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Pyrrhus / by Jacob Abbott ; with Engravings. 1854 [Leather Bound]
Leather Binding on Spine and Corners with Golden leaf printing on spine. This book is printed in black & white, Sewing binding for longer life, where the book block is actually sewn (smythe sewn/section sewn) with thread before binding which results in a more durable type of binding. Reprinted in 2022 with the help of original edition published long back 1854. As this book is reprinted from a very old book, there could be some missing or flawed pages. If it is multi vo Resized as per current standards. We expect that you will understand our compulsion with such books. 316 Pyrrhus / by Jacob Abbott ; with engravings. 1854 Jacob Abbott
316 pages, Leather Bound
First published January 1, 1854
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About the author
Jacob Abbott
1,479 books92 followersAbbott was born at Hallowell, Maine to Jacob and Betsey Abbott. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1820; studied at Andover Theological Seminary in 1821, 1822, and 1824; was tutor in 1824-1825, and from 1825 to 1829 was professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Amherst College; was licensed to preach by the Hampshire Association in 1826; founded the Mount Vernon School for Young Ladies in Boston in 1829, and was principal of it in 1829-1833; was pastor of Eliot Congregational Church (which he founded), at Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1834-1835; and was, with his brothers, a founder, and in 1843-1851 a principal of Abbott's Institute, and in 1845-1848 of the Mount Vernon School for Boys, in New York City.
He was a prolific author, writing juvenile fiction, brief histories, biographies, religious books for the general reader, and a few works in popular science. He died in Farmington, Maine, where he had spent part of his time after 1839, and where his brother, Samuel Phillips Abbott, founded the Abbott School.
His Rollo Books, such as Rollo at Work, Rollo at Play, Rollo in Europe, etc., are the best known of his writings, having as their chief characters a representative boy and his associates. In them Abbott did for one or two generations of young American readers a service not unlike that performed earlier, in England and America, by the authors of Evenings at Home, The History of Sandford and Merton, and the The Parent's Assistant.
Fewacres in 1906, Abbott's residence at Farmington, Maine
His brothers, John S.C. Abbott and Gorham Dummer Abbott, were also authors. His sons, Benjamin Vaughan Abbott, Austin Abbott, both eminent lawyers, Lyman Abbott, and Edward Abbott, a clergyman, were also well-known authors.
He was a prolific author, writing juvenile fiction, brief histories, biographies, religious books for the general reader, and a few works in popular science. He died in Farmington, Maine, where he had spent part of his time after 1839, and where his brother, Samuel Phillips Abbott, founded the Abbott School.
His Rollo Books, such as Rollo at Work, Rollo at Play, Rollo in Europe, etc., are the best known of his writings, having as their chief characters a representative boy and his associates. In them Abbott did for one or two generations of young American readers a service not unlike that performed earlier, in England and America, by the authors of Evenings at Home, The History of Sandford and Merton, and the The Parent's Assistant.
Fewacres in 1906, Abbott's residence at Farmington, Maine
His brothers, John S.C. Abbott and Gorham Dummer Abbott, were also authors. His sons, Benjamin Vaughan Abbott, Austin Abbott, both eminent lawyers, Lyman Abbott, and Edward Abbott, a clergyman, were also well-known authors.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 26, 2017
...for it was one of the fundamental principles of haruspicial science that lightning made sacred whatever it touched. Where else could one read such a curiously waggish sentence?
Understatement alert: The Spartans, however, were not much accustomed to be alarmed."
Reading about Pyrrhus was a stretch because there's nothing familiar. Beginning with his native land, Epirus. Add a dozen rivals/allies whose names begin with A- Antipater, Agathocles, Archagathus, Alexander (not that one), Arsinoe, Antiochus, Antigonus. Abbott includes enchanting appositives after a name: it will be recollected , his way of reminding the reader that this character was introduced three chapters before. Ha ha, Mr. Abbott!
What was familiar was Pyrrhus's personality. He was perpetually making new beginnings but nowhere attaining any ends. Though he conquered many kingdoms, Abbott writes, He accomplished nothing.
My favorite story, in my words. Pyrrhus has been asked to come defend the city of Tarentum (on the instep of the boot of Italy) against the Romans. His general, Cineas, a student of Demosthenes, tries to dissuade him from going.
C: Let's say we conquer the Romans. Then what?
P: We'll master all of Italy.
C: After Italy, what next?
P: Why, Sicily is close. We'll take Sicily.
C: Let's say we win Sicily. Then what?
P: Libya and Carthage. No one will be able to oppose us.
C: Sure; and don't forget Thessaly, Macedon, and Greece. What then?
P: Why then, we can rest, and, eat, drink, and be merry.
C: That's what we're doing now! Why go to war?
Understatement alert: The Spartans, however, were not much accustomed to be alarmed."
Reading about Pyrrhus was a stretch because there's nothing familiar. Beginning with his native land, Epirus. Add a dozen rivals/allies whose names begin with A- Antipater, Agathocles, Archagathus, Alexander (not that one), Arsinoe, Antiochus, Antigonus. Abbott includes enchanting appositives after a name: it will be recollected , his way of reminding the reader that this character was introduced three chapters before. Ha ha, Mr. Abbott!
What was familiar was Pyrrhus's personality. He was perpetually making new beginnings but nowhere attaining any ends. Though he conquered many kingdoms, Abbott writes, He accomplished nothing.
My favorite story, in my words. Pyrrhus has been asked to come defend the city of Tarentum (on the instep of the boot of Italy) against the Romans. His general, Cineas, a student of Demosthenes, tries to dissuade him from going.
C: Let's say we conquer the Romans. Then what?
P: We'll master all of Italy.
C: After Italy, what next?
P: Why, Sicily is close. We'll take Sicily.
C: Let's say we win Sicily. Then what?
P: Libya and Carthage. No one will be able to oppose us.
C: Sure; and don't forget Thessaly, Macedon, and Greece. What then?
P: Why then, we can rest, and, eat, drink, and be merry.
C: That's what we're doing now! Why go to war?
April 25, 2020
Really entertaining... but like others said, hard to keep track of all the characters!
May 6, 2025
Good book to read if you like history and you want to expand your vocabulary.
October 29, 2023
While Jacob Abbott's 'Pyrrhus' provides a straightforward introduction to the life and campaigns of the ancient king of Epirus, the narrative at times feels overly simplified. Abbott's writing style, though clear, lacks the depth and nuance that a subject like Pyrrhus demands. The book serves as a decent primer for those unfamiliar with the history, but seasoned readers might find it lacking in detailed analysis and fresh insights. A middle-of-the-road read for history enthusiasts.
Free audio book here:
https://librivox.org/pyrrhus-by-jacob...
Free audio book here:
https://librivox.org/pyrrhus-by-jacob...
July 17, 2014
Perhaps it was because I'm not at all familiar with ancient Greek and Roman history, but this book was harder to read than the other biographies by Abbott. So many names! So many complex relationships! I had a hard time keeping things straight. And Pyrrhus was just not a hero in any sense of the word. I'm looking forward to reading other books by Abbott about people I have at least heard something about.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews