So much about the society that is now emerging in the twenty-first century bears an astonishing resemblance to the most prominent features of what we call the classical world – its institutions, its priorities, its entertainment, its physics, its sexual morality, its food, its politics, even its religion. The ways in which we live our rich and varied lives correspond – almost eerily so – to the ways in which the Greeks and Romans lived theirs. Whether we are eating and drinking, bathing or exercising or making love, pondering, admiring or enquiring, our habits of thought and action, our diversions and concentrations re-create theirs.

This eye-opening book makes us look afresh at who we are and how we got here. ‘Full Circle’ is not only wonderfully witty and brilliantly astute, but also profound and often disquieting.

Ferdinand Mount effortlessly peels back 2000 years of history to show how much we are like the ancients, how in ways both trivial and crucial we are them and they are us. This came home to me when I was reading Cicero’s letters and found him worrying about the mortgage on his second home! I shall really look forward to reading this as Ferdinand Mount is an excellent author and researcher.