Donald J. Robertson
Auteur de How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius
A propos de l'auteur
Donald Robertson is a cognitive-behavioural psychotherapist, writer, and trainer. He specializes in the treatment of anxiety and in the relationship between ancient philosophy and modern psychotherapy. He is the author of six books on philosophy and psychotherapy, including The Practice of afficher plus Cognitive-Behavioural Hypnotherapy: A Manual for Evidence-Based Clinical Hypnosis (2013). afficher moins
Œuvres de Donald J. Robertson
The Philosophy of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Stoic Philosophy as Rational and Cognitive Psychotherapy (2010) 59 exemplaires
Resilience–How to Survive and Thrive in Any Situation A Teach Yourself Guide (Teach Yourself: Relationships &… (2012) 21 exemplaires
The Practice of Cognitive-Behavioural Hypnotherapy: A Manual for Evidence-Based Clinical Hypnosis (2012) 6 exemplaires
Marcus Aurelius in the Roman Histories 1 exemplaire
Guide to Marcus Aurelius and Stoicism 1 exemplaire
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Overall I am disappointed in this book. While it did contain stoic philosophy and good advice, it went about delivering it in a way that read like a research paper and not the practical wisdom that it purported itself to be. It is worth reading if you are looking for references or want a more intellectual version of the stoics, but practical it was not.
Really fantastic book that did a great job introducing me to stoicism. I really enjoyed how the authors background in cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy provided professional modern scientific backing to many of the techniques employed by stoic thousands of years ago. I liked how they took my through some of the exercises and provided examples of daily rituals I can practice. Following the life of Marcus Aurelius was really interesting and inspiring, it gets me excited to read Meditations personally!
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What a great book. I got so much from it and will definitely be reading it again. I listened to the audible version but will also be buying a paper copy for the shelf so I can better study it.
I've mostly read Ryan Holiday since stumbling upon his Daily Stoic YouTube channel is what got me into the idea of studying Stoicism. There's a big difference between Robertson and Holiday though. Holiday seems to me to be more of a collector of quotes and stories and a sharer of those things along with a bit of deeper thought to go along. But I got so much more from How to Think Like a Roman Emperor.
If you're interested in Stoic philosophy or, like me, learning how to manage anxiety and stress, this book might be something to look into.… (plus d'informations)
I've mostly read Ryan Holiday since stumbling upon his Daily Stoic YouTube channel is what got me into the idea of studying Stoicism. There's a big difference between Robertson and Holiday though. Holiday seems to me to be more of a collector of quotes and stories and a sharer of those things along with a bit of deeper thought to go along. But I got so much more from How to Think Like a Roman Emperor.
If you're interested in Stoic philosophy or, like me, learning how to manage anxiety and stress, this book might be something to look into.… (plus d'informations)
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Review of the Yale University Press hardcover (February 6, 2024).
I had previously read author Donald J. Robertson's How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius (2019). That was during my intermittent reviewing days so although I rated it 5 stars I never got around to writing a review about it. I was definitely interested when I read that he was writing a further biography for Yale's Ancient Lives series.
See photograph at https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e4/24/d7/e424d7970d13d6249ad7e1e19cf5365c.jpg
A statue of Marcus Aurelius. A cropped photo of the arm of this statue has been used for the cover of this book. Image sourced from Pinterest.
Robertson lives up to his planned goal by tracing the influence of various individuals on the life of the young Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD/CE), especially from his mother and the various Roman emperors and Stoic philosophers who he encountered prior to becoming emperor at the age of 40 in 161 CE. He actually grew up thinking to become a philosopher rather than the ruler of Rome. Circumstances and the odd manner of Roman adoption led him to the imperial role, which was initially a co-emperor rule with adoptive brother Lucius Verus (130-169 CE).
The Meditations were written towards the end of his life during campaigns against the various warring Parthian and Germanic tribes. It is often the absence of comment in the Mediations about certain individuals, such as the emperor Hadrian (76-138 CE), that we understand those whom Marcus Aurelius didn't respect. From the description of Hadrian's rule and his pathological obsession with dead lover Antinous (111-130 CE), it is actually surprising that he is considered one of the 5 so-called "Good Emperors" of Rome.
There was a excellent amount of background to the life of Marcus Aurelius in this book and I learned various other interesting bits of trivia about Ancient Rome in the process. For instance I didn't understand previously that the title "Caesar" was actually given to the designated heir and not to the emperor themselves. "Imperator" was an honorary title granted upon the success of a military campaign. "Memento mori" meaning "Remember that you are mortal and will die" was an expression whispered by accompanying slaves into the ear of a victorious emperor or general as they rode chariots in a triumphal procession after a military victory, in an effort to undermine any thoughts of grandeur.
I enjoyed reading this further book in the Yale University Press' Ancient Lives series. I had previously read and reviewed Vergil: The Poet's Life, Cleopatra: Her History, Her Myth and Demetrius: Sacker of Cities.
Other Books
Donald J. Robertson is also the author of the forthcoming How to Think Like Socrates: Ancient Philosophy as a Way of Life in the Modern World (expected publication November 19, 2024).
Trivia and Links
Read an article by author Donald Roberson at Marcus Aurelius and How to Cope with Anxiety at Yale University Press.
There is also a Q&A about Marcus Aurelius with author Donald Robertson which can read at Who was Marcus Aurelius?.
Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor is part of Yale University Press's Ancient Lives series.… (plus d'informations)