![100 Greatest Books of All Time [Franklin Library]](http://s3.amazonaws.com/photo.goodreads.com/groups/1214759499p2/5313.jpg)
The History of the Peloponnesian War: Revised Edition (Penguin Classics)
by Thucydides
|
|
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 636)
Read in March, 2006
This is one of those epics, covering parts of 3 decades, the hot, then cold, then hot again wars between Athens and Sparta and their allies. The period, after the Persian invasion of Greece (Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, Plataea), which was after the conquering of Babylon by the Medes, for those of you who think of history in terms of TheBible, and before the rise of the Macedonians (Philip, then his son Alexander the Great). Athens, the cradle of democracy and Sparta, who is known for its mil...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2007
The copy I have was translated by Rex Warner.
This is a long, dense and complex book. There is much to recommend about this history, but it is not light reading or for the easily distracted.
Wikipedia has a <a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H...“>decent summary</a>, I suggest you read that before reading the book because it helps give context to Thucydides' opus.
It's a spraw...more
This is a long, dense and complex book. There is much to recommend about this history, but it is not light reading or for the easily distracted.
Wikipedia has a <a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H...“>decent summary</a>, I suggest you read that before reading the book because it helps give context to Thucydides' opus.
It's a spraw...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2006
recommends it for:
History readers, classics readers
History readers, journalism readers, classics readers
On at least one level you have to appreciate this book. No other single work has been more important to the history of journalism than Thucidydes’ attempt at an objective account of the war between Athens and Sparta. It not only inspired politicians and philosophers, but an entire tradition of information sharing. Unfortunately, you’re more likely to appreciate him from reading an essay or article about his influences than reading his bo...more
On at least one level you have to appreciate this book. No other single work has been more important to the history of journalism than Thucidydes’ attempt at an objective account of the war between Athens and Sparta. It not only inspired politicians and philosophers, but an entire tradition of information sharing. Unfortunately, you’re more likely to appreciate him from reading an essay or article about his influences than reading his bo...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in January, 1985
recommended to Stephy by:
I guess my Father didrecommends it for: anyone who likes good stories
I learned that I already knew the stories. I found this abandoned at the Willie Street Food Co-op in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1985. I hadn't done unpacking yet, all the books were in boxes, I was desperate. I took it home. The introduction was boring and went on forever. I skipped most of it and got on to book one, where things immediately became interesting, as I recognized stories my father told us as children, when we went for long walks, or car rides together.
Today, rereading it once again...more
Today, rereading it once again...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in September, 2002
Thucydides, although not quite the "Father of History"--that title goes to Herodotus--is the father of the non-cyclic, linear, historical writing tradition. My interest in philosophy conferred a particular appreciation for the discussion of justice--for the ruler, versus for those who are ruled--that takes place in Melos, and often is referred to as "The Melian Dialogue" (Book V, 85-113). During this dialogue Thucydides puts beautiful and powerful words into the mouth of th...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
The first great history book. In addition, there are spectacular passages like the Melian Conference where the Athenian envoy states:
For ourselves, we shall not trouble you with specious pretences- either of how we have a right to our empire because we overthrew the Mede, or are now attacking you because of wrong that you have done us- and make a long speech which would not be believed; and in return we hope that you, instead of thinking to influence us by saying that you did not join the L...more
For ourselves, we shall not trouble you with specious pretences- either of how we have a right to our empire because we overthrew the Mede, or are now attacking you because of wrong that you have done us- and make a long speech which would not be believed; and in return we hope that you, instead of thinking to influence us by saying that you did not join the L...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
recommends it for:
Everyone
This is the story of the tragic self-destruction of ancient Greece. Though the book itself was probably written for political purposes (an "internal" brief, written to help guide policy-making) it has been read for generations as the moving, human story of the destruction of fragile goodness through ignorance and hubris. In this story of the 30-years-long civil war between Sparta and Athens, the reader witnesses great--and real--events that involve tyranny, freedom, nobility, ruthles...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2008
Thucydides presents the history of the Peloponnesian War with such delightful grace and nuance that the actors and events come to life. What really strikes me about this text is its philosophical side: though, as a history, it is grounded in a recounting of particular events, the manner of presentation gives the reader a glimpse of some universal facts about human nature. The adventures of Alcibiades, for example, sound like nothing so much as a description of a Cold War spy switching from sid...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
Ancient History Buffs
Yes, it's an important work and yes, it is a MUST-READ for serious students of ancient history. It's just so damned boring!
