Review: The Storm Before The Storm, by Mike Duncan

The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic

By Mike Duncan, 2017, Published by Public Affairs

With his characteristic wit and clarity, podcasting legend Mike Duncan (The History of Rome and Revolutions) chronicles the often overlooked period of Roman history between the Punic Wars and the fall of the Republic under the Caesars.  The narrative concisely travels through increasingly escalating social upheaval; from the Gracchi land reforms, the Social War, and closes with the bloody feud between Marius and Sulla.

Readability:        ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
General Interest: ⭐⭐⭐/5
Niche Interest:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 Worth a read!

Readability

Duncan faces the challenge brought by engaging such a long period of Roman history head on, and is largely successful.  The Roman naming conventions of sons having the exact same name as their fathers becomes confusing at times.  That this book covers events which span generations does not help the matter.  However, Duncan keeps the narrative flowing freely without bogging it down in dense genealogies.  We follow young aristocratic Romans as they begin their careers, exploring each crisis and political upheaval.  We are then passed along to other aristocrats as their political careers are shaped by unprecedented actions of their predecessors.  A careful reader will learn much about often overlooked politicians who played important, roles for a time.  The casual reader will gain a broad understanding of the sources of instability in the Late Republic, and a great understanding of the careers of the giants of the period; Scipio Aemilianus, The Gracchi, Marius, and Sulla.

General Interest

The Storm Before the Storm is first a foremost a book of Roman history.  If the reader brings no interest to the table, this book will not convert them.  For the indifferent reader with a general taste for history, the book will be a welcome endeavor.  To his credit as a historian, Duncan does not attempt to overtly compare the troubles of Rome to modern America, though this sensational technique would likely promote more general interest.  In the cracks though, one can see the parallels.  A political system in shambles, as one by one, traditions and laws are corrupted and usurped.  A rich ruling class who grubbily hold on to wealth and power, which instead of them losing some wealth and retaining power, inevitably ends up with their heads on spears.  The stories are interesting and some will be eerily relevant, but this book does not stress them.  Overall, this book is for a more niche reader, but a general reader would likely not regret the experience.

Niche Interest:

Let's finally address the gorilla in the room.  Mike Duncan is living the historian dream.  He took a hobby podcast, and through his hardwork made a career outside the constraints of academia.  As someone who became truly fascinated by Roman history through The History of Rome I am incredibly happy to see Duncan's success.  Thus the niche group of Roman history buffs who loved The History of Rome are going to enjoy this book.  The Storm Before the Storm definitely covers a neglected area of history.  For its own sake it is worth learning of, but it also adds greater depth to knowledge of the civil wars of Julius Caesar a generation later.  It is receiving only 4 stars because I'm very aware of my bias towards the author, and it necessarily trades some delving into epistemology for a smoother and more readable narrative.   

Available Here