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A History of Greece (Works in Ancient Philosophy)

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A History of Greece (Works in Ancient Philosophy)
George Grote
Manufacturer: Thoemmes Continuum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1855068508

Book Description

'The author is not surpassed...in intimate and accurate acquaintance with the whole field of Greek literature and antiquity; while none of his predecessors have approached to him in the amount of philosophy and general mental accomplishment which he has brought to bear upon the subject' - J. S. Mill's review in the Edinburgh Review

This is a complete reprint of the 10-volume 4th edition. Published posthumously in 1872, it is considered the best edition, containing a portrait, maps and plans plus a note by Mrs Harriet Grote. Grote's exposition was based on a thorough knowledge of the subject and, as a friend of James Mill, John Stuart Mill, Jeremy Bentham and David Ricardo, an exceptional background in politics, philosophy and economics. His unparalleled experience meant his understanding and interpretation of Greek life was second to none. The History is written in an accessible style, with penetrating portraits of Greek political and philosophical thought that made the subject intelligible as never before. Grote's study is the pinnacle of nineteenth-century Greek scholarship and is still of immense value to the modern classics scholar.

--monumental nineteenth-century work that set the new standard in Greek scholarship
--particular emphasis on philosophy and politics
--great nineteenth-century historian, who also wrote the highly acclaimed Plato and the Other Companions of Sokrates and Aristotle

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Origins of Rome up to the end of Republic
Not His Best
an entertaining read
Better as a history than as a novel
Not what you'd expect of Saylor

Roma: The Novel of Ancient Rome
Steven Saylor
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Saturnalia: A Marcus Didius Falco Novel (A Marcus Didius Falco Mystery)
Medicus: A Novel of the Roman Empire
Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome
A Gladiator Dies Only Once: The Further Investigations of Gordianus the Finder
SPQR X: A Point of Law (SPQR)

ASIN: 0312328311
Release Date: 2007-03-06

Book Description

Spanning a thousand years, and following the shifting fortunes of two families though the ages, this is the epic saga of Rome, the city and its people.
Weaving history, legend, and new archaeological discoveries into a spellbinding narrative, critically acclaimed novelist Steven Saylor gives new life to the drama of the city’s first thousand years — from the founding of the city by the ill-fated twins Romulus and Remus, through Rome’s astonishing ascent to become the capitol of the most powerful empire in history. Roma recounts the tragedy of the hero-traitor Coriolanus, the capture of the city by the Gauls, the invasion of Hannibal, the bitter political struggles of the patricians and plebeians, and the ultimate death of Rome’s republic with the triumph, and assassination, of Julius Caesar.
Witnessing this history, and sometimes playing key roles, are the descendents of two of Rome’s first families, the Potitius and Pinarius clans: One is the confidant of Romulus. One is born a slave and tempts a Vestal virgin to break her vows. One becomes a mass murderer. And one becomes the heir of Julius Caesar. Linking the generations is a
mysterious talisman as ancient as the city itself.
Epic in every sense of the word, Roma is a panoramic historical saga and Saylor’s finest achievement to date.

Customer Reviews:

Origins of Rome up to the end of Republic.......2007-06-27

This novel is a very well written account of Rome and its origins. It begins in prehistoric Rome and spans until the end of the republic before Rome became an empire. We follow the history of two families. As with all Steven Saylor books he not only tellls a story but leaves you with some interesting questions about history. How it is created? Why do we revere certain individuals while forgetting others who may have been more worthy? And more importantly what role does history play in our social development and national psyche? A very enjoyable book.

Not His Best.......2007-06-08

I am a huge Steven Saylor fan, yet was a little dissapointed in this work. I know he's a great historian, and no one knows ancient Rome like Saylor, yet I felt this book was a bit ambitious. It felt rushed to me (he did try to tell us the history of Rome's first 1,000 years in one book!) and some character development was weak. Only one true story emerged that brought that famous mystery writing he's so good at (how the Potitii were extinguished); other than that, it was a lot of prose about Rome, and unfortunately, information that should have been included in prose was placed in dialogue which made the dialogue look forced and awkward.

Also, if you can get past the numerous typos (and I mean numerous!), then you'll enjoy this book more than I did. I would have thought the publisher would have done a better job of editing this important piece of work. Seriously, the mistakes really annoyed me!

All in all, I expected more from Saylor. I did enjoy the story, but it's not something that compelled me to stay up all night and finish it, as other works by him have. The references to how certain things came about was interesting and I did enjoy that immensely.

I will definitely keep reading Saylor, and will even attempt a stab at this book again sometime in the future, but I hope he returns to what he's best at: MYSTERY WRITING!

an entertaining read.......2007-05-22

Spanning a thousand years, and following the development of Rome through the ages -- writing this ambitious novel must have been quite the feat! Reading it though was a realtively easy task. Using historical fact and legend and giving both his own inimitable spin, I found myself reading this vivid, powerful and absorbing novel cover to cover in one sitting.

However, would I describe Steven Saylor's "Roma" as a masterpiece? Probably not. Intriguing, though, it was, there was something almost cold and distancing about the book. This may have something to do, not so much the manner in which the characters are developed and fleshed out, but more so because of the sheer scope of the book. This novel spans generations and centuries; characters appear for pages and then are dropped because their time is done. As such it really is difficult to make any kind of emotional connection with most of the characters in this book. This is a flaw that many previous reviewers have noted. But even as I repeat this, I'll own to liking a few of the characters Saylor created -- like the Pontitius who grew up with Romulus and Remus, was a who tried to give them good counsel; and Titus Pontitus, who fought by Corialanus's side. These chapters also numbered amongst my favourite because I also enjoyed the author's captivating interpretation of Roman myth and history. Of course there were chapters that I found rather humdrum as well -- like the one about the deformed "giant" Cacus and the chapter on Lucius Pinarius and Julius Caesar. However, I did think that it was a really good idea to illustrate how Rome grew over the centuries by providing us with a map at the beginning of each section. It made for a fascinating detail and one that was much appreciated.

