BOWRA, C.M., — The Greek experience.

Praeger, New York / Washington, 1969. XIV,211,(64)p. ills.(B&W photographs). Original green cloth with gilt titled vignette to spine. Cover with some vague scratched spots. Lacking dust wrappers. ‘Sir Maurice has attempted neither an historical survey Nora comprehensive account of the Greek achievement. He has selected certain aspects of Greek thought, the development and influence of which he has traced from Homer to Plato and Aristotle. This period has, as he says, a unity which allows a single treatment. (…) The various chapter headings indicate what Sir Maurice regards as the characteristic features of the ‘Greek Experience’. As would be expected the chapters where his special interest in and unrivalled knowledge of Greek poetry and are given full play are most illuminating. (…) Here we are shown how the Greek genius won its greatest triumphs through the two seemingly incompatible means: respect for and use of traditional forms combined with ever fresh and vigorous innovations and adaption. (…) The reader will find sensitive and penetrating discussions of this theme in the chapters dealing with epic, lyric, tragedy, comedy, art, politics, and philosophy. Frequent quotation in excellent translations, many of them the author’s own, allows the Greeks to speak for themselves, as the illustrations allow us to see Greek art for ourselves. (…) Sir Maurice (…) has essayed the difficult task of setting down his ‘vision of the ancient world as a whole.’ It is a vision which no reader can fail to find revealing and provocative.’ (M.E. WHITE on the first edition in Phoenix, 1959, pp.135-136).