The Battle of Salamis: The Naval Encounter that Saved Greece -- and Western Civilization | 
 enlarge | Author: Barry Strauss
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Category: Book
List Price: $14.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  49 reviews
Sales Rank: 304132
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.1 x 0.9
ISBN: 0743244516
Dewey Decimal Number: 938.03
EAN: 9780743244510
ASIN: 0743244516
Publication Date: June 28, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: May contain remainder marks. Over 4 million customers served. Order now. Selling books online since 1995. Few left in stock - order soon. Code: A20081126105030M
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Product Description
On a late September day in 480 B.C., Greek warships faced an invading Persian armada in the narrow Salamis Straits in the most important naval battle of the ancient world. Overwhelmingly outnumbered by the enemy, the Greeks triumphed through a combination of strategy and deception. More than two millennia after it occurred, the clash between the Greeks and Persians at Salamis remains one of the most tactically brilliant battles ever fought. The Greek victory changed the course of western history -- halting the advance of the Persian Empire and setting the stage for the Golden Age of Athens. In this dramatic new narrative account, historian and classicist Barry Strauss brings this landmark battle to life. He introduces us to the unforgettable characters whose decisions altered history: Themistocles, Athens' great leader (and admiral of its fleet), who devised the ingenious strategy that effectively destroyed the Persian navy in one day; Xerxes, the Persian king who fought bravely but who ultimately did not understand the sea; Aeschylus, the playwright who served in the battle and later wrote about it; and Artemisia, the only woman commander known from antiquity, who turned defeat into personal triumph. Filled with the sights, sounds, and scent of battle, The Battle of Salamis is a stirring work of history.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 44 more reviews...
 Wonderfull book November 1, 2008
Unfortunately we have few sources for this battle. So what happens is that every book you read you get repeated the same stories again. Nothing we can do about that now.
The author does a terrific job in explaining the situation before the battle, the recreation of the battle and the result. He does it in a highly readable form as well.
I particularly liked the authors detailed explanations on the vessels (the triremes) used in the battle. Note here I would have liked here more diagrams. I hope if he ever revisits this subject he gives us more on them.
Like a movie script almost October 4, 2008
It is no pulp history, but it isn't academical highbrow blabbery either. Here is all you want to know about the times and the men who fought on both sides of the most important naval battle of ancient times.
Herodotus is given back the honors he deserves. Whatever we don't quite know for sure the author fills up with plausible explanations according to the way people would act in those times. The vividness is stupendously accomplished. Full of data without seeming tiresome.
A talented historian and writer. Only in the last pages he seems to offer a slight moral assesment, as a lesson to modern political figures to heed. Unworthy of the book overall. Great read. Whatever subject you like to read about.
Oh, and the figure of Themistocles is superb. What a character! Sure to bring hours and hours of discussion among his fans and detractors.
Salamis review August 23, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
One of the best histories of the Classical period that I have ever read; even as a professional scholar and university teacher. At times, Strauss nearly has one short of breath waiting for the next event. On the other hand, there is first rate explanation for personal actions, probable actions, and for the political and cultural contexts.
Salamis was like a Gigantic 2 mile wide 12 hour "bumper car " ride at the fair in hades! May 21, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book shows how loose the Greek city-state confederacy really was.I knew it wasn't real tight anyway,but I was surprised that the Greeks were able to come together even for the Battle of Salamis.Xerxes,the Persian commander viewed the Greek democracy as an inferior form of government,and was able to exploit effectively rivalries between the city-states.Unfortuneately for Xerxes,while he was able to see the problems with the Greek Democracy,he was blind to the weaknesses in his own Divine Oligarchy type,and a "man's got to know his limitations".There is alot of detail in this book in regard to the workings and maintainance of the Trireme warship,detailed down to the social status and the smell of body functions of the rower next to one.From the read of this book you can easily picture a resentment of Xerxes by his most favored counselors.there are some "things" the Divine King needed to be told but who would dare to tell him? In addition Persian triremes were high in the water and made for speed,and the Greek trireme was low in the water,slow but more manueverable.Also as Srauss points out the Persian navy was mainly an intimidation force with its vast size "who would dare face it". The Greeks almost did kow-tow to Xerxes with some of the city-states going over to Xerxes.Xerxes was tricked into fighting with his triremes in a small compact area where speed and a high center of gravity were a disadvantage and his fleet was picked off little by little.in addition there was a breeze that blew through the straits that the Greeks knew how to use,Xerxes wasn't aware of most of the climate and geographic factors in regards to the narrows at Salamis.the battle might have gone completely different had Xerxes not fought in the narrows of Salamis.There was an interesting section on the "blame game"which always proceeds such a devastating loss,and heads did roll and the Mediteranean Sea and Poseidon himself were subjected to the most cruel floggings ever heard of in the history of mankind!!Ever since Mahan produced his work on the importance on sea power,alot more attention is placed on maritime exploits,indeed they prove more critical to a country than any land battles you can name.This is because the supply lines and economic lifeline are intertwined to seapower.Thermopalae bled Xerxes good,but it took Salamis to send him packing.Greek democracy wins in this battle but only this time,it doesn't necessarily win every time or even most of the time.The book really comes to life with all the rammings and the chaos,cries of despair and prayers to the Gods,maybe even a commendation medal or 3.It shows what people can and will do if they're lead right and have a chance of winning even with unfavorable odds.The final chapter shows the fate of Themistocles,the Greek strategist who was primarily resposible for engineering the Persian defeat.He ends up cringing to Xerxes son after his "fellow Greeks" threw him in a pile of disgrace shortly after the battle.The book gives a more detailed account of the reasons for Themistocles fall than i've previously read,a real life Greek tragedy from the pages of Aeschylus.
A must for ancient warfare enthusiasts March 8, 2007
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Succinctly and beautifully crafted, this easily digested book contains the historical background, essential story, and details of, arguably, the major naval conflict that enabled our western legacy. For anyone interested in ancient galley warfare, Dr. Strauss' book is an excellent jumping off place to begin your exploration.
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