So, is "Roma" Steven Saylor's masterpiece. I don't think so. It is true by the sheer scope of what the author tried to accomplish and actually succeeded in accomplishing, this should count as a masterpiece. But for me, "Roman Blood" will always be Saylor's masterpiece. "Roma," vivid and memorable, though it was, lacked the depth, complexity and pathos that "Roman Blood" and other novels in the Roma Sub Rosa series possessed. All in all, I'd classify "Roma" as a good and entertaining read.

Better as a history than as a novel.......2007-05-19

Roma disappointed me. The scope is ambitious, and the history is often fascinating, however the stories were uncompelling and uncomplicated. I think that the primary problem is that the chapters are mere snapshots of Rome at a certain time, when they should be full, detailed portraits. The chapters could be reduced to single themes--man vs. monster, poor vs. rich, Gauls vs. Romans, etc.--and the characters seemed more like witnesses to history than active players. While I understand why Saylor chose the Potitii and Pinarii as protagonists, I cannot help but think that Scipio would have made more interesting main character than Kaeso, Gaius Gracchus a better one than Lucius, etc. I also thought that there was too much exposition and blocky dialogue explaining Roman history. More satisfying novels show us these events, not have characters tell us. I am a fan of the Gordianus novels and am impressed at Saylor's evolution as an author; however Roma is a digression, in my opinion. It lacks the complexity of McCullough's Rome novels and the wit of I, Claudius.

Not what you'd expect of Saylor.......2007-05-12

Saylor wants to tell the entire history of Rome. You can feel his desperation with every chapter. He's got the knowledge, he's got the storytelling capability, it just doesn't translate into a great book.

The plot lines are too short to really care much about the characters, the history is so enmeshed with the fiction it's hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. A clever idea but it doesn't translate into anything in particularly useful.

It's not a great history, and it's not a great novel. It was an entertaining few hours though.

The End of Days: Armageddon and Prophecies of the Return (The Earth Chronicles)

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Great read
Sitchin has come full circle and linked the past with the future
wonderfully illuminating
More of Sitchin's shared knowledge
Another "must" for Students of The History of Man and Gods

The End of Days: Armageddon and Prophecies of the Return (The Earth Chronicles)
Zecharia Sitchin
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Earth Chronicles Expeditions: Journeys to the Mythical Past
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The Stairway to Heaven: Book II of the Earth Chronicles (The Earth Chronicles)
The Wars of Gods and Men: Book III of the Earth Chronicles (The Earth Chronicles)
Hidden Truth: Forbidden Knowledge

ASIN: 0061238236
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Book Description

Why is it that our current twenty-first century a.d. is so similar to the twenty-first century B.C.? At a time when religious fanaticism and a clash of civilizations raise the specter of a nuclear Armageddon, many ask: Is history destined to repeat itself? What does the future hold? Will biblical prophecies come true, and if so, when?

Ever since Zecharia Sitchin, in his first trailblazing book The 12th Planet, brought to life the Sumerian civilization and its record of the Annunaki—the extraterrestrials who had come to Earth from their planet Nibiru, fashioned mankind, and gave us civilization and religion—questions have abounded. Are the ancient gods still here, or did they leave? Will they return? What will happen then? Will there be another Deluge or Apocalypse when Nibiru meets Earth? What about “Planet X” and the Mayan 2012? What about Jesus?

In The End of Days, a masterwork that required thirty years of additional research, Sitchin dares to give the answers by presenting compelling new evidence that the Past is the Future—that mankind and its planet Earth are subject to a predetermined cyclical Celestial Time.

Tracing historical events from the messianic fervor and use of nuclear weapons in the twenty-first century B.C., Sitchin resolves ancient enigmas like the Nazca Lines or the origin and significance of the Cross, the Fishes, and the Chalice, places in context the events of the Last Supper and hidden clues like those in Da Vinci's painting, explains the space-related reasons for the everlasting centrality of Jerusalem, and—following in the footsteps of Sir Isaac Newton—deciphers the Time Code in the books of Daniel and Revelation and of the Day of the Lord and the End of Days prophecies.

In this remarkable and relevant conclusion to his bestselling The Earth Chronicles series, Sitchin shatters perceptions and uses history to reveal what is to come at The End of Days.

Customer Reviews:

Great read .......2007-06-27

Zacheriah Sitchin has done a great justice for humanity. I found his book hard to comprehend in some parts, but over all it is a great read.The last two chapters put it all in perspective and certainly is food for thought.
Kind regards Maureen.

Sitchin has come full circle and linked the past with the future.......2007-06-16

IT is not the best book Sitchin ever wrote, but how can you better "The 12th planet" or "Genesis Revisited"? It would be impossible for Sitchin to better himself, but this is one of the best for one single reason, it brought sitchin full circle with himself and his research and though at the end we his readers did not get a straight answer or a connection with
the current UFO phenomenon it did provide for some good old time reading..
thank you Sitchin for finishing the Saga for us.

wonderfully illuminating.......2007-05-27

Mr. Zecharia Sitchin is one of the most distinguished scholar on the earth, this book as well as all the others he wrote, are a must read i have no words to describe it, but i can tell is an excellent work, i love it!!!!!!

More of Sitchin's shared knowledge.......2007-05-14

Zacharia once again reminds us of our origins. The majority of this book is a summation of his previous books with the last few chapters being new material. This book and The Lost Book of Enki are must reads for anyone wanting to know how our history is repeating itself and what is expected next.

Another "must" for Students of The History of Man and Gods.......2007-05-14

Our world view would look somewhat restricted without humans like Z. Sitchin. Whereas The Holy Bible and established science give us "the short version" of the history of the solar system, man and his Creator(s), Sitchins research during more than 30 years gives us the whole story. This book brings that history to full circle. In my view, without this knowledge we are lesser humans.

