BOOK REVIEW:

Book Title: Project Lessons from the Roman Empire
Authors: Jerry Manas
Publisher: Multi-Media Publications Inc.
List Price: US$19.95 (eBook $12.95)
Publication Date: 2009
ISBN: 978-1-55489-054-5
Reviewer: Patrick Durkin,
Review Date: March 2010

Introduction to the Book

Easy read with a discussion of project management principles and skills with many examples of successful Roman projects. The author uses Roman recorded history and structures as evidence of successful Roman project management. The rise and fall of the Roman Empire are tied to project management principles and skills.

Overview of Book’s Structure

The first part of the book layouts a project management basis for the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. Next is an overview of Roman history with emphasis on Roman leaders. The author then discusses lessons learned during the empire’s rise followed by a chapter dedicated to the fall of the Roman Empire. At the close of the book, a chapter discusses leadership and its effects on the Roman Empire and how it is applicable in today’s project management environment. The final chapter concludes with a summary.

Highlights: What I liked!

Despite the books relatively short number of 120 pages, it is packed with common sense for project managers. Project management concepts are intergraded into Roman history while stressing leadership. I believe a project manager should be a leader. In the book, project manager is synonymous with Roman leader and …

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About the Reviewer: Patrick Durkin Patrick Durkin is a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel with 23 years as a logistician stateside and overseas. In the army, he initiated several large scale projects involving information technology and logistics support systems. He also planned large events involving unit movements, training exercises and Military District of Washington support. He has worked as a planner for defense contractors and is currently a planning section chief for FEMA. He has been a project manager for a new FEMA situation unit, an evacuation planner for the lower coastal Louisiana parishes, and Planning Chief for Hurricane Ike recovery efforts.