Customer Reviews

The Humanity of Thucydides

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This is the best book-length treatment of Thucydides available from a truly philosophic perspective. Orwin looks at Thucydides through the lens of political philosophy and the question of justice. He does not attempt to locate Thucydides in his "historical context" or interpret the father of political history in light of the modern prejudice that looks for an author's "ideology"; rather, Orwin seriously considers whether Thucydides has given a true account of that which he intended to describe, namely, the nature of the human possibilities of war as such, regardless of time or place. Distinguishing Orwin's interpretation from all others of which I am aware is a thought provoking analysis of the role piety played in the motives of the actors described by Thucydides. This is an uncommonly good work that serves as a catalyst for thoughtful reflection on the nature of humanity.

This book deals with one of the most philosophical observers on the human condition in the most boring and "scholarily" manner. Consider that Orwin has spent over 15 years writing this, it should read better than an average graduate student paper. Orwin's take, for example, on the Plague is formulac and vague. (how many times can Orwin use the word, "body" to explain this passage?) Much more could have been said on the plagues relationship to political ideas, for example. Overall, this work serves to illustrate that Orwin is better suited to write as a journalist and not someone concerned with ideas.