The Shortest History of Greece: The Odyssey of a Nation from Myth to Modernity

by James Heneage Narrated by Gareth Richards

Overview

Philosophy, art, democracy, language, even computers-the glories of Greek civilization have shaped our world even more profoundly than we realize. Pericles and the Parthenon may be familiar, but what of Epaminondas, the Theban general who saved the Greek world from Spartan tyranny? Alexander the Great's fame has rolled down the centuries, but the golden Hellenistic Age that followed is largely forgotten. "Byzantine" conjures decadence and deadly intrigue, yet the thousand-year empire that ruled from Constantinople and saved Europe twice from invasion was, in fact, Greek.



Greece's modern chapter, too, tells of triumph and calamity-from liberation and expansion to schism, homegrown dictatorship, Nazi occupation, and civil war. Today's nation is battered by austerity, encroaching climate change, and a refugee crisis-yet unwavering in its ancient values.



James Heneage captures the full Grecian drama in this riveting, short history, revealing Greece as the wellspring of Western civilization-and a model that may yet save modern democracy.

Editorial Reviews

Paul Cartledge

"Beautifully written, full of apposite analogies and taking a long historical perspective. . . . Excellent."

Sydney Morning Herald

"Highly entertaining . . . a colorful marvel of compression."

Tom Holland

"A Daily Mail History Book of the Year

"From alpha to omega, and from Socrates to Syriza, here is all of Greek history, expertly told."

From the Publisher

A Daily Mail History Book of the Year

“From alpha to omega, and from Socrates to Syriza, here is all of Greek history, expertly told.”—Tom Holland, author of Dominion

“Highly entertaining . . . a colorful marvel of compression.”—Sydney Morning Herald

“Beautifully written, full of apposite analogies and taking a long historical perspective. . . . Excellent.”—Paul Cartledge, author of Democracy: A Life

“A complete history from the Homeric Age to the present. . . . Heneage draws parallels between current events and events in Greek history, while skillfully explaining what has come before.”—School Library Journal

School Library Journal

04/01/2023

Gr 9 Up—This series continues to offer complete histories of specific topics in just a few hundred pages. One title covers Greece from the Homeric Age to the present, and the other explores the conflict between Israel and Palestine. This is advanced reading material due to its subject matter and condensed format. The Israel/Palestine title begins with a chronology of pivotal dates, and both titles include images such as diagrams, maps, artwork, and photos to support the text. The authors are content specialists who draw parallels between current events and events in Greek history, while skillfully explaining what has come before. VERDICT A useful reference set, or a possible classroom purchase for Honors or AP courses.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178139707
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	05/23/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged

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