Rating: 
Summary: A Greek War Classic
Review: "History of the Peloponnesian War" is Thucyidides' account of the 27-year war between Athens and Sparta which began in 431 BC. The Penguin edition is just over 600 pages and can be very slow for a modern-day reader, but it is worth the effort as much of it is still amazingly practical, especially in today's wartime world. Unfortunately Thucydides' account ends 7 years before the end of the war (which Sparta won, but in a rather Pyrrhic victory) so be prepared for some disappointment at the conclusion of a long read.
The narration of the book is rather dry at points (which is understandable in that it was written 2400+ years ago), but Thucydides' summations of the major speeches at high points of the war are excellent. His recap of the speech made by the Athenian general Pericles, appealing to his people for continuation of the battle at a point when their morale was very low, reads like it could have been taken from a present-day newspaper within the past few years.
Be prepared to have to give some effort to get through this book, but you'll be better off for doing so.
Rating: 
Summary: A milestone, and recurrent justifications ....
Review: "History of the Peloponnesian War" is, superficially, merely an account of a war that happened centuries ago, the Peloponnesian War, between Athenas and Sparta. Of course, you might think that the subject is trivial to you. After all, how important can a book like that be?. Well, if you were to think that, you would be enormously mistaken.To start with, this book is a milestone you need to be aware of. Thucydides, its author, is very possibly the first modern historian. He tried to explain the causes of the Peloponnesian War, without reducing its complexity by saying that the gods had motivated it. Thucydides doesn't follow the easy path; instead, he searches those causes in human nature, and in power. He doesn't weave tales, but tries to write History. It is rather astonishing how objective this Athenian was when he analyzed the war, and all that happened immediately before it. He examines methodically many events, paying special attention to facts. The author also gives his opinion from time to time, but he doesn't judge whether an action is good or evil: he merely shows that those that have power can use it as they see fit. Due to that, Thucydides is called by many the first realist theoretician. I was especially taken aback by how well he expresses his ideas regarding the fact that "power makes right" in the Melian debate. I don't agree with him, but I cannot deny that he makes a powerful case, and that his point of view is shared nowadays by many noteworthy thinkers. It is important to point out that in "History of the Peloponnesian War" you will find a painstaking account of many things that actually happened, but also some speeches that weren't made by the actors, but could have been made by them. To explain that more clearly: Thucydides wrote some political dialogues and monologues that allow us to understand some aspects of the conflict (and many of his ideas) better. The introduction to this edition also highlights that the author sometimes made up some of the speeches (from the data he had), and was present when others were pronounced. My favorite speech is the one made by Pericles, in honor of the men who died during the war. In that discourse, he explains why those men fought and died to defend Athens, and what Athens meant not only for Athenians but also for Greece. This book isn't easy to read, but it is well-worth the effort. The translation is quite good, so that will make your task a little easier. If you don't feel like reading this book all at once, try to read it little by little. The results will be the same, but you won't feel dismayed by the need of finishing it immediately. Also, if you can, try to relate some of Thucydides themes to our modern world. You will find that easier that you might think, and it will make you pay more attention to what you are reading. You are likely to be very surprised, for example, at how similar some of nowaday's justifications for taking advantage of power without paying attention to justice are to those that Thucydides already made a long time ago. On the whole, I highly recommend this book :) Belen Alcat
Rating:
Summary: A concise, accurate history of the Peloponnesian War
Review: A history of the Peloponnesian War written by Thucydides, a general who participated in the early actions of the war.
This history starts from what caused the war, a detailed history of the war, and its effects on the whole of Greece.
All in all, this is a great book on the Peloponnesian War and is very accurate.
Rating:
Summary: Concise
Review: A true classic. Very easy to read, and contains many great speeches within it (including Pericles' funeral oration). More-or-less objective, although does favour the Anthenians (mostly noted through diction). Easy to understand.
Rating:
Summary: The Classic Work of History
Review: All serious students of military history should read Thucydides. It took me many years to get around to him, but it was well worth it. In order to understand all the popular topics of military history, US Civil War, WW2, etc., a reading of this work should be required. So much in this book relates to the Western experience of war throughout the centuries. Indeed, this work is considered one of the original primary sources of Western History, and one can easily see why. Thucydides speaks of human nature, which from reading him we can see has not changed much over the centuries. The clash between Athens and Sparta can rightly be considered one of the classic confrontations of all time. One a naval power and the other a land power. Such a war was bound to shack the very foundations of the classical world as the old traditions of Greek Hoplite warfare were forever changed by this conflict. Thucydides provides us a stunning portrait of city states at war. The arrogance, greed, cunning, desperation and cruelity are all there for us to see. One can chart the progress of this conflict and see the effects at had on both protagonists. Over time the original reasons for the conflict become obscure as the war takes on a life all its own, which neither side seemingly willing or able to end it. Some of the names mentioned are well known in Greek History. Pericles and Alcibiades must surely be the best known, but there are also Cleon, Brisadas and others. The character of Alcibiades must surely be the most interesting, and one that we can certainly relate to in our own times. Former US President Bill Clinton probably most resembles him. Both are brilliant men of low social character and absolute opportunists. Pure military historians may find this book a slow read at times. There are relatively few stand up batttles except for Nemea and Mantinea, and these are given cursory descriptions at best. The conflict consists mostly of sea-borne operations and raids. One can see the early development of combined land and naval operations here. The highlight of the book is surely the Sicilian campaign of 415-413. Here Athens gambled all to become the supreme power of the classical world. Had she prevailed Western History might have developed quite differently. Again, arrogance and mis-judegment would undo her. The constant references to strange sounding locales and peoples does not make Thucydides an easy read. At times one will almost feel lost in the details. The Penguin edition could use a new look with a lot more maps and visuals to aid the reader in keeping track of the action. The existing maps are woefully inadequate. This is the only reason why I have given this book a four star rating. The presentation needs to be improved with a newer edition. Those seeking to get more out of this work should consult Donald Kagan's new book on the Peloponnesian War. The reader will find invaluable assistence here to help in their understanding of this classic work of history.
