Greek History 500-400 BC

[Geoffrey S]

If you want a gripping narrative history of the Greco-Persian wars that isn't too taxing, I highly recommend Persian Fire by Tom Holland ([c]2006 Abacus).

I strongly disagree. I suppose 'isn't too taxing' says it all, it's very light reading with too much conjecture, poor writing and nothing new to say.

Like KrooK I must recommend Thucydides in addition to what Pindar recommended. It's an astonishingly clear piece of writing and even now is enlightening about the politics of the Peloponnesian war, especially in conjunction with a more recent analysis.