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The Coming Caesars
Reviews:
"A few decades from now . . . some later historian may dig out this book and proclaim him a prophet."
-The New York Times
"We owe it to ourselves to try to use challenging books like this..."
-CRANE BRINTON, N. Y. Times Book Review
"Excellent. .. One of the most balanced and appreciative views of European-American relationships. Mr. de Riencourt's thoughtful and stimulating, and in some parts even exciting, book may help the American people and the Administration to see their task of leadership in the present complex and revolutionary age in a historical perspective and with the needed self-critical humility. It is a book of learning and wisdom which should be widely read and discussed."—HANS KOHN, Saturday Review
"Extremely vigorous, stimulating, and eminently readable."—Chicago Tribune
"An extraordinary book. It is the first serious and full-scale application of the cyclical theories of history to the United States. Using the general perspective of Vico, Toynbee, and especially Spengler, Mr. de Riencourt displays the United States as the 'Rome' of Western Civilization, and from that standpoint interprets the American past, present and future. His hypothesis is bold, his analogies compelling, his specific material rich and varied. His book is by no means a mere abstract treatise for scholars. Any reasonably literate reader who has grown bored with routine journalistic platitudes about world affairs will find The Coming Caesars an absorbing intellectual experience and a profound moral challenge."
—JAMES BURNHAM
"The noted French historian and scholar predicts that the presidency of the U.S. will turn into a dictatorship if we do not beware . . . not by revolution, but by evolution."
-U.S. News&World Report
Summary:
‘In contrasting Classical and Western societies, we contrast the two most similar evolutions known to history.’ In The Coming Caesars Amaury de Riencourt presents an original, thought-provoking and at times controversial parallel between Graeco-Roman and European-American history. Based on extensive research and on the cyclical theory of historical evolution that sees culture and civilisation as two distinct phases, he compares Europe to ancient Greece and the United States to Rome.
‘Superimposing the thousand years of Greek culture that started in Homeric days with the thousand years of European culture that started at the dawn of the Gothic age’, he follows the development of European and American society during the last four centuries, focusing particularly on the rise of the United States’ global economic, political and military power and influence. In the light of comparison with Greece and Rome, the resemblance of certain historical events and tendencies and their symbolic meaning, The Coming Caesars proposes the possible threat of a re-emerging Caesarism.
Writing in 1957, de Riencourt offers a rich and captivating analysis of the world’s economic and strategic situation that has stood the test of time; its relevance is no less apparent today.
"A few decades from now . . . some later historian may dig out this book and proclaim him a prophet."
-The New York Times
"We owe it to ourselves to try to use challenging books like this..."
-CRANE BRINTON, N. Y. Times Book Review
"Excellent. .. One of the most balanced and appreciative views of European-American relationships. Mr. de Riencourt's thoughtful and stimulating, and in some parts even exciting, book may help the American people and the Administration to see their task of leadership in the present complex and revolutionary age in a historical perspective and with the needed self-critical humility. It is a book of learning and wisdom which should be widely read and discussed."—HANS KOHN, Saturday Review
"Extremely vigorous, stimulating, and eminently readable."—Chicago Tribune
"An extraordinary book. It is the first serious and full-scale application of the cyclical theories of history to the United States. Using the general perspective of Vico, Toynbee, and especially Spengler, Mr. de Riencourt displays the United States as the 'Rome' of Western Civilization, and from that standpoint interprets the American past, present and future. His hypothesis is bold, his analogies compelling, his specific material rich and varied. His book is by no means a mere abstract treatise for scholars. Any reasonably literate reader who has grown bored with routine journalistic platitudes about world affairs will find The Coming Caesars an absorbing intellectual experience and a profound moral challenge."
—JAMES BURNHAM
"The noted French historian and scholar predicts that the presidency of the U.S. will turn into a dictatorship if we do not beware . . . not by revolution, but by evolution."
-U.S. News&World Report
Summary:
‘In contrasting Classical and Western societies, we contrast the two most similar evolutions known to history.’ In The Coming Caesars Amaury de Riencourt presents an original, thought-provoking and at times controversial parallel between Graeco-Roman and European-American history. Based on extensive research and on the cyclical theory of historical evolution that sees culture and civilisation as two distinct phases, he compares Europe to ancient Greece and the United States to Rome.