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East versus West
An Impressive Account
Superbly researched and written
Thermopylae - Excellence in Leadership.
An excellent introduction to the Persian Wars.

Thermopylae: The Battle for the West
Ernle Bradford
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae
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300
The Greco-Persian Wars
Thermopylae: The Battle That Changed the World

ASIN: 0306813602
Release Date: 2004-03-30

Book Description

"A gripping story." --Economist

An impressively accessible narrative depicting the three-day battle for the pass at Thermopylae (the Hot Gates)--a critical contest in Xerxes's massive invasion of Greece. The bloody stand made there by Leonidas and his small Spartan army in 480 B.C. has been hailed ever since as an outstanding example of patriotism, courage, and sacrifice.

Customer Reviews:

East versus West.......2007-06-27

I found the author gave a very good background to the story of Thermopylae. It is hard to add much to an event that took place nearly 2500 years ago but his description of the world picture and the battle were able to transport you to another level. He delim=neates the real reason for the importance of the battle the domination of the East over the West or Asia over Europe. I found the work well worth my time.

An Impressive Account.......2007-05-04

I have read other books by the late Ernle Bradford and did not have to think twice about purchasing this one. I know Mr. Bradford to be an excellent and thoughtful writer; he may qualify as an historian by profession but he has a profound love of the ancient Greek world and as a sailor who has navigated the waters of the Aegean he has special practical knowledge. His book is a refreshing look at the battle of Thermopylae and the events of the Greco-Persian War.

Mr. Bradford's is a concise history of the Greco-Persian Wars but by no means is it lacking in substance or an abridgement. Certainly Peter Green's excellent volume is, arguably, the best and most thorough book on the war but Bradford's Thermopylae is highly readable and presents a good discussion of the people and events of the Greco-Persian War.

Mr. Bradford lays out his chapters nicely beginning with a discussion of Xerxes and his forbearers who created the Persian Empire; he is even-handed in his portrayal of the Great King discussing his weaknesses and noble traits. We are them given an overview of the Greek world concentrating on Athens and Sparta followed by how soldiers on both sides were armed and fought each other and their respective navies. He also provides a chapter on the invasion of Sicily by the Carthaginians and round out his book with a good discussion of Salamis and the final battle of Plataea.

I think the Mr. Bradford's words would speak better than any I could put together so here is an excerpt from chapter 18:

"Thermopylae, which has been wrongly compared in recent times to the evacuation of Dunkirk, can be counted a victory in moral terms. The right men had been there, in the right place and at the right time - but far too few of them. Had Sparta sent a thousand men instead of a king's bodyguard of three hundred, the Phocian force guarding the pass over Kallidromos could have been stiffened by a leaving of Spartan officers who would have made sure that it was, at the very least, hotly contested. In the end, in view of the size of the Persian army, there can be small doubt that the result would have been much the same...Quite unlike Dunkirk, which was a withdrawal, Thermopylae was a deliberate self-sacrifice by a handful of men who died so that the fleet at Artemisium might stay in being."

This is an engaging book (certainly better than some books that I have read on the same subject) that holds the reader's attention and I would not hesitate to recommend to someone who wants to about Thermopylae and the events surrounding the battle.

Superbly researched and written.......2007-03-16

Thermopylae: The Battle for the West by Ernle Bradford is truly a marvelous work dealing with a moment in history that forever changed everything that came after.

With Xerxes and the Persian army set to invade Greece, the Greeks had little time to plan a defense. The Spartan King Leonidas and a small contingent of Spartan hoplites along with about 7000 other Greeks rushed to the pass of Thermopylae to engage and delay the Persian invasion. The intent wasn't to defeat the invading army but to buy time....to fight a delaying action. Bradford does a terrific job at telling this classic story anew.

After Xerxes learns of a hidden path by which he could circle into the Greek's rear, the cause at Thermopylae was doomed. Leonidas, his Spartans, and a small group of Thespians stay behind to fight a delaying action allowing the other Greeks to flee to the south and live to fight another day. In the end Xerxes failed in his invasion plans. He did burn Athens but he lost the naval battle at Salamis which forced his withdrawl from Greece and Greek culture was saved.

So why all the attention on this battle fought so long ago? Just as the struggle forced by Xerxes upon the ancient Greeks saved western civilization in the end, many feel that we're locked in a similar struggle today. That discussion isn't for this space, but keep in mind current events as you read Thermopylae: The Battle for the West.

I strongly recommend this work.

Thermopylae - Excellence in Leadership........2007-02-20

After reading several accounts of the brave fallback action by King Leonidas & 300 of his best Spartan soldiers, I consider this well written account by the former British Navel officer Ernie Bradford "The Gold Standard". Few writers have condensed into words the significance of the courage shown at Thermopylae like author Ernie Bradford.

An excellent introduction to the Persian Wars........2007-01-15

For those already knowledgable on the subject of the Persian Wars and Thermopylae, this book isn't really a necessary addition to your collection.

For those that have never read a book about the same subjects and simply don't know where to start, this is quite possibly the best book you can buy.

Bradford gives the very basic and blunt information of the era in an extremely readable fashion. His chapters are well organized and distinguishable, and he sets up the events that led to and followed the Battle of Thermopylae with great verve and interest. Although the beef of the book is about Thermopylae, he also includes chapters dedicated to the Battle of Salamis that occured shortly after Thermopylae, and also the Battle of Platea, the bloodiest of all Greco-Persian battles and an event in which the Spartans were once again the decisive warriors within the Greek force. Furthermore, there's a timeline at the beginning of the book that should quite easily clear up things for new or casual students.

