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Ancient Greece
by Thomas R. Martin • 1992
A journey from the Minoans to Alexander, explaining how Greece shaped the Western world.
3.98
3k+
Ancient Greece Summary
Ancient Greece 91%
A journey from the Minoans to Alexander, explaining how Greece shaped the Western world.
by Thomas R. Martin 1992
3.98
3k+ ratings
Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea
by Thomas Cahill • 2004
Greek soldiers, poets, thinkers assembled the Western mind. Their answers remain our questions.
3.75
3k+
Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea Summary
Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea 90%
Greek soldiers, poets, thinkers assembled the Western mind. Their answers remain our questions.
by Thomas Cahill 2004
3.75
3k+ ratings
A History of Ancient Greece in Fifty Lives
by David Stuttard • 2014
From Homer to Plutarch, fifty Greek lives reveal a civilization built on myth, war, and reinvention.
3.82
233
A History of Ancient Greece in Fifty Lives Summary
A History of Ancient Greece in Fifty Lives 90%
From Homer to Plutarch, fifty Greek lives reveal a civilization built on myth, war, and reinvention.
by David Stuttard 2014
3.82
233 ratings
Creators, Conquerors, and Citizens
by Robin Waterfield • 2018
One culture, a thousand warring city-states: the split that built ancient Greece and doomed it.
3.92
436
Creators, Conquerors, and Citizens Summary
Creators, Conquerors, and Citizens 90%
One culture, a thousand warring city-states: the split that built ancient Greece and doomed it.
by Robin Waterfield 2018
3.92
436 ratings
Eureka!
by Peter V. Jones • 2014
Never a nation, always a competition. The story of ancient Greece that skips the boring parts.
3.53
445
Eureka! Summary
Eureka! 90%
Never a nation, always a competition. The story of ancient Greece that skips the boring parts.
by Peter V. Jones 2014
3.53
445 ratings
Lords of the Sea
by John R. Hale • 2009
The oar built Athenian democracy. Two centuries later, a lost fleet destroyed it.
4.18
2k+
Lords of the Sea Summary
Lords of the Sea 89%
The oar built Athenian democracy. Two centuries later, a lost fleet destroyed it.
by John R. Hale 2009
4.18
2k+ ratings
Democracy
by Paul Cartledge • 2016
Ancient democracy meant the poor ruled directly. Modern democracy was built to stop that.
3.80
215
Democracy Summary
Democracy 89%
Ancient democracy meant the poor ruled directly. Modern democracy was built to stop that.
by Paul Cartledge 2016
3.80
215 ratings
Mass and Elite in Democratic Athens
by Josiah Ober • 1989
An ancient democracy defied the drift toward oligarchy. The secret was rhetoric, not rules.
3.71
48
Mass and Elite in Democratic Athens Summary
Mass and Elite in Democratic Athens 89%
An ancient democracy defied the drift toward oligarchy. The secret was rhetoric, not rules.
by Josiah Ober 1989
3.71
48 ratings
A History of Ancient Greece
by Eric H. Cline • 2006
Before Rome, Greece invented the West. Then Athens and Sparta tore it apart.
3.91
163
A History of Ancient Greece Summary
A History of Ancient Greece 89%
Before Rome, Greece invented the West. Then Athens and Sparta tore it apart.
by Eric H. Cline 2006
3.91
163 ratings
From Democrats to Kings
by Michael Scott • 2009
How a brutal, forgotten century of war turned democracies into kingdoms and gave us Alexander.
3.83
249
From Democrats to Kings Summary
From Democrats to Kings 89%
How a brutal, forgotten century of war turned democracies into kingdoms and gave us Alexander.
by Michael Scott 2009
3.83
249 ratings
The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece
by Josiah Ober • 2015
A thousand rival city-states, not empire, produced classical Greece's unprecedented prosperity.
3.94
308
The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece Summary
The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece 89%
A thousand rival city-states, not empire, produced classical Greece's unprecedented prosperity.
by Josiah Ober 2015
3.94
308 ratings
Politics
by Aristotle
Every city promises the good life. Aristotle's test for which ones actually deliver it.
3.98
43k+
Politics Summary
Politics 89%
Every city promises the good life. Aristotle's test for which ones actually deliver it.
by Aristotle
3.98
43k+ ratings
Demopolis
by Josiah Ober • 2019
180 years of democracy without liberalism: what Athens reveals about the fundamentals of self-rule.
