Tomorrow (6 Feb) is the publication date of my new book, Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor. It’s been quite a long journey since James Romm, my editor, invited me to submit a proposal for Yale University Press’ Ancient Lives series.
There are already several biographies of Marcus Aurelius but I had been asked to write one that focused more on his character as an individual. It’s unusual that a non-academic would be asked to author one of these books. My background is in psychotherapy and philosophy rather than classics or history. I felt that previous attempts could have said a lot more about how Stoic philosophy guided his actions, and so I approached writing this book as if it were more like what I’d describe as a philosophical biography. If you want to learn more, join us tomorrow for the Facebook Live launch event. (As far as I’m aware you don’t need a Facebook account to attend.)
I’m pleased to say the book will be released tomorrow in the US and Canada, and is currently available for pre-order. It’s in hardback, ebook, and also the audiobook that I narrated. The book has consistently been at the top of the Amazon New Release charts. Also, Barnes and Noble made it an online staff pick and added the following Bookseller Note:
“Addictively written, this riveting visitation of the fascinating figure of Marcus Aurelius is as comprehensive as it gets, covering everything from his reign to his philosophy.” — Barnes and Noble
Some readers received advance copies and have already posted reviews on Goodreads, which I’ve shared below.
Some Early Reviews
Donald Robertson is one of the world’s leading experts on Marcus Aurelius and his extensive knowledge coupled with a profound passion for Stoicism is self-evident from every page of the book. Unlike other history books that often overwhelm the reader with an overabundance of minute details, Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor skilfully and almost inconspicuously weaves them into a broader narrative making the story so much more alive and memorable. — Eryk Jan
This is a well written book: easy to read. The author uses text from Meditations to show how Marcus would have thought or responded while maintaining focus on the story. It seems well researched despite the dearth of contemporaneous sources. When the history is not clear, the author discusses the opinions of other scholars instead of just giving us what he thinks. — John
This is a captivating and insightful biography of one of Rome's most famous rulers — Marcus Aurelius. It is a well-researched book that provides a comprehensive account of Marcus Aurelius' life, his philosophical beliefs, and his influence on the Roman Empire. The author does an excellent job of balancing historical detail with analysis, providing a nuanced understanding of the emperor's motivations and actions. It does a good job of exploring Marcus Aurelius' Stoic philosophy. The author delves into the emperor's beliefs and how they shaped his approach to ruling, providing a unique perspective on his reign. This focus on philosophy adds depth to the biography and sets it apart from other works on Aurelius. — William Evreaux