The Storm Before the Storm

The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic

By: Mike Duncan

Narrated by: Mike Duncan

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

The creator of the award-winning podcast series The History of Rome and Revolutions brings to life the bloody battles, political machinations, and human drama that set the stage for the fall of the Roman Republic.

The Roman Republic was one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of civilization. Beginning as a small city-state in central Italy, Rome gradually expanded into a wider world filled with petty tyrants, barbarian chieftains, and despotic kings. Through the centuries, Rome's model of cooperative and participatory government remained remarkably durable and unmatched in the history of the ancient world.

In 146 BC, Rome finally emerged as the strongest power in the Mediterranean. But the very success of the Republic proved to be its undoing. The republican system was unable to cope with the vast empire Rome now ruled: rising economic inequality disrupted traditional ways of life, endemic social and ethnic prejudice led to clashes over citizenship and voting rights, and rampant corruption and ruthless ambition sparked violent political clashes that cracked the once indestructible foundations of the Republic.

Chronicling the years 146-78 BC, The Storm Before the Storm dives headlong into the first generation to face this treacherous new political environment. Abandoning the ancient principles of their forbearers, men like Marius, Sulla, and the Gracchi brothers set dangerous new precedents that would start the Republic on the road to destruction and provide a stark warning about what can happen to a civilization that has lost its way.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 Mike Duncan (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Loved it!

Well paced and well told. Parts of all these characters live in today's counterparts. Give us more!

Such a good job!!

Even in the face of so many men and places Mike seems to never get you lost in the sea of Romans. It was fascinating and interesting from the beginning and Mike is a great narrator. Although Mike expresses caution between trying to connect these ancient events and now you still can't help but see similarities between these events and the current. Love every second of the book!

Great History Telling

Would you listen to The Storm Before the Storm again? Why?

Yes, been a big fan of Mike Duncan for years

What did you like best about this story?

The narration and story format

Which scene was your favorite?

How the the Republic devolved due to a simple agrarian reform

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

Anyone who enjoys history will enjoy this book

As always, great story telling

This is a great telling of the historical era prior to the rise of Caesar. I wished for more analysis though. Some conclusions about what caused the Roman society to go the way it did would have been appreciated.

The History of Rome Returns!

Mike Duncan created the award-winning, "The History of Rome" podcast and so there is no need to ask, "Will I enjoy this?" Take a quick listen to the podcast that birthed the book, it's only 179+ Episodes!

But let us be serious for a moment. You've already done that. You listen to the whole thing, and you've been listening to his new podcast, "Revolutions." You know this is going to be amazing, and you don't need me to tell you that. Mike has only been doing this for over a decade, you know that what he writes sounds amazing in audio format.

I've listened to it twice now, and it was wonderful both times. No doubt, like the podcast, I will continue to return to it. Mike goes into a lot more detail about the time frame and is able to include more figures and events, leading to a better understanding of not just the era being covered, but that more famous story which follows.

AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

awesome book!

awesome detailed account of the downfall of the Roman republic, great job by the narrator like he does on his podcast.

Great read and useful insight.

An amazing read and story from Mike Duncan. I listened to his History of Rome podcast and was ecstatic about being able to get I to a deep dive of such a pivotal turning point in the empire, and by extension the world at large. Detailed, clearly read, and a coherent narrative make Storm an amazing listen.

Will need to listen several times

I was never very good in history, so it’s a reflection on me rather than the author that I’ll need to listen several more times to grasp all the different characters in Roman history. Everyone seems to be named Marius & Graucus! Author is very knowledgeable & I learned a lot on this first pass. Highly recommend

Perfectly pitched

This book does what Mikes podcast did but at a higher level of detail. Great narrative within a good historiographical frame but doesn’t let that get in the way. Doesn’t come back around to the thesis about its relevance to today but that’s probably for the best. We can do that ourselves.

Why the Republic had to die

The answer to how Caesar was able to become Dictator is clearly laid out in this book. The decay began long before his birth.