Herodotus is not only the father of the art and the science of historical writing but also one of the Western tradition’s most compelling storytellers. His Histories is regarded as one of the seminal works of history in Western literature. He wrote these accounts of the fifth-century-BC wars between the Greeks and Persians with a continuous awareness of the mythic and the wonderful, while laying bare the intricate human entanglements at their core. This volume is one of the first accounts of the rise of the Persian Empire and serves as a record of the ancient traditions and politics of the time.
In the instinctive empiricism that took him searching over much of the known world for information, in the care he took with sources and historical evidence, in his freedom from intolerance and prejudice, Herodotus virtually defined the rational, humane spirit that is the enduring legacy of Greek civilization.
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"I was really impressed by the "The Histories." Herodotus admits many are just stories; but gives the most accurate cultural stories of the peoples of the ancient world. Interesting how ancient Isreal is not meantoned at all :). Its hard to get any real pre-Abrahamic/Christian histories. It is a long book. I would recomend researching and printing out a map of the ancient world. I would look at the map so you know what civilization he is talking about; because most of the names are different. I wish i had done that from the start. I really appreciate the ancient writers, they are usally very humble and admit what they don't know. It was a very open minded civilization. I was impressed!" — dan (5 out of 5 stars)
"I was really impressed by the "The Histories." Herodotus admits many are just stories; but gives the most accurate cultural stories of the peoples of the ancient world. Interesting how ancient Isreal is not meantoned at all :). Its hard to get any real pre-Abrahamic/Christian histories. It is a long book. I would recomend researching and printing out a map of the ancient world. I would look at the map so you know what civilization he is talking about; because most of the names are different. I wish i had done that from the start. I really appreciate the ancient writers, they are usally very humble and admit what they don't know. It was a very open minded civilization. I was impressed!"
“Herodotus gives more sheer pleasure than almost any other writer.”
“Herodotus emerges in all his charm and complexity as a writer and the first historian in the Western tradition, perhaps unique in the way he has seen the interrelation of fact and fantasy...Herodotus crowds his fresco-like pages with all shades of humanity. Whether Herodotus’ view is ‘tragic,’ mythical, or merely common sense, it provided him with a moral salt with which the diversity of mankind could be savored.”
“Renowned in his own time for his humanity and wide-ranging curiosity, Herodotus shows an insatiable appetite for both useful information and a good yarn, and The History is a starting point for any student of the past.”
" First of all, I have to say that this just isn't my thing. Not only did I dislike the subject matter, but Herodotus was all over the place. It was very difficult to follow the story line. I am reading this in order to help my kids with their school work. Otherwise, I wouldn't have finished it. "
" For any history buff, this book is quite simply unable to be commented on. It simply must be read. "
" I have only read Book I as of now. "
" Herodotus was an A+ storyteller, but to call this "history" is gratuitous. A lot of it is outright lie. "
" Still one of the great histories, with so much detail about people and places as well as inspiring (or depressing) events of the Persian Wars and what lead up to them. "
" read this a couple times, both in the '80's and the '90's. Father of History, Father of Lies, like he says, not his fault. "
" I read chapters 7 and 8 concerning the battle for Thermopylae for a class. I look forward to reading it in its entirety in future classes... "
" I loved this look into the world of 400BC. How beautiful Egypt used to be. Also, I anticipate that one day, all of the modern historians who wave off his accounts of the size and exploits of the army of Cyrus, will find out how accurate he actually is. "
" Some great storytelling. The programe may stretch from Mongolia to the Congo and is remarkably reliable (considering). How much we've lost in cultural diversity. Be sure to keep Wikipedia close at hand, and count on 2 hours research for every hour reading. "
" Amazing detail of cultures long gone by the way of the wind. "
" I only wish I had read it when I lived in Turkey. A great early historical narrative of the Greco-Persian wars. I love the Landmark series and really really appreciate the maps; they helped me keep all my city-states and satraps straight. "
" I read most of this book for a Greek History class I took at BYU. It is full of stories which will blow you away. I learned among many things that one cannot say one's life is perfect or the best until it is over. And not even then. Herodotus, the father of history is a master Storyteller. "
" I finished it! It was my 1st Quarter history text. "
" New translations of old books rule. Waterfield's recent translation is no exception. The Ring composition takes some getting used to, and on occassion I wished that Herodotus would just get on to Thermopyle. Entertaining and informative. "
" One of the most interesting books I have read. I know very little about the Persian empire or Egyptian rulers. This had a lot of exciting history of the time coupled with fun minutiae and a lot of information on culture and religion. "
" A must read to understand early golobal and western history. The way in which it is written ( for a listening audience ) makes it far easier to read. I will add more when I have completed my reading. "
" The "Father of History" knew how to tell a good story. "
" Best Fabricator of Historical stories!!! Amazing tales!!! "
" One of my favorite reads ever. "
" Lovely and dainty...profound and challenging...the dalliance of the tongues of the Typhon threatening Apollonian hegemony. "
" I can't exactly put my finger on what it was about this, but I loved it. This was one of the best primary sources I've ever read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will love to read it again someday. "
" Clearly I'm on an ancient history bent this month, nice vignettes, some of them purely fictitious, add to the interest level. "
" Um, is it treason to give Herodotus only 3 stars? Frankly, I found it insufferably dull and boring, with only a few items of interest. "
" Archeological finds nearly always bear out what Herodotus wrote not that all he wrote is true. He was the first true historian. "
" It's actually fairly interesting, though the writing is dry. What else can one expect from an ancient historian that one has to read for class? "
" I have read this book over and over again for going on six years now, and I'm still finding interesting little snippets of information. Best of all it still makes me laugh!Herodotus certainly tells a good, if a times perhaps a little tall, tale. "
" History written from a very different cultural perspective. "
" Amazing insight into the Persian War and just general life and beliefs in Ancient Greece. "
" Herodotus is wonderful. David Greene, not so much. His translation is conventional, unimaginative, clunky, hard to follow, and snooty. "
" Not as eloquent as the original Greek but what can you do? "
" Essential reading for anyone interested in Greek history. Herodotus is perhaps the world's first historian. "
Herodotus (c. 484–425 BC) was a Greek historian. Known as the “father of history,” he was the first historian known to collect his materials systematically, test their accuracy to a certain extent, and arrange them in a well-constructed and vivid narrative. The Histories, his masterpiece and the only work he is known to have produced, is a record of his investigation of the origins of the Greco-Persian Wars, which includes a wealth of geographical and ethnographical information.
Bernard Mayes is a teacher, administrator, corporate executive, broadcaster, actor, dramatist, and former international commentator on US culture. He is best known for his readings of historical classics.
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