My only real gripe with the book is that Bradford inaccurately describes the armour and arms of some of the soldiers - not least of all the Spartans, the focus of the book. For that reason, I would not recommend this book for someone simply looking to learn about the appearances of ancient soldiers; nor would I recommend it to someone looking for a more in-depth look at the battle.

But when it's all said and done, "Thermopylae: The Battle for the West" is still an excellent read, and remains a personal favourite of mine.

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Success, qualified
A Masterpiece!
Great Biography
A superfab thriller, great history book and wonderful evocation
Hail Caesar - Hail Goldsworthy

Caesar: Life of a Colossus
Adrian Goldsworthy
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Augustus: The Life of Rome's First Emperor
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The Classical World: An Epic History from Homer to Hadrian

ASIN: 0300120486

Book Description

As Adrian Goldsworthy writes in the introduction to this book, “in his fifty-six years, Caesar was at times many things, including a fugitive, prisoner, rising politician, army leader, legal advocate, rebel, dictator . . . as well as husband, father, lover and adulterer.” In this landmark biography, Goldsworthy examines all of these roles and places his subject firmly within the context of Roman society in the first century B.C.

Tracing the extraordinary trajectory of Caesar’s life from birth through assassination, Goldsworthy covers not only Caesar’s accomplishments as charismatic orator, conquering general, and powerful dictator but also lesser-known chapters during which he was high priest of an exotic cult, captive of pirates, seducer not only of Cleopatra but also of the wives of his two main political rivals, and rebel condemned by his own country. Ultimately, Goldsworthy realizes the full complexity of Caesar’s character and shows why his political and military leadership continues to resonate some two thousand years later.

Customer Reviews:

Success, qualified.......2007-07-01

Caesar is a major work, describing the events and life of a man that may have done more to shape the world around him that any other man in history. The book is a success. We get a front seat into his relationships, his battles, his conquests, and his death. What a snake pit of politics and power he excelled in. As we all know, Caesar was assasinated in the Senate, and yet knowing that before I even started reading didn't detract from the enjoyment of learning about all the amazing battles, strategy, and rivalries that made Caesar the controversial figure that he was.

On the negative side the book seemed to have some degree of aloof observation about it, more a clinical detachment. There was the opportunity to let us know more about life in Rome and the Empire of 100 -44 B.C. What was the life-expectancy? How did Caesar get back and forth from Rome to Gaul: walk, ride horses, get carried in a litter? Did they freeze in the winter and comb out lice in mud huts waiting for the snow to melt? We know chonologically what he did, and a little of his character, but what was it like back then? Also, the author is clearly very conversant in Roman life and times. But we are not. We don't know what a "triplex acies" is. It's clearly a battle formation and probably three-pronged, but since Caesar used this frequently with great success, why not tell us troop deployment strategy? Then there are the aediles, praetors, consuls, proconsuls and so on. They are all explained at the back of the book in the glossary, but even a simple diagram of government positions in the front of the book would have given us greater familiarity with the offices Caesar held, and the power of each. All and all a good read for history.
Pierce Scranton M.D.
author, Death on the Learning Curve

A Masterpiece!.......2007-05-31

Spanning over 500 pages, this fabulous tome covers the life of Caius Julius Caesar as well as the turbulent times in which he lived. The author has done a truly superb job of portraying Caesar based on available ancient sources, as well modern historians' generally accepted interpretations of these sources. Caesar's birth, childhood and youth are described to the extent that these can be known, as are his political life, his military campaigns, his eventual dictatorship, his assassination and his legacy. The author's writing style is clear, authoritative, friendly and very engaging. This is indeed an excellent biography of the great man. It could be enjoyed by anyone, but will likely be savored most by ancient history buffs - especially those fascinated by Ancient Rome.

Great Biography.......2007-05-28

Great Biography.

This is a great biography of Caesar. Intellectually honest, it combines much of what is known about Roman life with the documented details of Rome's most famous citizern. If you are like me, then you know mostly about Caesars later life... his liaison with Cleopatra, and his death at the hands of Roman senators ("et tu, Brute?"). This book explains his rise to power... his use of planning; his risk taking. His early decision to refuse Sulla's demand that he divorce his wife, shows a boldness of temperament and force of character that defined who he was. If Sulla had executed him for this impertinent act where would Western civilization have gone?

The chapters Caesar's early military campaigns combine into a study in character development; one that creates an understanding of how this poor and relatively obscure young man from a good Roman family, obtained power, used it, and finally lost it. Goldsworthy relies extensively on Caesar's own writings, but his commentary brilliantly addresses the possibility of exaggeration, and self serving revisions, with the use other ancient sources, and current scholarly thought.

I found this book on Amazon.com's Best Books of 2006 Top 10 Editor's picks: Biography. They got it right. You do not have to come to this biography with an extensive background in ancient history. It is readable to the neophyte and well as the expert. I highly recommend Caesar, Life of a Colossus.

A superfab thriller, great history book and wonderful evocation.......2007-05-10

This book really is a joy. I think of it as a thriller, It takes an abstraction -- "Julius Caesar" -- and not just brings him to life but also makes the context of his astonishing career so vivid and real. I found myself wanting to know what happened next as Caesar navigated to power. At the same time, I got a far richer sense of the Roman Republic as a political, social and economic dynamism than I have gleaned from any of the many books on Roman history that I have read over so many years.

This is serious scholarship not pop history. Goldsworthy writes well, is cautious in his claims and assessments, and avoids melodrama -- no JC meets Cleo or Pompey triumphs in SuperWar XIV atuff. He uses his classical sources skilfully.

Choose any measure of evaluation of a history book -- accuracy, scope, insight, readability, depth, lucudity and clarity of explanation -- and this is five stars on each.

