Status

Available

Call number

938

Collection

Publication

Harmondsworth, Middlesex : Penguin Books, 1951, 1962 reprint

Description

Most ancient cultures disappeared with scarcely a trace, their effect upon our modern way of life of little consequence. The Greeks, however, continue to influence contemporary man through their drama, philosophy and art, their political cognizance and knowledge of science. There are many books introducing the Greek world to the modern reader, but this volume was recognized as a classic in the field upon its publication by Penguin Books. It now appears in a new paperback edition, with a new preface by the author and 32 pages of photographs selected especially for the American reader. The Greeksintroduces us to the people who formed and founded a new and distinct way of life, the democratic city-state. The author presents--frequently in the words of the Greeks themselves--the formation of the people as a nation, the nature of the country, the impact of Homer, and the rise and decline of the city-state. The book includes an intensive study of the classical period, and provides an illuminating view of the Greek mind, myths and religion, life and character.The Greeksis a recognized classic, written with remarkable grace and wit. In its new, richly illustrated and permanent form, it will endure as perhaps the best reconstruction of one of the greatest episodes in the history of civilized man. H. D. F. Kitto(1897-1982) was professor of Greek at the University of Bristol and is well known as a scholar, teacher and writer in his field. He wrote several books on Greek drama, and his In the Mountains of Greeceresulted from extensive travel throughout the country., and provides an illuminating view of the Greek mind, myths and religion, life and character.The Greeksis a recognized classic, written with remarkable grace and wit. In its new, richly illustrated and permanent form, it will endure as perhaps the best reconstruction of one of the greatest episodes in the history of civilized man. H. D. F. Kitto(1897-1982) was professor of Greek at the University of Bristol and is well known as a scholar, teacher and writer in his field. He wrote several books on Greek drama, and his In the Mountains of Greeceresulted from extensive travel throughout the country.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member davidpwithun
Far and away the best introduction to ancient Greece that I have yet found. Kitto has a real love -- even a passion -- for his subject; not only does this passion show throughout but it is contagious as well. With joyful, dynamic prose Kitto introduces us to the history, the people, the places, the
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culture, and the events of Greece before Alexander the Great. In the process of retelling the story of ancient Greece, he opens up the Greek mind and the Greek heart for us, examining each minutely and showing where it is that we differ (and why we should be careful not to judge too harshly when we do) and where it is that we find similarities. Often it seems that Kitto is introducing us to ourselves, or at least to a part of ourselves which we didn't even realize we possessed. The history of Greece is in many ways a good portion of the history of Western man -- the history of Greece is our history. If you want to know more about ancient Greece and about yourself -- read this book.
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LibraryThing member alanteder
I ordered a copy of Aldine Transaction's 2007 printing of Kitto's "The Greeks" as my Pelican copy from 1968 needed replacing and the Aldine seemed to be the latest edition available . When it arrived it turned out to have the correct cover but the book bound inside was something completely
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different (something called "Equality"). My question to the Canadian Chapters Indigo help desk about whether they had correctly bound copies went unanswered and all I got back was a form letter suggesting I bring the book in for exchange. As I did not have the original receipt that did not help me. There is likely a complete Aldine Transaction press run with the faulty copies so this review is a warning to avoid this edition unless you can examine it in the store. The low 1/2 star rating is only for the 2007 edition from Aldine Transaction. Kitto's The Greeks is a classic and is a 5 star book. I recommend that you get the Penguin UK edition as I ended up doing.
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LibraryThing member alanteder
I ordered a copy of Aldine Transaction's 2007 printing of Kitto's "The Greeks" as my Pelican copy from 1968 needed replacing and the Aldine seemed to be the latest edition available . When it arrived it turned out to have the correct cover but the book bound inside was something completely
Show More
different (something called "Equality"). My question to the Canadian Chapters Indigo help desk about whether they had correctly bound copies went unanswered and all I got back was a form letter suggesting I bring the book in for exchange. As I did not have the original receipt that did not help me. There is likely a complete Aldine Transaction press run with the faulty copies so this review is a warning to avoid this edition unless you can examine it in the store. The low 1/2 star rating is only for the 2007 edition from Aldine Transaction. Kitto's The Greeks is a classic and is a 5 star book. I recommend that you get the Penguin UK edition as I ended up doing.
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LibraryThing member RonManners
" A study of the character and history of an ancient civilization, and of the people who created it."
Taken from the front cover.
LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
I read this book to find out where my classmates would be starting from. It was useful, and is an excellent survey book, if you are a fan of the primacy of Greek Culture over the other strains that make up the modern ambiance. It set for thirty years, (1951-1980's) the framework for discussion of
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the Mediterranean past. It is still a fairly good beginning book.
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Language

Original publication date

1951

Physical description

256 p.; 19 cm

ISBN

014020220X / 9780140202205
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