The Archidamian War [Hardcover]

Donald Kagan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1974

This book, the second volume in Donald Kagan's tetralogy about the Peloponnesian War, is a provocative and tightly argued history of the first ten years of the war. Taking a chronological approach that allows him to present at each stage the choices that were open to both sides in the conflict, Kagan focuses on political, economic, diplomatic, and military developments. He evaluates the strategies used by both sides and reconsiders the roles played by several key individuals.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Archidamian War remains sober, judicious, and comprehensive. There is nothing else like it available in English-certainly nothing that takes all the modern scholarship into account. . . . But perhaps the most valuable achievement of the book is its carefully reasoned demolition of Thucydides's view-warmly embraced by too many scholars-that Pericles's war strategy was justifiable."-Peter Green, Times Literary Supplement

"A profound analysis of the relation of strategy to politics, a sympathetic but searching critique of Thucydides' masterpiece, and a trenchant assessment of the voluminous modern literature on the war."-Bernard Knox, The Atlantic Monthly (reviewing the four-volume series)

"The temptation to acclaim Kagan's four volumes as the foremost work of history produced in North America in the twentieth century is vivid. . . . Here is an achievement that not only honors the criteria of dispassion and of unstinting scruple which mark the best of modern historicism but honors its readers. To read Kagan's 'History of the Peloponnesian War' at the present hour is to be almost unbearably tested."-George Steiner, The New Yorker (reviewing the four-volume series)

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 392 pages
• Publisher: Cornell University Press (1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080140889X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801408892
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,609,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Relevance of Greek History, August 19, 2000

By 

Richard La Fianza (San Bernardino) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Archidamian War (A New History of the Peloponnesian War) (Paperback)

By the rank,subject, and age of this book, I doubt many, if anyone, will read this review. Thus, if you are reading these words, you are probably one of the few who already enjoys reading about ancient history and are just trying to decide which book in this area you will read next. If this is you, read this book.

Personally I knew some things, but not much about this war. Kagan discusses, in detail, the views of three of four historians on the causes and origins of the war, how the war could of been avoided, and how it was fought. What is maddening is that he often repeats what two or three people say, and then tells you why they are are wrong.

If you are not familiar with the war, this approach can be confusing. However, if you have time or already familiar with the "Archidamian War", this book is very satisfying. After reading this book, you will have a clearer understanding about the war and the people who fought it.

Personally, I am a political junkie. I found myself so fascinated with the stunning details about the passions and politics of these people that they seemed as clear and as relevent to me as any story in the news today.

This is Kagan's gift. With marvelous use of analogies plucked from every time and corner of history, he shows how Thuclyides was right, events repeat themselves. The form is always a little different, but often almost the same as some past drama. This 2500 years old war is relevent today, not just for drama or historians, but for both moderen politicians and military stratigists. If we choose to listen.

My only concern for this book is that, with the gaps in the records, much of Kagan work is as much fiction as history. He tells us what he believes to be the most probable reasons why this event occured or why something else happened. But, in the end, those are only educated deductions from the record, not what actually happened. Kagan, in particular, sees man as more rational creature then, in my view, he actually is. Men and women often do things for no reasons or, for very bad ones. Kagan assumes city-states were more rational then men, when a city-state is just a collection of men. Men who are very irrational at times.

Still, this is a small criticism. The book is great. Read it and remember, it is easier to learn from other's mistakes then to make them yourself. Thank you Mr. Kagan.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, Great History, January 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Archidamian War (A New History of the Peloponnesian War) (Paperback)

I agree with Mr. Lafianza's review except for his criticism. At first the analysis may be annoying, but one should quickly see its benefits. By looking at several different explanations and pointing out their failings, Kagan reiterates his main themes, strengthens his own point, underlines the importance of certain events, and makes understanding these events clearer for the layman by slowly moving through the events and never going so fast that a given situation does not make sense.

The book is wonderful and if the subject interests you, there is none better.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kagan's Inexhaustible Guide to the Peloponnesian War, November 13, 2006

By 

Unmoved Mover (Anywhere & Everywhere) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Archidamian War (A New History of the Peloponnesian War) (Paperback)

The Peloponnesian War, along with the myriad feuds that latched on to the central conflict between Sparta and Athens in the latter half of the fifth century BCE, can be an exhausting subject. The civil and international politics involved in fostering and perpetuating the war rival even today's most complex conflicts.

In this, the second of four volumes on the subject, Kagan skillfully presents, comments on, and refutes the hypotheses presented by history and historians, while still managing a very approachable narrative. These books come in and out of circulation, so best to get ahold of them while they're available. Again, Kagan's work is superb

For the historian, or avid history buff (however you might self-identify), these works are a necessary addition to your library. The more casual reader might, however, consider purchasing Kagan's abridged work entitled simply "The Peloponnesian War." It includes the main thrust of the narrative, but with markedly less analysis of the political motivations included in these volumes.