Reviews
Brand's book should be read with care by Americans as our republic enters its twilight... Readers of many tastes will receive great enjoyment from Brand's book.
[Recommended] for general readers and students interested in the armies of the Roman Republic, and more specifically on the role that the citizen-soldiers played in shaping the history of Rome.
Steele Brand has done a service with this book... [He] has produced a novel examination of violence and virtue with undeniable contemporary relevance. An engaging and accessible work, Killing for the Republic warrants reading by all republicans.
With elegance, insight, and wit, Steele Brand has composed a compelling inquiry into citizenship, service, soldiering, and republicanism. In the process, he offers a refreshing new interpretation of Republican Rome and reintroduces to our modern era the singular character that so captivated America's founding generation: the farmer-citizen-soldier.
A lively appreciation of the efficacy of citizen-soldiers both on and off the battlefield. Steele Brand offers a scholarly and empathetic appraisal of why Roman Republican legionaries were such lethal fighters but also of why these mostly agrarian foot soldiers became reflections of the enduring values of consensual governments for the next two millennia.
This book is a gem—easy to read, entertaining, and most important, instructive.
A truly unique and compelling fusion of ancient and modern history. Brand's military experience and his deep knowledge of both American and classical Roman and Greek history informs the material throughout this book, allowing him to present his vision as few others could do. Highly recommended!
One of the best recent surveys of the idea of the citizen-soldier and its influence on the American republic. Brand writes with the professional's knowledge of primary and secondary sources, but in an accessible style replete with sharp-eyed analyses and page-turning descriptions of ancient Roman warfare. Part political philosophy and part military history, Killing for the Republic is a comprehensive, reader-friendly introduction to some of the most salient issues in understanding not just Rome's history but our own, and the relevance of both to our times.
Book Details
Preface. Why Care about Long-Dead Fighting Farmers?
Prologue. The Roman and American Republics
Part 1. Farmers, Citizens, and Soldiers
Chapter 1. The Soldier's Farm
Chapter 2. The Citizen's Republic
Part
Preface. Why Care about Long-Dead Fighting Farmers?
Prologue. The Roman and American Republics
Part 1. Farmers, Citizens, and Soldiers
Chapter 1. The Soldier's Farm
Chapter 2. The Citizen's Republic
Part 2. The Making of Rome's Citizen-Soldiers
Chapter 3. Origins: Kingly Armies of the Roman Hills
Chapter 4. Proving Ground: Surviving in Central Italy
Part 3. The Triumph of Rome's Citizen-Soldiers
Chapter 5. Breakout: Competition and Discipline at Sentinum
Chapter 6. The Greatest Trial: Beating Your Betters at New Carthage
Chapter 7. Triumph: Phalanx Killers at Pydna
Part 4. The Death of Rome's Citizen-Soldiers
Chapter 8. Questionable Legitimacy: The Ideal Statesman's Battle at Mutina
Chapter 9. Suicidal Finish: Last Stand of the Citizen-Soldier at Philippi
Epilogue. War Stories for the Emperor
Acknowledgments
Notes
Index