This history of Greece for children is written like a story and, in 123 short chapters (usually 1-3 pages each), covers most of the important historical events of the period.
Ms. Guerber starts with mythological Greece, for, as she says, "the beginning of Greek history is like a fairy tale; and while much of it cannot, of course, be true, it is the only information we have about the early Greeks." However, mythology doesn't take over the book: it is covered in the first23 chapters, but as the "Heroic Age" ends, and the Greeks began to keep records, she begins to write about real history.
Starting at chapter 24, the author discusses the rise of Sparta and Athens, the establishment of the Olympic games, the Persian and Peloponnesian wars, the fall of Greece to Rome and many other events. She also introduces a number of characters from history, including Pericles, Socrates, Alcibiades, Philip of Macedon, Alexander the Great, and Demosthenes, to name a few.
Since we already carry a number of books about Greece for children, we had to ask ourselves, "why another book?" What we realized is that most of our material is based on the mythology and doesn't actually cover much history. This does. It is simply the most in-depth and readable look at Greece we have yet seen for the age group, keeping mythology to a minimum and giving a fuller look at the events throughout the rest of Grecian history. Plus, it offers some very helpful extras, such as a timeline of events, and a great list of additional suggested reading. Highly recommended.
Additional Information:
Read Chapter IV: More Greek Fairy Tales
Read Chapter XLIX: Aristides the Just
Read Chapter LXV: The Philosopher Socrates
Read Chapter LXXV: The Retreat of the Ten Thousand
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