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A review by maxturner
The Ancient Guide to Modern Life by Natalie Haynes
2.0
I have to admit that I struggled to finish this book, in part because it was not what I was expecting. From the cover and blurb I had been expecting an interesting (if basic) overview of parallels between the ancient and modern worlds. Had I picked this book up in the humour section, I may have been a little disappointed with some of the wit, but it would have been ok.
What this actually is, is a basic overview of ancient history (from the view of a Classicist – i.e. reliant on written sources and very little archaeology), full of sweeping generalisations and the occasional paragraph thrown in to say whether this is or isn't how things are in modern times. The further through the book you go, the more the references to the modern day become a soap box for the author to disseminate her point of view. Which, in all honesty most (but not all) I agreed with, this just wasn't the place I wanted to be reading someone’s views on the recession.
The writing itself is ok, but very much not what I was expecting – the witter banter begins to grate after the first chapter.
I think overall, my disappointment stems from the fact that I had been expecting something more academic, which is not the fault of the writer. This would make an nice read for someone with little or no knowledge of the ancient world, wanting to know more – as the comparisons could help a novice better understand. However, there is a chance this book will date very quickly – I considered giving it to my teenage cousin who has an inquisitive mind and might like to know more about the ancient world, but some of the references (Spitting Image, Darling Buds of May, etc) would be a little lost on the future generations and they might find some of the modern aspects tiresome and preachy.
What this actually is, is a basic overview of ancient history (from the view of a Classicist – i.e. reliant on written sources and very little archaeology), full of sweeping generalisations and the occasional paragraph thrown in to say whether this is or isn't how things are in modern times. The further through the book you go, the more the references to the modern day become a soap box for the author to disseminate her point of view. Which, in all honesty most (but not all) I agreed with, this just wasn't the place I wanted to be reading someone’s views on the recession.
The writing itself is ok, but very much not what I was expecting – the witter banter begins to grate after the first chapter.
I think overall, my disappointment stems from the fact that I had been expecting something more academic, which is not the fault of the writer. This would make an nice read for someone with little or no knowledge of the ancient world, wanting to know more – as the comparisons could help a novice better understand. However, there is a chance this book will date very quickly – I considered giving it to my teenage cousin who has an inquisitive mind and might like to know more about the ancient world, but some of the references (Spitting Image, Darling Buds of May, etc) would be a little lost on the future generations and they might find some of the modern aspects tiresome and preachy.