A final think aloud. Without striving to do so, Goldswrthy establishes an early point he makes that Caesar`is one of the domimant figures of recorded history, to the degree that his name wsa the mark of kings -- kaiser and tsar -- that he was a general comparable only to a Napoleon in waging total war, and that he was pivotal in that the entire world before and after`Caesar was different. The only other figure I can think of who matches this is George Washington -- American's Caesar and a far better human, more fallible, a lousy general, and not the highest IQ in Cabinet meetings, but a titan of equal accomplishment as Caesar's and one of the very few figures in history whose name can be equated with him.

A super book.

Hail Caesar - Hail Goldsworthy.......2007-05-07

Adrian Goldsworthy is a wonderful writer. His book on Caesar flies, as you read it. What Goldsworthy does so well is explain background; simple yet with the details you need - his 4 pages on the Ptolemy dynasty when Caesar goes to Egypt are parfait! Known more as a military historian, his writing on late Roman Republican politics is superb. This book stands up there with Caesar's own Commentaries, for content and a fun read.

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature

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You will never read the New Testament the same way again!
The Gold Standard Greek Lexicon
over-rated and not worth the $
The Absolute Best Greek-English Lexicon That Money Can Buy
The Standard for NT Greek

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature
Walter Bauer
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament

ASIN: 0226039331

Book Description

Described as an "invaluable reference work" (Classical Philology) and "a tool indispensable for the study of early Christian literature" (Religious Studies Review) in its previous edition, this new updated American edition of Walter Bauer's Wörterbuch zu den Schriften des Neuen Testaments builds on its predecessor's staggering deposit of extraordinary erudition relating to Greek literature from all periods. Including entries for many more words, the new edition also lists more than 25,000 additional references to classical, intertestamental, Early Christian, and modern literature.

In this edition, Frederick W. Danker's broad knowledge of Greco-Roman literature, as well as papyri and epigraphs, provides a more panoramic view of the world of Jesus and the New Testament. Danker has also introduced a more consistent mode of reference citation, and has provided a composite list of abbreviations to facilitate easy access to this wealth of information.

Perhaps the single most important lexical innovation of Danker's edition is its inclusion of extended definitions for Greek terms. For instance, a key meaning of "episkopos" was defined in the second American edition as overseer; Danker defines it as "one who has the responsibility of safeguarding or seeing to it that something is done in the correct way, guardian." Such extended definitions give a fuller sense of the word in question, which will help avoid both anachronisms and confusion among users of the lexicon who may not be native speakers of English.

Danker's edition of Bauer's Wörterbuch will be an indispensable guide for Biblical and classical scholars, ministers, seminarians, and translators.

Customer Reviews:

You will never read the New Testament the same way again!.......2007-01-04

Walter Bauer spent five hours every day of his scholarly career working on this invaluable lexicon. This lexicon will open up the world of New Testament Greek to even the beginning scholar. With only a little help and looking through the introduction to the lexicon, this volume will unpack the meaning of all the words in the New Testament and other Early Christian texts. If you are a seminarian, pastor, or interested person, this is a must have volume for your shelves.

The Gold Standard Greek Lexicon.......2006-12-26

This is indispensable. Proper Greek study and exegesis CANNOT be done without this resource. The down side? A bit pricy. But it more than pays for itself. WARNING: Pick up the most recent edition (the third, I believe); the changes are staggering and affect meaning.

over-rated and not worth the $.......2006-08-03

For much less than the price of this lexicon, one can purchase a copy of Thayer's, AND Trenchard's vocabulary guide AND a Greek concordance. Academic snobs make a big deal about how Thayer's lexicon is out of date because he did not have access to the papyri, but for 99% of New Testament words and meanings this is not an issue. Trenchard's book is actually MORE helpful, in my opinion, than this or any lexicon because he simply lists every possible meaning of each word. One way to get to the essence of a word's meaning is to look at the cognates, and Trenchard lists them all. A Greek concordance will actually print all the NT uses of a word in Greek. Bauer's lexicon is just not that helpful and is too wordy.

The Absolute Best Greek-English Lexicon That Money Can Buy.......2006-07-25

This is the most comprehensive Lexicon of Koine Greek available. I like how for almost every word, the lexicon gives you an extensive list of how this word is used in not only the New Testament, but in some of the Christian literature of the post New Testament era.

It gives you the tense and voice and mood of words, and whether or not a verb is used passively or actively in a given verse. This is the pinnacle textbook for those who are exegeting and parsing the New Testament.

The only caveat I have is with the price. But even at $140, this book is still essential for a richly rewarding study of the New Testament for advanced students. But if you live near a seminary library, you'd almost be farther ahead to use the copy in the reference section.

But if you live in the boonies like me, this book is something you should get. You may want to buy the CD-ROM Version, it is very intuitive and easy to use, and best of all, it is run on the proprietary Libronix Digital Library System, the fastest and most seamless software engine available.

The Standard for NT Greek.......2005-10-25

This by far is one of the best, if not thee best Greek NT lexicon available. Of course the 3rd edition adds to this monument of scholarly work. It is a bit time consuming to look for the words in Greek, but if God has put that hunger in your heart then press on. You will not be disappointed with the purchase. The other "Greek Lit." that is referenced is helpful, but if you want just NT references then buy the BAGD "Shorter Lexicon". Either way I pray that you continue in the path that the Lord has layed out before you. Seek the Lord with all your heart...lean not on your own understanding...He will make your paths straight...God Bless You.

The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome

Average customer rating:

Political history of the Ancient World at its best
Good Overview, Some Flaws
A book for those who care "how they know...."
A perspective on the ancient world
Unparalelled.

The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome
Susan Wise Bauer
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 039305974X

Book Description

A lively and engaging narrative history showing the common threads in the cultures that gave birth to our own.

This is the first volume in a bold new series that tells the stories of all peoples, connecting historical events from Europe to the Middle East to the far coast of China, while still giving weight to the characteristics of each country. Susan Wise Bauer provides both sweeping scope and vivid attention to the individual lives that give flesh to abstract assertions about human history.

