Review of Debra Hamel, 'Reading Herodotus: A Guided Tour through the Wild Boars, Dancing Suitors and Crazy Tyrants': John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2012; 329 pp.; ISBN 978-1-4214-0656-5 (Pbk) $43.95.

Abstract

Hamel's book, with a nod to the fictional purpose of William Goldman's 'The Princess Bride', sets out to be a "good parts" version of Herodotus, that is a "loose retelling of Herodotus' account, with obscure references explained and the boring bits left out" for the "everyday reader". Beyond its being merely a good read, the book sets out to be an introduction to the author and his subject matter for the general reader.