The Peloponnesian War

by Donald Kagan

Book Overview

For almost three decades at the end of the fifth century B.C., Athens and Sparta fought a war that changed the Greek world and its civilization forever. A conflict unprecedented in its brutality, the Peloponnesian War brought a collapse in the institutions, beliefs, and customs that were the foundations of society. Today, scholars in fields ranging from international relations and political and military history to political philosophy continue to...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670032115
• ISBN13: 9780670032112
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Viking Books
• Length: 544 Pages
• Weight: 1.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Hellenic version of World War....

I have read Donald Kagan's previous four volume book set on the Peloponnesian War which set the standard of that war for many years to come. So when I read his one volume book on the subject, I did wondered what more can I get. This one book treatment of the Peloponnesian War proves to be superbly well written for almost any reader. Unlike his four volume series which was academically rich and complex, this one book treatment scaled down the narrative into an easy to read, easy to understand and yet complete enough to make any reader understand what, how and why of the Peloponnesian War. Added by nice maps, almost anyone can tackle this book and come out wiser on the subject. The author's ability to reduced the complex nature of this conflict into an easier format is a clear example of his knowledge and total command of the subject matter. This book come highly recommended for anyone who have an initial interest on the matter and even for experienced readers as well.

Great book for curious readers in Greek history

I knew nothing of the wars of the Peloponnesian War prior to reading this, but was intrigued after seeing this one-volume history on the shelf. After checking up on Kagan's credentials, I went back and bought the book, and boy am I glad that I did. Pros: Being unfamiliar with Greek history, in general, Kagan writes and arranges his maps of the region in such a way that it is easy to keep up with the different areas being discussed. Very infrequently was I not sure about the area that was being discussed, which is paramount to understanding the strategic importance of what was going on. He does not speak in overly-simplistic terms, so this should not seem too simple of a history for those already familiar, I suspect. Kagan's history reads almost like a novel, and is not dry in the least. Kagan provokes much thought regarding the actions of all parties involved and does not rely too heavily on one source. Kagan does a superb job of piecing together the issues that went into the decision-making and what the motives were of the generals and politicians. Cons: The only negative that I can say about the book is that there are a few editing errors that left a couple of indiscernible fragments. Despite this, this book is a superb place to start if you are interested in Greek history and the power struggles between the city-states. A superb history for those who have no background int he subject so far.

Excellent Book!

This most excellent book provides a readable and concise history of the complex events surrounding the Peloponnesian War. The author has taken the confusing and often contradictory epiosdes associated with this conflict and broken them down into readable segments. Those who have waded their war through Thucycidides should find this book an essential companion to that work. While reading Thucycidides provides the fascination of a primary source, a lot of his writing is often difficult to follow as the narrative often goes on and on. Kagan provides a lot of recent scholarship to help compare the views of Thuycidides and place them in historical context. He also provides some background information on the strengths and weaknesses of Athens and Sparta as well as much needed historical background on events leading up to war in 431 BC. His explanation of why these two leading city states in Greece deicded to go to war at this time provides much valuable insight to understanding the reasons for this conflict. Kagan also provides numerous excellent maps which enable the reader to follow the often complicated action as the war shifts from Attica, to the Pelopannese and then to the Aegean, Sicily and Ioanian Islands. Most editions of Thuycidides do not provide mapes which also makes Kagan's book esstenial in understanding this war. Kagan also provides much interesting biographical information on the numerous famous leaders associated with this conflict. Pericles, Cleon, Brassidas, Lysander and others come to full light as we gain insights to why they made certain key strategic decisions. Kagan also questions why certain decisions were made, taking the reader into the mind-set of the time which provides much needed analysis. Anyone who has read Thuycicdes must read this book. I can not recommend highly enough this fine work to help the reader understand this distant, yet vitally important war. The Peloponnesian War was truly a Greek Tragedy. We learn how this conflict would forever change the Greek world. The barbarism and attrocities committed by both sides would have far reaching influence in future Greco-Roman wars. The versatility of this conflcit should provide fascinating reading to the true military historian. Here lies the origins of combined land and naval operations that were used extensively by both sides. Again, essential reading for any interested in this fascinating period of Classical history.

A Classic History, in Both Senses

The reader bent on getting through the classic history books always starts with Herodotus, who may often be gullible but is always entertaining. The next on the list is _The History of the Peloponnesian War_ by Thucydides, which is completely different. His classic history of the war between Sparta and Athens has been an object of respect and close study ever since it was written, but is tough reading. Translators agree that Thucydides's style is difficult and subject to varying interpretations, and the different battles and overall strategies of the war can get lost. If you plow through Thucydides, you don't even get to find out how it all turns out; his account ends almost seven years before the war did. If this is daunting, help is at hand. A new volume titled _The Peloponnesian War_ (Viking) has been written by Donald Kagan. He has previously written a four volume history of the war for scholars, but has here distilled the narrative into one (admittedly large) volume. His goal was "... a readable narrative... to be read by the general reader for pleasure and to gain the wisdom that so many have sought in studying this war." He has certainly succeeded. The complexities of the conflict all across the Mediterranean make clear that this was a true "world war," but Kagan has made it as clear for non-specialists as we have any right to expect.Of course one expects detailed descriptions of the basis of the conflict, the nature of battles, and the personalities of the leaders involved, and these expectations are certainly met, throughout all the arenas of the war. Kagan has deliberately not drawn parallels between this, the first well-documented war effort, and all the others that came after it. Nonetheless, the reader will find much that is familiar, with the either comforting or dismaying realization that things do not change much, even over millennia. Here one will read about mutual nonaggression pacts and how they tangle nations into war. The Olympics are shown to be tools of nationalism (or, at this time, city state-ism). Candidates for office put on religiosity and spectacles; one by Alcibiades's opponent Nicias was an opulent parade for the sake of Apollo. Kagan writes that most Athenians "...believed that the gods must favor so pious a man and smile on the city he led." Here also are worries about the military-industrial complex; a contemporary writer said on one occasion that Athenians had rejected a truce because of deceptions by "practiced warmongers who made private profit from public troubles." The maps in this volume deserve special mention. They are numerous and clear, and generally are within the text near where the geography needs description. Kagan finishes with an essay about sources. Thucydides is, of course, cited many times, but Kagan does not entirely accept his much-praised impartiality. Among the other sources are Xenophon, an Athenian general who was a disciple of Socrates. The comedies of Aristophanes

Kagan understands the true value of history

Donald Kagan is the foremost authority on the Peloponnesian War, having authored an comprehensive four-volume history on the subject. But perhaps more importantly, Professor Kagan is also a wonderful storyteller. Do not be intimidated by the length of the book, or it's topic. The subject matter is extremely rich and interesting - just because something happened 2,500 years ago doesn't mean it's boring. On the contrary, one of Prof. Kagan's strengths, both as a teacher and a writer, is his ability to make relevant the events of the past, not through strained parallels and comparisons, but through a deep understanding of human nature. The Peloponnesian War reminds many of the major conflicts of the 20th century, and some of those comparisons are quite illuminating. For example, the showdown between the two "superpowers" of the era, Athens and Sparta, reminds many of the Cold War, and there are indeed many intriguing similarities. Professor Kagan, who has written about such comparisons at length (see "On the Origins of War and the Preservation of Peace"), understands these parallels as clearly as anyone. But focusing on these parallels to make distant events appear "relevant" is, to him, unnecessary. His view, which I share, is that the Peloponnesian War does not need to be "made relevant:" it IS relevant, because of the unchanging character of human nature and human problems. If you expect this book to be filled with statements like "President Bush is just like Pericles because..." you will be disappointed. What you will get, however, is much more valuable. Observing how people have dealt with the crises of the past makes us more intelligent observers of the present, not because all situations are exactly the same in their details, but because human hopes, fears, and needs are fairly constant across history. It is this insight that Prof. Kagan brings to bear so effectively in his work. One of Prof. Kagan's favorite quotes from Thucydides states that nations (or city-states, as the case may be) are motivated by three things: "fear, honor, interest." It is Prof. Kagan's view that this assertion is as true today as it was in 431 B.C. Nations have always sought to protect themselves from those they fear, maintain their national pride, and further their interests. In the process, of course, they must contend with internal and external forces - internal dissent, military rivalries, reluctant allies - forcing the leadership to make crucial choices about which path to pursue as they seek the optimal outcome for their nation. To any observer of recent events, this process would seem very familiar. And that is as it should be, for it is from this process that history unfolds. Understanding how nations and their leaders pursue their goals, make their decisions, and perceive the world around them is what makes reading history interesting. By choosing the Peloponnesian War as your case-study, and Donald Kagan as your guide, you will have one of the most interes