binstonbirchill's review against another edition
3.0
Xenophon and a few of his pals (10,000 to be exact) march from Sardis (modern west Turkey) to Babylon then turn north and march through the mountains of Armenia, skirt the black sea all the way to Byzantium (or Constantinople, or Istanbul). They begin as mercenaries in the pay of Prince Cyrus who wants to overthrow the King of Persia and events determine where they go from there. Xenophon was a general in this expedition, and if you take him at his word he was a pretty darn nice one. This book doesn't reach the lofty heights of Thucydides, Herodotus, Arrian or Livy but it is certainly worth a read for those who love all things Greece. The 50 page introduction is well worth a look as well, I liked the intro and the last 100 pages or so of Xenophon's journey the most.
david_rhee's review against another edition
3.0
Most of us are likely used to reading Hellenic histories involving prominent figures and wars which have been carved into history, but it was interesting to see that an account like Xenophon's had made it to us. This is the story not of Greek soldiers fighting for their people's defense but of mercenaries lending their services to a Persian usurper. It gives a rare view into what happened far more than we ever imagined. The same values shone through whether it was military valor or fairness in the dealing with others. The tense relations between the Greek city states both in their conflicts and collaboration also were familiar and ever present. The method of Hellenic history remained consistent even though the focus was on a different "layer" of the same Greek culture and life.
imclaugh's review against another edition
4.0
An endlessly fascinating text. A gripping adventure story with tantalizing hints of emergent pan-hellenist ideology and revealing anecdotes about the Greek relation with the Oriental "Other" (Others) as well as perceptions of the various city-states.
spacestationtrustfund's review against another edition
3.0
This edition is Rex Warner's translation of Xenophon's Ἀνάβασις, edited by George Cawkwell. I suppose Warner & Cawkwell tend to prefer non-literal titles of their publications in order to stand out—their translation of Xenophon's Ἑλληνικά was titled "A History of My Times" instead of the more commonly accepted "Hellenika," just as this one is "The Persian Expedition" instead of "Anabasis." Despite this rather amusing eccentricity, I've really not found much to complain about with Warner's translations; they tend to be fairly literal while also preserving the poetic flair of the original (if any exists), and of course Cawkwell's notes are exemplary.
Xenophon's story of the anabasis—an ancient Greek mercenary army's march across difficult terrain to return home after being betrayed by their Persian employers—is a really fun read if you like military history or survival stories, because that's all it is. Xenophon himself was present—this is an eyewitness account—and was in fact one of the soldiers chosen to lead the retreating army. Honestly, I can't blame him for defecting to Sparta.
Xenophon's story of the anabasis—an ancient Greek mercenary army's march across difficult terrain to return home after being betrayed by their Persian employers—is a really fun read if you like military history or survival stories, because that's all it is. Xenophon himself was present—this is an eyewitness account—and was in fact one of the soldiers chosen to lead the retreating army. Honestly, I can't blame him for defecting to Sparta.
beth_jwilliams's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I greatly enjoyed how Xenophon rated each country he travelled to on their olive supply. “Greece is better because we have olive trees.”
The military dance off was definitely unexpected. A bit slow and long-winded. A good read for learning about ancient cultures and how they reacted to new places. Tourism and excitement to see mythological places (like “this is where Jason’s ship harboured!”) is clearly a tale as old as time.
The military dance off was definitely unexpected. A bit slow and long-winded. A good read for learning about ancient cultures and how they reacted to new places. Tourism and excitement to see mythological places (like “this is where Jason’s ship harboured!”) is clearly a tale as old as time.
pinoncoffee's review against another edition
5.0
If I’d had any idea how funny Xenophon’s book was, I’d have read this years ago. He is SO smooth, so epically competent. He’s a cinegraphic writer, good at showing you the scene, complete with witty dialogue.
I enjoyed Warner’s translation, but I am half tempted to learn Ancient Greek properly and loosely translate it myself into genre fiction page-turner prose: maybe military sci-fi. The ancient cultures are just as foreign to me as any alien species, so it works.
Bless his heart, Xenophon was so pious, and sacrificed for omens constantly. He needed better gods.
I enjoyed Warner’s translation, but I am half tempted to learn Ancient Greek properly and loosely translate it myself into genre fiction page-turner prose: maybe military sci-fi. The ancient cultures are just as foreign to me as any alien species, so it works.
Bless his heart, Xenophon was so pious, and sacrificed for omens constantly. He needed better gods.
kurek's review against another edition
3.0
A good story but I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more with a better translation. W.H.D. Rouse's 'plain English' translation is a bit awkward and some of his choices were a bit odd and off-putting.
abetterjulie's review against another edition
2.0
Quite the glimpse into the culture of the times. I found the behavior of almost everyone inexplicable, and therefore fascinating. I kept waiting for the story to mature, but the real story is over before it has barely begun.