg), check out Tempest at Dawn. You get a good feel for the events. It's a history, but it's written like a novel.

Washington by Chernow is excellent so is Miracle at Philadelphia. I'd also suggest Empire of Liberty by Gordon S Wood. It is a history from 1789-1812.