Book Summaries
Comprehensive History
Military History
Biography
Mythology
Adapted Literature
Historical Fiction
Comprehensive History
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On the Shores of the Great Sea by M. B. Synge
Book I of the Story of the World series. Focuses on the civilizations surrounding the
Mediterranean Sea from the time of Abraham to the birth of Christ. Brief histories of the
Ancient Israelites, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Scythians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans are
given, concluding with the conquest of the entire Mediterranean by Rome. Important myths
and legends that preceded recorded history are also related. [74 sheets]
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Stories from Greek History by Ethelwyn Lemon
In this short, but beautifully told book, only six of the many inspiring stories from Geek
History could be told. They include the story of Solon, the law-giver of Athens, Themistocles
and the battle of Salamis, Pelopidas and Epaminondas and the Boeotian Wars, Timoleon and the
liberation of Sicily, Demosthenes, the orator of Athens, and Alexander the Great.
[37 sheets]
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Greek Gods, Heroes, and Men by Samuel Harding
The major portion of this books tells delightful stories of the Greek Gods and Heroes of old.
Included are the Gods of Olympus as well as lesser known stories such as that of Helios,
Eros, and Pan. The stories of the well know Greek Heroes, both mythical and real-life follow.
The stories of Lycurgus and Leonidas follow those of Jason and Theseus in such a way that
the distinction between myth and true history seems almost blurred. [59 sheets]
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Stories of the Ancient Greek by Charles D. Shaw
This book contains over fifty stories from the Ancient Greeks including both myths and stories
from history. The stories are not told in a particular order, but cover a broad range of
Greek history and folklore. They are illustrated with black and white sketches and are a
good supplement to the study of the Greeks. [103]
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Famous Men of Greece by John Haaren
Biographical sketches of thirty-five of the most prominent characters in Greek history,
from legendary times to the fall of Greece. It begins with the great heroes of Greek
Mythology and then follows prominent Greek leaders from the earliest days of
Spartan and Athens to the decline of Greece during the Hellenistic era. Each story is
told in a clear, simple manner and is well calculated to awaken the youthful imagination. [94 sheets]
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The Story of the Greeks by Helene Guerber
Elementary history of Greece, made up principally of stories about persons, giving
at the same time a clear idea of the most important events in the ancient world and
calculated to enforce the lessons of perseverance, courage, patriotism, and virtue
that are taught by the noble lives described. Beginning with the legends of Jason,
Theseus, and events surrounding the Trojan War, the narrative moves on to present
the contrasting city-states of Sparta and Athens, the war against Persia, their
conflicts with each other, the feats of Alexander the Great, and annexation by Rome. [115 sheets]
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The Story of Greece by Mary Macgregor
Stories from the history of ancient Greece beginning with mythical and legendary
stories of gods and heroes and ending with the conquests of Alexander the Great.
This history of Greece is accessible and well organized, but it is considerably
more detailed than some other introductory texts. It covers Greek history from
the age of Mythology to the rise of Alexander, but because of its length, we do
not recommend it for 5th grade or younger. It is an excellent reference,
thoroughly engaging, and a good candidate for a somewhat older student's first
foray into Greek history. [167 sheets]
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Story of the Greek People by Eva March Tappan
Eva March Tappan's Story of the Greek People dedicates the first few chapters
to introducing some of the most important myths and legends of Greece, and then
presents a comprehensive, introductory history from the age of Lycurgus until
Alexander the Great. Included at the end of each chapter are discussion questions
and ideas for written assignments. [114 sheets]
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Historical Tales: Greek by Charles Morris
Starting from the destruction of Troy, the author of this book has emphasized
the most important stories from Greek history and rewritten them in detail in
a manner especially interesting to young adults. Familiar characters such as
Lycurgus, Xerxes, and Socrates are introduced, but so are more obscure characters
such as Polycrates, Democedes, and Timoleon. Morris is a terrific author and
these retellings provide an excellent review for anyone whose Greek History
needs an enjoyable refresher [141 sheets]
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Greek Life and Story by Alfred J. Church
This is not a comprehensive history of Greece, but rather a series of stories
and anecdotes pertaining to the golden age of Athens, from the age of Solon
(about 600 B.C.) to the death of Socrates (400 B.C.). Although a few
Spartans and Thebans (Leonidas, Pausanias, Epaminondas) are mentioned,
the heroes of Athens: Miltiades, Aristides, Themistocles, Pericles,
Alcibiades and others are the central characters. Rather than giving an
introductory account, this books assumes a familiarity with Greek history
and tells the stories of its heroes in fascinating detail appropriate
for high school or older students. [102 sheets]
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Stories from the East (Herodotus) by Alfred J. Church
This book is based on the Histories of Herodotus, and relates many stories
concerning the Persian empire, including the histories of Croesus, Cyrus the
Great, Cambyses, and Darius. Many interesting stories about Egypt, India, Scythia,
Babylon, and Tyre, are also given. It preserves most details and the style of
the original, but is rendered in simpler language. [79 sheets]
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Military History
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Retreat of the Ten Thousand by Frances Younghusband
This book is a retelling of the classic Anabasis by the Greek Historian, Xenophon.
