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How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Donald J. Robertson (Author, Narrator), Macmillan Audio (Publisher)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,722 ratings
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"This book is a wonderful introduction to one of history's greatest figures: Marcus Aurelius. His life and this book are a clear guide for those facing adversity, seeking tranquility and pursuing excellence." — Ryan Holiday, bestselling author of The Obstacle is the Way and The Daily Stoic

The life-changing principles of Stoicism taught through the story of its most famous proponent.

Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was the final famous Stoic philosopher of the ancient world. The Meditations, his personal journal, survives to this day as one of the most loved self-help and spiritual classics of all time. In How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, psychotherapist Donald Robertson weaves stories of Marcus’s life from the Roman histories together with explanations of Stoicism—its philosophy and its psychology—to enlighten today’s listeners. He discusses Stoic techniques for coping with everyday problems, from irrational fears and bad habits to anger, pain, and illness.

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor takes listeners on a transformative journey along with Marcus, following his progress from a young noble at the court of Hadrian—taken under the wing of some of the finest philosophers of his day—through to his reign as emperor of Rome at the height of its power. Robertson shows how Marcus used philosophical doctrines and therapeutic practices to build emotional resilience and endure tremendous adversity, and guides listeners through applying the same methods to their own lives.

Combining remarkable stories from Marcus’s life with insights from modern psychology and the enduring wisdom of his philosophy, How to Think Like a Roman Emperor puts a human face on Stoicism and offers a timeless and essential guide to handling the ethical and psychological challenges we face today.

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  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 47 minutes
  2. Author
    Donald J. Robertson
  3. Narrator
    Donald J. Robertson
  4. Audible release date
    April 2, 2019
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Macmillan Audio
  7. ASIN
    B07F9YYR62
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 47 minutes
Author Donald J. Robertson
Narrator Donald J. Robertson
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date April 02, 2019
Publisher Macmillan Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07F9YYR62
Best Sellers Rank #4,247 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#10 in Greek & Roman Philosophy (Audible Books & Originals)
#16 in Ethics & Morality Philosophy
#26 in Ancient Greek & Roman Philosophy

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
3,722 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and enriching. They describe it as an enjoyable read from front to back, with a clear writing style that is easy to understand. Readers appreciate the interesting mix of history, psychology, and philosophy in the book. The practical content is helpful and applicable to everyday life, with examples and real-life applications. The historical context is also appreciated, with stories from Marcus Aurelius' life.

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EnlightenednessReadabilityWriting styleHistorical backgroundPractical contentHistoryEnjoymentPacing
121 customers mention "Enlightenedness"119 positive2 negative

Customers find the book insightful and enriching. They say it provides a better understanding of Stoic philosophy and meditation through Marcus Aurelius' writings. The author guides readers through a reasoned, logical method for dealing with life challenges. The book contextualizes Marcus Aurelius' life and actions, seamlessly blending ancient philosophy with modern psychology. Readers appreciate the author's ability to distill this wisdom into practical advice for everyday life.

"...for - harnessing greater control over your life, the philosophical origin of the information, and modern therapeutic justifications for why this all..." Read more

"...The author does a great job contextualizing Marcus Aurelius' life and actions through the vehicle of the four Stoic ideals: wisdom, justice, courage..." Read more

"...You’ll learn new thing about Marcus Aurelius and how to apply stoic principles. Robertson puts stoicism in a modern context...." Read more

"...Morals,ethics,human behavior. Faith,hope,and love are good habits to develop. Atomic Habits. We are all capable of good and bad behavior ...." Read more

96 customers mention "Readability"96 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They say it's a great introduction to Stoicism for high school students. The content is valuable, offering practical wisdom and historical context. Readers also mention it's an entertaining book with ideas that can have profound impacts on our lives.

