cover image The Spiritual Teachings of Marcus Aurelius

The Spiritual Teachings of Marcus Aurelius

Mark Forstater. HarperCollins, $18 (288pp) ISBN 978-0-06-019577-9

HFans of Marcus Aurelius's Meditations will enjoy this well-designed, accessible compendium of the Roman Emperor's spiritual insights. Film producer Forstater (of Monty Python and the Holy Grail fame) may seem an irreverent choice to edit the Stoic philosopher's thoughts, but what Forstater lacks in facility with the original Greek he more than compensates for in enthusiasm for his subject. In his introduction (which, at 90 pages, runs a bit long), Forstater identifies several areas in which Aurelius's teachings seem particularly timely, calling special attention to harmony with the environment and the cultivation of personal virtue. This is a book to savor and return to, like a friend. (June)