The Peloponnesian War broke out in 431 BC and continued intermittently for twenty-seven years. It pitted an all-powerful land force (Sparta and its allies) against a supremely powerful naval force (Athens). Thucydides actually participated in this conflict, a war which he realized would have a greater influence on the history of Greece than any other war. The History of...more
The Peloponnesian War broke out in 431 BC and continued intermittently for twenty-seven years. It pitted an all-powerful land force (Sparta and its allies) against a supremely powerful naval force (Athens). Thucydides actually participated in this conflict, a war which he realized would have a greater influence on the history of Greece than any other war. The History of...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
those up for a challenge
Thucydides tells the story of the long and deeply destructive series of wars between Athens and Sparta, and their respective allies, that brought the golden age of Greece to an end. This is an amazing book because of its subject and importance, but it's not an easy read and can be hard-going. Partly because it's a fairly challenging read, this is one of those books that really gives a sense of achievement!
The Rex Warner translation is excellent and attractive, and some of the set pieces - su...more
The Rex Warner translation is excellent and attractive, and some of the set pieces - su...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2007
recommends it for:
Political science majors
This book is not easy to get though. Sure, you can skim the history and just read the speeches, but then the victory of finishing this book would be as ashes in your mouth. This is fascinating stuff, and remarkably applicable today. In fact, I find book after book I read this summer references Thucydides. Despite the two thousand year time difference, reading this book gives one a fuller understanding of current events and history. Anyone interested in the rise and fall of empires, the poli...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I tried to read this several times, oh, thirty years ago. Thought I ought to introduce myself to the classics and it might be a good place to start. I failed the first few times, but one day I heard his voice and it was suddenly a great book that I couldn't put down. He's an irascible old fart. I like irascible old farts. It's all in there, the tragedy and vainglory and horror of war. The remark of some emissary (Corinthian, maybe) on the Athenians, to paraphrase: "A constant danger ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
David Hume, 18th century essayist: "The first page of Thucydides is, in my opinion, the commencement of real history. All preceding narrations are so intermixed with fable, that philosophers ought to abandon them . . . to the embellishment of poets and orators."
-----------------------
I keep thinking back to this book. I am very, very impressed and heartened that history can be written without a requirement to hate one side or the other. This is not only the first human histo...more
-----------------------
I keep thinking back to this book. I am very, very impressed and heartened that history can be written without a requirement to hate one side or the other. This is not only the first human histo...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
Mike Wu
Is 600 pages long, 10 of which are amazing. The other 590 don't justify the 10. Contains long sections which are lists of where ships came from. Basically not worth reading unless you are desperate to know the minutiae of the war. Author touches on a few interesting points such as the role of perspective in history, the importance of objectivity, and a few timeless characteristics of human nature. However he does not bother to dwell on these points. Spoiler: it ends in mid sentence!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1998
recommends it for:
Only people REALLY interested in Ancient Greek politics and war.
BORING!!!!! I didn't like this one bit. I can't say I remember much now, but I do remember the general feeling of being bored out of my mind. On second consideration, I suppose there is always some sense of marvel at anything written so long ago, because they play on the same sorts of human emotions we have today. All in all though, it's definitely not something anyone would read for fun. It has some scholarly interest, but is best taken in [very:] small doses.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
This discusses the civil war between the Athenians and the Spartans. It can be dry at times going into the way particular military maneuvers were conceived and executed. Pericles oration is a masterpiece!!! Must read!!! Also, I think you'll be struck by how modern the Athenians seem throughout. I think you'll recognize the Unite States in this work as we meet Athens the democracy...
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Needs little further explanation, it is what it says it is, however it ends before the end of the mentioned war, even though Thucydides himself aparently survived until after the Battle of Aegospotami. After reading this the legal doctrine of Laches finally made sense to me. He (Laches) had arrived too late to save the Athenian expedition to Sicily that was crushed at Syracuse.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2003
recommends it for:
budding historians.
Classic foundation for understanding the craft of history. Known as the godfather of recording soul on paper, Thucydides' work is heralded for his scientific approach to gathering information for accuracy. He also does not include references to divine intervention (unlike Herodotus). Ultimately, this is an important work. It's not as engaging as I hope for historical text.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Thucydides may not have been one of Athens' best generals but he was certainly one of her best historians.
I think his style of history and the uses he advocated for studying it influenced my young, impressionable mind into making it the focus of my studies and interests.
I think his style of history and the uses he advocated for studying it influenced my young, impressionable mind into making it the focus of my studies and interests.
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
recommends it for:
History
Over the years one observes his own knowledge base expand. There are books that fill slowly and there are books that change everthing. This is one that changes so much that it is as if you are watching a line of falling dominos. I remember my freind Dave telling me he was reading the book and I was reading it too as a result. Thank God for old childhood friends.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 3.74 (636 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 3.70 (514 ratings) number of reviews: 67popular shelves
other editions
quote
"You may be sure that we are as well aware as you of the difficulty of contending against your power and fortune, unless the terms be equal. But we trust that the gods may grant us fortune as good as yours, since we are just men fighting against unjust, and that what we want in power will be made up by the alliance of the Lacedaemonians, who are bound, if only for very shame, to come to the aid of their kindred. Our confidence, therefore, after all is not so utterly irrational.
"
more quotes »