Ancient Rome, How It Affects You Today
by Richard J. Maybury
Reviewed by Martha Robinson
Purchase details: Ancient Rome, How It Affects You Today by Richard J. Maybury (Uncle Eric). Second edition. Paperback, 112 pages, $10.95. A Bluestocking Guide, Ancient Rome by Jane A. Williams. Paperback, 48 pages, $9.95. Published by Bluestocking Press. Please support HomeschoolChristian.com by buying this book using our Christian Book Distributors links for Ancient Rome and for the Bluestocking Guide. Or use our Amazon links for the book and for the guide.
Ancient Rome, How It Affects You Today
Richard Maybury draws parallels between the history of Rome, particularly the Empire period, and the direction of current governments in his book, Ancient Rome, How It Affects You Today. As in the other "Uncle Eric" books, he stresses the need to return to basic laws that he summarizes as "Do all you have agreed to do," and "Do not encroach on other persons or their property."
While the Roman Republic had a rudimentary form of common law, the Empire became reliant on the political power created arbitrarily by the government. "Roman law during the Roman Empire assumes the individual's rights are granted by the state (by government) and laws can be made up by lawmakers." The Empire period "was the era of rampant lawmaking, plus the 'bread and circuses' welfare state, endless war, crushing taxes, and runaway inflation." The United States' founders drew from the Republic period to set up our government and tried to set up safeguards to keep it from moving towards the government of the Empire period.
The powerful central state is at the heart of what the author refers to as "the Roman disease," the belief that people can make all the laws needed and that there is no higher law than the government's. This often leads to fascism, a belief that leaders may do "whatever appears necessary, no exceptions and no limits," because right and wrong are just a matter of opinion. Using Mussolini and Hitler as examples, Mr. Maybury shows that people may be led to fascism with seemingly innocent cries of "For the Fatherland!"
Uncle Eric discusses "Chaostan," the areas of north Africa, eastern Europe, and most of Asia that are in political and religious turmoil. He uses historical maps to illustrate centuries old feuds and sheds much light on current events.
A Bluestocking Guide, Ancient Rome
The guide offers several benefits for the homeschooling family. First, it provides the opportunity for written work and a final exam to check comprehension and to document school credit. Secondly, the essay questions give the family opportunities for discussion of Mr. Maybury's points in light of current events. Third, the additional recommended books and videos allow for a robust study worthy of high school credit. Answers to all short answer and essay questions are included.
Recommendation: Ancient Rome is essential reading for high school students and their parents and will be particularly valuable in conjunction with government, economics, and twentieth century history studies.
HomeschoolChristian.com resources related to this review:
HomeschoolChristian.com's Civics and Government Resources Section
Interview with Richard Maybury, author of the Uncle Eric books
Review of Economics, A Free Market Reader by Richard Maybury
Review of Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? by Richard Maybury
Review of Uncle Eric Talks About Personal, Career, and Financial Security by Richard Maybury
Review of The Money Mystery by Richard Maybury
Review of Evaluating Books, What Would Thomas Jefferson Think About This? by Richard Maybury
Review of Uncle Eric History books by Richard Maybury
Review of Economics, A Free Market Reader
Review of Whatever Happened to Justice? by Richard Maybury
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