Greece: Temples, Tombs and Treasures

Greek history enthusiasts will find this beautiful volume an invaluable addition to their collection. Filled with vivid illustrations and photos, the book is a general outline of history of ancient Greece from its prehistory until Alexander's death. 

It contains mostly descriptions of major architectural and archaeological finds and a narration of events at the time they were built or made. The book is informative but not detailed enough for the scholarly purposes. It however provides a good overview of architectural styles, art and a condensed history of the area.

I recommend this both for casual and scholarly reading. If you are interested in mythology, the book also mentions a few things. The text is easy to understand and reader friendly (however, the reader might want to check some updates on the progress of the study of finds).

Rating: 9 out of 10

Persian Literature

Full title: Persian Literature Comprising the Shah Nameh, The Rubaiyat, The Divan and The Gulistan

Various authors; with introduction by Richard J.H. Gottheil, PhD

As the title says, this anthology features four of the best of Persian literature. Each section has introductory notes that provide the background of each author and the piece, the social climate in which the work was created, and its reception. The following are included in the two volumes of the e-book version*:

Volume 1:

The Shah Nameh (Book of Kings) by Firdusi (Abul Kasim Mansur), translated by James Atkinson

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, translated by Edward Fitzgerald

The Divan by Hafiz (Khwajeh Shams al-Din Muhammad Hafez-e Shirazi), translated by H. Bicknell

Volume 2:

The Gulistan (Flower-Garden) by Sa'di (Muslih-al-Din), translated by James Ross

The book may seem like a challenging read at first glance but the translators did a good job and the introduction in each section will help give the reader some ideas on how best to appreciate these classics. Shah Nameh is a historical fiction account of the Persian kings; Rubaiyat and Divan are poems; and Gulistan is a collection of poems and stories.

My favorite would have to be Shah Nameh because it is the best version I have read so far. The other translations of Shah Nameh are watered down versions of the sequence of wars and succession of kings without the drama which makes it more interesting to read.

I recommend this to classic and history enthusiasts. Take note however that some of the original names, phrases, and words were retained but not translated or explained, so make sure you keep a reference handy. 

Rating: 10 out of 10

*Note: E-book is available at manybooks.net

Alexander the Great by Jacob Abbott

In most history books, Alexander the Great is portrayed as the invincible conqueror who died when he was at his prime. Those same books however do not show readers the bigger picture. They don't tell us about Alexander's childhood, his motivations in his campaigns, and the kind of people he was surrounded with. The books only highlight his successful battles but the not the person behind one of the largest empires ever created. In Alexander the Great, Jacob Abbott not only tells the story of how a talented heir to the Macedonian throne became the hegemon of the Hellenic league and lord of Asia but of his character as a leader, a benefactor, and a merciless foe.

Abbott provides a background of Alexander's immediate family and the political climate in which he grew up.  Other books only highlight the fact that he was one of Aristotle's pupils but there were more people who influenced his ideas and motivations. His campaigns in Greece and against the Persian Empire and its environs are told in colorful, narrative detail. Abbott not only recounted Alexander's victories but also examined the conqueror's character, his behavior towards his allies and foes, and the changes in his attitude at every campaign.

I must caution the reader however with some inconsistencies. At the beginning of the book, Abbott mentioned the Romans when describing the Greeks. Also, a detailed narrative of the invasion of a part of India was not included. Keep in mind that there might be information here that was not verified or there might be gaps that were filled in by the author to make a coherent, flowing narration of events. The author also included his opinions on Alexander's character and therefore I don't recommend this book as a basis for facts about Alexander's life.

Despite the inconsistencies, the author tried to keep the story cohesive as much as possible and he did a good job narrating and describing the battles.

Rating: 7 out of 10