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Summary: The Beginning of Western History
Review: Ernle Bradford, in "Thermopylae, the Battle for the West," opined that European history began with the Greco-Persian Wars. Indeed, had Athens and Sparta lost, the Persians' Westward advance might have been stopped only by the Atlantic Ocean. Victor Davis Hanson has written a number of works (e.g. "The Western Way of War" and "An Autumn of War") which posit that when East meets West, the outcome is a foregone conclusion--the West wins hands down every time. It is quite easy to get caught up in the mystique of Western military supremacy, but this book serves as a bracing antidote to that way of thinking. The eve of the Greco-Persian Wars found Greece a hodgepodge of bickering and warring city-states, and Persia a monolithic, world-spanning empire capable of fabulous logistical and engineering feats. For example: an ancient "Suez Canal," two pontoon bridges across the two mile breadth of the Hellespont, a supply line which kept an army of over 100,000 provisioned in enemy territory for over a year. The Greeks on the other hand engaged in near-suicidal bickering and backstabbing, and when the crunch came, two small city-states (Athens and Sparta) fielded woefully inadequate armies and navies to face the Persian juggernaut. The rest, with few exceptions, either temporized or went over to the enemy. Five great battles decided the fate of the Persians: Marathon, the twin battles of Thermopylae & Artemiseum, Salamis, and Plataea. Thermopylae was a glorious but devastating defeat, Artemiseum a draw, and the other three hairbreadth victories. Green displays great scholarship but nonetheless makes his narrative a gripping read. He displays none of the stilted, lifeless prose of his predecessor A.R. Burn ("Persia and the Greeks") as he brings to life the epic struggle which gave birth to the West as we know it. Read this book and see how close we all came to speaking Persian
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Summary: AMAZING!!! Completely compelling and intriguing!
Review: Green does an amazing job of recounting the Greco-Persian Wars in a way that is not mind-numbing or revisionistic. I found this book refreshing and validates the brilliance and fortitude of character of the ancient Greeks. This book captures the true essence of the Greek struggle against Persian aggression and demonstrates the awe-inspiring achievement of the Greeks. The quintessential "David and Goliath" with all the heroism and bravery that one would find in any epic war novel. I laud Green's ability to draw his reader into an ancient struggle for freedom, the outcome of which establishes the foundation for which the political ideology of Western civilization is based.
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Summary: Excellent account of a key period in Western history.
Review: Had the Greeks failed to defeat the Persians in in their invasion of Greece, western history would have been very different. The great flowering of Greek civilization would not have taken place, and without it, it is hard to conceive how our world would look now. Green, one of the best classcial scholars, has done a superb job of covering a war that has been covered in myths. At times, he must engage in speculation to cover gaps or improbabilities in the historical record, but he always does so judiciously, and with regard for other points of view. This book is interesting not just as military history, bur for an account of how western civilization developed.
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Summary: Excellent account of a key period in Western history.
Review: Had the Greeks failed to defeat the Persians in in their invasion of Greece, western history would have been very different. The great flowering of Greek civilization would not have taken place, and without it, it is hard to conceive how our world would look now. Green, one of the best classcial scholars, has done a superb job of covering a war that has been covered in myths. At times, he must engage in speculation to cover gaps or improbabilities in the historical record, but he always does so judiciously, and with regard for other points of view. This book is interesting not just as military history, bur for an account of how western civilization developed.
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Summary: Boring
Review: Horrible. I forced myself to read it for 2 entire days and could hardly keep awake. I kept thinking it would pickup, but it never did. The style is in essay format, which takes the excitement away from this book. I think if the author imagined that the audience might not be his students at Texas University, he would have given a bit more credit to the readers. Check it first in your local library if you don't believe me.
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Summary: Same as many other...