It tells of the electrifying story of the retreat of 10,000 Greek soldiers who
marched 2000 miles into Persian territory, but had to retreat after the disastrous
battle of Cunaxa. Their allies deserted them, their leaders were treacherously
massacred, and they were forced to fight almost continuous rearguard battles as they
fled over the mountains of Asia Minor. [80 sheets]
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Story of the Persian War (Herodotus) by Alfred J. Church
This book is based on the Histories of Herodotus and covers the period from
the Ionian revolt against Darius to the final battles of the Persian War at Salamis
and Plataea. Herodotus is the most complete account we have of this period of Greek
history. Church’s rendition preserves the tone and style of the original, but is
rendered in simpler language. It is very well edited, and concise, so it provides
much of the benefit of reading Herodotus in the original, with much less effort.
The story of the Persian War includes terrific insight into both Greek and Persian
machinations and is thoroughly engaging. [82 sheets]
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Nicias and the Sicilian Expedition by Alfred J. Church
The Sicilian Expedition was the greatest debacle of the Peloponnesian War, and did
more to destroy the empire of Athens than any other event. Church follows Thucydides'
account faithfully, and provides great insight into the internal politics of Athens
during this period, as well as detailed accounts of the battles and character of the
Athenian Generals. [43 sheets]
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Helmet and Spear by Alfred J. Church
This military history provides a concise review of the major conflicts of Ancient
times in an engaging manner, rich in detail. Six clashes between the Ancient
civilizations and their barbarian neighbors are covered: the Persian invasion
of Greece, the fight between Greece and Carthage for Sicily, the Macedonian
invasion of Persia, the Punic Wars, Rome's early encounters with Barbarian Celts
and Germans, and Rome's fall to the Barbarians. [112 sheets]
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Biography
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Old World Hero Stories by Eva March Tappan
The short biographies of important characters of ancient Greece and Rome given
in this books are most appropriate for beginning students. They are best read
in conjunction with introductory histories because the author can only provide
limited context in the space available. Some of the subjects include Homer,
Lycurgus, Solon, Xerxes, Pericles, Plato, Alexander, Cincinnatus, Hannibal,
Caesar, Augustus, and many others. [58 sheets]
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Children's Plutarch: Tales of the Greeks by F. J. Gould
The Children's Plutarch provides a brief biography of most of the Greeks who were the
subjects of Plutarch's Lives, including Solon, Lycurgus, Aristides, Lysander, Agis, Agesilaus, Demosthenes, Alexander,
Dion, Timoleon, and many others. The essays are not complete biographies, but brief sketches that
usually illustrate a few simple moral lessons about the character of the subject. The complexity
level is very appropriate for younger children. [64 sheets]
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Plutarch's Lives by W. H. Weston
This is our favorite rendition of Plutarch's Lives. Instead of including all fifty
biographies, Weston focuses only on twelve of Plutarch's most
famous subjects. His work is therefore able to retain a great deal more of the
character of Plutarch's original narrative than more highly condensed versions.
Since Plutarch was a moral philosopher as well as a biographer, retaining the tone and dialogue
of the original collection is key to understanding his contribution to Western thought.