3.40
25
Demopolis Summary
Demopolis 89%
180 years of democracy without liberalism: what Athens reveals about the fundamentals of self-rule.
by Josiah Ober 2019
3.40
25 ratings
History of the Peloponnesian War
by Thucydides
Athens rose, Sparta panicked, and a 27-year catastrophe was the only outcome.
3.95
41k+
History of the Peloponnesian War Summary
History of the Peloponnesian War 89%
Athens rose, Sparta panicked, and a 27-year catastrophe was the only outcome.
by Thucydides
3.95
41k+ ratings
Plato at the Googleplex
by Rebecca Goldstein • 2014
Plato, alive today, would walk into Google and ask questions Silicon Valley still cannot answer.
3.85
2k+
Plato at the Googleplex Summary
Plato at the Googleplex 89%
Plato, alive today, would walk into Google and ask questions Silicon Valley still cannot answer.
by Rebecca Goldstein 2014
3.85
2k+ ratings
The Plague of War
by Jennifer T. Roberts • 2017
Athens and Sparta destroyed each other in a war neither wanted. The only winner was Macedon.
3.94
179
The Plague of War Summary
The Plague of War 89%
Athens and Sparta destroyed each other in a war neither wanted. The only winner was Macedon.
by Jennifer T. Roberts 2017
3.94
179 ratings
Kybalion
by Three Initiates • 1912
From gold trinkets to the Aegina marbles: how Greek sculptors learned to make stone breathe.
4.23
17k+
Kybalion Summary
Kybalion 89%
From gold trinkets to the Aegina marbles: how Greek sculptors learned to make stone breathe.
by Three Initiates 1912
4.23
17k+ ratings
Aristotle's "Best Regime"
by Clifford Angell Bates Jr. • 2002
Aristotle's buried argument: democracy beats kingship when collective wisdom meets law's restraint.
4.80
5
Aristotle's "Best Regime" Summary
Aristotle's "Best Regime" 89%
Aristotle's buried argument: democracy beats kingship when collective wisdom meets law's restraint.
by Clifford Angell Bates Jr. 2002
4.80
5 ratings
The Peloponnesian War
by Donald Kagan • 2003
Fear of a rising rival ignited a 27-year war. Its shape still governs great-power conflict today.
4.13
5k+
The Peloponnesian War Summary
The Peloponnesian War 88%
Fear of a rising rival ignited a 27-year war. Its shape still governs great-power conflict today.
by Donald Kagan 2003
4.13
5k+ ratings
Athens on Trial
by Jennifer T. Roberts • 1994
Ancient Athens was the West's cautionary tale against democracy for two millennia. What changed?
3.60
10
Athens on Trial Summary
Athens on Trial 88%
Ancient Athens was the West's cautionary tale against democracy for two millennia. What changed?
by Jennifer T. Roberts 1994
3.60
10 ratings
The Spartans
by Paul Cartledge • 2002
The 300 Spartans died to preserve a system of mass enslavement; heroism and horror were one.
3.78
3k+
The Spartans Summary
The Spartans 88%
The 300 Spartans died to preserve a system of mass enslavement; heroism and horror were one.
by Paul Cartledge 2002
3.78
3k+ ratings
Poetics
by Aristotle
Plot is everything. Character is secondary. The ancient blueprint for a tragedy that devastates.
3.83
30k+
Poetics Summary
Poetics 88%
Plot is everything. Character is secondary. The ancient blueprint for a tragedy that devastates.
by Aristotle
3.83
30k+ ratings
The Complete World of Greek Mythology
by Richard Buxton • 2004
No fixed canon: Greek myths formed a fluid system of gods, heroes, and rituals, endlessly reshaped.
4.23
2k+
The Complete World of Greek Mythology Summary
The Complete World of Greek Mythology 88%
No fixed canon: Greek myths formed a fluid system of gods, heroes, and rituals, endlessly reshaped.
by Richard Buxton 2004
4.23
2k+ ratings
The Battle of Salamis
by Barry S. Strauss • 2004
One lie trapped Persia's 1300 ships in a narrow strait, and Western civilization survived.
4.10
1k+
The Battle of Salamis Summary
The Battle of Salamis 88%
One lie trapped Persia's 1300 ships in a narrow strait, and Western civilization survived.
by Barry S. Strauss 2004
4.10
1k+ ratings
Thermopylae
by Paul Cartledge • 2006
The Persian Empire seemed unstoppable. 300 Spartans proved otherwise; their defeat saved Greece.
