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How To Think Like A Roman Emperor Review: Showcasing The Power Of Stoicism In A Modern Context

The philosophy of Stoicism has changed the lives of many people, from ancient practitioners like Epictetus, to modern day Stoics like Ryan Holiday, who have shared it with new generations.

Another modern Stoic who’s made a name for himself is psychotherapist Donald Robertson and one of his most well-known books is How To Think Like A Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy Of Marcus Aurelius.

In the book, Robertson dives deep into the practices that Marcus Aurelius embodied in his everyday life and brings it into a modern context. The end result is a book that will surely continue to inspire readers for decades to come.

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Ego Is The Enemy Review: A Book For Challenging Expectations And Shifting Mindsets

“Here we are at the top of a mountain we worked hard to climb – or at least the summit is in sight. Now we face new temptations and problems. We breathe thinner air in an unforgiving environment. Why is success so ephemeral? Ego shortens it.

Whether a collapse is dramatic or a slow erosion, it’s always possible and often unnecessary. We stop learning, we stop listening, and we lose our grasp on what matters. We become victims of ourselves and the competition. Sobriety, open-mindedness, organisation, and purpose – these are the great stabilisers. They balance out the ego and pride that comes with achievement and recognition.”

This is one such passage from Ryan Holiday’s Ego Is The Enemy, a book that details all the pitfalls and dangers of believing in our own bullshit and thinking we have everything figured out. Packed full of real-world examples of people who fought against their ego and who let it consume them, Ego Is The Enemy is a fantastic book to read.

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Being Better: Stoicism For A World Worth Living In Review: A Moving, Inspirational Read

Stoicism has touched the lives of many, and it continues to be shared across the world through podcasts, videos, comics and literature. The philosophy has been transformative in the lives of Kai Whiting and Leonidas Konstantakos, the authors of Being Better: Stoicism For A World Worth Living In.

Through examining the lives and examples of people like Marcus Aurelius, Zeno and Sphaerus, Whiting and Konstantakos provide insight into how Stoicism can be interpreted today and why it’s more relevant than ever before.

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Meditations: The Annotated Edition Review: The Definitive Book On The Inner Workings Of Marcus Aurelius

Few Ancient Roman texts have survived as well as The Meditations by the emperor Marcus Aurelius, who jotted down personal notes to himself throughout his life. The Meditations is unique because Marcus never intended to publish his thoughts, yet they have survived for 2000 years and continue to resonate with people in the modern day.

There have been many translations of the book and the most recent is from British translator Robin Waterfield. Meditations: The Annotated Edition is without a doubt the definitive book on understanding the inner workings of Marcus Aurelius because it features detailed notes on what Marcus was thinking when he wrote certain passages and delves deep into the philosophy of Stoicism.

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