The Echoes of Babylon: The Rise and Fall of Three Great Republics

by Michael Hastings

Twenty-eight centuries separate the birth of the Roman republic from the United States of America in the twenty-first century. To many it would seem that advances in technology and centuries of human experience would insulate our current society from the mistakes of the past.

The Echoes of Babylon examines the historical and social tendencies within the world's three great republics. Perhaps not immediately recognized by many, the three republics have a shared experience, as the United States was a former British colony and Great Britain was once subordinate to the Roman Empire.

Whereas history is sometimes considered a dull, dry affair, or an amalgamation of names and dates, in the Echoes of Babylon, history is presented in the context of sequential events, highlighting similar attempts in the direction of human affairs, which have led to similar fates within the world's three greatest republics.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, Historical, World History, Ancient History

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2016

Reviews

[Owain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched book with a pleasant, readable style but very dubious conclusions! Several times when reading I wondered if the author was just being completely contrary to common sense on purpose in order to seem to have unorthodox and new ideas. His cause and effect are just nonsensical at times, for example he claims Rome's Marian reforms led to a complete lack of discipline, a decrease in the tactical superiority of the legions and contributed to Roman defeats (just prior to the Gallic wars... And the greatest period of military expansion... umm...), as well as contributing to the fall of the empire about 600 years later... There were drawbacks to the Marian Reforms of course, but this constant overstating hyperbole and erroneous exaggeration is symptomatic of the whole text.
The book is full of stuff like this which just jolts you and prevents enjoyment. A real shame.

[John Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. It sure seemed like a good concept it just wasn't well executed.

[Efguirguis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting but too much rambling creates confusion and destroys the ability to compare or reflect. Would have been better if he had written each section separately for each republic then made the comparison later highliting similarities and differences, even if it made the manuscript more cumbersome. It would certainly have allowed me to appreciate the differences that led to each republic's demise.
An effort like this easily required a much larger volume, perhaps even tow or three.
Nonetheless a laudable attempt.

[Guillermo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but tough read

In regard to historical events, there are many interesting facts, however the author presents his point of view, cherry picking some events and using some ideas and vocabulary that you could think it was written by some biased person from the last century, such as the way people from different cultures are described using classification rather obsolete and not scientific. Personally I did not like it how the USA is presented as the liberator of the free world, of course cannot blame the author for this.

[Matthew · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have no idea what the author's premise was. The book was confusing from the foreword into the main text. I never felt I understood the points he was trying to make. I noted many historical inaccuracies in the text. When he cited an author whose book I know to be highly inaccurate and biased against other cultures, I gave up.

[Chris Howells · Rating 2 out of 5]

A shame

I stuck with this book as long as I possibly could as there were a few interesting ideas about Republics. However, there were too many glaring errors (possibly typos) and inconsistencies for me to ever take those ideas seriously. For instance, dating the American Civil war in the C17th.

As I say, a shame.

[James E. Panyard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book with startling preview of America's future compared with the British and Roman Empires.

I would have given it given it give stars except for the misspellings and typos that can surely be attributed to the online transition. Thoroughly researched taking the reader from the Roman Empire through Great Britain's dominance to America's sad transition from Republic to Empire. Empires do not live forever and declined and fall for the same reasons. The U.S. Is following the same path and is unlikely to change direction.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

More details than ever want

Best reason I can give to read this book is quote from it that to me is the theme. "The increased reliance upon technical innovations eventually leads to the misconception that mankind is no longer bound by natural laws. With the belief that the restraints of natural law have been abolished comes an accompanying tendency toward liberal thought and liberal governments.

[Barry Edstene · Rating 5 out of 5]

History the way you wanted it tought in school.

Hastings look at history is insightful and refreshing. It is nice to be engaged with facts and not political sway. I found this work most enjoyable and enlightening. I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning where we came from and where we might be heading.

[Patrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring

He tried to cover too much. Poorly edited. I'm kind of surprised I made it through the whole thing. Maybe I just accept his premise that the US is doomed to go the way of the Roman and British empires. There are much better histories that merit your attention.

[Larry Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written overview of three democratic empires.

I very much enjoyed this book. It is excellent narrative history of the Roman, British and American empires, full of great general insights into political, economic and military trends.

[Daniel Serrao · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good history book. It tells the story of the Romans, the British and the Americans: How they rose to power as the most dominant republics in their time and how they fell. It compares the three republics and shows amazing similarities of cause and effect. Very interesting read.

[Provere · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thick in the middle, thin at both ends

Rather light on Roman and United States components with a lot of what I would call superfluous content on British history.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Interesting. The old saying if you fail to study history you are bound to repeat it is true.

[Elizabeth Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read

While sometimes a dense read of facts, this book is highly interesting and entertaining. Should be required reading in American history classes.

[Roger Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the book and it was difficult to complete. My advice, take notes because it skips all over history, back and forth, and the design is challenging to comprehend.

[Anne Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

A most informative look at history of other great nations and their demises. Will America learn? No, we are all cursed with the blindness of materialism and short-term success and cannot, or will not, face the issues openly and honestly.

[Sally Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

LOTS of simple historical errors, way too much personal theorizing of a hella right-wing sort, using outdated and racist terminology, and much rambling. Where was the editor?