Customer Reviews

The founders of the western world: A history of Greece and Rome

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Michael Grant is the author of a series of books covering in some detail Greco-Roman history from the rise of the Greeks to the fall of the Roman Empire. The intent of the 'The Founders' is to condense that series into a single volume. While I am sympathetic to this goal, it seems that perhaps it was the publisher's idea rather than the author's; I can't help but feel that the author's heart just wasn't in it. It reads very much like a cut-and-paste job from his earlier books. Choppy in parts and lacking in the specific hypotheses that make for interesting historical reading, the section on Rome, in particular, lacks style. Augustus is dealt with fairly well, but most of the Emperors are dealt with in an almost Old Testament-like manner: so-and-so begat so-and-so who begat so-and-so who begat.... The author would have been better off inserting a few original ideas into this section and skipping the long and pointless recitation of the succession of later Emperors.

The Greek section is organized by geography. I did extract some enjoyment from this treatment. By organizing the text in this way, the author has avoided the usual near-exclusive focus on Athens and Sparta that characterizes many popular treatments of ancient Greece. However, like the Roman section, this focus on geography leads to a certain amount of choppiness as the author skips from one city state to the next, and a consequent feeling of disjointedness that stylistically belies the author's stated purpose of conceptually unifying the Greco-Roman world.

In praise of the book, I will say that I appreciate the back matter. The author provides references to original Greek and Roman sources for many of the most significant statements in the book, a table of dates comparing contemporary Greek, Roman, Middle Eastern, Far Eastern, and American events, as well as a decent set of maps of the ancient world - a feature lacking in so many popular history books.

In closing, I would say that abridgement is an underappreciated art. D.M. Low's abridgement of Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is a good example of abridgement by a significant scholar. Somervell's abridgement of Toynbee's A Study of History is another example of fine and seemless condensing. Grant, unfortunately, it seems, though a decent original writer, has little talent and less patience for the art of abridgement. Perhaps this volume should not have been attempted in the first place.

If you always wanted to learn about Ancient Greece and Rome but didn't know where to start this book by Michael Grant is a good place to do it. In this small but comprehensive book, Michael Grant carefully outlines all of the historical milestones that made both civilizations great and timeless.

Grant first begins with covering the Greek world and devotes 2/3 of his book to that subject. Grant covers the origins of Greek speaking peoples with groups such as the Myceneans and their contact with other Mediterranean civilizations. Grant then proceeds to Classical Greece, the Persian Wars, and the Peloponnesian War. Grant explains the origins of democracy in Athens and contrast with Sparta's dual monarchy. Grant also devotes significant attention to the political, philosophical, and artistic contributions of the Greeks. The section on Greece concludes with Alexander The Great and the Hellenic period.

Grant's section on Rome is also comprehensive in covering the significant events that shaped Rome and her contributions. Grant covers the origins of Rome under the Etruscans and the Greek Italian colonies. Grant also covers the importance of the Punic Wars, Rome's contact with the Celts, and Rome's conquest of the Hellenic monarchies. Grant also discusses the impact of popular Roman leaders such as Marius, Sulla, Caesar, Pompey, Cicero, and Crassus. After explaining the Republic, Grant does a broad overview of the Principate devoting most of his attention to Augustus, Constantine, and Diocletian. As with his Greek section, Grant devotes some sections to discuss Rome's contributions in government, military, and artistic areas.

This is a very good introductory text where the reader won't feel overwhelmed by strange names or concepts in their efforts to learn about ancient Greece and Rome. The book also puts those civilizations in perspective by explaining the legacy they left to the modern world in various fields such as language and culture; political science; military science; architecture; and, philosophy. I strongly recommend this book to anyone beginning to learn about Rome or who's looking for a good intorductory classroom textbook suitable for Jr. High and up.

I agree with the reviewer who called it a cut and paste job, but disagree with the "Not bad" judgement. This is nearly impossible to read if you don't already have an extensive background in the subject (a PhD might help). The author skips from battles to intrigues to poets inside 3 paragraphs in a staccato fashion. I would recommend "The Teaching Company" lectures as a far better way to learn about early modern civilizations. Caveat: I have given up after reading the first 4 parts as it just isn't a pleasant read leaving part 5 for other reviewers who are more resistant to this writer's style.