"How Rome built and American is building a new world"

Historian Thomas Madden addresses the question of has the United States been corrupted by its own power and is the nation on the verge of collapse? Or, is America so strong that it will remain a major power for hundreds of years to come?

Presenting a unique concept of empire, the author suggests that the global power of ancient Rome and the modern U.S. is similar in that it was uniquely built on trust between allies, not the conquest of enemies.

In this book Madden discusses the unusual set of circumstances that led the two republics to attain unprecedented levels of power. In each chapter he explains how certain aspects of Roman history mirror landmark event which have occurred in America.

A quick glimpse at the chapter headings (Family Values, The Empire and Its Aging Cultural Parents and The Threat of Terrorism) show the areas of discussion. As he elaborates upon the parallels between the two super powers, one ancient and one modern, the reader can decide for himself if Madden's arguments make sense or not.

From start to finish, this is a provocative book that serious readers interested in the direction the country is moving in will want to read. Are our best days behind us or yet to come? You'll have a better idea of the answer to this important question after reading "Empires of Trust".

Reviewed by Bob Walch
Posted October 10, 2009