‘Superimposing the thousand years of Greek culture that started in Homeric days with the thousand years of European culture that started at the dawn of the Gothic age’, he follows the development of European and American society during the last four centuries, focusing particularly on the rise of the United States’ global economic, political and military power and influence. In the light of comparison with Greece and Rome, the resemblance of certain historical events and tendencies and their symbolic meaning, The Coming Caesars proposes the possible threat of a re-emerging Caesarism.
Writing in 1957, de Riencourt offers a rich and captivating analysis of the world’s economic and strategic situation that has stood the test of time; its relevance is no less apparent today.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1957
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702 people want to read
About the author
Amaury De Riencourt
26 books96 followersAmaury de Riencourt to most modern readers is an enigma. Even the Internet doesn’t offer much about him. He was born in 1918 in Orleans France to family of historic nobility. He studied in France, North Africa and Switzerland achieving a Master’s Degree. During WWII he spent more than three years in the French Navy. For the next 20 years he traveled Asia, Africa the Balkans and America. He is the author of more than eight books, and he lectured extensively in the United States for four years; visiting 40 of the lower 48 states. (From: The Coming Caesars, 2014)
Also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaury_d...
Also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaury_d...
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 12, 2014
I was given this book in 2006 and read it with gusto. The author's style is axiomatic generalization... But not broadbrush, gushy, simplistic generalization. He correlates the history of Rome's Caesars to what he identifies in the American Presidency and numerous presidents. He generalizes between the Culture and Civilization (Empire) of ancient Greek and Rome with its seeming equivalence in that of Europe and America. Greece and Europe are the Cultures; Rome and America are the empires.
De Riencourt's work isn't thin submittals of an undetached European intellectual in order to make a novel point. His work is a non-sentimental look at the drift of America's Executive office from its constitutional mooring to the over-extended demands of an entitlement culture and advantage taking of a political order over a de-evolving society.
The correlations de Riencourt makes are not few nor minor... Rome's history is replete with the actions of a powerful Tribune. And America's modern history is littered with remarkable comparatives. Rome's Tribune is now America's Tribune, a powerful politician who offers benefits and declares control in ever increasing areas of existence as well as the dependency of entitlement junkies.
As with Rome, America's Caesarism will not end well. And this is the value of this book. In 1957 de Riencourt prophetically called for warning and awareness. His book was well-received but was not grasped by the grass roots. Today, with the advent of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama the thesis of this book is clear at a much more common level. Who can't see that no matter which Party is elected, the slide into the abyss continues? De Riencourt shows how and why.
I can't think of a book I've read in the past 30 years that is clearer, more honest about the realities, nor more forcefully argued than this book.
De Riencourt's work isn't thin submittals of an undetached European intellectual in order to make a novel point. His work is a non-sentimental look at the drift of America's Executive office from its constitutional mooring to the over-extended demands of an entitlement culture and advantage taking of a political order over a de-evolving society.
The correlations de Riencourt makes are not few nor minor... Rome's history is replete with the actions of a powerful Tribune. And America's modern history is littered with remarkable comparatives. Rome's Tribune is now America's Tribune, a powerful politician who offers benefits and declares control in ever increasing areas of existence as well as the dependency of entitlement junkies.
As with Rome, America's Caesarism will not end well. And this is the value of this book. In 1957 de Riencourt prophetically called for warning and awareness. His book was well-received but was not grasped by the grass roots. Today, with the advent of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama the thesis of this book is clear at a much more common level. Who can't see that no matter which Party is elected, the slide into the abyss continues? De Riencourt shows how and why.
I can't think of a book I've read in the past 30 years that is clearer, more honest about the realities, nor more forcefully argued than this book.
December 17, 2024
Amaury de Riencourt’s The Coming Caesars offers a provocative and ambitious analysis of American political development, positioning the United States on an inexorable path toward Caesarism—a political phenomenon in which democratic republics give way to autocratic rule embodied in the charismatic figure of a singular leader. Published in 1957, the work draws heavily on historical analogies, particularly between ancient Rome and modern America, to argue that the political, social, and cultural conditions of the United States echo those that led to the decline of the Roman Republic and the rise of imperial autocracy.
At the heart of The Coming Caesars is Riencourt’s contention that American democracy, despite its republican foundations, increasingly reflects centralized power, imperial ambition, and a growing reliance on charismatic leadership. Drawing from Roman history as a paradigmatic example of republican decay, Riencourt argues that the expansion of Rome’s empire necessitated a shift from the traditional republican model of dispersed power to a more unified, autocratic governance under the Caesars. This shift, he suggests, was not a result of deliberate design but rather an organic response to the structural and geopolitical demands of empire. Riencourt claims that the United States, as the dominant global power in the post-World War II era, is undergoing a similar transformation.