Dozens of maps provide a clear geography of great events, while timelines give the reader an ongoing sense of the passage of years and cultural interconnection. This narrative history employs the methods of "history from beneath"—literature, epic traditions, private letters and accounts—to connect kings and leaders with the lives of those they ruled. The result is an engrossing tapestry of human behavior from which we may draw conclusions about the direction of world events and the causes behind them. 13 illustrations, 80 maps.

Customer Reviews:

Political history of the Ancient World at its best.......2007-06-24

If political history is the narrative of political (and so often military) events and leaders, this is certainly a political history. It has got the advantage of presenting not only Mesopotamia and Egypt plus Greece and Rome, but also China and India,showing the progress of each part of the Ancient World in paralell. It is concise, interesting and highly readable.

Of course, the author's approach implies choosing a somehow narrow scope: no social or economic history is included, although some religious flavour is, for she masterly uses the myths of each civilization as clues to understand its politics. Taking that into account, I would reccomend also to read (as a complement to this book) "The History of Government. Volume I. Ancient Monarchies and Empires" by S.E. Finer, "Life after Death. A History of the Afterlife in Western Religion" by Alan F. Segal and "Gem in the Lotus.The Seeding of Indian Civilisation" by Abraham Eraly, to mention but a few.

Good Overview, Some Flaws.......2007-05-23

In the run-up to the Iraq War, I read several articles discussing the historical treasures at risk if the war went forward. Reading these, I realized that for a reasonably well-educated person I had very little understanding of ancient history. Since then I have, in addition to re-reading the college textbook I obviously had not paid enough attention to, I have read a number of popular histories about ancient subjects. This is one of them.
Bauer's book covers a lot of ground in fair but not overwhelming detail. It does a good job of giving the reader a basic outline of history, with the important dates and touchstones, as well as illuminating the vast amount of information that is simply unknown and lost. For this, it gets an easy three stars - really three and a half.
It fails to get four or five stars, however, for two reasons. First, as noted in another reader review, the book totally ignores as outside its scope artistic and social developments such as the flowering of Greek culture or the art of Egypt. Anyone who is interested can certainly get works that fill this gap, of course, but it seems that this is a subject that should have had more treatment.
Second, the book suffers from a serious editing problem. In addition to sloppy grammar errors that were missed and the odd misspelling, occaisional factual errors snuck through the editing process. At one point, Bauer states that the king of Assyria was "the undisputed king of Babylon" immediately after stating that Baylon was in rebellion. Obviously she meant Assyria, but just as obviously the reader shouldn't have to figure that out. Subsequent editions of this book will undoubtedly sort most of that out, so if you are looking at buying the second edition or later, this should be ironed out.
All in all, a valuable book for the casual reader.

A book for those who care "how they know....".......2007-05-18

The most compelling history book I've read in a long time, Bauer's book hits where many other books miss: She doesn't assume anything, just because it's the "accepted" theory of history. Bauer's narrative starts and ends with the primary source materials available to us, and where she makes conjecture, she tells you it's conjecture and she supports her reasoning with logic, intelligence and without obvious bias. Moreover, she clearly identifies all of the source material from which she draws her narratives. Add to that solid foundation a crisp, bright, and engaging narrative style, and this book may just be the finest historical work in decades.

A perspective on the ancient world.......2007-05-15

As a student of early European history, I am very impressed with the scholarship here. It is a very good and well researched book on the ancient world as well as the beginnings of the Roman life.

Unparalelled........2007-05-09

Bauer has done it. Although no ONE book can capture the entire Ancient World, this author get you to understand the time period before she moves on. I LOVE the way this book is layed out. Instead of 5 chapters on Sumer then 5 on Egypt then 5 on India, etc...Bauer breaks it down into managable times - does 100 years of Sumer then 100 of egypt of the same time, then 100 of India at the same time period then back to Sumer, etc. you get a real sence of how and who and when the world changed and began to evolve. Although I have only been able to hammer out half of this 800+ page book in the 3 weeks I have been reading it...I have no intention of putting it down, and look forward to reading it again some time from now. Well done Bauer!

Average customer rating:

Tantae molis erat Romanam condere gentem...
Another atrocious Aeneid translation by an unpoetical professor
Terrific translation
sound and action
Aeneid

The Aeneid
Virgil
Manufacturer: Viking Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0670038032
Release Date: 2006-11-02

Book Description

Robert Fagles's translations of both the Iliad and Odyssey have sold hundreds of thousands of copies and become the standard translations of our era. Now, his stunning modern verse translation of Virgil's Aeneid is poised to do the same. This beautifully produced edition of the Aeneid will be eagerly sought by readers desiring to complete their Fagles collection—and the attention it receives will stimulate even greater interest in his translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey. BACKCOVER: Praise for Robert Fagles's translation of the Odyssey:
“Wonderfully readable . . . just the right blend of sophistication and roughness, it seems to me.”
—Ted Hughes

“A memorable achievement . . . Mr. Fagles has been remarkably successful in finding a style that is of our time and yet timeless.”
—Richard Jenkyns, The New York Times Book Review

“Remarkably seductive . . . In Fagles's hands, this `perennial poem of adventure' is again a work of entertainment, of majesty and epic beauty great enough to stun the senses.”
—The Philadelphia Inquirer

Customer Reviews:

Tantae molis erat Romanam condere gentem..........2007-06-30

I bought this book in preparation for a Virgil course. I figured that since I was going read the original Latin anyway, readability could be my primary criterion in choosing a translation, and this book far exceeded my expectations. This book's modern, sometimes colloquial language does far more justice to the fact that The Aeneid is a compelling, often exciting story than any other translation I've come across.

Sure, the poetic aspect is a bit lacking (though many of the passages retain a nice oral quality true to the essence of an epic), but that's inherent in a translation. I'd pity whoever tried to write a verse translation of this on par with Virgil's original. Ever read Shakespeare in another language? Blech.

