In the fourth volume of the acclaimed Hinges of History series, Thomas Cahill brings his characteristic wit and style to a fascinating tour of ancient Greece. The Greeks invented everything from Western warfare to mystical prayer, from logic to statecraft. Many of their achievements, particularly in art and philosophy, are widely celebrated; other important innovations and accomplishments, however, are unknown or underappreciated. In Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea, Thomas Cahill explores the legacy, good and bad, of the ancient ...
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In the fourth volume of the acclaimed Hinges of History series, Thomas Cahill brings his characteristic wit and style to a fascinating tour of ancient Greece. The Greeks invented everything from Western warfare to mystical prayer, from logic to statecraft. Many of their achievements, particularly in art and philosophy, are widely celebrated; other important innovations and accomplishments, however, are unknown or underappreciated. In Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea, Thomas Cahill explores the legacy, good and bad, of the ancient Greeks. From the origins of Greek culture in the migrations of armed Indo-European tribes into Attica and the Peloponnesian peninsula, to the formation of the city-states, to the birth of Western literature, poetry, drama, philosophy, art, and architecture, Cahill makes the distant past relevant to the present. Greek society is one of the two primeval influences on the Western world: While Jews gave us our value system, the Greeks set the foundation and framework for our intellectual lives. They are responsible for our vocabulary, our logic, and our entire system of categorization. They provided the intellectual tools we bring to bear on problems in philosophy, mathematics, medicine, physics, and the other sciences. Their modes of thinking, considered in classical times to be the pinnacle of human achievement, are largely responsible for the shape that the Christian religion took. But, as Cahill points out, the Greeks left a less appealing bequest as well. They created Western militarism and, in making the warrior the ultimate ideal, perpetrated the assumption that only males could be entrusted with the duties of citizenship. The consequences of their exclusion of women from the political sphere and the social segregation of the sexes continue to reverberate today. Full of surprising, often controversial, insights, Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea is a remarkable intellectual adventure--conducted by the most companionable guide imaginable. Cahill's knowledge of his sources is so intimate that he has made his own fresh translations of the Greek lyric poets for this volume.
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Seller's Description:
Poor. 6 CDs. Hinges of History, 4. Used-Acceptable, withdrawn library disc(s) with liner notes. Disc(s) should play great without any playback issues. Disc(s) & liner notes may contain typical library markings like stickers, protective label covers, & writing. Discs may be repackaged in library style casing. Back artwork & any other promo material not included.
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Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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
