Customer Reviews

The Norton Book of Classical Literature

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This anthology stands head and shoulders above the competition, such as the Portable Greek and Roman readers for a number of reasons, not the least of which are the fresh, modern translations of these very well-chosen ancient works. Others include its size (ca. 850 large pages) and high quality as a book, and, of course, its contents, which range from Homer to Augustine.

About 2/3 of the volume is devoted to Greek literature, with about 200 pages of that being Homer and Hesiod. Early poets are well represented from Sappho to the obscure. A complete translation of "Antigone" is included, as well as a generous sampling of other plays by Aechylus, Euripides, etc. Herodotus, Thucidides, Plato, Aristotle and many little known Hellenistic items appear. From Rome, Vergil, Lucretius, Marcus Aurelius, and various poetic and theatrical works.

The book does leave you wanting more. Fortunately, after reading this, you will have a much better idea about what you want more of!

A wide-ranging and cunningly chosen set of texts and translations and a generous set of elegantly written introductions make this a first-rate anthology. I am not very widely read in the classics, but I showed the book to a friend who is, and he was delighted to find many selections with which he was unfamiliar. Reading this book made we want to run out and get another whole shelf-full of complete works.

Knox's fine Classical Literature really deserves four and a half stars; I just can't figure out how to put on that extra half a star. Truly, this is a superb piece of editing-- Knox has chosen wisely , including well-known classical works, Homer, Aeschylus, Euripides, as well as more obscure works. The book runs the whole gamut of Greek and Roman literature, giving a tantalizing taste of each. Often the lesser-known works are the most interesting. I was fascinated. Knox also gives details about the lives and times of the authors that are interesting and engaging. Also, I appreciated Knox's interest in providing the most reader-friendly versions of the pieces. Sometimes he alternates translators to show how different people have read the great works, and in some cases, Propertius in particular, he offers great literary translations (such as one by Ezra Pound) alongside a more faithful translation. There is so much to say for this book. You will want to read more. There is one cause for frustration though, and that is in Knox's approach to giving liner notes. He gives all notes up-front in the introduction to each piece where a footnote or endnote might have been more convenient to the reader-- they must go back to the intro if they've forgotten what something meant. Other than smoe confusion with editorial notes, this book is wonderful and well worth your time.

What a delightful Knox Sampler. If you are a fan of Homer, Hesiod or Herodotus, you will love this delightful sampler of classical literature compiled by the late great antiquarian, Bernard Knox.

Do you have those moments in your reading discipline when finding just the right book to read appears a lost cause? Then purchase this collection and keep it handy for inspiration and fulfilling absorption while you wait.

A sample of the sampler from Tyrtaeus, 7th Century BC, poet of military ethics:

"Here is courage, mankind's finest possession, here is
the noblest prize that a young man can endeavor to win,
and it is a good thing his city and all the people share with him
when a man plants his feet and stands in the foremost spears
relentlessly, all thought of foul flight completely forgotten,
and has well trained his heart to be steadfast and to endure,
and with words encourages the man who is stationed beside him.
Here is a man who proves himself valiant in war."

-From "The Spartan Creed"

The book I purchased was described to be "like new," but had pages missing and had water damage on the cover.