Plutarch's complete lives run over a thousand pages. This is an excellent condensation. [155 sheets]
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Our Young Folk's Plutarch by Rosalie Kaufman
Our Young Folks' Plutarch is an excellent reference book for anyone studying Greek
or Roman History. The author provides significantly shortened but still thorough
biographies of every life that Plutarch wrote--over fifty characters from ancient
times in all. Missing of course, is much of Plutarch's
original commentary, but that is unavoidable in a significantly abridged work. [259 sheets]
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Cyrus the Great by Jacob Abbott
Cyrus the Great was the Founder of the Persian Empire. Highlights of his history include
his romantic childhood, and conquest of Media, the story of Crœsus and Cyrus’s conquest
of Lydia, the sieges of Tyre and Babylon, the restoration of the Jews, and the ill-fated
campaign in Scythia. [77 sheets]
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Darius by Jacob Abbott
The Story of Darius begins with ascension of Cambyses to the Persian throne, and his
subsequent conquest of Egypt. On Cambyses death, a usurper assumes the throne. Darius
dispatches the usurper, and is awarded the throne by lot. He then embarks on a series
of misadventures including a thwarted excursion to Scythia, the crushing of a rebellion
in Ionia, and two unsuccessful campaigns to conquer Greece, including the famous battle
of Marathon. [78 sheets]
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Xerxes by Jacob Abbott
On the demise of Darius, the Persian throne descended to his son Xerxes. After
putting down a rebellion in Egypt, he formed a plan to invade Greece with an enormous
army drawn from every province of the vast Persian Empire. The land battles of
Thermopylae and Plataea, as well as the naval battles of Artemisium, Salamis, and
Mycale are described here, complete with the complicated but heroic stratagems of the
Greek hero Themistocles. [82 sheets]
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Alexander the Great by Jacob Abbott
Although Alexander ruled only 13 years, his conquests are among the most significant
in world history. Abbott’s history covers his childhood influences, his early
conquests in Greece, and his major battles in Persia, including Granicus River,
Issus, the Siege of Tyre, and Gaugamela. The story concludes with the decline and
corruption of Alexander’s character, resulting in his early death at age 33. [75 sheets]
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Pyrrhus by Jacob Abbott
The decades following the death of Alexander the Great, involved a long and complicated
series of war between his generals to carve up his empire. Pyrrhus, a prince of Epirus,
was a leading historical character during this time, and Abbott uses his life to
illuminate the entire era. Other characters, including Alexander’s villainous mother
Olympias, and his trusted advisor Antipater figure prominently in this story. Pyrrhus
himself is a fascinating character, combining great talent and energy with fatal
weaknesses. [83 sheets]
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Mythology
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Golden Age of Greek Heroes by James Baldwin
This book paves the way to an enjoyable reading of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey by presenting
the legends about the causes of the Trojan War woven into a continuous narrative, ending where
the story of the Iliad begins. The youthful Odysseus is the hero as he journeys to visit his
grandfather Autolycus, then Nestor and Menelaus, hearing the old stories as he goes. [104 sheets]
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Old Greek Stories by James Baldwin
Legends and stories from Ancient Greek are retold in manner appropriate to grammar school
children. Some of the more famous stories include the legends of Atlanta, Cadmus and Europa,
Prometheus, Io and Hera, and Medusa. [72 sheets]
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Old Greek Folk Stories Told Anew by J. P. Peabody
The little book of Old Greek Folk Stories, by Josephine P. Peabody, is especially valuable,
not only for its fine version of many of the more interesting myths, but because it supplements
the dozen retold by Hawthorne is his Wonder-Book and Tanglewood Tales. [48 sheets]
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The Golden Fleece by Padraic Colum
This book is a detailed retelling of the story of Jason and the Argonauts appropriate
for young teens. It includes much detail about their various adventures and tells the
stories of many of the Argonauts, including Atlanta, Theseus, and Hercules. [119]
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The Golden Porch by W. M. L. Hutchinson
This book of Greek Myths is based on the Odes of Pindar. They include several well known
stories, such as the tale of Jason and the birth of Castor and Pollux, but also several
much lesser known tales, as told by one of the greatest of the Greek poets of the
classic age. [96]
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The Greek Heroes by Charles Kingsley
Kingsley was a romantic British writer of the Victorian age. In this children's book
he focuses on only three Greek heroes: Perseus, Jason, and Theseus. This allows him
to tell their stories in detail with great interest. Like many Victorians, Kingsley
was a moralist and his rendition develops the heroes in considerable depth. [73]
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Wonder Book for Boys and Girls by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Wonder Book was written in the mid 1800, and is one of Hawthorne's most
popular classics for children. It tells the stories of six classic Greek legends
in considerable detail and with delightful literary flourish. The subjects are the
legends of Perseus, Midas, Pandora's Box, Philemon and Baucus, Bellerophon and
Pegasus, and the Garden of Hesperides. [87 sheets]
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Tanglewood Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Following the success of the Wonder Book Hawthorne produced another volume of Greek
legends rewritten for children. This time his subjects are Theseus and the Minotaur,
Antaeus and the Pygmies, Cadmus and the Dragons' teeth, Circe, Proserpina and Pluto,
and Jason and the Golden Fleece. Each story is beautifully told, in much detail.
[100 sheets]
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Adapted Literature
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The Iliad Told to the Children by Jeanie Lang
This version of Homer's Iliad is part of the Told to the Children series.
