The Parthenon
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Review
"'Sophisticated, engaging... she unravels the intricacies with the light and deft touch which characterises the whole book... something for classicists and laymen alike' Gavanndra Hodge, Independent on Sunday 'The classical world still rouses fierce passions, and books like this help to make the study of ancient Greece urgent and relevant' Tom Holland, New Statesman 'A classic in every sense of the word' John Julius Norwich * 'An extremely entertaining read... a book that is both learned and eloquent' Erich Segal * 'She succeeds brilliantly in bringing back [the ruins of the Parthenon] to imaginative life' Joan Smith, Financial Times"
Review
'An extremely entertaining read ... a book that is both learned and eloquent' - Erich Segal; 'If you're planning a trip to Athens - or to the British Museum - this ... is a must-read; but armchair travellers will be equally enthralled' - Andrew Crumey, Scotland on Sunday; 'The classical world still rouses fierce passions, and books like this help to make the study of ancient Greece urgent and relevant' - Tom Holland, New Statesman; 'Wry, lively ... entertaining, provocative ... highly readable' - Alexander Masters, Times Literary Supplement; 'A classic in every sense of the word: scholarly, informative, but with a laugh - or at least a broad smile - on every page. I loved it - and so will you' - John Julius Norwich; 'She succeeds brilliantly in bringing back [the ruins of the Parthenon] to imaginative life' - Joan Smith, Financial Times; 'Sophisticated, engaging ... she unravels the intricacies with the light and deft touch which characterises the whole book ... something for classicists and laymen alike' - Gavanndra Hodge, Independent on Sunday
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a delight to read. It tells a fascinating history clearly and in a way that makes you want to read a few more pages before you put it down. It spells out how little we really know about the original uses of the building whilst describing the rich history it has had down the ages. However much you think you know about this building, this book will add to that knowledge. It is not afraid to handle controversial issues such as the Elgin marbles but does so in a fair and even handed way. If you haven’t been to the Parthenon yet this book will make you want to go. If you have been before this book will make you want to go again and look at this iconic building in a new light. Could the writer or publisher have done it better? Well, the quality of photographs is less than we should expect in the digital age. Mary Beard’s excellent text deserves better. I look forward to reading the other volumes in the series.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I loved this book straight away. It displays a thorough knowledge of the subject without being dry, dull and just plain tedious like so many others. Beard writes in an approachable and often witty way and I particularly like the way she bursts the balloon of so many pompous and seemingly unquestioning statements about the Parthenon. There are many temples in the Greek World and, although they may not be as refined as the Parthenon, many are more interesting in a variety of ways. Personally I've always preferred the early Doric ones and The Parthenon has stopped me feeling guilty about this. That said, this book is a wonderful read. It may well knock on the head many ideas you had on this subject, but I doubt you will be disappointed.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Reading this book is like having a private tour of this most iconic of buildings with the author as one's highly knowledgeable guide. I loved the down-to-earth, almost chatty style, which is highly readable whilst nonetheless imparting a huge amount of information. I also particularly loved the 'further reading' section included at the end of the book which manages to be suitably thorough to satisfy Classics geeks like me, whilst at the same time being accessible for anyone with a keen, but perhaps less academic, interest.
I found this book almost by accident whilst looking for the one the author has been written about Pompeii. However, it is anything but a second choice. I am a Classics graduate with a particular interest in the Partenon, and the city of Athens in the Classical period. I have also been lucky enough to go inside the current building to look at the reconstruction/restoration work, and visited the new Acropolis museum shortly after it was opened. So, I considered myself to be fairly well informed about the Parthenon, particularly during its early history. This book has helped me to better understand both the building, and the Acropolis in general, particularly in its later history.
I would highly recommend it to anyone who has been, or is planning a trip to Athens.
I found this book almost by accident whilst looking for the one the author has been written about Pompeii. However, it is anything but a second choice. I am a Classics graduate with a particular interest in the Partenon, and the city of Athens in the Classical period. I have also been lucky enough to go inside the current building to look at the reconstruction/restoration work, and visited the new Acropolis museum shortly after it was opened. So, I considered myself to be fairly well informed about the Parthenon, particularly during its early history. This book has helped me to better understand both the building, and the Acropolis in general, particularly in its later history.
I would highly recommend it to anyone who has been, or is planning a trip to Athens.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Interesting and Accessible
Mary has a very easy and almost conversation-like writing style, which makes the book that much easier to read. Read more
Published 1 month ago by E. Smith
ODE TO A GRECIAN METOPE
An excellent and informative book written in a cool, clear and precise style. While Mary Beard's prose may not be as lyrical or as all encompassing as that of Gibbon (it isn't) it... Read more
Published 6 months ago by A. Taylor
Wonderful reading
Erudite, beautifully written and entertaining, this is a wonderful read. Professor Beard has an amazing capacity for writing as if she knew those she writes about. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mark
Reality or Myth? An overview of the history and politics of a cutural...
Mary Beard has produced an exemplary guide to the historical, political and artistic context of the Parthenon. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr. Jaj Richards
Parthenon
The Parthenon
This is a very easy, enjoyable read. The book gives a comprehensive history of the parthenon and the Elgin marbles in a very short, sharp satisfying way. Read more
This is a very easy, enjoyable read. The book gives a comprehensive history of the parthenon and the Elgin marbles in a very short, sharp satisfying way. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Sharon
Educated modern view that is good to read
Mary Beard makes the story of this venerable icon of modern Greece interesting and readable. I cannot check detail because I enjoyed it so much I gave it to a friend for her... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Lisa, Bucks
A great little book
I really enjoyed Beard's 'Pompeii' and this is every bit as good. She draws out the history of the Parthenon, largely through the eyes of visitors from different periods. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Anthony K. Divey
Timeo Danaos
Lively read, which narrates the sorry two and a half millennia tale of erosion and encroachment and the politics of Parthenomania in a witty and balanced fashion. Worth the money.
Published 22 months ago by Mr. R. Cass
The beauty of the Parthenon -- and how it was trashed
One chilly February morning, just as dawn was arriving and the shops and offices were still clad in the cold grey of the fading
night, I saw by the dawn's golden glow the full... Read more
night, I saw by the dawn's golden glow the full... Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2004 by Theodore A. Rushton
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