I'm reading Ian Pears' The Dream of Scipio, a complex novel about a fifth century pagan bishop, a fourteenth century poet, and a twentieth century scholar, all obsessed with beauty and how to preserve civilization against the forces that would destroy it: "Civilization needs to be nurtured, cosseted, and protected from those who would damage it.... It needs constant attention," says the twentieth century historian.
Pears is a historian who can write - although the book is complex with neoplatonism, not at all dialog or action driven, it's still a compelling read.
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