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stephb413's review against another edition
3.0
A readable text looking into the rise of Athens and its influence in the region. I appreciate the insight of the extremely complex relationships between the city-states and Macedonia.
myrmidex's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
Such a great, interesting overview of ancient Athens and the world around it.
ashleyreads88's review
3.0
*I received this for review from NetGalley
There were things that I enjoyed about this book and others that I didn’t. With the Rise of Athens, I felt like I was reading a textbook, and it was a slow read. I loved learning about the history of Athens, there were a lot of interesting things. I found it interesting how the Ionian Greeks didn’t want the Spartans to lead them, but instead wanted the Athenians to lead them (pg. 91), the Greek alphabet was first used in the eight century (pg. 214), The Oresteia is the only surviving Greek trilogy (pg. 220), and I thought it was really interesting how the Greeks invented the tragedy (pg. 220). I really enjoyed reading about how Athens and Thebes, while not very friendly decided to go to war against Sparta together (354). On the topic of war, there was a lot of it, and it seemed to get a little repetitive. Despite my issues with this book, I still learned a great deal about Ancient Greece that I never knew before.
There were things that I enjoyed about this book and others that I didn’t. With the Rise of Athens, I felt like I was reading a textbook, and it was a slow read. I loved learning about the history of Athens, there were a lot of interesting things. I found it interesting how the Ionian Greeks didn’t want the Spartans to lead them, but instead wanted the Athenians to lead them (pg. 91), the Greek alphabet was first used in the eight century (pg. 214), The Oresteia is the only surviving Greek trilogy (pg. 220), and I thought it was really interesting how the Greeks invented the tragedy (pg. 220). I really enjoyed reading about how Athens and Thebes, while not very friendly decided to go to war against Sparta together (354). On the topic of war, there was a lot of it, and it seemed to get a little repetitive. Despite my issues with this book, I still learned a great deal about Ancient Greece that I never knew before.
lfs's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting subject matter presented in a fairly accessible manner, but at the same time, a pretty dense book that was done occasional injustice by technically unclear writing.
harmony's review against another edition
2.0
There was a lot of information here, but the presentation was so dry and tedious that I frequently found myself zoning out. Ultimately I don't feel that I learned all that much because it was such a struggle to pay attention to.
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