Famous Men of Ancient Times

From Julius Caesar, Attila, and Aristotle to Hannibal, Homer, and Nero, there is no shortage of defining and controversial historic figures who are deconstructed, analyzed, and put under the microscope by Samuel G. Goodrich in his classic, “Famous Men of Ancient Times.” The beauty of Goodrich’s approach is that he is not daunted by his task, but it is evident on each page how much he relishes it. He reflects on the biography of each figure, not with the blind musings of hero worship or with the idealized perspective of a narrow-minded historian, but with the impartial and objective eye of a true historian.

In the preface, he explains how he views each figure “in the same light,” weighs them “in the same balance,” and measures them “by the same standard” of his own day. He confesses that he does make some allowance for the time in history in which they found themselves. Nevertheless, his scrutiny is fierce and his analysis is never anything but penetrating. By studying great figures' actions, scrutinizing their actions, and questioning their accountability and the morality that governed their decisions, Goodrich throws new light on old subjects. It is a worthy and rewarding read for anyone interested in the individuals who changed history.