3.79
1k+
Thermopylae Summary
Thermopylae 88%
The Persian Empire seemed unstoppable. 300 Spartans proved otherwise; their defeat saved Greece.
by Paul Cartledge 2006
3.79
1k+ ratings
Persian Fire
by Tom Holland • 2005
An ancient clash of civilizations: how a tiny Greece stopped a superpower, and invented the West.
4.17
12k+
Persian Fire Summary
Persian Fire 88%
An ancient clash of civilizations: how a tiny Greece stopped a superpower, and invented the West.
by Tom Holland 2005
4.17
12k+ ratings
The Rhetoric & The Poetics of Aristotle
by Aristotle
Persuasion is a system, not a gift: the rules for character, emotion, and logical proof.
4.00
2k+
The Rhetoric & The Poetics of Aristotle Summary
The Rhetoric & The Poetics of Aristotle 88%
Persuasion is a system, not a gift: the rules for character, emotion, and logical proof.
by Aristotle
4.00
2k+ ratings
Early Socratic Dialogues
by Plato
Virtue is knowledge, wickedness is ignorance, and Socrates proved that no one in Athens had either.
4.05
417
Early Socratic Dialogues Summary
Early Socratic Dialogues 88%
Virtue is knowledge, wickedness is ignorance, and Socrates proved that no one in Athens had either.
by Plato
4.05
417 ratings
The Republic
by Plato
Why be just when no one is watching? A 2,500-year-old Socratic answer that built Western philosophy.
3.97
228k+
The Republic Summary
The Republic 88%
Why be just when no one is watching? A 2,500-year-old Socratic answer that built Western philosophy.
by Plato
3.97
228k+ ratings
Carmide
by Plato
What is temperance? The pursuit leads Socrates to ask whether knowledge can study only itself.
3.53
2k+
Carmide Summary
Carmide 88%
What is temperance? The pursuit leads Socrates to ask whether knowledge can study only itself.
by Plato
3.53
2k+ ratings
Greek to Me
by Mary Norris • 2019
One copy editor's love affair with Greek: ancient ruins, Aegean swims, and a nation in turmoil.
3.63
2k+
Greek to Me Summary
Greek to Me 88%
One copy editor's love affair with Greek: ancient ruins, Aegean swims, and a nation in turmoil.
by Mary Norris 2019
3.63
2k+ ratings
Mythology
by Edith Hamilton • 1942
Greeks humanized gods; monsters became metaphors. The stories that built the Western mind.
4.04
60k+
Mythology Summary
Mythology 87%
Greeks humanized gods; monsters became metaphors. The stories that built the Western mind.
by Edith Hamilton 1942
4.04
60k+ ratings
The Uses of Greek Mythology
by Ken Dowden • 1992
Greek myth founded cities, structured initiations, and drew the line between human and monster.
3.62
34
The Uses of Greek Mythology Summary
The Uses of Greek Mythology 87%
Greek myth founded cities, structured initiations, and drew the line between human and monster.
by Ken Dowden 1992
3.62
34 ratings
On Sparta
by Plutarch
Lycurgus designed a state that produced fearless soldiers. Wealth broke it faster than any enemy.
4.12
2k+
On Sparta Summary
On Sparta 87%
Lycurgus designed a state that produced fearless soldiers. Wealth broke it faster than any enemy.
by Plutarch
4.12
2k+ ratings
Plutarch's Lives
by Plutarch
Plutarch's method: put Greek beside Roman, compare their virtues, let character judge history.
4.10
6k+
Plutarch's Lives Summary
Plutarch's Lives 87%
Plutarch's method: put Greek beside Roman, compare their virtues, let character judge history.
by Plutarch
4.10
6k+ ratings
The Penguin Book of Classical Myths by Jenny March
by Jennifer R. March • 2008
Your single-volume guide to every Greek myth that shaped Western imagination, from Chaos to Rome.
4.10
777
The Penguin Book of Classical Myths by Jenny March Summary
The Penguin Book of Classical Myths by Jenny March 87%
Your single-volume guide to every Greek myth that shaped Western imagination, from Chaos to Rome.
by Jennifer R. March 2008
4.10
777 ratings
درباره اورستیا
by Simon Goldhill • 1992
Why the charter myth of Western theatre is far more unsettling than its torchlit finale admits.
3.98
63
درباره اورستیا Summary
درباره اورستیا 87%
Why the charter myth of Western theatre is far more unsettling than its torchlit finale admits.
by Simon Goldhill 1992
3.98
63 ratings
Ética a Nicómaco. Ética a Eudemo
by Aristotle • 2019
Happiness is an activity of character, practiced over a lifetime, not a feeling you stumble into.
