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One about the Roman statesman Cicero.

He was an idealist with huge character flaws, which makes him pretty interesting to start with. But he lived in a time when Rome was descending from Republican rule into autocracy - and both resisted and accidentally advanced the change.

On top of that it is pretty interesting reading for a geek - a poor reserved law scholar with speaking problems became one of the greatest orators of history and clawed his way to the top of one of the Roman system, partly due to his command of the minute details of the law.




I found Cato more interesting. The Cato vs Caesar rivalry almost has a good vs evil dynamic to it. A Caesar biography should be required reading.

On the subject of evil people, Mao's biography is great. It's hard to believe people so nuts exist, and that people will follow them.

Albert Speer's autobiography is also good.




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