Readings in Classical Rhetoric

by Thomas W. Benson

English (translation)

339 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Robert Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good introduction book for those who want to learn the art of classic rhetoric. The selections in this book cover all the bases such as scope, invention, arrangement, style, and memory and delivery.

I have read a review saying this book doesn’t put forward any further ideas or points than it does. That is because it is an introduction book and should be taken as such. The person already schooled in rhetoric would need a more thorough book. But as an intro, this book should work.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this used years ago and finally got around to reading it. Like most anthologies it is excerpts from the major thinkers of its field and historical scope. However, I found a lot of the excepts either didn't advance or contrast too much with one another and that the editor's selections and ordering of the book was half-baked. I still managed to learn a lot about the main trends of thought in ancient rhetoric, but there must be much better books on this topic.