If you want to get every nuance of the diction and meter of the original poem, read the Latin. If you'd like to know what happens in the poem -- or just read a good book -- get this! And then read the Latin; it's worth it.

Another atrocious Aeneid translation by an unpoetical professor.......2007-05-29

I should preface this review by saying that I am fluent in Latin (or at any rate I read it about as easily as I read English or French.)

This particular translation of the Aeneid is the worst I have ever seen. The so-called blank verse is devoid of metre, and amounts to nothing more than prose - very awkward, uninspired prose - artificially chopped up into lines of a more or less constant length. This sort of travesty has been common in English translations of the classics since the 1940's or so, but Fagles adds his own inexpressible sense of bad taste. The result is absurd rubbish.

For the benefit of monolingual anglophones, I observe that Virgil is at least equal to Shakespeare as a poet. As a stylist he is far superior. Does anyone imagine that some professor in say, Egypt, could translate Shakespeare into say, Arabic, in a way that could give Arabs a sense of just how wonderfully beautiful and moving Shakespeare is at his best? Of course not. The only example in English of a great poet being translated into really great English verse is Fitzgerald's Omar Khayyam. And Fitzgerald was a great English poet, not a professor.

In American culture however, only professors get the chance to translate the Greek and Latin classics any more, for only they know the originals well enough to attempt this. Further, English poetry is virtually dead - very few people read poetry, and even fewer have any idea of what poetry is, or how it differs from prose.

The result is the worst possible cultural climate in which to translate a sublime poet like Virgil. The translators are dull professors with no real knowledge of English poetry, no knowledge of metre or rhyme, no knowledge of the resources of English poetry, and certainly no ability to innovate in English poetry without making fools of themselves.

If you really want to gain some idea of the poetical beauty of the Aeneid, don't bother reading any modern translation, or even any of the older translations like Dryden or Gawain Douglas - they are all miserable failures - though not as embarrassingly bad as Fagles. Instead, get an English interlinear of the Aeneid and a Latin grammar, and invest a few years of your spare time in learning Latin.

Or wait for my own translation of the Aeneid....

Terrific translation.......2007-05-13

The original author was great; this translator is superb...as exciting as anything yhou can imagine. Don't get it if you think it will put you to sleep at night.

sound and action.......2007-05-07

Fagles's Aeneid is swift, vivid, and sonorous. With his translations of Homer behind him, Fagles enjoys a surety of reference that allows him--and the reader--to concentrate on the visual and auditory and intellectual action. Fagles gets a lovely running-before-the-wind feel by alternating fourteeners and hexameter, trimming the course with pentameter. Some transitional phrases seem too smooth, as if perhaps Fagles has stolen the ball, and occasionally I missed the poetic precision in the English that more delicate translations e.g. C.Day Lewis's achieve at points. Bernard Knox's introduction is interesting and moving, if hastily written. The glossary of persons/gods and places is useful and ample and in the back of the book where it can be ignored as desired. This reads wonderfully aloud, perhaps 1/2 to 1 book per evening, aloud with friends or family or by yourself. This is delectable action poetry, to take you lands away--to Rome no less.

Aeneid.......2007-04-10

I found this translation to be very engaging and entertaining. The stories are developed in a fashion that is very familiar and contemporary but still retains the pleasure of the earlier telling. I highly recommend this book to everyone from high school up.

How to Sell Network Marketing Without Fear, Anxiety or Losing Your Friends! (Selling from the Soul. Ancient Wisdoms. Modern Practice)

Average customer rating:

Fabulous!
Fantastic guide
A must-have for a network marketer
The Bridge Over Troubled Network Marketing Waters
A Must Read..............

How to Sell Network Marketing Without Fear, Anxiety or Losing Your Friends! (Selling from the Soul. Ancient Wisdoms. Modern Practice)
Michael Oliver
Manufacturer: Natural Selling Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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The 45 Second Presentation That Will Change Your Life
The New Wellness Revolution: How to Make a Fortune in the Next Trillion Dollar Industry

ASIN: 0971588902

Book Description

It's no secret that knowing 'How to Ask the Right Questions at the Right Time'... and 'Listening to What is Being Meant, Not Just What is Being Said'... are the essential problem-solving skills of the effective Distributor.

These skills will get you what you want, faster and more efficiently. They will allow you to understand what others want before you start Telling your Story or Presenting.

Help your potential partner persuade themselves into taking action by using the power of Dialogue and the 4 Universal Sales Principles of Success by Attraction.

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous!.......2007-06-11

I'm new to network marketing but not new to the law of attraction and motivational interviewing so when I read this book it was exciting for me to see how all three things could go together! It really helped me to view sales in a positive light and see how I can actually help others through network marketing. I've already used motivational interviewing as a nurse but never thought of how it could be applied in this way. The book is well written and easy to follow. Of course the stragtegies in the book need to be practiced, practiced, practiced before becomming second nature, but that's true of any new skill. I highly recommend this book!

Fantastic guide.......2007-05-24

This is the best book I've read on network marketing. It is a definite keeper and I have recommended this to people in my up and down-lines. Don't worry about approaching people. This gives you step by step guidelines and sample scripts, but most importantly shows you how to adapt them and make them your own. Nothing worse than canned words, you need to live and breathe what you market.

A must-have for a network marketer.......2007-05-14

If you want to be a successful network marketer, you know that you will need to ask enough questions to figure out if you can help your prospect or move on to the next. This book shows you how to ask questions naturally. Read this before you ever talk to one person about your business! It even helps in personal relationships! Highly recommended!

