Greece: A History

by Alexander Eliot

Here, from the award-winning writer and historian Alexander Eliot, is the dramatic story of the rise of ancient Greece to the fall of the Greek Empire - from the city-states of Athens and Sparta to the empire of Alexander the Great and the power of Constantine, from myths of gods and goddesses to the foundations of Orthodox Christianity and from Herodotus and Homer to Aristotle and Euclid. The history of Greece - the birthplace of Western civilization, democracy, mathematics, philosophy, and theater - unfolds in vivid detail in these pages.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Greece

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 20, 2016

Reviews

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexander Eliot's book on the history of Greece is a kind introduction. It is written in a story-telling style, and perhaps feels fictional at times. That may be appropriate as nothing is cited. It's not a textbook by any means. Occasionally you've read for about 20 pages and you're wondering when dialogue will come.

Much of the book feels spent on the fall of the Greek Empire, and the city-states, along with Alexander the Great, my impression was that a minimal number of pages were dedicated to the Ottomans. Then suddenly I've felt as if I was reading about more modern times and that is effectively just the last two chapters, which is about 40 pages. I felt as if there was a disconnect between the history and how Greece is today. Not many pages were spent discussing World War II's impact on Greece, or the Greek Civil War. Perhaps need to find an adequate textbook...

[Lee Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Politics, War and Art

Going to Greece for a visit, and wanted to learn about it. This book began around 5000 BCE, up to the 1960s. I gained a new and strong respect for all the accomplishments of the Greeks, from their culture, philosophy, art, warfare and politics. This is an interesting overview of a vastly important society.

[Slim Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brief kind of overview of Greek history, which is a very long and complex subject, but this is what I wanted and expected so, for that purpose, it was very good. It just made me want to know more but it would take years of study to know all that. Greek history is fascinating and I learned a lot.
So many books, so little time!

[Alan Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-done, albeit brief, history of Greece from ancient to modern times. It describes how each period impacted the time that followed it. It details many of the important figures in Greek culture who are not well known today. Great perspective and wonderful knowledge.

[William Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very good

I'm going on a trip to mainland Greece and seven islands, and was looking for a good, basic history as background. This isn't it. Skips too much and bounced around.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. History of Greece from a very high, short perspective.

[Olga Hammock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to Greek history to one who didn’t know a lot about it. Concise and very readable.

[David Catron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty brief retelling. Not for those who want anything in depth. More of a Cliff's notes history.

[Edie E May · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Overview

I liked this broad view of history and in particular the way that Christianity affected Greece, and the Roman and Byzantine worlds.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced overview Grecian history.

[Paul Bowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and accessible introduction to almost 4000 years of Greek history. Which also makes it an introduction to a vital part of European culture.

[Rick Ludwig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and very readable.

Concise and very readable, this history held my interest and piqued my curiosity. I look forward to digging much deeper.