Greek Warfare: Myths and Realities

[Gulan]

Well, this might deserve to be in Greek military history section but regardless..is anyone familiar with the book Greek Warfare: Myths and Realities by Hans van Wees.

Is there any real myth braking, like seen in Hollow Lakedaimon blog of Mr.Bardunias (sad to see his work or at least texts stalled)

I usually download ebooks, many jewels can be found for free. But before buying this one (no pdf around) I would really like to know is it any good, and by any good I mean could it challenge Hanson for example.

When researching about a book, I usually read only the bad comments, and only bad comment I found about this one is : ,,On page 69 for example, Van Wees says "It is a fair assumption that, at the back of the heavy infantry formation, servants and citizen light-armed mingled and threw stones and even javelins at the enemy, over the heads of the hoplites". This is indeed an assumption, but far from fair as it is a major leap from the evidence that Van Wees has presented up to this point.''

Although it is arguably founded, comment speaks nothing about the book which would make me change my mind about reading it.

So if you have any comment, preferably bad one, fire :twisted:

[John Conyard]

Buy it. You will not regret it.

[D B Campbell]

I would really like to know is it any good, and by any good I mean could it challenge Hanson for example.

I also like to read reviews before buying a book. I don't own this one, but I gather that it is "essential reading" -- although I generally dislike studies that rope in the tribesmen of Papua New Guinea for comparative purposes. :roll:

Andreas Hartmann in Journal of Hellenic Studies 125 (2005): "Not only does van Wees take a fresh look at familiar questions about the practicalities of Greek warfare, but he tries to set war in its context and gives due attention to the ideological and political aspects of his subject. ... W. explicitly takes a revisionist stance. Inevitably, not all the 'radically different conclusions' announced in the cover text carry equal conviction. ... Disagreements aside, it is just this 'radical' approach which makes Greek Warfare the thought-provoking study it is. This book is essential reading not only for the specialist, but also for the general historian working on Greek history before Alexander."

Everett Wheeler in Journal of Military History 69 (2005): "In this brilliantly presented, extensively documented, attractively illustrated, and reasonably priced book, readers of van Wees' publications will find few surprises (e.g. primitive tribes in New Guinea again explain Homeric warfare). ... Scarcely a sentence of this book will escape controversy. Van Wees offers a stimulating antidote to the work (not devoid of its own excesses) of Victor Hanson. As often, the truth lies somewhere in the middle."

Matthew Trundle in Classical Review 56 (2006): "Greek Warfare threads a mass of detail and evidence through a critical and excellent analysis of war in the Archaic and Classical ages. ... As the book's title suggests, v.W. dispels commonly held beliefs and consistently demonstrates that our sources distort the realities of Greek warfare. ... Greek Warfare is an immensely readable and useful book and one I can recommend to colleagues, students and friends alike."

(These are the headlines. Each reviewer queries points of detail.)

[Gulan]

Thank you guys.

I am reading José Johannes Brouwers' 'Warfare and Society in Early Greece FROM THE FALL OF THE MYKENAIAN PALACES TO THE END OF THE PERSIAN WARS''..And Hans van Wees was mentioned there so I needed more info on his work.It seemed like a fair read.