How Boris Johnson gets to grips with Caesar

The Dream Of Rome, by Boris Johnson, Harper Collins, €27.70.

Thousands of people will buy this book, not because they are particularly interest ed in Ancient Rome, but because of the name on the cover. Boris Johnson is one of the few British politicians who is a bona fide celebrity, and only the most rabid anti-Tory could fail to be seduced by his shambolic, sheepdog charm.

But can the honourable member for Henley-on-Thames ...