The book unfolds in a series of historical and political comparisons, juxtaposing figures and events from Roman antiquity with modern American developments. Riencourt sees parallels between the political centralization of power in the Roman Republic during its final years and the increasing role of the executive branch in American governance, particularly the presidency. He views charismatic leaders, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, as harbingers of a new political order, where the personal authority of leaders begins to eclipse traditional democratic mechanisms and institutions. Riencourt frames the presidency as the focal point of America’s political evolution, arguing that it increasingly resembles the role of the Roman Caesar in both scope and influence.
Riencourt’s analysis extends beyond politics to encompass cultural and societal factors, which he views as intertwined with political transformation. He critiques what he sees as the decline of civic virtue and individual responsibility in modern democracies, drawing parallels to Rome’s moral and civic degeneration. For Riencourt, the expansion of America’s global role—a process that mirrors the Roman Republic’s transition to imperial governance—has engendered domestic complacency and a reliance on centralized authority to maintain order and stability. This decline, he argues, creates fertile ground for the rise of authoritarian leadership, justified as necessary to confront external threats and internal disarray.
One of the strengths of The Coming Caesars lies in Riencourt’s ability to weave together historical narrative and contemporary analysis. His command of Roman history is evident, and his comparisons—while speculative—are grounded in a thoughtful reading of the structural and cultural dynamics that shaped both Rome and modern America. Riencourt’s exploration of Caesarism as a recurring political phenomenon reflects a nuanced understanding of the tension between democracy and authority, freedom and order, that has preoccupied political thinkers from Tocqueville to Spengler.
However, the book is not without significant limitations. Riencourt’s reliance on historical analogy, while engaging, often verges on determinism. The parallels he draws between Rome and the United States, though compelling, can sometimes oversimplify the complexities of both societies. Rome’s political evolution occurred within a vastly different socio-economic, cultural, and technological context, and Riencourt’s extrapolations risk reducing history to cyclical inevitability rather than contingent developments shaped by unique circumstances.
Furthermore, Riencourt’s diagnosis of American decline is colored by a nostalgic view of classical republicanism and civic virtue, which he posits as ideals lost to modernity. While his critique of centralization and charismatic leadership is prescient—particularly in light of 20th-century trends toward executive power—it also reflects an inherently conservative skepticism toward democratic adaptation to new geopolitical realities. Riencourt offers little in the way of concrete solutions, leaving readers with a sense of fatalism regarding America’s supposed march toward Caesarism.
From a methodological perspective, Riencourt’s approach blends historical analogy with cultural critique, but it does so without the empirical rigor expected of contemporary political science. His arguments often rely on broad generalizations and anecdotal evidence rather than systematic analysis. While this style makes the book accessible and engaging, it limits its scholarly utility for those seeking a more rigorous examination of American political development.
Despite these shortcomings, The Coming Caesars remains a valuable contribution to the discourse on the challenges facing modern democracies. Riencourt’s central thesis—that republican systems are inherently vulnerable to centralization and charismatic authority in times of geopolitical stress—raises important questions about the resilience of democratic institutions in an age of global hegemony and political polarization. His work anticipates many of the concerns that have surfaced in subsequent decades, including the expansion of executive power, the role of media in shaping charismatic leadership, and the tension between democratic values and imperial ambitions.
In conclusion, Amaury de Riencourt’s The Coming Caesars offers a thought-provoking, if imperfect, exploration of the parallels between Rome’s republican decline and America’s political evolution. While the book’s reliance on historical analogy and its deterministic tone invite criticism, Riencourt’s insights into the dynamics of power, authority, and civic decline remain relevant for scholars of political history, philosophy, and international relations. For readers interested in the intersection of history and political theory, The Coming Caesars serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to critically examine the trajectory of modern democracies in an age of increasing centralization and global dominance.
GPT
At the heart of The Coming Caesars is Riencourt’s contention that American democracy, despite its republican foundations, increasingly reflects centralized power, imperial ambition, and a growing reliance on charismatic leadership. Drawing from Roman history as a paradigmatic example of republican decay, Riencourt argues that the expansion of Rome’s empire necessitated a shift from the traditional republican model of dispersed power to a more unified, autocratic governance under the Caesars. This shift, he suggests, was not a result of deliberate design but rather an organic response to the structural and geopolitical demands of empire. Riencourt claims that the United States, as the dominant global power in the post-World War II era, is undergoing a similar transformation.
