The Romans, of course, are central to our culture. Almost three millennia after its founding, Roman
beliefs, institutions, practices, even their language are embedded in our everyday life.

Unfortunately, the three academics who authored this history appear to have little grasp of how to
make the study of history interesting - and no idea of how to write in something other than a
stilted academic style.

In short, "The Romans" manages to make a fascinating subject dull. The
facts are most certainly there, but they are rendered as nothing more than facts, one piled upon
another, devoid of the humanizing spark that makes history so much fun.

The relatively few maps
are surprisigly amateurish with little relief to indicate what is being illustrated. These maps too
are the products of academics.

Apparently intended as a college text, "The Romans" is simply a
failure. It may gain its authors a bit more prestige in their academic circles, but it does a
disservice to students who might otherwise gain an understanding of where our culture comes from and
who might also be explore history more fully and become better informed citizens as a
result.

Jerry