"Effectively the first-ever modern biography of Cato. The writing is excellent, the stories unforgettable, and the lessons practical." -- Tim Ferriss on FourHourWorkWeek.com "[This] wise and lively book offers two lessons: first, knowing modern politics can yield insight into study of the ancient world; and second, Rome still has lessons to teach us today." -- City Journal "The authors succeed brilliantly in bringing this fascinating statesman to life." -- Kirkus Reviews "In a rare modern biography of Marcus Cato the Younger, a rival of both Caesar and Pompey, Goodman, formerly a Democratic speechwriter, and Soni (managing editor, Huffington Post) argue that understanding Cato and the many legends surrounding him will help readers understand both the current American political climate and contemporary notions of freedom.there are great moments here: Cato, struggling in Utica after the defeats at Pharsalus and Thapsus, is revealed in all his flawed humanity. Where others (e.

g. Adrian Goldsworthy in Caesar: Life of a Colussus ) are inclined to view Cato as a hypocrite, using his virture and stoicism as another tack to rise in the high-stakes world of late Republic Rome power politics, Goodman and Soni take a more nuanced approach, broaching many questions, never answering firmly. This makes for a more revealing portrait of a real man and demonstrates just how much a symbol Cato has become." -- Library Journal "Written in flowing, nonacademic prose, this biography suits the never-waning popular interest in the dramas of ancient Roman history." -- Booklist "This well-paced and dramatic book narrates the controversial life and political and moral legacy of Marcus Porcius Cato.They [the authors] give their account depth by closely grounding it in the ancient sources, and their experience in and knowledge of modern politics adds special value to their assessments of Cato. indeed frankly describing his flaws as a politician and a man.As the opening discussion shows and the main narrative confirms, there is indeed a lot worth thinking about in deciding what should be the lessons to draw from Cato''s life and legacy.

" -- History Book Club "Well-crafted retelling of the life of Cato" -- The New American "Goodman and Soni''s examination of Cato the Younger--the Roman reactionary, Stoic, and enemy of Caesar--is the story of a harsh man in a violent age. With his pronounced British accent, Derek Perkins is a surprising choice for narration as this book seems directed at an American audience. But his voice is strong, and he sets the pace like someone leading a brisk, invigorating jog. The slightly cynical, skeptical edge of his tone fits the text, which refuses to take Cato at his own saintly face value or to respect the turbulent "banana republic" of Rome. His edgy take fits both Cato''s troubled republic and (despite the accent) our own, which is part of the book''s point. Perkins''s vigorous performance helps keep this an absorbing program." -- AudioFile (starred review) "When the Roman Republic finally fell, the last man standing was Cato, staunch defender of old Rome''s venerable legacy and enemy of Caesar''s new world order. Thanks to Goodman and Soni, this rare creature--a politician of honor willing to die for his principles--steps out of the shadows into history again.

Illuminating and timely!" -- Adrienne Mayor, Stanford University, National Book Award finalist for The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome''s Deadliest Enemy "Cato, history''s most famous foe of authoritarian power, was the pivotal political man of Rome; an inspiration to our Founding Fathers; and a cautionary figure for our times. He loved Roman republicanism, but saw himself as too principled for the mere politics that might have saved it. His life and lessons are urgently relevant in the harshly divided America--and world--of today. With erudition and verve, Rob Goodman and Jimmy Soni turn their life of Cato into the most modern of biographies, a blend of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire and Game Change ." -- Howard Fineman, New York Times bestselling author of The Thirteen American Arguments "A truly outstanding piece of work. What most impresses me is the book''s ability to reach through the confusing dynastic politics of the late Roman Republic to present social realities in a way intelligible to the modern reader. Rome''s Last Citizen entertainingly restores to life the stoic Roman who inspired George Washington, Patrick Henry and Nathan Hale. This is more than a biography: it is a study of how a reputation lasted through the centuries from the end of one republic to the start of another.

" -- David Frum, DailyBeast columnist, former White House speech writer, and New York Times bestselling author of The Right Man "Cato''s life always had epic dimensions in his own mind. His principled, gory suicide made him a symbol of liberty for two thousand years, the model for George Washington and many others. Jimmy Soni and Rob Goodman have somehow given us a life of Cato that is neither hero-worshiping nor debunking. Instead, this handsomely written biography is vividly intelligent and valuably reflective. It is a very fine treatment of a life worth knowing, and a valuable meditation on how a life becomes a myth." -- Jedediah Purdy, professor of law at Duke University, author of For Common Things: Irony, Trust, and Commitment in America Today and Being America: Liberty, Commerce and Violence in an American World "Cato, an icon to the founding fathers, has become a neglected figure. In their spirited new biography--the first since Plutarch!--Rob Goodman and Jimmy Soni give us his story, and explain why this Roman statesman meant so much to our political forbearers." -- Jacob Weisberg, chairman and editor-in-chief of the Slate Group and New York Times bestselling author of The Bush Tragedy.