Marcus Aurelius' Meditations: Annotated Edition by Robin Waterfield

Telmach: I have read the meditations before but wanted one that could shed some context on what he is referring to in some parts of the meditations and this does that perfectly. I especially appreciate how the author sticks to the evidence. A lot of other books on Marcus Aurelius really romanticize him to the point that they essentially elevate him to prophet status, which to me, detracts from what the meditations can teach us. One book that comes to mind is How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, which I loved but it reads the history of MA with rose tinted glasses (that is not to say I think MA was mean and evil, but he was a human and imperfect like everyone else). This book doesn't do that and the annotations seem generally free of author opinion, they just guide you with the available facts to your own conclusions.

Australia on Oct 20, 2023

Twist of Fate: I found it communitive and very readable. I am sure that stylistically there is both positives and negitives compaired to other translations and it certainly is not a leob edition, but i found it very readable and the contexualization Robin adds is very supportive to the contempary/modren reader.

United States on Oct 12, 2023

Alfredo Aguirre: Robin Waterfield’s edition of Meditations provides a lucid translation of the text with tons of helpful notes and a great intro for those who are interested. That being said, only 4-stars because I found Meditations to be quite ponderous - in fact the text notes added interesting layers without which I would have found the text to be exceedingly dull. I thought other Stoic texts like Enchiridion by Epictetus to be more interesting and enjoyable.

United States on Sep 30, 2023

Jonathan L.: El texto en inglés es muy fácil de entender y las notas en su inmensa mayoría son interesantes y aportan. El libro en si, como objeto, es pésimo. Las cubiertas son de cartulina fina sin plastificar. Las hojas están encoladas al lomo y el papel es del barato y malo. Cualquier marcador de tipo rotulador dejará marca por ambas caras del papel. Si el portaminas tiene la punta muy fina y aguda puede rasgar fácilmente el papel... Los márgenes no son muy generosos pero dentro de lo normal.

Spain on Sep 18, 2023

M. Dillon: Having Meditations with the annotations is like having two mentors; Marcus Aurelius for his insights and writings and Robin Waterfield to bring clarity to those insights and writings by offering background and depth to Marcus’ words.

Definitely glad I bought this one over any other copy.

United States on Sep 15, 2023

António: A book for the scholar in you. Looks good in any library.

Spain on Sep 08, 2023

Shannon: I ordered this to introduce someone to stoicism. I’ve listened to the audiobook before and I love Meditations. I wouldn’t order this version if I had to do it again.

This is meant for someone who is already very acquainted with this book and looking for a deep dive into Marcus Aurelius, rather than someone looking just to read the book.

The foot notes are more often taking up more of the page than the actual writings of Marcus. There’s a multiple-chapter-long intro just discussing the history of Rome, the biography of Marcus and the political climate as well as the backstory of the wars he fought etc.

It very overwhelming and for my ADHD brain it’s impossible to read the actual book with so much else going on, on each page.

Don’t get me wrong, I love context and footnotes but this is excessive and this version of the book was not the right fit for what I was looking for. It’s meant to be like a historian, collectors item I’d say.

United States on Aug 05, 2023

B: Marcus Aurelius is just an amazing person who left us his stoicism thoughts documented in this book. I also appreciated this annotated version written and translated by Robin Winterfield the renowned scholar and translator for classical texts. Just a must have!

Germany on Jul 31, 2023

OlanOlan: Bought the Meditations: The Annotated Edition along with other excellent books-the box that contained it has no obvious damage except for scratches that it incurred in its transport. I am thinking that the book (Meditations) issued to me already has those teared and bumped part when it was put into the box.

The rest of the books, however with some dusts with it, were received in acceptable condition.

For me, these books subjects and contents are excellent... superb.

United States on Jun 16, 2023

John: I read it yesterday quickly - to me it's unpretentious, has a deal of humour and makes no claim to unique discovery - however I discovered a lot (maybe that's just me). We've all read many versions by now and often repeatedly - I like this one a lot, the style is deliberately accessible - it acknowledges it's debts to and improvements suggested by some current luminaries in the field and states clearly the paradox of the intention of the author to write a book on the historical Meditations and not primarily for the new Stoics, but posits that it's probably a book which will serve them well. I occasionally think I'm one, and, if that's the case, then I agree.
In a nutshell - refreshing - he enjoyed writing it I believe - he wrote it for the annotations and the introduction principally. I haven't questioned his translation, but it reads very well. He has achieved much.

United Kingdom on Apr 08, 2021