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Liked It “Excellent writing and incredible battle descriptions! Very tragic story, but has moments of noble sacrifice. I'm not a history buff, but it inspired me to want to learn more about the Peloponnesian War and made me brush up on my greek pronunciations!” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It0 of 1 members found this review helpful “I didn't care for this book... Author never engaged me or held my attention for any point and time. I wouldn't recommend this book...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“Excellent writing and incredible battle descriptions! Very tragic story, but has moments of noble sacrifice. I'm not a history buff, but it inspired me to want to learn more about the Peloponnesian War and made me brush up on my greek pronunciations!”
Michelle B wrote this review Monday, November 23 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Less intense than Gates of Fire, but a necessary study of how a nation can be stampeded into war. Here are some thoughts and themes:
Leroy H wrote this review Monday, December 22 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
- Debasement of honor and chivalry among combatants.
- Alcibiades sees himself as above national boundaries.
- Doesn't see move to other countries as treason; therefore can reinvent himself.
- His god is necessity - flow of history is something one cannot stand against; therefore get on the cutting edge.
- Cutting edge of history is dangerous - people don't like change.
- In time of primogeniture, path to glory and wealth was war, not commerce.
- Jealousy of lesser man for the better and how it applies to democracy.”
“Certainly not the best book of Alcibides and what he may have been like, but it is enjoyable enough to the historical fiction geeks of the world. The author obviously put enough time in research to make it all sound fesible. I give him credit for making it an interesting read.”
Claudius M wrote this review Saturday, August 30 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Sometimes you just have to keep at it. In today's world of "bling" images many of our traditional more basic senses have been anesthestized. One of them has been the ability to concentrate and turn written words into fantastic mental images and create goose bumps or strike a concordance with an inner thought or emotion we have. I am sorry that the other two reviewers did not find this author's literary effort up to the task of getting them interested. Mr. Pressfield is a brillant writer whose research and meticulous narrative constructions fill this entire novel. From the great, informative maps showing Greece and its neighboring locales with their ancient names to the placement of Greek terms within the text itself and ultimately with the interesting story line involving the narrator and the main protagonists, the story is a smashing success. Obviously, you can not review a story if you have not read it. This one is worth reading. The period dealt with is the wars between Athens and Sparta when they formed alliances with their neighbors and fought bloody land and sea battles. The time is early 400's BC and before the heroic Alexander the Great. Mr. Pressfield's skill and knowledge in bringing these campaigns to life and showing the effects on ordinary soldiers and civilians is breathtaking. All the while we are following the main characters in the evolving story, told in retrospect, as the ultimate fate of these folks is alligned with the historical demise in most flamboyant manner of the great Greek philosopher, Socrates. If we are unaware of the great Athenian military and political leader, Alcibiades, we now discover a person of remarkable character and charisma. Go back to your books on Greek civilization and check out if he is mentioned therein. If not, sell those books and purchase this one. It has plenty in it to educate one about the early Greeks at the height of their classical development.”
Robert L wrote this review Wednesday, August 27 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No0 of 1 members found this review helpful“I didn't care for this book... Author never engaged me or held my attention for any point and time. I wouldn't recommend this book...”
scott d wrote this review Sunday, January 27 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
0 of 1 members found this review helpful“this one was boring to me for some reason...I skimmed thru & went on the the next one...I think I will read it again & see if my opinion has changed...”
rrobles_06 wrote this review Monday, June 25 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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