The navy created by the people of Athens in ancient Greece was one of the finest fighting forces in the history of the world and the model for all other national navies to come. The Athenian navy built a civilization, empowered the world's first democracy, and led a band of ordinary citizens on a voyage of discovery that altered the course of history. Its defeat of the Persian fleet at Salamis in 480 B.C.E. launched the Athenian Golden Age and preserved Greek freedom and culture for centuries. With Lords of the Sea, renowned archaeologist and historian John R. Hale presents, for the first time, the definitive history of the epic battles, the indomitable ships, and the men—from extraordinary leaders to seductive rogues—who established Athens's supremacy. With a scholar's insight and a storyteller's flair, Hale takes us on an illustrated tour of the heroes, their turbulent careers, and their far-flung expeditions and brings back to life a forgotten maritime empire and its majestic legacy.
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"This is an excellent book. It follows Athens and it's navy from the Persian invasion of Xerxes to the death of Alexander the Great and relies on ancient sources as well as modern archeology. It's a fun read and shows how Themistocles's vision of an Athenian navy would lead to his small city's golden age. It is filled with accounts of naval battles (along with several maps) as well as many familiar faces such as Aeschylus (a veteran of the battle of Salamis), Demosthenes (a stutterer who became a great orator), and Plato (an aristocrat and opponent of the navy). Mr. Hale also gives great detailed descriptions of the building of a trireme and the evolution of naval strategy. Overall I highly recommend this book." — Jim (5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an excellent book. It follows Athens and it's navy from the Persian invasion of Xerxes to the death of Alexander the Great and relies on ancient sources as well as modern archeology. It's a fun read and shows how Themistocles's vision of an Athenian navy would lead to his small city's golden age. It is filled with accounts of naval battles (along with several maps) as well as many familiar faces such as Aeschylus (a veteran of the battle of Salamis), Demosthenes (a stutterer who became a great orator), and Plato (an aristocrat and opponent of the navy). Mr. Hale also gives great detailed descriptions of the building of a trireme and the evolution of naval strategy. Overall I highly recommend this book."
This is [a] tour de force of historical imagination.
" Highly recommended to anyone with even a vestigial inner nerd. No dry, dispassionate listing of times and facts here! This history lives and breathes and leaves the reader in turns feeling triumphant, and melancholy. "
" An extremely well-written and enjoyable book on the role of the Athenian navy in the development of the politics, society, and culture of Athens. Unlike many pop history books, the scholarship is extremely good here. And the insights are surprising. Who knew that rowing was the basis of democracy?! This book is not just for sea buffs. I highly recommended it to anyone with an interest in ancient history and the origins of Western civilization. "
" This was a case of over-heightened expectations. Several people told me they couldn't put it down...I could. It was well done and interesting, but the purpose of the book--linking the naval development of Athens to its democracy--I thought was lacking. The two seemed more coincidental than causative. "
" Entertaining, fast-paced history of the Athenian navy, and how taking to the sea with all citizens at the oars built the foundation for democratic governance. Exciting view into historical figures and a lushly described ancient world. "
" Dr. Hale has a special talent for making stories come to life. "
" It is packed with information but enjoyable to read. "
" I am currently about half-way through with this book, and it has been an amazing read. Instead of cold, dry facts, it is more like a narrative that's been supercharged with information. It teaches a lot of stuff that is contrary to what they teach you in the public 'education' system. "
" As soon as I finished, I wanted to start the book over again. "
" I liked this book a lot. Please keep in mind that this is a history book! It chronicles the rise and fall of the Athenian navy and as the author argues the birth of democracy. I found it very interesting and a great lends from which to view this complicated history. "
" Amazing research work (even including recreating a full-scale trireme!), clear and convincing ideas (e.g., one to that the title alludes), vivid imagery, effective style, and humor. It is extremely enlightening and enjoyable. "
" This is a well-written overview of the Athenian empire, but I was hoping for more detail about sailing and boats in this period. "
" I enjoyed the book, although I got rather lost in all the sea battles and all the Greek names. The book tells an important story, but I suggest one needs both an interest in classical Greece and in naval warfare to really enjoy reading it. "
" Great read; entertaining and informative account of early Greek society and the beginnings of democracy. "
" This book is a fairly comprehensive Greek history with a focus on military sea power. I found it well written and engaging. "
" very well done audiobook , too "
John R. Hale studied at Yale and Cambridge universities before embarking on an archaeological career that includes extensive underwater searches for ancient warships. He has written for Antiquity, Journal of Roman Archaeology, and Scientific American and has been profiled by National Public Radio and the New York Times. He has also been featured in documentaries broadcast by the Discovery Channel and the History Channel. He is currently director of liberal studies at the University of Louisville.
David Drummond has made his living as an actor for over twenty-five years, appearing on stages large and small throughout the country and in Seattle, Washington, his hometown. He has narrated over thirty audiobooks, in genres ranging from current political commentary to historical nonfiction, fantasy, military, thrillers, and humor. He received an AudioFile Earphones Award for his first audiobook, Love ’Em or Lose ’Em: Getting Good People to Stay. When not narrating, he keeps busy writing plays and stories for children.
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