The book unfolds in a series of historical and political comparisons, juxtaposing figures and events from Roman antiquity with modern American developments. Riencourt sees parallels between the political centralization of power in the Roman Republic during its final years and the increasing role of the executive branch in American governance, particularly the presidency. He views charismatic leaders, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, as harbingers of a new political order, where the personal authority of leaders begins to eclipse traditional democratic mechanisms and institutions. Riencourt frames the presidency as the focal point of America’s political evolution, arguing that it increasingly resembles the role of the Roman Caesar in both scope and influence.
Riencourt’s analysis extends beyond politics to encompass cultural and societal factors, which he views as intertwined with political transformation. He critiques what he sees as the decline of civic virtue and individual responsibility in modern democracies, drawing parallels to Rome’s moral and civic degeneration. For Riencourt, the expansion of America’s global role—a process that mirrors the Roman Republic’s transition to imperial governance—has engendered domestic complacency and a reliance on centralized authority to maintain order and stability. This decline, he argues, creates fertile ground for the rise of authoritarian leadership, justified as necessary to confront external threats and internal disarray.
One of the strengths of The Coming Caesars lies in Riencourt’s ability to weave together historical narrative and contemporary analysis. His command of Roman history is evident, and his comparisons—while speculative—are grounded in a thoughtful reading of the structural and cultural dynamics that shaped both Rome and modern America. Riencourt’s exploration of Caesarism as a recurring political phenomenon reflects a nuanced understanding of the tension between democracy and authority, freedom and order, that has preoccupied political thinkers from Tocqueville to Spengler.
However, the book is not without significant limitations. Riencourt’s reliance on historical analogy, while engaging, often verges on determinism. The parallels he draws between Rome and the United States, though compelling, can sometimes oversimplify the complexities of both societies. Rome’s political evolution occurred within a vastly different socio-economic, cultural, and technological context, and Riencourt’s extrapolations risk reducing history to cyclical inevitability rather than contingent developments shaped by unique circumstances.
Furthermore, Riencourt’s diagnosis of American decline is colored by a nostalgic view of classical republicanism and civic virtue, which he posits as ideals lost to modernity. While his critique of centralization and charismatic leadership is prescient—particularly in light of 20th-century trends toward executive power—it also reflects an inherently conservative skepticism toward democratic adaptation to new geopolitical realities. Riencourt offers little in the way of concrete solutions, leaving readers with a sense of fatalism regarding America’s supposed march toward Caesarism.
From a methodological perspective, Riencourt’s approach blends historical analogy with cultural critique, but it does so without the empirical rigor expected of contemporary political science. His arguments often rely on broad generalizations and anecdotal evidence rather than systematic analysis. While this style makes the book accessible and engaging, it limits its scholarly utility for those seeking a more rigorous examination of American political development.
Despite these shortcomings, The Coming Caesars remains a valuable contribution to the discourse on the challenges facing modern democracies. Riencourt’s central thesis—that republican systems are inherently vulnerable to centralization and charismatic authority in times of geopolitical stress—raises important questions about the resilience of democratic institutions in an age of global hegemony and political polarization. His work anticipates many of the concerns that have surfaced in subsequent decades, including the expansion of executive power, the role of media in shaping charismatic leadership, and the tension between democratic values and imperial ambitions.
In conclusion, Amaury de Riencourt’s The Coming Caesars offers a thought-provoking, if imperfect, exploration of the parallels between Rome’s republican decline and America’s political evolution. While the book’s reliance on historical analogy and its deterministic tone invite criticism, Riencourt’s insights into the dynamics of power, authority, and civic decline remain relevant for scholars of political history, philosophy, and international relations. For readers interested in the intersection of history and political theory, The Coming Caesars serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to critically examine the trajectory of modern democracies in an age of increasing centralization and global dominance.
GPT
March 6, 2025
Prancūziškas geopolitikos supratimas. Per daug kairė, nors yra tikrai gerų aspektų ir kitokio požiūrio, nes dominuoja visur JAV geopolitkos supratimas.
