The Greeks (Penguin History) [Perfect Paperback]

H. D. F. Kitto (Author)

Book Description

Series: Penguin History | Publication Date: 1991

The Greeks were extraordinary not least because they evolved 'a totally new conception of what human life was for'. Elaborating on that claim, the author explores the life, culture and history of classical Greece.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Humphrey Kitto (1897-1982) was Emeritus Professor of Greek at the University of Bristol.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Revised edition (1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140135219
• ISBN-13: 978-0140135213
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #435,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Showing the Cradle of Western Civilization., October 27, 2004

By 

Maximiliano F Yofre "Maxi" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Greeks (Penguin History) (Perfect Paperback)

I got in touch with this book as a mandatory reading when I was applying to study at Buenos Aires University. As usually happens with prescribed readings, I eyed "The Greeks" with little enthusiasm.
But to my big surprise it was a great read! Professor Kitto has done an outstanding work here. Now, after all this years, I treasure this volume in my library and read it again and again.

In very few pages he gives the reader a complete picture of Ancient Greece, from its origins till the advent of Alexander the Great.
Every main issue is described here: the Polis, their religion, the construction step by step of a unique civilization; art and war; literature and theater; philosophy and history; not a significant issue is left over. At the same time Professor Kitto succeed in writing a very straightforward account and an easy reading.
We may understand thru this book our eternal debt to that Mediterranean people. Nothing will be as it is without the Greek heritage.

A recommended read for students and any person interested in Western Culture.
Enjoy this trip!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent overview of Greek history and culture!, August 30, 2005

By 

David Lundberg "author of OLYMPIC WANDERING" (Greensboro, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Greeks (Penguin History) (Perfect Paperback)

Kitto has done a nice job with this book. It is an extremely well researched overview of ancient Greek history and culture. Quite scholarly, and written in an interesting way, he leads the reader through his research and thinking, not always giving definitive answers to cultural questions. In the end the reader comes to fairly confident assumptions of what the Greek world was, and is, like. His first chapters are quite good: Introduction, Formation of the Greek People, The Country, Homer, The Polis. The later chapters are less engaging, but overall a good scholarly read!

Reviewed by David Lundberg, author of Olympic Wandering: Time Travel Through Greece

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting introduction to Ancient Greece, and Greeks :), July 30, 2004

By 

M. B. Alcat "Curiosity killed the cat, but sa... (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Greeks (Penguin History) (Perfect Paperback)

The author of "The Greeks", a well-known professor who devoted a great part of his life to the study of Ancient Greece, wrote this book with an aim: help others to understand better the subject that he taught. In my opinion, H. D. F. Kitto fulfilled his self-imposed task marvelously.

Kitto doesn't pretend to write an exhaustive history of Ancient Greece, but rather an introductory book that touches upon many subjects without delving too much into any of them. As a result, after reading this book you will end up with a general idea of the culture, art, literature and historical facts regarding Ancient Greece, but you won't be able to say you know all about it. On the other hand, you will know much more about the Greeks, and the values that shaped them and motivated their actions. That is probably more than enough to recommend this book :)

I want to point out that even though the author doesn't oversimplify the subject at hand to the point of distorting it, he highlights so much certain central ideas that even those who read the book without paying it due attention will understand them. For instance, Kitto emphasizes the great divide that existed for the Greeks between themselves and the others, the barbarians. According to the Greeks, that divide was undeniable because only they had mastered the way of being truly "free". That certitude, and their consequent feeling of exceptionalism, marked all their actions.

Kitto says, in the introduction, that he strove to allow the Greeks to speak for themselves, and the reader gets exactly that impression from time to time. I don't know much about Ancient Greece, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I guess that is a good indication that even those who just want to dabble in the subject are likely to enjoy it...

I believe that "The Greeks" is a very well-written book, something that combined with the fact that it isn't overly long makes it the kind of reading material that almost everybody might be interested in. All in all, I highly recommend this book to you :)

Belen Alcat