"Robertson distills the emperor’s philosophy into useful mental habits...[he] displays a sound knowledge of Marcus' life and thought...[his] accessible prose style contributes to its appeal...[the] book succeeds on its own terms, presenting a convincing case for the continuing relevance of an archetypal philosopher-king." -The Wall Street Journal

"This is a terrific book on Marcus Aurelius and flourishing in the Stoic mode." -Derren Brown

"Highly recommended." -The Stoic

"A fascinating history of Aurelius and his beliefs, and an insightful consideration of how they inform the practice of modern mindfulness." -Publishers Weekly

"Donald Robertson is one of the leading lights behind the modern Stoicism movement. He’s also a cognitive behavioral therapist with a strong background in ancient philosophy. This book is an unusual combination of biography and self-help. By following Marcus’s life and his own progress in the study and practice of Stoicism, Robertson introduces the reader to the philosophy, the exercises, and how to make both of them relevant to life in the twenty-first century." -Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez, A Handbook for New Stoics (2019)

"This book uniquely combines history, philosophy, and psychology in a way that is both entertaining and extremely useful for the self-development of the reader. This is not some cheap “self-help” gimmick but a true manual of self-development. Robertson has an interesting way of leading readers through a journey of how Stoic philosophy works, how it was utilized effectively by Marcus Aurelius, and suggests practical exercises to utilize these methods in the reader’s own life." -Dr. Franklin Annis, Small Wars Journal