The Emperor's Handbook

A New Translation of The Meditations

By: Marcus Aurelius, C. Scot Hicks - introduction, David V. Hicks - introduction, C. Scot Hicks - translator, David V. Hicks - translator

Narrated by: Stephen Graybill, Aden Hakimi, Sarah Naughton, Jaime Lincoln Smith, Eunice Wong

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

A powerful and accessible translation of Marcus Aurelius’s timeless book on character, what it takes to be a good leader, and how to live a fulfilling life.

Marcus Aurelius ruled the Roman Empire at its height, yet he remained untainted by the immense wealth and absolute power that had corrupted many of his predecessors. He knew the secret of how to live the good life amid trying and often catastrophic circumstances, of how to find happiness and peace when surrounded by misery and turmoil, and how to make the right choices—even if they are more difficult—without regard for self-interest.

Offering a vivid and fresh translation of this important piece of ancient literature, Meditations brings Marcus’s inspiring words to life and shows his wisdom to be as relevant today as it was in the second century. This book speaks to the soul of anyone who has ever faced adversity or believed in a better day.

*Previously published as The Emperor’s Handbook

Critic reviews

“A must read for business leaders. This is a fantastic achievement.” –Steve Forbes

“This new, accessible translation by Scot and David Hicks of the emperor's famous Stoic handbook reflects far better the flavor of Marcus Aurelius's own style. Americans should read Marcus – and this new edition now makes it a joy.” –Victor Davis Hanson, Professor of Classics at California State University

“Timeless, magnificent, simple: the essential book on character, leadership, duty. No translation does the Emperor's Meditations better or nobler justice.” –Josiah Bunting II Superintendent, Virginia Military Institute

“The Meditations is a work I disliked for its flaccid piety and self-concern from the time I read it years ago. But a look for curiosity's sake into this new translation has led me to read it all with genuine pleasure. The philosophical observations are the same but the tone is manly and there is a subtle and agreeable variety as the subject changes from self to the world and to the gods.” –Jacques Barzun, author of From Dawn to Decadence

“The wisdom contained in this handbook has been admired through the ages. The Hicks brothers' excellently clear translation happily now makes it accessible.” –Donald Kagan Hillhouse, Professor of History and Classics at Yale University

“David and Scot Hicks have endowed serious readers with a marvelous new translation of a text that still challenges any society that hopes to understand what it means to be civilized.Kenneth L. Woodward author of The Book of Miracles David and Scot Hicks have endowed serious readers with a marvelous new translation of a text that still challenges any society that hopes to understand what it means to be civilized.” –Kenneth L. Woodward author of The Book of Miracles

Great listen

A little repetitive but it drives home stoic fundamentals that are still VERY practical nowadays

Much needed lessons

Very well read and translated. I enjoyed this book. The translations were clear so that the precept came through. In our current societal climate, where complaining, selfishness and our emotions are our masters, these thoughts are much needed reminders of doing what’s right for the sake of just doing right.

Loved it!

interesting and insightful. The narration was well done. I would recommend this audiobook to anyone.

Repetitive, impractical, tiresome, and no fun

While I loved The Meditations 15 years ago, rereading it, I got bored by the middle of the book by its repetitiveness, impracticality, and dull seriousness/lack of joy or fun.

While Stoicism is useful to handle the worst pain and torture of life, it's a recipe of dull seriousness, lack of humor/joy, and a rigidity of life that would drive away friends/family. Its repeated fatalism, acceptance of horrible things in life due to "fate" or "the gods," and passivity is NOT how I actually want to live.

Sad how a book I loved years ago seems now so quaint, naive, one-note, and impractical.

Marcus Aurelius was such a killjoy. Would not want to hang with him or someone who literally follows this book.