Group Read **Herodotus** Book 9

The First of September so it's time for book 9.

We've got to the last part of Herodotus. I hope to be reading it very soon.

So here's the place for questions, thoughts and comments or links to reviews ... anybody?

From my challenge thread:

I finished!!!

I found this book surprisingly readable for a book written 2,500 years ago, and I learned a tremendous amount about the ancient history of the Middle East, Egypt and Greece. At the same time, I found it very difficult to try to keep track of myriads of people that I previously knew almost nothing about and to understand where they were.

This is a book that I'm glad to have read. I only wish I could remember all of it, but I'm also sure that just remembering the basic outline of these events will prove helpful in my other reading.

I think one of the things that impressed me the most was that people 2,500 years ago were just the same as people today -- the same faults and strengths, desires and lusts and regrets.

Thanks to everyone for this group read! I'd started The Histories once before, and didn't get very far. But with the slow pace and group encouragement, this time I did it! And I'm pleased that I did.

Way to go ivyd! Congratulations. I know auntmarge64 finished a couple of months ago so congratulations to her as well.

I finished as well, thanks to everyone who took part and helped keep me going.

This is what I ended up writing as a review:-

What to say about this book? Called the Father of History Herodotus wrote down his thoughts on the causes of the Greek/Persian conflict in the 5th century BC. Often digressing from his main story, full of anecdotes, and very entertaining in some way it reminded me of an old man sitting in a pub, telling stories, and someone saying "You should write a book".

This is a work of vast scope, not just history -anthropology, geography, traveller's tales; eye witness accounts; rumour and hearsay - all combine in a wonderful way that brings to life the events, thoughts and beliefs of people who lived two and a half thousand years ago. Still fresh and readable. I must admit to getting bogged down by the enormous cast of characters that take part in the war but I really enjoyed the background stories of the various peoples that Herodotus talks about.

I think that anybody could read and enjoy this. It is a true classic. One word of caution though - I read the Penguin Classic Aubrey de Selincourt translation which does not have much additional information. From what I've heard the Landmark Herodotus would have been a great help in keeping all those people and places straight.

Congratulations, calm! And auntmarge, too, if I didn't say so before. As much as I enjoyed it, it's really nice to be done.

I also read the Penguin edition, since it's what I had, but I agree with your suggestion that the Landmark edition sounds more helpful.

ivyd, auntmarge linked to her review on the General thread. I looked at it after I finished writing my thoughts and there does seem to be a lot of additional material in the Landmark. Here's the link

http://www.librarything.com/work/6684358/reviews/39636036

with all those appendices I am awed that she managed to finish first!

I agree that the Landmark edition is really helpful (although the notes can get a bit repetitive). I've been flipping back and forth to the appendices - they're great. Now if only I can manage to read books 8 and 9 so that I can finish!

Jennifer, well done for getting as far as you have. I hope you can find the time to read books 8 and 9 soon. It does feel great to finish:)

>6 jfetting: I found the last 2 books the easiest, probably because I knew a little bit about the Persian invasion of Greece and was more familiar with the geography. And they were more straight forward, not as many diversions or linking up with previous events and people.

I did it! One thing I really ended up appreciating about Herodotus is how darn easy he is to read, once I sit down to do it. I liked the last two chapters a lot - it was nice reading about the Athenians winning the sea battle (after the sad loss at Thermopylae). It is interesting, I think, to read about the tensions between the Athenians and the Peloponnesians (sp?)- foreshadowing next year's read of Thucydides.

Anyway, overall I thought it was fascinating, especially the travelogue parts (even though I'm still not sure why they were included). I knew nothing at all about this time period, or about the famous battles besides Marathon, so I never had any idea of how the battles would turn out. I'm really glad I read it, so thanks to auntmarge for the suggestion.

Congratulations, Jennifer.

It has been great to read this with such a wonderful group of people;)

Just adding my congratulations to everyone. Many times I wondered what I'd gotten myself into with this group read, then someone would get ahead of me and it would spur me on, or remind me to keep going. I'm SO pleased at having read Herodotus.

I'm hoping we'll read Thucydides next year, so stock up on those Landmarks! Amazon, for one, has the paperback new for $17, used and Kindle versions available also.