Scholarly commentary on the nuances of Greek writing fills library shelves, even entire libraries. Yet nothing can take the place of the documents themselves. The Classical Greek Reader marks an exciting departure from the traditional anthology approach to Greek literature and thought. By focusing not only on the big names but also on the less-familiar voices--the women, doctors, storytellers, herbalists, and romance writers--we are offered a glimpse of ancient Greece as we have rarely seen it. Kenneth J. Atchity provides the reader with firsthand access to literary, artistic, social, political, religious, scientific, and philosophical texts that shaped Greek thinking. From Homeric epics to the histories of Plutarch, and from the poems of Korinna to the romances of Heliodorus, this invaluable reference provides readers with modern translations of the voices that shaped the classical Greek spirit. Each entry contains an introduction identifying the author and providing information that allows readers to consider these ancient texts in a new light. Here are the wonders of the Greek world presented in a modern, accessible manner, perfect for those looking to refresh their acquaintance with the classics and for those who have yet to explore the exciting intellectual energy of the ancient Greek world.
Former Occidental College professor Atchity attempts to make ancient Greek literature attractive to a Nineties' audience. He succeeds in being more inclusive than traditional in terms of women, scientists, and philosophers, but the relatively equal (short) length given each entry diminishes the major historical figures and creates the effect of a sampler rather than an anthology. Introductions provide factoid information about each writer and his or her significance, but too often there is no explanation for the choice of a selection fragment or an analysis of its relationship to the whole work. Also references to current pop culture icons (e.g., Galen as an ancient version of Deepak Chopra) may make this book seem dated in a few years. Although this reader is suitable for all libraries, it should not be viewed as a replacement for more traditional texts such as The Norton Book of Classical Literature (Norton, 1993) or MacKendrick and Howe's venerable Classics in Translation (1959).?Rose Cichy, Osterhout Free Lib., Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
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"Atchity's passionate connection to a lost and compelling world underlies every entry in his page-turning Classical Greek Reader....It is Athcity's introduction to the minor, yet memorable, characters that lends a distinctive poignancy and charm to this survey."--Smithsonian
With more than forty years experience in the publishing world, and over fifteen years in entertainment, I absolutely love being a "story merchant"--writer, producer, teacher, and literary manager, responsible for launching dozens of books and films. My life's passion is finding great storytellers and turning them into bestselling authors and screenwriters--and making films which send their stories around the world.
I've produced 26 films, including "Joe Somebody" (Tim Allen; Fox), "Life or Something Like It" (Angelina Jolie; Fox), "The Amityville Horror" (NBC), "Shadow of Obsession" (NBC), "The Madam's Family" (CBS). "Meg" (New Line), "Demon Keeper" (Fox 2000), "Henry's List of Wrongs" (New Line), and Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not (starring Jim Carrey; Paramount) are approaching production. Full film bio at www.imdb.com.
My 14 books include books for writers at every stage of their career. Based on my teaching, managing, and writing experience, I've successfully built bestselling careers for novelists, nonfiction writers, and screenwriters from the ground up. Clients include bestsellers Steve Alten, Royce Buckingham, Jamise Dames, Noire, Shirley Palmer, Tracy Price-Thompson, Ripley's Believe-It-Or-Not!, Cheryl Saban, and Governor Jesse Ventura. Now, as chairman and CEO of Atchity Entertainment International, Inc., my Story Merchant companies, www.aeionline.com and www.thewriterslifeline.com, provide a one-stop full-service development and management machine for commercial and literary writers who wish to launch their storytelling in all media---from publishing and film and television production, to Web presence and merchandising & licensing.
I was born in Eunice, Louisiana; and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, where I attended Rockhurst High School (and was editor in chief of The Prep News). After undergraduate work at Georgetown (A.B., English/Classics), and getting my Ph.D. in comparative literature from Yale, I served as professor and chairman of comparative literature and creative writing at Occidental College (Faculty Achievement Award; published articles, reviews, short stories, and poems in major journals and magazines throughout the world).
Editor of CQ: Contemporary Quarterly: Poetry and Art
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This review is from: The Classical Greek Reader (Paperback)
I have long been interested in classical Greek and Roman civilization, and have spent hours thumbing through the wonderful Loeb Classics library editions jotting down random bits of wisdom or hilarious observations. Before I found Atchity and McKenna's book, however, I never quite knew how to tie it all together. The book's style is far more interesting than an encycolpedia's style, but the volume of information is perfect for novices. The chapters consist of chronological excerpts from a wide variety of Greek academics. Whether your interest is history, literature, philosophy, art, math, science, or an amalgam of any or all of these, you will find something fascinating to read here. Parents of high school and college students should think about giving this book as a gift to their children--it would be invaluable to students in the arts and sciences.
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This review is from: The Classical Greek Reader (Paperback)
Why did Oxford, in 1996, reprint prose translations from Kathleen Freeman's 1926 "Life and Work of Solon," with their cries of "Yea!" and "Ye glorious children of Memory"? Couldn't it get the rights to West's 1993 "Greek Lyric Poetry" at least (also published by Oxford)? More disconcertingly, we get an English Empedocles here of the vintages 1880 and 1898. Most of the major poets fare better, but Sophocles' "Antigone" is in H.R. Fairclough and A.T. Murray's 1902 Wardour Street ("didst thou") version.
With no reservations, I can declare this a very poorly conceived anthology. Anyone would do better to buy up a bunch of good translations in used paperbacks.
If you absolutely had to have an anthology, I'm not sure what is best, but "The Norton Book of Classical Literature," ed. B.M.W. Knox, is certainly far better.
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This review is from: The Classical Greek Reader (Paperback)
The book I received was exactly what I wanted and what was promised. It was in great condition and I received it three days after I ordered it. I am very pleased with the seller and would buy from them again.
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