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ejdecoster's review
4.0
Based on the slender size of this book, I was expecting a fairly general overview. I was profoundly wrong - Hitchens and the authors of the opening and closing essays examine issues relating to the Elgin Marbles in great depth and detail, providing analysis of the political, artistic, and moral components of issues relating to repatriation. Hitchens is especially dismissive of the various slippery slope arguments proposed by opponents of returning the materials to Greece/Athens, and of what he perceives to be an especially British hatred of setting unfortunate precedents. He lays out a number of compelling reasons for returning the marbles, and additionally provides reasons that he believes this is an exceptional situation that won't set a problematic precedent. I think it would be interesting to hear what his perspectives would be in an era where people seem much more aware of looting, the destruction of historical/archaeological treasures, and repatriation issues specifically related to Holocaust victims. I found the book well-reasoned and well-argued, and very persuasive.
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