Marathon: The Crucial Battle That Created Western Democracy

by Alan Lloyd

At Marathon, the site of the key battle between Greek and Persian armies, independence and a radical new political form were at stake. Through an overview of the religion, culture, and alliances among... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 028563688X
• ISBN13: 9780285636880
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Souvenir Press
• Length: 210 Pages
• Weight: 2.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Good Introduction to the topic

This book serves as an excellent introduction to the battle of Marathon and the events leading up to it. First off, it should be noted that this is a popular history book. Therefore the depth that it goes into is rather limited. If you're looking for a detailed study of the battle then this book is going to be a massive disappointment for you. Most of the book is taken up with the events leading up to the battle. The battle itself only covers the last 15-20 pages. The first section is on the Ancient Greeks (Specifically the Athenians), the second covers the Persians, and the third covers the immediate prelude to the war. It covers all the main characters and establishes the cultures and societies that are clashing with a great deal of insight. The writing style in this book makes it a pleasure to read, and it would undoubtedly be an excellent book for people new to this time period. My biggest problem with this book is that it isn't longer.

A great account

Alan Lloyd does a remarkable job of not only narrating this amazing true story but also providing the context and background that makes for a truly great history lesson. He spends most of his efforts setting the stage for the battle-explaining the histories of the opponents and the reasons behind their decisions. This really adds to the drama of the final chapters that cover the actual battle. Where the history is sketchy or disputed, he does a great job of letting the reader know the various possibilities and the most likely scenarios. I have read this book three different times and it never fails to entertain. It is simply a very solid book about one of the most important battles in western history. Highly recommended.