Firstly, it is very clear that the author is knowledgeable, if not and expert in his field. That field however is not writing. It appears to me that this book may have started life as an academic paper, with a heavy focus and scrutiny of the sources. Prior knowledge of the geographical development of ancient Greece is assumed on the part of the reader as names of people, cities, allies and enemies throughout the ~750 year period are thrown out with little background or information.
The writing itself unfortunately bores or distracts the reader as every statement carries the caveat of uncertainty as if it was being presented as evidence in court. There is certainly knowledge in these pages but it is presented in a way that alienates most readers. Not intentionally pretentious but certainly riding the line.
I would say to the casual reader who just wants to learn about a legendary society, in a fascinating period of war and development, try something else, this isn't even worth the satisfaction of getting through it. To the academics, if this is your first look into Sparta, there may be some benefit to reading this, if nothing else than for the sources that are conveniently referenced in every chapter. I'd suggest creating your own timeline however as the writing seems to shift through dates fairly rapidly, it can be a challenge to track. For those who are already knowledgeable of Greek history, this may be an interesting read, there is some personal insertion at times so there are perhaps some unique perspectives on events.
In summary, not the easiest read, not for casual interest, potentially outdated.
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Top reviews from other countries
Alasdair
Very clearly written by a historian
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 April 2024Verified Purchase
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Five Stars
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