4.23
197
Ética a Nicómaco. Ética a Eudemo Summary
Ética a Nicómaco. Ética a Eudemo 87%
Happiness is an activity of character, practiced over a lifetime, not a feeling you stumble into.
by Aristotle 2019
4.23
197 ratings
The Art of Rhetoric
by Aristotle
Persuasion isn't one thing. It's three, and mixing them up loses the audience every time.
3.87
7k+
The Art of Rhetoric Summary
The Art of Rhetoric 87%
Persuasion isn't one thing. It's three, and mixing them up loses the audience every time.
by Aristotle
3.87
7k+ ratings
The Myth of the State
by Ernst Cassirer • 1946
The Greeks fought myth with reason. The modern state perfected it as a weapon.
3.90
209
The Myth of the State Summary
The Myth of the State 87%
The Greeks fought myth with reason. The modern state perfected it as a weapon.
by Ernst Cassirer 1946
3.90
209 ratings
Aristotle
by John Sellars • 2023
An ancient toolkit for thought: why Aristotle's logic, ethics, and politics never went out of style.
3.95
232
Aristotle Summary
Aristotle 87%
An ancient toolkit for thought: why Aristotle's logic, ethics, and politics never went out of style.
by John Sellars 2023
3.95
232 ratings
Ancient Philosophy
by Anthony Kenny • 2004
The questions the ancient Greeks asked still define philosophy, and still resist easy answers.
3.95
580
Ancient Philosophy Summary
Ancient Philosophy 87%
The questions the ancient Greeks asked still define philosophy, and still resist easy answers.
by Anthony Kenny 2004
3.95
580 ratings
Conversations of Socrates
by Xenophon
The Socrates who masters desire, runs a household, and believes the gods care about virtue
4.04
3k+
Conversations of Socrates Summary
Conversations of Socrates 87%
The Socrates who masters desire, runs a household, and believes the gods care about virtue
by Xenophon
4.04
3k+ ratings
Adriatic
by Robert D. Kaplan • 2022
Where empires and religions mixed for centuries, Europe's post-national future is already written.
3.61
888
Adriatic Summary
Adriatic 87%
Where empires and religions mixed for centuries, Europe's post-national future is already written.
by Robert D. Kaplan 2022
3.61
888 ratings
Jag är Zlatan
by Zlatan Ibrahimović • 2011
How the West thought: ten ideas from Plato to Rawls that still shape everything we believe.
3.86
19k+
Jag är Zlatan Summary
Jag är Zlatan 87%
How the West thought: ten ideas from Plato to Rawls that still shape everything we believe.
by Zlatan Ibrahimović 2011
3.86
19k+ ratings
The Death of Socrates and the Life of Philosophy
by Peter J. Ahrensdorf • 1995
Plato's Phaedo rigs its own arguments to fail, forcing readers to reason without a teacher.
3.63
16
The Death of Socrates and the Life of Philosophy Summary
The Death of Socrates and the Life of Philosophy 87%
Plato's Phaedo rigs its own arguments to fail, forcing readers to reason without a teacher.
by Peter J. Ahrensdorf 1995
3.63
16 ratings
Cynicism
by Ansgar Allen • 2014
Cynicism once meant tearing everything down. Now it just means giving up.
3.71
146
Cynicism Summary
Cynicism 87%
Cynicism once meant tearing everything down. Now it just means giving up.
by Ansgar Allen 2014
3.71
146 ratings
Nemesis
by David Stuttard • 2018
He charmed Athens, betrayed Sparta, and schemed in Persia. His ambition cost Athens its empire.
4.28
162
Nemesis Summary
Nemesis 87%
He charmed Athens, betrayed Sparta, and schemed in Persia. His ambition cost Athens its empire.
by David Stuttard 2018
4.28
162 ratings
Six Questions of Socrates
by Christopher Phillips • 2004
Socrates' six questions, asked around the world, reveal the good life has no single answer.
3.70
389
Six Questions of Socrates Summary
Six Questions of Socrates 87%
Socrates' six questions, asked around the world, reveal the good life has no single answer.
by Christopher Phillips 2004
3.70
389 ratings
Herodotus
by Elizabeth Vandiver • 2000
Before Herodotus, the past was myth. After him, it was evidence, causes, and human choice.
4.24
420
Herodotus Summary
Herodotus 87%
Before Herodotus, the past was myth. After him, it was evidence, causes, and human choice.
by Elizabeth Vandiver 2000
4.24
420 ratings
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