NATIONAL BESTSELLER - The bestselling author of How the Irish Saved Civilization takes us on a journey through the landmarks of art and bloodshed that defined Greek culture nearly three millennia ago. "A triumph of popularization: extraordinarily knowledgeable, informal in tone, amusing, wide ranging, smartly paced." -- The New York Times Book Review In the city-states of Athens and Sparta and throughout the Greek islands, honors could be won in making love and war, and lives were rife with contradictions. By ...
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NATIONAL BESTSELLER - The bestselling author of How the Irish Saved Civilization takes us on a journey through the landmarks of art and bloodshed that defined Greek culture nearly three millennia ago. "A triumph of popularization: extraordinarily knowledgeable, informal in tone, amusing, wide ranging, smartly paced." -- The New York Times Book Review In the city-states of Athens and Sparta and throughout the Greek islands, honors could be won in making love and war, and lives were rife with contradictions. By developing the alphabet, the Greeks empowered the reader, demystified experience, and opened the way for civil discussion and experimentation--yet they kept slaves. The glorious verses of the Iliad recount a conflict in which rage and outrage spur men to action and suggest that their "bellicose society of gleaming metals and rattling weapons" is not so very distant from more recent campaigns of "shock and awe." And, centuries before Zorba, Greece was a land where music, dance, and freely flowing wine were essential to the high life. Granting equal time to the sacred and the profane, Cahill rivets our attention to the legacies of an ancient and enduring worldview.
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Good. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 352 p. Contains: Illustrations. Hinges of History, 4. May show signs of wear, highlighting, writing, and previous use. This item may be a former library book with typical markings. No guarantee on products that contain supplements Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Twenty-five year bookseller with shipments to over fifty million happy customers.
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Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 352 p. Contains: Illustrations. Hinges of History, 4. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 352 p. Contains: Illustrations. Hinges of History, 4. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
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Good. Gently used with minimal wear on the corners and cover. A few pages may contain light highlighting or writing but the text remains fully legible. Dust jacket may be missing and supplemental materials like CDs or codes may not be included. Could have library markings. Ships promptly!
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Book is in good condition and may include underlining highlighting and minimal wear. The book can also include From the library of labels. May not contain miscellaneous items toys dvds etc. We offer 100% money back guarantee and 24 7 customer service.
Many "classisists" write about the ancient Greeks with an arch, superior tone that intimidates people who are not classical scholars. Cahill, by contrast, does not need to prove how smart he is. He sets out to enlighten and inspire his readers. This book demystifies such glorious stories as the Iliad, and gives us a deep appreciation of some of the Greeks' inventions, including democracy.
michaelt
Jan 17, 2008
mixed pleasure
Good reading, but not oustandingly insightful . . . this is more a historical review or straight-up greek classical history, than any meaningful interpretation or analysis of why the Greeks are important.
jimmieD
Oct 11, 2007
If you love Greek History, you'll love this !
Well, its been a while since I read the book, got it from the Library. It was so interesting that I had to get a copy for myself. I want to learn, and this is a great way to do it. I have never been to Greece, but I believe the author, Tom Cahill ? , I'm not close to the book now, am on the road, allowed me, a forester, by education, to really appreciate a very special time in human history. Its fascinating. He wrote another book, fascinating to me, about cod, and I believe one about salt as well. Salt, got to me, I kept drinking water, and never did finish it, but Cod, was awesome and the wine dark sea just captivated me. Well worth the few $$$ to have and enjoy over and over.
ridetbred
Jun 29, 2007
wine-dark sweetness
cahill is a gem, not only a good researcher and historian but a damn entertaining and titillating writer. the humor and downright naughtiness in this informative but racy read make this one of my favorite resources. khairete suz