January 9, 2021
An exceedingly good book by French polymath scholar Amaury de Riencourt. Riencourt must certainly be in the running with Toynbee for producing the most-prescient Post-Spenglerian account of history. His "spiral" formulation of the path of history deftly accounts for the cyclical evolution of culture to civilization to moribund tyranny and the slow, but real progression and advancement of world civilization as it journeys nomadically from empire to empire.
In this, his most well known work (first published in 1952), he argues that only an abnormally high civilizational self-awareness coupled with supreme effort can stem the historical tide of America's process of turning from a republic to a world empire led by an autocratic Caesar. Not only because the USA purposefully modelled itself on the Roman republic, but because the Western European culture that is the heritage of American culture, is itself the result of this cyclical process, the logic of social organization from loose confederation, to united republic, to world empire is, one might say, "baked in."
The Caesars are coming, and it will not be a partisan dispute, as just like in Rome: there will be Caesars from both parties. Some might even argue, they are already here.
In this, his most well known work (first published in 1952), he argues that only an abnormally high civilizational self-awareness coupled with supreme effort can stem the historical tide of America's process of turning from a republic to a world empire led by an autocratic Caesar. Not only because the USA purposefully modelled itself on the Roman republic, but because the Western European culture that is the heritage of American culture, is itself the result of this cyclical process, the logic of social organization from loose confederation, to united republic, to world empire is, one might say, "baked in."
The Caesars are coming, and it will not be a partisan dispute, as just like in Rome: there will be Caesars from both parties. Some might even argue, they are already here.
September 1, 2023
This is the most profound book on history I have ever read. De Reincourt is brilliant in his writing and more so on his analysis of the great cycles of history. Although I wish he had used more outside sourcing to support his claims, it is undoubtable this man was a trailblazer of his time and I will now on be holding his theories in the back of my mind when analyzing anything about our modern condition.
January 24, 2024
An interesting piece that discusses the chronology that eventually leads to Caesarism and gives an explanation for the birth and death of cultures and civilizations as a natural progression of the virtues and changes that occur within the psychology of a people and the course of institutions and military crisis.
A fascinating take on the events and psychology that created western civilization from beginnings in Greece and Western Europe to their lateral organization and expansion in America and Rome, as well as their interactions with the Eurasian East.
It is unclear to me if Caesrism necessitates a death of a civilization. What is clear is that Caesrism is the natural evolution of a society that is pragmatic, democratically equal, and economically prosperous. That Caesrism is not taken, but given by a people who no longer wish to govern themselves and no longer view apathetic legislative assemblies as a dynamic defender of the common man.
The hopeful zenith of humanity is the organization of humanity as a global civilization based on tenets of American civilization: economic development, pragmatism, and democratic equality, led by a strong executive that produces decisive action in the face of an uncertain world. A civilization that is not organized by the sovereignty of nations but the democratic equality and homogeneity of man.
Cultures and civilizations are social organisms that are born, grow, decay, and eventually die or become static soulless husks as China did for millennia. Regardless of the geographical area, time period, or technological prowess, the natural cycle of cultures and civilizations repeats itself. But Riencourt argues that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. We can know our future, but at the same time change it.
In regards to American civilization, the way forward is a birth of a new culture that creates dynamic ideas and great men of vigor that do not conform to the homogeneity of civilizations while retaining the institutions and pragmatism, economic development, and democratic equality espoused by civilization.
A fascinating take on the events and psychology that created western civilization from beginnings in Greece and Western Europe to their lateral organization and expansion in America and Rome, as well as their interactions with the Eurasian East.
It is unclear to me if Caesrism necessitates a death of a civilization. What is clear is that Caesrism is the natural evolution of a society that is pragmatic, democratically equal, and economically prosperous. That Caesrism is not taken, but given by a people who no longer wish to govern themselves and no longer view apathetic legislative assemblies as a dynamic defender of the common man.
The hopeful zenith of humanity is the organization of humanity as a global civilization based on tenets of American civilization: economic development, pragmatism, and democratic equality, led by a strong executive that produces decisive action in the face of an uncertain world. A civilization that is not organized by the sovereignty of nations but the democratic equality and homogeneity of man.
Cultures and civilizations are social organisms that are born, grow, decay, and eventually die or become static soulless husks as China did for millennia. Regardless of the geographical area, time period, or technological prowess, the natural cycle of cultures and civilizations repeats itself. But Riencourt argues that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. We can know our future, but at the same time change it.
In regards to American civilization, the way forward is a birth of a new culture that creates dynamic ideas and great men of vigor that do not conform to the homogeneity of civilizations while retaining the institutions and pragmatism, economic development, and democratic equality espoused by civilization.
March 21, 2024
What a fascinating and compelling work - hard to believe someone had such a clear view of what was to come as far back as 1957 when this was written. It's become quite popular in the modern discourse as Western civilisation begins to collapse to talk of Caesars and make comparisons with Rome and the end of the Hellenist classical world. The presidents imperial crown has become all the clearer in the post 9/11 era. It's interesting to see a less biased view of this from the immediate post war era. There is just something about the immediate post war historians that gave them such a clear view of what was to come. I would recommend De Riencourt to anyone who enjoys Burnham's or Quigley's work.
Apparently due to a history YouTuber Rudyard Lynch popularising De Riencourts books over the last few years the out of print paper copies have become quite expensive but the ebooks are all available.
Apparently due to a history YouTuber Rudyard Lynch popularising De Riencourts books over the last few years the out of print paper copies have become quite expensive but the ebooks are all available.
December 12, 2024
Riencourt goes beat by beat through American history, predating the revolution, and shows the parallels between it and Roman history. This theory isn’t a new concept; people make the comparison between the US and Rome all the time. However, I’ve never seen analysis on this topic as deep and thorough as this.
Riencourt makes the connection between American political, social, and economic development and Rome’s as being the result of geography, international politics, and human psychology. He holds essentially a deterministic outlook, that Rome’s history and fate was inevitable due to how a group human with those resources, politics, and culture would always react in a consistent way.
He sees Greece as a creator of culture and arts and Rome as the organizer and pragmatist. He sees this same relationship between Europe and America. In his analysis, Germany was basically Carthage and the Soviet Union was Mithradates. He sees democracy ultimately will lead to a feminization of the society. According to Riencourt: “an increasingly feminine public opinion will look increasingly for a virile Caesar.”
He sees the growing power of the office of the president and the acquiescence of power by congress is practically a timebomb for monarchy. He gives a glimmer of hope this can be avoided, as he sees this as a negative. We have free will and the gift of hindsight and a different technological landscape, so he says the future can be different. However, he leaves the solution a little fuzzy. It does seem a little disingenuous, as he had just spent the entire book demonstrating the extreme similarities between the two countries.
Riencourt makes the connection between American political, social, and economic development and Rome’s as being the result of geography, international politics, and human psychology. He holds essentially a deterministic outlook, that Rome’s history and fate was inevitable due to how a group human with those resources, politics, and culture would always react in a consistent way.
He sees Greece as a creator of culture and arts and Rome as the organizer and pragmatist. He sees this same relationship between Europe and America. In his analysis, Germany was basically Carthage and the Soviet Union was Mithradates. He sees democracy ultimately will lead to a feminization of the society. According to Riencourt: “an increasingly feminine public opinion will look increasingly for a virile Caesar.”
He sees the growing power of the office of the president and the acquiescence of power by congress is practically a timebomb for monarchy. He gives a glimmer of hope this can be avoided, as he sees this as a negative. We have free will and the gift of hindsight and a different technological landscape, so he says the future can be different. However, he leaves the solution a little fuzzy. It does seem a little disingenuous, as he had just spent the entire book demonstrating the extreme similarities between the two countries.
December 3, 2024
This book examines the trajectory of a country to Caesarism. The comparison of the United States to the Roman Republic is far too close to comfort. What is remarkable is that the author wrote this in the 1950s and had not yet seen the expansion of the executive office in the late 20th and early 21st century.
September 22, 2025
This book truly stands the test of time. De Riencourt understand human nature, philosophy, and history at a very high level. He excellently applies Nietzschean and Spenglarian principles to justify his thesis. Very important book to understand the current age. A must read if you want to understand the broader trends of our age and how it relates to what has happened before.
January 4, 2026
A very good read, information is very thorough and gives good examples of history and parallels to our own time. The only thing that is interesting is the fact that this book was written almost 70 years ago and still you can see some of the predictions happen today.
January 20, 2025
Pretty cool to read something that's on the money that was published in the 50s. Riencourt makes a very good comparison of Europe and Greece and with America and Rome.
March 11, 2025
an absolute tour-de-force
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December 14, 2024
Amazing book. The parallels between Classical and Western civilization are unreal. Hail Caesar.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews