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Thread: Are these books good?

  1. #1
    Elephant Master Member Conqueror's Avatar
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    Default Are these books good?

    I've been meaning to buy some history books, but it's difficult for me to judge whether something is worth the money or not. So I'm here asking for opinions on the following titles.

    Barry Cunliffe: Iron Age Britain
    Peter Harbison: Pre-Christian Ireland: From the First Settlers to the Early Celts
    Hornblower & Spawforth: The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization
    Rene Grousset: Empire of the Steppes
    J.E. Curtis: Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia
    George Rawlinson: Phoenicia: History of a Civilization
    H. G. Rawlinson: Bactria, The History Of A Forgotten Empire
    Romila Thapar: Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300

    Are these good reads, on their respective subjects, for a layman with an interest? If not, can you recommend better books on these subjects (anything that isn't hideously expensive that is)? Thank you in advance for any replies.

    RTW, 167 BC: Rome expels Greek philosophers after the Lex Fannia law is passed. This bans the effete and nasty Greek practice of 'philosophy' in favour of more manly, properly Roman pursuits that don't involve quite so much thinking.

  2. #2
    Elephant Master Member Conqueror's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are these books good?

    No one here knows anything about any of these books?

    RTW, 167 BC: Rome expels Greek philosophers after the Lex Fannia law is passed. This bans the effete and nasty Greek practice of 'philosophy' in favour of more manly, properly Roman pursuits that don't involve quite so much thinking.

  3. #3
    Retired Member matteus the inbred's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are these books good?

    Quote Originally Posted by Conqueror
    No one here knows anything about any of these books?
    Not heard of a one of 'em, sorry. Ignorance is a habit I'm constantly trying to get out of though.
    Try searching Amazon.com, might be some reviews on there?
    Support Your Local Pirate

    Ahaaaaaar

  4. #4
    Senior Member Senior Member Red Peasant's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are these books good?

    The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization is very good, a sort of condensed - and much cheaper! - version of the Oxford Classical Dictionary by the same editors. These are basic reference works for classical scholars. The 'Companion' takes a more thematic approach to Classical History than the OCD with essays on different aspects of Classical culture, society and history, although the latter is more thorough. You won't be disappointed. I have both and consider them an essential purchase.
    Last edited by Red Peasant; 06-23-2006 at 20:07.
    Dum spiro spero

    A great many people think they are thinking when they are really rearranging their prejudices.
    - William James

  5. #5
    boy of DESTINY Senior Member Big_John's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are these books good?

    conqueror, you might want to ask that question in the EB forum, i'm sure there are historians there that would love to give you their opinions.
    now i'm here, and history is vindicated.

  6. #6
    Elephant Master Member Conqueror's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are these books good?

    Red Peasant: Thanks for the advice.

    Big_John: Perhaps I will...

    RTW, 167 BC: Rome expels Greek philosophers after the Lex Fannia law is passed. This bans the effete and nasty Greek practice of 'philosophy' in favour of more manly, properly Roman pursuits that don't involve quite so much thinking.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Senior Member Reenk Roink's Avatar
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    Default Re: Are these books good?

    Quote Originally Posted by Red Peasant
    The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization is very good, a sort of condensed - and much cheaper! - version of the Oxford Classical Dictionary by the same editors. These are basic reference works for classical scholars. The 'Companion' takes a more thematic approach to Classical History than the OCD with essays on different aspects of Classical culture, society and history, although the latter is more thorough. You won't be disappointed. I have both and consider them an essential purchase.
    Touche

    Like Red Peasant said, The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization is probably perfect for the interested student. It is nicely condensed, yet still covers much. With its $35 price tag as compared to the $100 you would pay for the 1640 page Oxford Classical Dictionary.

    The great thing about The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization is that it does not actually shorten or summarize the entries from The Oxford Classical Dictionary; rather, it simply takes away some entries considered too technical. Also, the The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization is more aesthetic, as color photos and maps are included.

    Simply a great reference.

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