[.ca] The Greco-Persian Wars (ISBN 0520203135)

From Amazon.com:
Popular classicist Peter Green (author of Alexander of Macedon, 356-323 B.C.) offers an engrossing narrative of the wars between the Greeks and the Persians. This is real David-and-Goliath material, with the scrappy, feuding city-states of ancient Greece fending off a much larger aggressor. The conflicts themselves are a kind of struggle for the soul of Western civilization: "On the one side, the towering, autocratic figure of the Great King; on the other, the voluntary and imperfect discipline of proudly independent citizens." The Greeks surprisingly fare better in these encounters, and make themselves legends on the plains of Marathon (192 Greek casualties versus 6,400 Persians), during the heroic last stand at Thermopylae, and elsewhere. The Greco-Persian Wars is full of wonderful stories featuring bravery, cowardice, and treachery. Unlike so many of his fellow historians, Green understands the importance of a dramatic narrative, sometimes employing novelistic techniques to relate what happened. It's not an overstatement to say that the course of Western history might have taken a strikingly unfamiliar turn if these battles had had different outcomes. Green is a natural storyteller, and The Greco-Persian Wars is a delight to read, even for readers who have no background or special interest in the classical world. --John J. Miller

Superb Analysis of the Greco-Persian Wars:
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.

Excellent account of a key period in Western history.:
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.

Boring:
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.

An Interesting Look At This Time Period!:
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.

AMAZING!!! Completely compelling and intriguing!:
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.