M. I. Finley (1912–1986)

A good book to read before a trip to this island.

A good, basic introduction to Greek culture, a nice review.

I read this book for the first time 12 years ago. I always remembered this as one of the most interesting history books I read. Now that I re-read the book, I am not disappointed. I find fascinating how M. I Finley uses concepts developed in anthropology to analyse Homer.

Not too much to say here: no doubt this is slightly out of date, but Finley is so cautious--he's perfectly willing to say that we don't know this or that, rather than make uneducated guesses--that I doubt he steers us wrong too much. Otherwise, this is an ideal book on ancient Greece for me personally, since I can't handle the self-congratulatory liberal cheer-leading that goes on every time anyone talks about classical Greece. This book ends before classical Greece. Q.E.D.