The Emperor's Handbook: A New Translation of The Meditations

If anything has captured my attention and the depths of my soul, it’s this book. After finishing it in just a few days because I couldn’t put it down, this masterpiece will continue to lure me back as it already has. It is something I wish I studied earlier on in my life but well worth the read for any age. I think it’s one of the rare occasions where it will speak to you differently according to where you are in life. I love this great leaders thoughts and philosophy and the knowledge I’ve received far outweighs the cost. I couldn’t recommend this more.

This might be my first 5 star book review. I have a number of decades behind me. This is perhaps the one book I wish I read when I was in my 20s. These statements, aphorisms, and ideas about relations of ourselves to others, to Nature and most importantly to the individual Self challenges our 21st Century notions. It opened my mind to so many unstated assumptions we have and carry. It opened my mind that those assumptions about our existence and how we go about what is "right" can be changed and we can gain other better habits. Most amazingly these were written by him for himself. He never intended them to be published and were found after his death. That makes them more interesting and amazing as he was not engaged in what we would call "virtue signalling" but writing ideas to himself and how he should behave, and think. He was an Emperor yet gave himself rules to set himself to a higher standard. Not a higher standard over others but a standard to live up to to fulfill his potential. These ideas eschew praise and accolades. Boost the ethos of service to others in one's actions. Pushes us to tame our ego and self importance. At the same time it encourages us to do our best, live up to ourselves, and do it now. For whatever historic reasons "Freedom" in the 21st Century means "do what I want without examination or criticism," and/or "believe what I want without caring about Truth." Even the phrase "The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins" is questioned. Marcus Aurelius shows us a different way. Freedom can only exist without freedom over The Self. As an Emperor he noted clearly that he would be dead, gone and probably forgotten. Even if he was remembered what good would it do him if he was dead? You can't change the past and you can't do anything in the future so do it now. The translation is wonderful and readable for the 21st Century. If I had a graduating high school senior, (and I will in the coming years) I would give them this book.

This was my first foray into the works of the classic stoic authors and honestly I'm kind of ashamed to admit that my only real exposure to anything related to Marcus Aurelius before this was from the late great Richard Harris' portrayal of him in the movie Gladiator. That fact is a crying shame because this book is brilliant and should be read by every member of the human race. I honestly think if we put his words into the hands of our youth and made them memorize and live by these words that we would likely have world peace or at a minimum a much better and kinder world within the span of one generation (I believe the same of meditation). I've never had an author drive the point home so well that many of the anxieties we have in life are pointless and a complete waste of time to worry about. Out of all the great points he makes this one he reiterates quite a bit but it doesn't become boring or annoying, in fact quite the opposite. Each time he expresses this idea in a new and thoughtful way. This book doesn't stop there though. You'll find Marcus' thoughts on courage, on being a good man, and most importantly on how to put this wisdom to action. The translators wisely state in their introduction that the main difference between Marcus and the saints and sages of old and new was that Marcus didn't live in a glass bubble. He didn't isolate himself in a monastery or close himself off from the world. Far from it. This man lived in a very complex and violent environment and he endured some of the most debilitating hardships a man can face (a horrible plague, insurrection, invasions, and even infidelity) and came through each one of them stronger and a better leader. What I like most about this book though is that he didn't write this book for me or anyone else. He didn't intend these words to be viewed by an audience. He wrote them so that he could govern his nation and most importantly himself to an even better degree. To me that means a lot. This wasn't a man trying to impress a crowd. He was just pouring his thoughts down which I believe shows his authenticity and nobility and that my friends is rare. In short this is an excellent book and I would highly recommend that it be read (and re-read) by all. Buy it!

I love this translation of Meditations, one if my favorite books of all time, and as the translators point out, arguably the best book ever written by a world leader. The language has cleared up a few areas of confusion I had with other translations, and remains true to the author’s intent. While a few passages have lost some poetic aspects in other translations, 95% of this is very enjoyable and would be the translation that I would give to someone stoic-curious. The size, layout and printing is also very easy to read. Unfortunately the paper itself is cheap and will not last more than 50 years before it will disintegrate, like a mass market paperback. I also really enjoy the Audible of a different translation called Meditations Made Simple by Stott. The reader is so elegant. But that copy is very difficult to read due to the varied font throughout the book. If you are looking for an easy reading copy of Meditations, don’t hesitate with this one.

ottimo

lesenswert

Marcus Aurelius book (i should say "personal thoughts") is simply fascinating. It's not an easy read but i was very happy to learn more about stoicism. I wouldn't use it as an introduction to stoicism.

Excellent content and delivery

Although it is a fantastic book, the hardcover isn't really hard cover and no bookmarker.