Just The Facts And You Will Need Maps

I listened to this book in advance of reading Thucydides' "The Peloponnesian War".

The author presents the work in an objective manner, providing an account of what transpired and not engaging in polemics or comparing this war to others.

The story is impossible to follow without reference to maps. Just as an example, geographic place-names like Naupaktos, or Mthone, or Locris are bandied about and there is no way of knowing what the author is referring to without reference to maps. To remedy this, I borrowed Kagan's book from the library but though it has multiple maps, they are of poor quality. You are best off by following along with "The Landmark Thucydidies" by Robert Strassler. Pity that Audible did not provide a pdf file for maps and names.

18 people found this helpful

Good supplement to the real thing

Fills in a lot of gaps and holes that Thucydides does not explain to his 5th Century Greek audience. This book should be read only if you've labored through the real thing which is also available on audible.

8 people found this helpful

Historical Parallels Abound

What did you love best about The Peloponnesian War?

Obtaining a better grasp on what caused the war, what happened during the war, and what the outcome was.

What did you like best about this story?

How much it ties into events that still occur in international relationships to this day.

Which scene was your favorite?

The description of the battles on Cyprus and the Athenian fleet when they left for Cyprus were amazing.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I knew it would be too long to listen to in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

If you are a lover of history, international relations, or military action you should listen to this book.

The only frustrating part was the significance of the people involved in this conflict and how I had no clue how to spell their ancient Greek names since I read this as an audiobook instead of on paper.

5 people found this helpful

Communicates the tragedy of ancient Greeks

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

No. While I think this is one of the best books of all time, I believe only a small percentage of the population would listen to the whole thing. And further, I've seen Kagan's lectures online and he animates this material better than one could expect of a narrator other than himself.

What other book might you compare The Peloponnesian War to and why?

Lords of the Sea, by John Hale.

John Hale seems to me to be at the level of Donald Kagan in terms of understanding the ancient Greeks and also in communicating great enthusiasm on this subject.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Even if the book were short enough to finish is a sitting, no. There are moments that are too tragic to not take a break.

3 people found this helpful

Audible narrator helpful

Bill Wallace gives a good American English narration of Donald Kagan’s superb overview and analysis of Thucydides’s The Peloponnesian War, an abridged version of his four volume series (for scholars). The paperback notes it was a national bestseller. Who knew? Did people read this book in lieu of reading Thucydides? How do you do that? How does one read this book instead of first reading the real McCoy? Regardless, I found Kagan a decent review that clarifies the tediousness that one confronts reading Thucydides. I read Victor Davis Hanson’s A War Like No Other before reading Kagan and consider Hanson better organized, clarifying, and useful as a reference. But it is a close preference. Kagan’s book is organized chronologically, Hanson by topic. Going back to the Audible, Bill Wallace is a pleasant narrator. He only mispronounces a few names. I listened at 1.2x and never felt rushed nor my comprehension compromised. Depending on further reading, I may find the pluck to wade into Kagan’s larger four volume work. More is required.

2 people found this helpful

Longevity

I survived an interesting, long, tedious, rendition of early mankind at its fighting finest. Unless you're a history major, or intend to Excel spreadsheet mans earliest wars, or want to feel like a participant in "Game of Thrones", I suggest look elsewhere to spend 19 plus hours.
I need a beer, many in fact!

1 person found this helpful

Excellent!

One of the best books I’ve listened to here on audible. Absolutely wonderful. Kagan masters the history!

Great read

I’ve watched Kagan’s free lectures on Greek history a few times. This is a very polished version of the main part of those lectures. Anyone interested in this war and Greek history will enjoy this book.

Top Notch All Around

I've listened to this six times. Well written and well read. It is fascinating.

Superb single volume overview of the Peloponnesian War

Kagan is a master of his subject and this is a succinct and accessible overview of this civil war between the cities of ancient Greece. The narrator is excellent. Any listener not familiar with the geography of the region at this time should definitely listen with a text of some type with maps of the region covering this period.