"A true masterpiece, Donald's book strikes a rarefied and highly accomplished balance of: presenting clear and practical information on - and..." Read more

"...It is done very well and the whole thing is quite readable without being pedantic or patronizing...." Read more

"...How to Think Like A Roman Emperor was a great book for me. I was already familiar with stoicism and I worked to apply it throughout my life...." Read more

"Book was good but I was hooping it will go more into the life of the emperor and examples of his life." Read more

56 customers mention "Writing style"49 positive7 negative

Customers find the book's writing style concise, clear, and easy to read. They appreciate the author's narration and consider it a convenient way to absorb the information. The book covers in detail the life of one of the wisest people in an entertaining manner. It is not overly complex, providing a manual for how to become the best.

"...this is not a boring, academic text, but rather an engaging story and manual for how to become the best version of yourself possible while also..." Read more

"...Conciseness and objectivity should be applied to our speech and describing a situation...." Read more

"...The writing style is serene, and well-paced...." Read more

"Engaging, well written, and well organized book that provides context to Meditations...." Read more

36 customers mention "Historical background"36 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides an interesting mix of history, psychology, and philosophy. They appreciate the author's blend of psychobiography, historical fiction, Stoicism, and cognitive psychology. The back-and-forth between the history of Marcus and the teaching of Stoic principles is enjoyable. Readers enjoy the story-telling tradition by weaving the biographical, practices of Stoicism, and historical information about Marcus Aurelius.

"...all encapsulated in the very compelling story of the Roman emperor touted the last of the "Five Good Emperors,"..." Read more

"...Yeah...So, there's a lot to like about this book: it is part history book, part Stoicism-101, part self-help do-it-yourself psychotherapy (CBT)..." Read more

"...Really enjoyed the mix of historical background and practical application of stoic principles to everyday life." Read more

"...content is exceptionally valuable, offering practical wisdom and historical context that are both engaging and deeply informative...." Read more

21 customers mention "Practical content"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's practical content helpful and applicable to everyday life. It includes examples, real-life applications, and modern ways to implement Stoic techniques. The style is clear and the exercises are useful today.

"...and highly accomplished balance of: presenting clear and practical information on - and exercises for - harnessing greater control over your life,..." Read more

"...Marcus didn’t concern himself with sounding smart but practical wisdom for everyday use...." Read more

"...This book based on Meditations by Marcus Sure loud is an excellent example of how to adjust yourself to the conditions you have no choice but face...." Read more

"...Robertson offers a wonderful combination of context and practical philosophy in this book and I eagerly recommend it to anyone...." Read more

13 customers mention "History"10 positive3 negative

Customers find the book provides interesting details about Marcus Aurelius' early life. They appreciate the blend of history, cognitive therapy, and examples of how he dealt with death. The book gives readers an all-to-human glimpse into his personality and response to it.

"...A true masterpiece! The book has a blend of Marcus' life, Roman history, cognitive therapy, philosophy, and psychology...." Read more

"...in great detail the life of one of the wisest and most interesting characters of history...." Read more

"This is more of a reflection on Marcus Aurelius' death than "How to Think Like a Roman Emperor"...." Read more

"...The book is not a biography, and its not a historical book either...." Read more

11 customers mention "Enjoyment"10 positive1 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it practical and wise, with an engaging style that keeps them interested throughout.

"Engaging, well written, and well organized book that provides context to Meditations...." Read more

"...This book is beautifully written. I was engaged the entire time. I downloaded The Meditations and Enchiridion to further my knowledge in the topic." Read more

"...offering practical wisdom and historical context that are both engaging and deeply informative...." Read more

"...book via paperback, ebook, and audible, which made it a completely immersive experience...." Read more

13 customers mention "Pacing"9 positive4 negative

Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some find it engaging and easy to read, with a nice pace that allows them to think. Others find it challenging to get through and difficult to read parts.

