Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Genre: History, Ancient History, Greek History, Archaeology, Non-Fiction.

Book Review:
A. R. Burn's ''The Penguin History of Greece'' is a classic, one-volume introduction to the extraordinary civilization that laid the foundations for much of Western culture. Designed for the general reader, this book offers a comprehensive and highly readable journey through over 8,000 years of Greek history.

Burn's narrative is both erudite and engaging. He begins with the Neolithic pioneers who first settled the Greek lands and guides us through the dazzling Bronze Age civilizations of the Minoans and Mycenaeans. We then move through the so-called ''Dark Ages,'' the rise of the city-states (poleis) like Athens and Sparta, and the epic struggle against the Persian Empire. The book's core is a vivid account of Athens' Golden Age in the 5th century BC, the age of Pericles, Socrates, and the great dramatists. Burn expertly analyzes the complex politics, the flowering of art and philosophy, and the devastating Peloponnesian War that tore Greece apart.

The narrative continues with the rise of Macedon under Philip II and the world-conquering campaigns of his son, Alexander the Great. Finally, it traces the Hellenistic period and the eventual decline of Greek power, concluding with the closing of the Athenian philosophical schools by the Christian emperor Justinian in 529 AD.

While some of its scholarship may reflect the time it was written, ''The Penguin History of Greece'' remains a valuable and balanced overview. It successfully synthesizes a vast amount of information into a coherent and compelling story. For anyone seeking a solid foundation in Greek history, from its mythical beginnings to its lasting legacy, this book is an excellent and trustworthy starting point.