Title: The Oracle
Author: William J. Broad
ISBN: 9780143038597
Pages: 336
Release Date: February 15, 2006
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Non-Fiction, History
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Summary:
Though the Oracle at Delphi is from Ancient Greek times, it still holds a lot of wonder and is a source of curiosity in today’s world. In The Oracle: Ancient Delphi and the Science Behind Its Lost Secrets, author William J. Broad embarks on a journey to bring us the history of the Oracle, as well as incorporates new research on the source of the Oracle’s powers.
Review:
The Oracle is a must-read for anyone interested in Ancient Greece and archaeology. Though the book is non-fiction, it is an extremely quick and gripping read. The historical mystery behind the source of the Oracle’s powers, and whether it was something the Ancient Greeks made up or there was actual substance behind their legends, is a wonderful driving force in the book.
Broad does a great job giving the reader a historical overview of the Oracle, from its early days to the end of the temple. He also gives the reader a look at the process of excavating the Oracle at Delphi. Broad paces the book very well – he never overloads the reader with information or drags down the narrative with unnecessary detail, yet he gives enough comprehensive information so the reader can understand what is happening without a lot of foreknowledge about the subject. It’s very well-balanced and makes the book a wonderfully interesting read.
This is a book that is great for fiction readers who want to dabble more in non-fiction. It’s well-written and fun to read; it’s not slow and it doesn’t drag. Additionally, the book is relatively short. It’s a quick book that I definitely recommend for anyone with even a passing interest in archaeology or ancient history.
8 comments:
Oh this sounds fascinating! I love reading about history and Ancient Greece is one of my particular favorite times to study. Great review!
Yay! My library has a copy!!!
I give you all kinds of credit for not only reading 2 million books a year, but reading things that are below the radar. This sounds really good, and I know I never would have even looked at it otherwise.
I agree that it sounds good. I've always been interested in ancient Greece -- will keep this one in mind.
I've never heard of this book, though, of course, I've heard of the Greek oracles. I have seen stuff on the History Channel about them and found it a fascinating subject.
I think I'll add this book to my wishlist, it sounds very intriguing :-) Thanks!
This does sound really good! I think Vance would love it.
This book sounds like a great read :D Thanks for sharing about it!
Ooh, the Oracle is so fascinating to me (except when Marcus Didius Falco in Lindsey Davis's books describes her as being drugged up all the time). Great review!
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