"...I like the slower pace of the reading that allows me to ponder the meaning of passages...." Read more

"...The writing style is serene, and well-paced...." Read more

"It’s a decent read, on the whole, but a bore to get through as it’s painfully repetitive...." Read more

"...the things I like best about his communications style is that Donald is calm and clear and understandable...." Read more

Perfect book but badly manipulated
4 out of 5 stars
Perfect book but badly manipulated
This is the book that whoever needs a change of paradigms should read. I was introduced to the stoicism by a friend and now I’m sure my college son will appreciate it too. I’m disappointed that the book is dirty and I hope wiping it down won’t ruin the cover. I have to send it tomorrow to him and don’t have time to return it.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Joseph Lee
    5.0 out of 5 stars The most important book I've ever read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A true masterpiece, Donald's book strikes a rarefied and highly accomplished balance of: presenting clear and practical information on - and exercises for - harnessing greater control over your life, the philosophical origin of the information, and modern therapeutic justifications for why this all works (Donald is an accomplished psychologist with over twenty years of experience in the field), all encapsulated in the very compelling story of the Roman emperor touted the last of the "Five Good Emperors," Marcus Aurelius. This might seem like a lot to take in and truth be told, if you're an absolute newcomer with no exposure to philosophy, meditation, therapy, or religion, then you may struggle a little, however, the language is clear, the ideas well-explained, and like many other Stoic texts, it's succinct at only 269 pages so I invite you to give this a read no matter what your background - you have only wisdom to gain and nothing to lose. The author also recorded an audiobook version that's very good, too, if an audio format is more to your liking.

    For those who may be reading this review and are - like me a couple of years ago - wondering what value there is, if any, in reading a book on Greek and Roman philosophy (as primarily categorized on Amazon), know that this is not a boring, academic text, but rather an engaging story and manual for how to become the best version of yourself possible while also minimizing negative emotions from your life such as anxiety, depression, fear, greed, etc. and the corresponding consequences that result from them. You should also know that you'd be in good company - Stoicism as a philosophy has been studied and used as a toolkit by political and business leaders as well as other important historical figures the world over like Frederick the Great, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, Theodore Roosevelt, Bill Clinton, James Stockdale and countless more (in addition to popular sports franchises like the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks).

    I can't extol the virtues of this book enough. You should read it. You should internalize it. And with some effort, you'll become a much, much better version of yourself.
    71 people found this helpful
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  • B. Chin
    5.0 out of 5 stars 1 of 4 things that has helped with my depression immensely
    Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    “How to Think like a Roman Emperor…” has literally changed my life in giving me a deeper dive into Stoicism, helping me actually apply it to my life and retrain my thoughts that led me to be depressed. I’ve struggled with depression since 2005, and Stoicism, plus exercise (specifically running outside), plus talking with a therapist and taking medication have helped me immensely and possibly “cured” my depression (it’s only been 3 weeks since doing all 4 things simultaneously). I recommend starting off with Donald Robertsons book “How to Think like a Roman Emperor…” and then reading the Gregory Hayes translation of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. The free translations (e.g.: George Long) are written in "ye olde English" and hence less accessible.

    My notes after reading each chapter:
    Chapter 1. The dead emperor.
    There are four virtues: wisdom, justice, courage and moderation. These virtues should take priority above worldly things. Our ability to reason is what makes us human. Marcus Aurelius was not afraid of death.

    Chapter 2. The most truthful child in Rome.
    Summary
    Marcus didn’t concern himself with sounding smart but practical wisdom for everyday use. Conciseness and objectivity should be applied to our speech and describing a situation. Our initial feelings are natural, what matters is how we apply reason to the feelings and situation. It’s not things that upset us but our judgements about things that upset us. The things that we don’t have control over are neither good nor bad. Ask, what would [virtuous person] do?

    Chapter 3. Contemplating the sage.
    To communicate wisely, we must phrase things appropriately.
    To be pure of heart, we must never crave anything that requires walls or curtains around our thoughts. Imagine if a role model followed you around and knew your thoughts.
    Ask yourself “what would [role model] do?” Model a role models behavior and attitude.
    Start each day preparing yourself for what you will face and think how your role model will face the situation. Review your day and ask how you could improve and what you did well.
    Create a list of things desired and admired qualities.