Rating:
Summary: The Classic Work of History
Review: All serious students of military history should read Thucydides. It took me many years to get around to him, but it was well worth it. In order to understand all the popular topics of military history, US Civil War, WW2, etc., a reading of this work should be required. So much in this book relates to the Western experience of war throughout the centuries. Indeed, this work is considered one of the original primary sources of Western History, and one can easily see why. Thucydides speaks of human nature, which from reading him we can see has not changed much over the centuries. The clash between Athens and Sparta can rightly be considered one of the classic confrontations of all time. One a naval power and the other a land power. Such a war was bound to shack the very foundations of the classical world as the old traditions of Greek Hoplite warfare were forever changed by this conflict. Thucydides provides us a stunning portrait of city states at war. The arrogance, greed, cunning, desperation and cruelity are all there for us to see. One can chart the progress of this conflict and see the effects at had on both protagonists. Over time the original reasons for the conflict become obscure as the war takes on a life all its own, which neither side seemingly willing or able to end it. Some of the names mentioned are well known in Greek History. Pericles and Alcibiades must surely be the best known, but there are also Cleon, Brisadas and others. The character of Alcibiades must surely be the most interesting, and one that we can certainly relate to in our own times. Former US President Bill Clinton probably most resembles him. Both are brilliant men of low social character and absolute opportunists. Pure military historians may find this book a slow read at times. There are relatively few stand up batttles except for Nemea and Mantinea, and these are given cursory descriptions at best. The conflict consists mostly of sea-borne operations and raids. One can see the early development of combined land and naval operations here. The highlight of the book is surely the Sicilian campaign of 415-413. Here Athens gambled all to become the supreme power of the classical world. Had she prevailed Western History might have developed quite differently. Again, arrogance and mis-judegment would undo her. The constant references to strange sounding locales and peoples does not make Thucydides an easy read. At times one will almost feel lost in the details. The Penguin edition could use a new look with a lot more maps and visuals to aid the reader in keeping track of the action. The existing maps are woefully inadequate. This is the only reason why I have given this book a four star rating. The presentation needs to be improved with a newer edition. Those seeking to get more out of this work should consult Donald Kagan's new book on the Peloponnesian War. The reader will find invaluable assistence here to help in their understanding of this classic work of history.
Rating:
Summary: A must read in classical history.
Review: An excellent account of the destructive war between Athens and Sparta from 431 to 404 B.C. The book details three theaters of war--mainland Greece, Sicily and Asia Minor. Thucydides is probably at his best when he details speeches given by various statesmen or generals (even if they are most probably fictitious or highly suspect). This book is, in my opinion, much more engaging than Herodotus' "Histories". I would try to convince anyone to buy this book. Read it!
Rating:
Summary: Contrary to the first reviewer, I found it AMAZINGLY honest.
Review: As I began to read this book, and the insightful remark that people tend to find the past grander than the present was made, I thought I was reading an introduction by a modern author. Thucydides is not only a good author, but an admirably resourceful and analytical philosopher. For instance, when tidal waves were destroying towns, he was keen enough to realize that they were the result of earthquakes, instead of mindlessly writng it off to the wrath of the gods. But this history is by know means dry. His account of the plague in Athens, and the speeches and battles he recorded were all very interesting and at times extroardinarily dramatic. I think this book is the lost treasure of the library, exiled to some remote shelf, not having been checked out since 1985, binding shredded and falling off, but as they say, never judge a book by it's cover. P.S. I'm not flaming any one, but when I read the top review on this page, I was offended. The fact that they (he, she, it)condemned this book without basis, and most likely, without reading it, probably made someone decide not to read this masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: bound to become a classic
Review: Athens has Sparta by the throat, suing for peace. As protector of democracy Athens can expand her empire ad infinitum. Athens blows it. Driven by demagoguery, the Athenians reject Sparta's offer and lose it all in war against Syracuse. Thucydides weaves a very modern tale of democratic hubris and overreach. I read it two times.
Rating: 
Summary: what a long way we have come
Review: Before I am pilloried as a heathen and burned in effigy as a barbarian, let me begin by saying yes, I recognize the importance of this book - historical objectivity and attributing events to human causes are the foundations of the discipline of history, and we owe that to Thucydides (and, to a lesser extent, Herodotus.)
With that said, I was disappointed at how laborious I found this book. To its credit, it was exhaustive in its approach to the subject matter, beginning with the geographical layout of the Pelopnnesus and its subsequent political development in the distant past prior to the war. And the causes of the war were certainly discussed objectively. But the book was dry - really dry. The sort of thing that college students, in their worst nightmares, have of what a history class is like dry. With all due respect to Thucydides, it read like a monontone lecture. Is there valuable information here? Absolutely. Is it a landmark piece of history? Without doubt. But we have (thankfully) come a long way from the monotonous drone in history writing since the 4th century BC. In other words, its important, but a very tough read.
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