Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
fast-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Considered to be the "father of history", Herodotus collected the bits and pieces of Ancient Grecian history with the intent of preserving it so that the famous Greeks and Non-Greeks and their great achievements wouldn't be erased by time, especially the hostilities between them and the causes behind the Greco-Persian wars.
Herodotus clearly tests out writing methods and styles. His stories are long-winded, peppered with seemingly meaningless asides that one can only gather combine to create some kind of lesson. He defines what it is to be Greek by comparing them to non-Greeks. For those who just want the facts (or as close as they can get), this book may be a bore because of its lengthy detail and jumpy timeline. For those that appreciate a good story withing their history, you may will find some enjoyment in Herodotus' colourful narrative full of tall tales and exaggerations, because within them lies the truth and the Greek way of thinking.
Herodotus clearly tests out writing methods and styles. His stories are long-winded, peppered with seemingly meaningless asides that one can only gather combine to create some kind of lesson. He defines what it is to be Greek by comparing them to non-Greeks. For those who just want the facts (or as close as they can get), this book may be a bore because of its lengthy detail and jumpy timeline. For those that appreciate a good story withing their history, you may will find some enjoyment in Herodotus' colourful narrative full of tall tales and exaggerations, because within them lies the truth and the Greek way of thinking.
This has been on my radar and my TBR list (both physical and in general), so it was about time that I actually read this. I really enjoyed reading it. There were some parts that confused me a little bit, but it wasn’t a huge deal for me. There were some parts that also seemed a little biased and/or had very little diversity, but that happens with every piece of work written. I actually got through this book very quickly in relation to previous books I’ve read in 2021. But I’m super happy that I finally got through this book.
This book is so interesting historically and for entertainment value. There are some slow parts (descriptions of physical places weren't exciting, but they have value), but for the most part, I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The mythology and historical stories were a lot of fun.
Reading through Herodotus is like walking back in time and observing events for which there are no other chronicles. Whether it's the cultural and antropological descriptions of the Egyptians and the Persians or the actual happenings of the great wars between the Greeks and the Persians, it is a part of history that's so compelling to modern day's men and at the same time, so alien that it's really hard to describe. Still, I believe there are many treasures to be discovered in such a reading, and today's man still has a lot to learn about these ancient people, their lives, their feelings, their beliefs and mainly their acts, which are by no means dissimilar to those of ours today. The building blocks of basic human feelings and actions have not changed anything in the 2500 years since, so it's relevance is steadfast today too, no question about it in my mind.
informative
slow-paced
Once upon a time, Homer was history. You read (or, more likely, heard) him because he told you about the past. Looking back was an art and it had to be interpreted.
Herodotus is interesting because he is a point of transition, no longer an epic poet but not quite a historian as we would consider it. He tells every story he knows. And when he knows more than one story, he tells you why he thinks one is more likely than the other. But mostly, he relishes stories. Whether he traveled widely or talked to people from around the world or just read a lot is irrelevant. It shines through across the millennia that he wanted to hear great stories.
For Herodotus, the greatest story he knew was the Persian invasion of Greece. But he couldn't just tell it, as though it manifested out of nothing. This is where he separates himself from Homer; the battle isn't the point. The point is everything that made the battle possible. So we get his histories of Persia and Greece and everyone that deserves to be remembered on either side, at least as far as he can judge. This isn't nationalistic, though you can get into how consistent he is on this front. It intends to be simply curious. And he wants to talk to people and tell their stories before they're lost to time.
Perhaps the most charming thing about Herodotus is how often he diverges. At its core, this is a story of Persia and Greece, but he can't help but describe the origins and practices of everyone else he meets along the way. In many ways, it's as much early sociology as it is history.
The translation brought through the joy he finds in his pursuit clearly. As a reader, you don't need to internalize every detail of Scythian religious observance to enjoy the text. You enjoy the ride and the fact that he enjoys it. You enjoy the humanness of an era we treat as less human that our own. You enjoy Herodotus for himself.
Herodotus is interesting because he is a point of transition, no longer an epic poet but not quite a historian as we would consider it. He tells every story he knows. And when he knows more than one story, he tells you why he thinks one is more likely than the other. But mostly, he relishes stories. Whether he traveled widely or talked to people from around the world or just read a lot is irrelevant. It shines through across the millennia that he wanted to hear great stories.
For Herodotus, the greatest story he knew was the Persian invasion of Greece. But he couldn't just tell it, as though it manifested out of nothing. This is where he separates himself from Homer; the battle isn't the point. The point is everything that made the battle possible. So we get his histories of Persia and Greece and everyone that deserves to be remembered on either side, at least as far as he can judge. This isn't nationalistic, though you can get into how consistent he is on this front. It intends to be simply curious. And he wants to talk to people and tell their stories before they're lost to time.
Perhaps the most charming thing about Herodotus is how often he diverges. At its core, this is a story of Persia and Greece, but he can't help but describe the origins and practices of everyone else he meets along the way. In many ways, it's as much early sociology as it is history.
The translation brought through the joy he finds in his pursuit clearly. As a reader, you don't need to internalize every detail of Scythian religious observance to enjoy the text. You enjoy the ride and the fact that he enjoys it. You enjoy the humanness of an era we treat as less human that our own. You enjoy Herodotus for himself.