It is greatly condensed, beautifully illustrated, and recounted in a suitable manner
for younger children. The story of The Iliad, begins with the legend of the goddesses
and the golden apple, and ends with the death of Hector, but does not include the
fall of Troy. A good first introduction to Homer for young grammar school
students. [36 sheets]
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The Odyssey Told to the Children by Jeanie Lang
This short version of Homer's Odyssey is part of the Told to the Children
series. It is significantly shorted, nicely illustrated, and told in a manner that
is suitable for young children. The adventures of Odysseus, a Greek soldier returning
from the Trojan war, begin in the land of the Lotus Eater, and continue with his
encounters with Cyclopes, Circe, the Sirens, and Calypso before he returns home to
Ithaca, where his faithful wife Penelope awaits him. [37 sheets]
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Aesop's Fables by Milo Winter
This beautifully illustrated version of Aesop's fables is one of the most popular
renditions of Aesop’s Fables ever published. It is just as delightful for adults and older children
as it is for beginning readers, and like much of the other literature that descends to
us from Ancient Greece, reminds us of the sophisticated wisdom of the classical sages. [82 sheets]
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The Iliad by Alfred J. Church
Vigorous retelling of Homer's Iliad, relating the incidents of the great siege of Troy,
from the quarrel of the chiefs to the ransoming of Hector's body. This versions provides
a more complicated retelling of Homer's famous than some other adaptations, but is still
directed at intermediate students rather than young adults. Alfred Church was a British
high school instructor whose career was dedicated to popularizing the classics for young
people and this is one of his most well-known books. [63 sheets]
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The Odyssey by Alfred J. Church
Lively retelling of Homer's Odyssey, telling of the wanderings of Ulysses and his adventures
with the giant Cyclops and the enchantress Circe as he makes his way home to his beloved
Ithaca. There, after slaying the suitors who have been wooing his wife Penelope, he is
reunited with his family after twenty long years. [63 sheets]
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Stories from the Greek Tragedians by Alfred J. Church
Many of Greeks most famous Tragedies by Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus are collected
in this work. Some dialogue is retained to preserve the flavor of the original, but the
book is mainly prose summaries. Stories include Seven Against Thebes, Antigone, the
Death of Hercules, the Vengeance of Medea, the Oresteia Trilogy, Alcestis, and others. [78 sheets]
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Stories from the Greek Comedians by Alfred J. Church
Most of Aristophanes famous plays, including Frogs, Wasps, Clouds, Birds, Parliament of Women,
and others, are presented in this book. Church preserves enough dialogue and verse to give a
flavor of the originals, but greatly condenses the material. Most of Aristophanes plays were
set against the backdrop of the Peloponnesian War, and his works provide insight into the
internal politics of Athens during this time. Several plays from later playwrights, including
Philemon, Meander, and Apollodorus are also given.[137 sheets]
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Historical Fiction
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Our Little Athenian Cousin from Long Ago by J. D. Cowles
Story about an Athenian boy named Hiero who lived in Athens during the age of Pericles, around
the beginning of the Peloponnesian War. One of the main characters is a sculptor and the story
emphasizes the artistic achievements of Ancient Athens. [36 sheets]
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Our Little Spartan Cousin from Long Ago by J. D. Cowles
Story of Chartas, a young Spartan growing up during the years immediately preceding the Persian
War. The story closes before the famous Battle of Thermopylae, but the events in Greece leading
up to the war are covered, and several famous Spartans are introduced. [43 sheets]
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The Spartan Twins by L. F. Perkins
This book provides an excellent glimpse into the lives of two young Spartan children.
Ten-year-old Dion and Daphne live the simple life of Spartans on an island near Athens.
One day their father takes them on a journey to Athens, where they admire for the first
time the splendor of the city. During their visit they become involved in several adventures
and meet the great leader Pericles. [45 sheets]
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Three Greek Children by Alfred J. Church
This is Church’s only book of historical fiction intended for grammar school
students. It is a story of three Greek children growing up during the
Peloponnesian War. It does not actually focus much on the historical events
of the war—but instead, relates many legends, fables, and hero stories relating
to Greek history, as they are told to the children by their elders.
[55 sheets]
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Callias, the Fall of Athens by Alfred J. Church
This story follows Callias, a young Athenian through the last days of the
Peloponnesian War. He participates in the battles of Arginusae and Aegospotami, and
is present during the siege of Athens. He visits Alcibiades in exile, befriends
Socrates and accompanies Xenophon on the Retreat of the Ten Thousand. As part of
Socrates' inner circle he hears a first hand account of his trial and death before
himself being caught up in post-war politics in Athens. [128 sheets]
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Young Macedonian in Alexander's Army by Alfred J. Church
This story follows two friends, one a Greek, one a Macedonian, who join Alexander’s
army for the invasion of Persia. They meet during the destruction of Thebes, and are
present at all of Alexander’s major battles, including Granicus River, Issus, the
Siege of Tyre and Gaugamela. The change in Alexander’s character from a brave and
generous noble to a corrupted and impulsive libertine is well drawn. [108 sheets]
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The Hammer by Alfred J. Church
This story is based on the first book of Maccabees in the Old Testament.
It is set during the Macedonian occupation of Judea (around 250 B.C.), and
follows the story of a young Jewish man, who is first attracted to the "modern"
Greek way of life, but eventually joins the Maccabee brothers in their desperate
revolt against their Macedonian overlords, who seek to destroy their traditional
way of life. There is much high drama, martyrdom, and pitched battles—during
this very critical period in Jewish History. [135 sheets]
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