Hale, John R.

Lords of the Sea: The Epic Story of the Athenian Navy and the Birth of Democracy with: Ephemera

ISBN: 9780670020805
New York, NY: Viking/ The Penguin Group, 2009. First Edition. Hardcover. " "I cannot tune a harp or play a lyre, but I know how to make a small city great." The vision of the soldier-statesman Themistocles set his own small city- Athens- on a course of greatness when he persuaded his fellow citizens to build a fleet of warships known as triremes, the formidable dynamos at the heart of Athenian history. In Lords of the Sea, John R. Hale, a world-renowned archaeologist and veteran oarsman, tells the story of a forgotten empire and its majestic legacy. For a century and a half, the Athenian mariners and their inspired commanders transformed Athens and created a Golden Age of unparalleled achievement." (from front flap) A thrilling study of ancient history with wide contemporary resonance by John R. Hale (b. 1951), the highly acclaimed American archaeologist, historian & academician. Hale digs (or more literally dives) deeply into ancient history to illuminate the key factor that ultimately enabled Athens to accomplish the foundations of western civilization- in democratic politics, literature, philosophy & architecture in particular- which hold it up (albeit precariously of late) to this day. With beautifully rendered maps & illustrations throughout. Hardcover in unclipped first-issue dust jacket (with $29.95 price & "0509" printed on front flap), first edition, first printing as indicated by number sequence on copyright page. We found & have retained, between rear endpaper & paste-down, a portion of the New York Times Weekend Arts section of August 7, 2009 containing Dwight Garner's laudatory review of this volume, entitled "Rowing to Democracy," two complete pages folded extensively & in near-perfect condition with only one short, closed tear at a blank side margin/edge & a touch of browning. To briefly quote Garner: "In "Lords of the Sea" Mr. Hale's simple but vigorous sentences prick up your ears from the first page." An outstanding work of history that exposes & describes the roots of our current societies. Book in very fine condition with only mild browning to upper edge of text block; much less so at side edge of same; otherwise substantially mint inside & out. Dust jacket very fine with only very light rubbing, faint scratching & a few short, faint creases to front, back covers, spine & flaps; a few tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners of same. Very Fine / Very Fine. [Item #5133]

Price: $30.00