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The Landmark Herodotus: : The Histories
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 10, 2023
The Landmark Herodotus translated by Andrea L. Purvis
The first thing to look for is the translator. You will want several translations to compare unless you can read Herodotus directly.
It is always nice to have an introduction but not to interfere with the book. In this case, the introduction is by Rosalind Thomas a professor of Ancient Greek history.
The book is packed with 21 appendices, marginal notes, footnotes, maps, photographs, and all kinds of annotations; the footnotes are just that, you do not have to keep your finger in the back of the book on a notes page while reading; however, some of the footnotes are just references. You also do not need to keep one finger on the web while reading. There is a banner on the top of each page to help you keep track of the year and place you are in.
Herodotus brings to life and makes clear many places, wars, etc. that are mostly only names to us. After reading you will now think back and know where the places are, what the wars were about, and why.
Herodotus collected much information firsthand, and a lot from interviews so he gets it mostly correct. Occasionally, it does not come out just right. Herodotus describes the hippopotamus, which he saw on his travels in Egypt. 'This animal has four legs, cloven hoofs like an ox, a snub nose, a horse's mane, and tail, conspicuous tusks, a voice like a horse's neigh, and is about the size of a large ox.
First edition 2007. Ready for the second edition.
The first thing to look for is the translator. You will want several translations to compare unless you can read Herodotus directly.
It is always nice to have an introduction but not to interfere with the book. In this case, the introduction is by Rosalind Thomas a professor of Ancient Greek history.
The book is packed with 21 appendices, marginal notes, footnotes, maps, photographs, and all kinds of annotations; the footnotes are just that, you do not have to keep your finger in the back of the book on a notes page while reading; however, some of the footnotes are just references. You also do not need to keep one finger on the web while reading. There is a banner on the top of each page to help you keep track of the year and place you are in.
Herodotus brings to life and makes clear many places, wars, etc. that are mostly only names to us. After reading you will now think back and know where the places are, what the wars were about, and why.
Herodotus collected much information firsthand, and a lot from interviews so he gets it mostly correct. Occasionally, it does not come out just right. Herodotus describes the hippopotamus, which he saw on his travels in Egypt. 'This animal has four legs, cloven hoofs like an ox, a snub nose, a horse's mane, and tail, conspicuous tusks, a voice like a horse's neigh, and is about the size of a large ox.
First edition 2007. Ready for the second edition.
June 7, 2024
Awesome great maps and notes!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews