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CTyankee

(63,912 posts) Thu Jul 9, 2015, 04:59 PM Jul 2015

There is a great book for people who are scared shitless about learning Greek history...

like I was about 10 years or so ago. It is called "Sailing the Wine Dark Sea: Why the Greeks Matter" by Thomas Cahill. It's smart, amusing, and makes Greek history much less formidable without being silly. In short, a fun read!

So if you want to know more read this book. NYT review here http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/09/books/classical-education.html

12 replies

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There is a great book for people who are scared shitless about learning Greek history... (Original Post) CTyankee Jul 2015 OP

Thanks for this... haikugal Jul 2015 #1

He also wrote a great one called "How the Irish Saved Civilization." I was afraid it CTyankee Jul 2015 #2

+1 to that KatyMan Jul 2015 #3

Thanks. Hope you've read it...what a great journey and how it helps understand stuff CTyankee Jul 2015 #5

I've read them both, great stuff! n/t KatyMan Jul 2015 #9

I was less impressed with his book on the Middle Ages altho I'd like to take another CTyankee Jul 2015 #10

Oh, oh.... haikugal Jul 2015 #4

Now you've done it! Now I gotta get that book from the library!! CTyankee Jul 2015 #6

LOL.. haikugal Jul 2015 #7

thanks! CTyankee Jul 2015 #8

Thanks for the recommendation. I've read his Irish one and will check the Greek one out. n/t FSogol Jul 2015 #12

Picked it up at the library hifiguy Jul 2015 #11

haikugal

(6,476 posts)

1. Thanks for this...

Reply to CTyankee (Original post)

Thu Jul 9, 2015, 05:40 PM

Jul 2015

I'm not afraid but love recommendations from DU'rs...

CTyankee

(63,912 posts)

2. He also wrote a great one called "How the Irish Saved Civilization." I was afraid it

Reply to haikugal (Reply #1)

Thu Jul 9, 2015, 06:53 PM

Jul 2015

was one of those Up the Irish kind of books but it was a beautiful history of how the monks in monasteries transcribed the classics of antiquity to save them for posterity. An excellent and beautifully written account...thrilling actually...

KatyMan

(4,198 posts)

3. +1 to that

Reply to CTyankee (Reply #2)

Thu Jul 9, 2015, 06:58 PM

Jul 2015

And the book in the OP

CTyankee

(63,912 posts)

5. Thanks. Hope you've read it...what a great journey and how it helps understand stuff

Reply to KatyMan (Reply #3)

Thu Jul 9, 2015, 07:06 PM

Jul 2015

I wouldn't have the guts to undertake on my own...

KatyMan

(4,198 posts)

9. I've read them both, great stuff! n/t

Reply to CTyankee (Reply #5)

Fri Jul 10, 2015, 10:05 AM

Jul 2015

n/t

CTyankee

(63,912 posts)

10. I was less impressed with his book on the Middle Ages altho I'd like to take another

Reply to KatyMan (Reply #9)

Fri Jul 10, 2015, 10:07 AM

Jul 2015

look...

haikugal

(6,476 posts)

4. Oh, oh....

Reply to CTyankee (Reply #2)

Thu Jul 9, 2015, 07:03 PM

Jul 2015

Have you read A Canticle for Liebowitz? Here is a wonderful dramatized audio book of the story...takes off on what you're talking about.

https://archive.org/details/ACanticleForLiebowitz

I think you'll like it..it is very thought provoking..I'll check out that book by the way, thanks!

Remember, courage!