The Bridge Over Troubled Network Marketing Waters.......2007-02-20

If you are in network marketing, this book can only help you. What a great book. It is a book that makes sense. I bought this book and I had two very productive conversations immediately. People thanked me as opposed to "how fast can I get away from this salesperson?"
Something in me had changed because of this information and people were a whole lot more receptive to what I had to say - because for the first time I knew what to say - and when. My intentions all along have been good but sometimes the words got in the way in the past and halted communication.
No one can teach you what they have not done so if you need an mlm boost this is the route, I think this book should sell for about $1000.00, so get yours now!!!
Looking forward to going to the top in my company!!!!!!

A Must Read.....................2007-01-09

If you have any involvement in Network Marketing this is a must read. It really gets into the essence of what Network Marketing should be about which is building relationships and helping people. This book gives you a step by step blueprint for putting the fun back into your network marketing business instead of working with with fear, anxiety and the loss of friendship. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to build their business in a way that will last.

A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya

Average customer rating:

If you only read one book about yoga in your life.
Cosmic joke
Don't be intimidated
An incredibly clear and concise path to self-realization
Comprehensive textbook on kriya yoga

A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya
Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Manufacturer: Yoga Publications Trust/Munger
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 8185787085
Release Date: 2004-12-01

Product Description

Yoga is not an ancient myth buried in oblivion.It is the most valuable inheritance of the present.It is the essential need of today and the culture of tomorrow. Swami Sivananda Sarswati. This book is the most comprehensive text ever published on yoga. It contains a complete course of 36 structured lessons on all the practices of integral yoga. The lessons were compiled from the teachings given by Swami Satyananda Saraswati and are useful as a practical and theoretical guide for all levels of yoga teachers and aspirants. The book presents a synthesis of yoga in a scientific and systematic manner. The different branches of hatha yoga, mantra yoga, karma yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga and kriya yoga are progressively introduced with special emphasis on practice, theory and application in daily life. Includes line drawings,diagrams and colour plates. The depth of knowledge this book contains provides the link between you,the practitoner of yoga and an experienced guide and teacher.This link is your sadhana(spiritual practice),the beginning of your inner transformation,spiritual awakening and realization of higher ideals in life. The techniques covered in this book have their basis in the ancient vedic (tantric and yogic) shastras and were handed over the centuries from guru to disciple. Now in an age when travel and communication have become almost instantaneous affairs and there are more efficient methods of disseminating wisdom than the human voice and ear,we wish to offer these transcendatal instruments of grace to all who have eyes to read and ears to hear.

Customer Reviews:

If you only read one book about yoga in your life........2007-06-19

This book is very complete, and yet doesn't focus on the extreme aspects that make so many people think that they 'can't do yoga'. You -can- do yoga, without being a "circus performer", (as is mentioned in the book). As there is no unecessary physical extreme here, there is also no judgement of motive: You want to do yoga / you have your reasons / yoga is good / any motives to do yoga are good motives. Teaching by good example, rather than rules; inspirational.

Cosmic joke.......2007-03-03

If you paid $80 for this book, somewhere in India a stout little man in orange is laughing all the way to the bank.

Don't be intimidated.......2006-12-06

This is an imposing volume for sure, the great length and expense of the book may lead some people to try something else. I encourage you to go ahead and try this one if you have any inclination to do so. It starts you out gently, the first chapter contains some exercises to increase the flexibility in ankles, hips, and knees, and the only meditative pose given is shavasana or corpse pose, which is just laying on your back on the floor. You can handle that. The method given of moving from boat pose into corpse pose for relaxation is fantastic. Everything is explained thoroughly and aimed at a complete novice, though the explanatory text is rewarding even for those already versed in yoga practices.

The course also provides some bodily cleansing methods which may freak you out a little bit. Right off the bat they give you Jala Neti which requires you to pour salt water into one nostril and have it flow out the other one. This feels odd at first but you get used to it and even start to crave it after a few days.

You spend as long as it takes to fully assimilate each chapter before moving on to the next. Fantastic progress can be made in an hour a day, though it looks like as you reach the more advanced teachings that time will increase.

So don't be intimidated, begin this journey.

An incredibly clear and concise path to self-realization.......2006-04-17

There are a couple reviews here that do a great job of briefly explaining this book's amazing and unbelievably detailed contents so I won't head down that path. I will say that this is the path of yoga for the spiritually-inclined. Asanas are definitely part of the course, but in contrast to most other styles, a large amount of your time is spent in breath work and meditation which is not surprising given that Raja yoga (regarded as the most meditation-intensive supreme path of yoga) is a large part of Saytananda yoga. In fact, the more you progress, you realize that the asanas/postures are really just preparing you for meditation (kind of like stretching before running a marathon)

After practicing the first 7 lessons (7 months) of the book at home I decided to get serious about Satyananda Yoga and started looking for a teacher. As it turns out, there are only 4 fully accredited Satyananda teachers in North America (yes you read that correctly!) as it takes 3 to 5 years of intensive study to achieve that designation (as opposed to about 1 month to get a basic 200-hour yoga certificate elsewhere) and they have only started training Satyananda teachers in North America about 5 years ago. As all 4 of the teachers are in Cleveland Ohio, I took a flight out there to start my journey down this amazing path and hope to join the ranks of Satyananda teachers in a few years.

If you are a serious and disciplined aspirant and are interested in the practice of yoga for rapid spiritual evolution (as opposed to simply for health and fitness), then this is the path for YOU.

Hari Om Tat Sat,
Dave

Comprehensive textbook on kriya yoga.......2006-02-03

This is a great book for people who are serious enough to start a daily yoga practice but for whom it is not feasible to go on an extended pilgrimage to an ashram or other yoga retreat. It does require a long-term commitment of regular practice and is not ideal for people who are absolute beginners or just dabbling.

The course within this book outlines the essentials of the entire yoga lifestyle and therefore includes information not only on yoga postures, but also on some of the esoteric practices including yogic breathing, cleansing, diet, philosophy, and chakra meditations. However, it is one specific system (or path) to yoga and should not be mixed with other systems i.e. if you choose this path, stick to this one alone.

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