*****Excellent read August 16, 2013
I love reading about Sparta. This is a fiction book supported by
historical fact. The author is extremely knowledgeable, and I plan to get the
other two books in the trilogy.
****An excellent dramatization July 24, 2013
I found this entire series, of which is the final installment to
be both entertaining and educational. Though a fictional dramatization of an
non-fictional character, the story makes an excellent case for understanding
the possibility of how things actually happened. Worth the read for the entire
series for those who have an interest in Leonidas and Sparta.
*****Putting a Human Face on Sparta June 8, 2013
One of best histories I've read on ancient Greece, rivaling Gates
of Fire by Steven Pressfield. Most other histories tell only the story of Sparta
and its heroes, but Helena Schrader's trilogy permits us to see more than just
the people and politics of the time; it also permits us to see the human side
of its leaders. She weaves a beautiful story based upon her extensive knowledge
and exhaustive research which allows us to understand and appreciate the Sparta
Culture and leaders of the age.
The trilogy follows the life of Leonidas from boyhood, through adulthood and finally, his unlikely rise to become one of Sparta's two Kings. Her stories describe Sparta at the height of its power and their relationship to other Greek city states and the other dwellers in Lacedaemonia, the Perioikoi and the Helots, which I never fully understood before.
She also elaborates and provides the details of the Spartiate citizens and women who were far more liberated than any other women of the ancient world, including Athens.
All in all, Schrader's trilogy was thoroughly enjoyable and a must read for history lovers of the ancient world.
The trilogy follows the life of Leonidas from boyhood, through adulthood and finally, his unlikely rise to become one of Sparta's two Kings. Her stories describe Sparta at the height of its power and their relationship to other Greek city states and the other dwellers in Lacedaemonia, the Perioikoi and the Helots, which I never fully understood before.
She also elaborates and provides the details of the Spartiate citizens and women who were far more liberated than any other women of the ancient world, including Athens.
All in all, Schrader's trilogy was thoroughly enjoyable and a must read for history lovers of the ancient world.
*****Great book May 18, 2013
This book gives you a detail look into the young Leonidas. It
explains the many ways he was made into such a great king.
*****Sparta brought back to life! April 25, 2013
I really enjoyed this book in more ways than one. The story was
compelling and interesting, the characters were multidimensional and
believable, the pace was exciting, and the history lessons and finally the
truth about the real Sparta abundant!
The author does a wonderful job creating the character of young Leonidas and
following him as he develops into a young man is very entertaining. I highly
recommend this to those who enjoy historical fiction with real historical
information of the highest quality. I will be ordering the rest of the series
shortly.
The only improvement that I felt was needed, was in the description of the topography. It is obvious that the author knows the area very well and can describe it in minute details. However, for someone who has never been there a map would have been very helpful. With so many names of areas and rivers and mountains, my mind couldn't envision it all-but of course that could be my own personal shortcoming.
The only improvement that I felt was needed, was in the description of the topography. It is obvious that the author knows the area very well and can describe it in minute details. However, for someone who has never been there a map would have been very helpful. With so many names of areas and rivers and mountains, my mind couldn't envision it all-but of course that could be my own personal shortcoming.