Review: I liked the topic, but when I read it, it was the same as all the other historical books, one sided and false. The book is based on exaggerated events that are written and accepted only by the fictional authors of the time, and repeated by Mr. Peter Green. The language is like his lectures- boring. If you would like to believe stories, this book is for you; otherwise continue searching for the truth.
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Summary: Superb Analysis of the Greco-Persian Wars
Review: It was mid-August in 490 BC in a place called Marathon. The Athenians had just registered a stunning victory over the invading Persian troops. Athens did it largely by themselves without Spartan help. As they celebrated their victory an Athenian general, Themistocles, may have been the only Athenian to realize the Persians would be back and the next time Athens would need help. Peter Green does a superb job in assimilating the well-documented wars between Greece and Persia early in the Fifth Century BC. Relying on the ancient writings of Herodotus, Xenophon, Plutarch and others, Green analyzes every situation during this period. We know not just names, places and dates but how strategy unfolded and a careful analysis that the leaders had to evaluate. War became like a chess game of position, analysis of the strengths and weakness of all positions, and a bit of guile. The stakes were high. Persia had the mightiest empire ever created. Greece wasn't even a nation, but a collection of city-states, often at war with each other. The Persian threat would force Greeks to come together as a nation. Could they do it? Green takes us through the trials and travails of this effort. Many Greek city-states collaborated with the Persians. In fact, the whole of northern and central Greece did. In many cases ousted leaders sought Persian help to get back to power; they may have been at war with other city-states; or they may simply have chosen earth and water to death and destruction. The Athenians and Spartans would have to overcome their differences to get rid of the Persian menace from Greece. At times they would work together but generally as soon as the immediate threat was over they would go their separate ways again. When the city-states could come together they became a formidable force for the Persians to deal with. They were better armed and superior in close-in battles. The Persians had the superior cavalry and had numerical superiority. Whichever side could exploit its strengths the best would win. The book isn't without its faults, however. I thought there was a little too much second guessing of Herodotus and there was way too much use of foreign expressions, which became quite annoying. But these criticisms are minor. The book is a superb re-enactment of these classic wars that helped shape Western civilization.
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Summary: An Interesting Look At This Time Period!
Review: Mr. Green has taken a very interesting look at a subject that occured long ago. He has managed to cover this military conflict and do so in such a way that it's informative but at the same time will hold the reader's interest. This is a very indepth analysis of this conflict and nothing is left out. The reader will have a full understanding of all of the different aspects. When necessary Mr. Green explains his feelings on Herodotus' comments and observations. This is an interesting look at a conflict that took place centuries ago. Whether you are reading for pleasure or this is a text for a class you will come away with a better understanding of this military conflict.
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Summary: Great Story, Great Information
Review: My one complaint is that I would have prefered more illustrations. That said, Peter Green does a tremendous job telling the story of the Greco-Persian Wars while keeping the subject academic. Green breathes life into the ancient characters, Themesticles, Miltiades, Leonidas, to name a few. And he doesn't fall into the trap of stereotyping the Persians and Persian Kings. He also tells you when he's basing his interpretations on thin or very little evidence, so that you can form your own opinion while reading. This is refreshing when compared to many historical authors who hand down their interpretations as if they are Moses on the mountain top. Greco-Persian Wars is a well written, scholarly, and entertaining book. I enthusiastically recommend it.
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Summary: A thorough study of ancient adversaries
Review: Peter Green does an excellent job explaining the background of Greece and Persia which led to the Greco-Persian wars. His points of view and comments are right on the mark when he describes the generals, politicians and common soldiers that were caught up in this war. It is amazing how these Greek city states were able to have an alliance with each other, when they barely got along in the first place. It is true that feuds are forgotten when a common and daunting adversary is threatening an existance of the empire. Green's analysis of the Battle of Marathon are chilling as one of the reviewers noted. An amazing triumph for the Greeks, who were outmanned by a large degree. I recommend this book to any student, researcher or casual history enthusiast of Ancient Greece. Highly recommended.
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