Slitherine

Hi All

I'm looking at some good reading on the Peloponnesian War.

Donald Kagans books get some good amazon reviews, would readers here consider this the best tome on the subject?

Cheers

Kagan's book is definitely worth a read.

I would pick up The Landmark Thucydides, which is a heavily annotated (lots of very helpful maps) edition of Thucydides' history and read it alongside a modern work like Kagan's for best results.

Alternatively, if you want something very military focused look into John Lazenby, if you want something a bit broader with some social history look into Lawrence Tritle.

I recommend it.

I started directly with Thucydides, but in the middle of the book I had to leave it, it provided too much information on countless operations. It was a mess and he couldn't get a good perspective on me.

So I read Kagan's book. Agile and enjoyable reading. Unlike Thucydids, you will be able to gain a good perspective and understanding of the conflict. With that base you can go with Tucidides or you can also combine.

For me, the book has only one catch: It deals with hopplitic warfare, tactics, weapons ... that kind of thing. By this I am not saying that I do not explain the battles. They are well explained, it simply does not delve into the style of warfare.

Landmark Thucydides.

Greek Warfare: Myths and Realities by Hans van Wees
This one is controversial in parts but well worth the read.

Military Theory and Practice in the Age of Xenophon, by J.K. Anderson is maybe one of the best book around about this subject.

A War Like No Other by Victor Davis Hanson is one I am enjoying right now.
BDH