Here's what I posted at Amazon. I've read Kamm's study on Caesar, AND Adrian Goldsworthy's, both in the past month, so my brain is suffering a mild case of over-Caesar!

A Thoughtful and Comprehensive Study, October 5, 2006

Antony Kamm's previous works of history have shown him to be a tremendous synthesizer of information, who has the ability to clearly explicate the complex histories of ancient worlds - in this case, the remarkable and remarkably complex history of Julius Caesar.

Caesar is currently "in", just as fine scholars are also publishing new studies of important men and events throughout the classical worlds. Kamm's study of Julius Caesar makes a consistent but educated use of sources (many of which are conflicting on fine points about Caesar's remarkable life). Building on his earlier study for students, Julius Caesar: A Beginner's Guide, he is able in this volume to expand into some of the controversies of Caesar's career and those facts that impact our understanding of his character and personality, all focused on the unfortunately-standard view of 20th century scholars that any great leader who is a militarist must, of necessity, be bad. The result is clarity and a fine understanding of the stresses of the Roman Republic into which Caesar was born, and which, only in part through his actions, died with his own death. The Republic, centuries old at Caesar's birth, was unable to accept new solutions to the problems of its increasing empire, and the increasing "one-man rule" of its great military leaders, Marius, Sulla, Pompey and Caesar.

Kamm has the enviable talent of packing a great deal of important information into prose that is lucid and flexible. This is an excellent basic study that deals with all significant aspects of Caesar's life and the world of the late Republic. As the author says, one may not like Caesar, but that is unimportant in evaluating the effect of one extraordinary Roman on the history of his times.

Highly recommended for the beginner or the expert.