    Chapter 4. The choice of Hercules.
    The life of pleasure doesn’t lead to greatness. Pleasure doesn’t equal happiness. Purpose and fulfillment bring great satisfaction, not the pursuit of earthly pleasures.
    Joy should be active rather than passive. It’s comes from perceiving the virtuous quality of our actions.
    Contemplate virtue in ourselves and others. Appreciate the things you already have and contemplate how you would miss them if you didn’t have them.
    What’re the long terms pros and cons of a habit?
    Spot early warning signs so you can nip problematic desires in the bud.
    Gain cognitive distance: view thoughts as if they aren’t your own. “Depreciation by analysis”: Break down things in smaller chunks, or into their basic elements.
    Don’t fall into the double standard of admiring another person’s virtue and downplay yourself pursuing or having that same virtue.

    Chapter 5. Grasping the nettle.
    Pain is ephemeral. Think of pain in a detached manner. Physical disabilities do not impede our ability to pursue virtue. Our preconceived judgement about pain affects how we perceive it.

    Chapter 6. The inner citadel and war of many nations.
    “The obstacle standing in the way becomes the way” and can become an advantage.
    Do things with a reserve clause (Fate permitting, God willing). Be indifferent to the results, the pursuit of virtue itself is the reward.
    Premeditate adversity to make adversity less daunting and to make facing it easier.
    Exposure therapy, playing through an event in our mind like a short film, where it has a beginning, middle and end, can help with reducing anxiety over time.
    True inner peace comes from the nature of our own thoughts rather than pleasant natural surroundings.

    The universe is change. Life is opinion. Contemplate impermanence. External things cannot touch the soul, but our disturbances all arise from within. Things don’t upset us, but our values judgements about them do. Cognitive distancing enables us to do this.

    When anxious about something, ask “what’s next”. Helps with de-catastrophiz-ing. Eg: if you lose your job, eventually you’ll get a new job. Practice time projection, how will you view X event in 20 years? Why should you be anxious about the event if it won’t concern you in 20 years?

    Chapter 7. Temporary madness.
    No one does evil or makes mistakes willingly.
    Be ready to accept the errors of people. We still share a common humanity with those who oppose us and should treat our enemies with kindness. Even though someone may try to harm us, they cannot damage our true character.

    Anger is a form of desire, desire for revenge, desire for punishment. Can stem from a rule that is important to us that has been broken.

    Before we’re angry (in the moment, it’s hard to remember these strategies): practice and remember to self-monitor, cognitive distancing (our judgement about events concern us, not the event itself), postponement, what would X do, functional analysis (eg: what will happen if we let anger guide us).

    Interacting with troublesome people is an opportunity to practice virtue.
    Anger does harm to the person harboring anger.
    Bad people do bad things, we can’t expect bad people to do good things.
    We should not be surprised by the events of the world and people’s actions.

    Chapter 8. Death and view from above.
    All things change and before long they are gone. You cannot step into the same river twice, Heraclitus once said, because new waters are constantly flowing through it.
    In a sense, death is returning to the state of non-existence before we were born. We were dead centuries before we were born.
    Philosophy is a lifelong meditation on our own mortality.
    87 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Esteban As
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gran libro sobre el Estoicismo
    Reviewed in Mexico on July 31, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Apenas voy comenzando el libro, pero es increíblemente interesante. Aunque me la paso en el diccionario buscando muchas palabras, estoy disfrutando de cada página. Es increíble y atrapante. Lo único que no me gustó son los materiales del libro. No está bien hecha la cubierta y se siente barato. Yo compre el libro en pasta blanda.
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  • Daniil Shedko Andreevich
    5.0 out of 5 stars great book
    Reviewed in Italy on December 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    very great book, life changing
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  • David Jutric
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in Germany on December 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent book!
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  • capital one
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book has changed the way I deal with life and people.
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  • Mauricio
    5.0 out of 5 stars A really good first step in stoic philosophy
    Reviewed in Brazil on October 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I really liked the author’s modern approach in the narrative of the book, contemplating many valuable stoic lessons and stories, to such an incredible way of life. As a beginner in this philosophy, and also the language, I should say that this book truly helped me in my first steps regarding this old valuable and fantastic perspective on life.
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