The Sea, the Sea

by Xenophon

ONLY ONE MAN CAN LEAD THE GREEK ARMY HOME...

Trying to help a prince overthrow the king of Persia, the Greek army has been betrayed. Now the surviving soldiers are trapped in a hostile country as unforgiving enemies attack from all sides.

Enter Xenophon, a tough and brilliant leader who must guide the retreating Greeks across the treacherous mountains and rivers that stand in their way. But can he lead them to freedom - and to the great sea that will take them home?

Genres: Classics, History, Epic, Ancient History

96 pages, Paperback

First published December 26, 2006

About the author

Xenophon (Ancient Greek Ξενοφῶν, Modern Greek Ξενοφώντας; ca. 431 – 355 BC), son of Gryllus, of the deme Erchia of Athens, was a soldier, mercenary and a contemporary and admirer of Socrates. He is known for his writings on the history of his own times, preserving the sayings of Socrates, and the life of ancient Greece.

Historical and biographical works:
Anabasis (or The Persian Expedition)
Cyropaedia
Hellenica
Agesilaus

Socratic works and dialogues:
Memorabilia
Oeconomicus
Symposium
Apology
Hiero

Short treatises:
On Horsemanship
The Cavalry General
Hunting with Dogs
Ways and Means
Constitution of Sparta

Reviews

[Pete daPixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 'Penguin Epic' taken from Xenophon's 'The Persian Expedition' that details the amazing march of the Ten Thousand and their escape from entrapment in hostile territories. A fourth century BC work that has been well translated here by Rex Warner.
There is no content in this book that helps the modern day reader to fully appreciate this incredible march through the territory of the Persian Empire. Through modern day Turkey, travelling south east to Syria and across into Iraq, before turning north, following the course of the river Tigris into Armenia, fighting hostile forces while crossing snow covered mountain ranges and wide rivers, before finally reaching the friendly Greek city of Trapezus on the shore of the Black Sea.
The reader is able to complete this epic, unscathed, in just eighty five pages.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3

This is just a portion of a much longer work by Xenophon called the Anabasis/ The Persian Expidition. This was the first time I have read Xenophon and I'm not terribly impressed so far. He didn't frustrate me as much as Thucydides but he's no Herodotus.
I often found myself losing interest. I might read the whole Anabasis one day but I would probably pick a copy with a different translator to see if that helps.

[Cath Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would I still be working as a manager I certainly would be tempted to devote a leadershipsconference to Xenophon's The Sea The Sea. He has so many qualities and is so very good at inspiring his men in their difficult situation. To give an example; he rather takes up the axe to cut wood than give an order to his tired soldiers. Needless to say they soon take the work from his hands and will probably have learned next time to beat him to it. The Sea,The Sea is an extract from The Persian Expedition and although it is all about warfare and bloodshed, for me it mainly was a wonderful read about Xenophon's creative leadership.

[Smiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read Xenophon's famous expedition in this minipaperback, Books III&IV from his full accounts, that is, "The Persian Expedition". I've found it readable due to Rex Warner's good translation.

[Jerrod · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was certainly a good read... I'm just not a fan of abridgment. If for no other reason than my minimal knowledge of Greek. I like to read from as original a text as possible.

[James T Weston · Rating 3 out of 5]

This abridged version provides an entertaining read with non-stop action from start to finish. It was a quick, enjoyable book, but the full text would certainly provide more context and depth to the struggles the Greeks encountered.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Out of the recent "epics" I have read, this one has the most heart. It is not as dry or long winded as Herodotus or Homer. This tale of getting soldiers home is more endearing than the Odysseus story. It's a simple succinct narrative that didn't blow me away but entertained me for an afternoon.

[DW Rowlands · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't remember why I originally acquired this extremely abridged version of Xenophon's Anabasis, but it was neither a particularly literary translation nor a particularly scholarly-seeming one, and it felt kind of pointless to read.

[Maxann Allen]

I loved this book. Some references were not really clarified, but overall it gave the thrill of adventure, battles along the way, and finding a way home against the odds.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title is misleading as this was about Xenophon's land battles.