One of the world’s great history books and the first true historical narrative of Western literature, Thucydides’ chronicle of the disastrous 27-year conflict between Athens and Sparta resonates with tales of heroism and villainy, deeds of courage and desperation, and the eternal folly of human conflict. The insightful amateur historian traces the war’s roots in prior hostilities between Greece and Persia and examines the relative merits of the Athenian League and the Spartan alliance. Scrupulously impartial and accurate, he presents detailed, knowledgeable accounts of the battles, in addition to dialogues reflecting the political atmosphere.
