The history and effect of Greece told through ten claimed characteristics of the Greek mind and civilisation. It’s a strong claim and, while it makes for a reasonable read, doesn’t quite pull off the effect that the author intended. It’s hard say why, as the writing is clear and as erudite as one would expect from a classics professor at a leading university. Perhaps it’s the lack of any clear necessity in choosing these particular traits, which leaves the whole assemblage feeling perhaps a little cherry-picked to make scholarly points.

3/5. Finished Saturday 24 February, 2018.

(Originally published on Goodreads.)