Simoto reviewed The Histories by Herodote (Penguin classics)
Review of 'The Histories' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
A magnificent book! I would characterize it as "porn" for history lovers. Herodotus presents us with information that otherwise would be lost or never mentioned. Information about lost tribes, cultures and traditions are preserved through the Histories. Of course, his narrative balances between reality and myth, and whether the reader believes what her reads, it's entirely up to him. But the alternative is oblivion. In conclusion, the book is organized in a perfect way, describing the background of the conflict between East and West and mainly the progress of the Persia Empire through four main generations: Cyrus, Cambyses, Darius and finally Xerxes. All the areas and people touched by Persian hands are also described and many legends are told and thus stay still alive, like the Hyperboreans or the Griffins. History lovers will fall in love with this book and will not be able to stop reading once started.
A magnificent book! I would characterize it as "porn" for history lovers. Herodotus presents us with information that otherwise would be lost or never mentioned. Information about lost tribes, cultures and traditions are preserved through the Histories. Of course, his narrative balances between reality and myth, and whether the reader believes what her reads, it's entirely up to him. But the alternative is oblivion. In conclusion, the book is organized in a perfect way, describing the background of the conflict between East and West and mainly the progress of the Persia Empire through four main generations: Cyrus, Cambyses, Darius and finally Xerxes. All the areas and people touched by Persian hands are also described and many legends are told and thus stay still alive, like the Hyperboreans or the Griffins. History lovers will fall in love with this book and will not be able to stop reading once started.
