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.

This book is a collection of philosophical thoughts that were written down by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The Hicks brothers did an excellent job of translating these thoughts into Modern English. Some words appear to be inaccurate as they refer to concepts or atomic particles that were likely unknown to the Romans. Regardless, the use of these words and concepts does not diminish the greater point being made by Emperor Aurelius. The book is only 145 pages long and is broken into twelve "books" or chapters. Each chapter usually runs between 30-60 thoughts or passages. Because the book is essentially a collection of passages, it is not something that one should sit down and read cover to cover. Some readers may want to use a pencil to underline certain thoughts for quick reference. One nice aspect of this book is that several significant passages were highlighted in gray boxes for quick recall. All in all, this book is best read in short bursts. The reader may also want to re-read certain passages over again in order to grasp Marcus Aurelius' true meaning. The thoughts presented by Marcus Aurelius offer a unique perspective on how the Romans viewed life and death. Marcus spent a great deal of time thinking about death and how people should approach it with dignity. He also looked down on those people who approached death in an undignified way, often with "histrionics." No doubt, these were the Christians who were being put to death and persecuted at the time. Despite this unique Roman perspective on life and death, the book is full of useful guidance. Most of his ideas are still applicable today. Some of the very same thoughts can be found in modern-day books on leadership. For example, Marcus noted "anger is as much a proof of weakness as grief. Both involve being wounded and giving in to one's wounds." This bit of wisdom is as applicable today as it was for the Romans. Bottom line, this is an easy to read book of philosophical passages. The thoughts on leadership, death, and how to live a good life are as applicable today as they were in the time of the Romans. The reader would be hard put to find another book with as much wisdom as is contained in these 145 pages.

This is a great book for bringing into focus the important things in life. Written almost 2,000 years ago, the information is very valuable and relevant today. While we may know and understand a lot of the information contained in the book, as the authors point out in the introduction, "we need more often to be reminded than informed." The book is not to be read once and placed on the shelf. It can and should be read from time to time. It is not necessary to read from front to back or to read the entire book. You can open the book to any page and find some valuable lessons. A recurring theme of the book is that no one controls your mind but yourself. But what you allow into your mind controls your outlook on life and your circumstances in life. Therefore it is imperative that you only think appropriate thoughts. Another very important lessons that is repeated often is "for the present moment is of eaual duration for everyone, and that is all any man possess." That we should not live in the past or the future, but live fully in the present moment. He gives us good advise when we are reminded to remember people, "...who ignoring the good that lay at their feet, ran after some vain thing and never found the happiness that was within their reach all the time." There are many excellent lessons on how to lead a better life. It is well worth reading and contemplating on the lessons contained in the book. It is truly a treasure from the past that still has great value today.

The quality and the quantity of wisdom in this small book if fantastic. Marcus Aurelius didn't set out to write a book for fame or fortune; the entirety of the text he wrote to himself. There's something very compelling about a humble philosophy that attracted minds like those of both this author (one of "the five good Emperors" of Rome), and a lowly slave (as was Epictetus, another Stoic philosopher) to dedicate their lives to develop the same creed. It's actually easy to understand this fact when experiencing the sheer benevolence, justice, profound consideration for others, desire to better oneself, disdain of vice, strength to boldly weather Fate, and appreciation for rational thinking that overflows from each page of this book. Overall, a work that ought really be regarded much more widely, for which reason I would emphatically recommend it to anyone. If I could I'd give it more 'stars' in my rating. To me this is the most succinct of the writings from Stoic philosophers that have been passed down to us through time; the topics are varied in thought and yet, to the point. His refreshing perspectives are often enlightening through their simplicity and rationality. The whole thing may even become for some, as it was for me, the stepping stone to delve into further study of Stoicism from the work of other philosophers. I haven't compared this with other translations, so all I can say is that this one was easy to read, crisp, and engaging.

By far the best translation of Meditations to date. The hardcover edition makes it feel more special, though it stains easily — so handle with care. Otherwise, an amazing book