A very good, contemporary overview of the Peloponnesian War. Well organized, presented and written, with a particular flair for bringing the brutal warfare of the times into vivid light. The author’s efforts to draw lines of comparison between the Peloponnesian War and more modern conflicts was interesting and welcome.

If you read one book about the Peloponnesian War, read Thucydides. But for those interested in a deeper dive, this would be an admirable second. 4.0 stars, recommended!

An entertaining and in-depth exploration of the peloponnesian wars.

As a fan of Roman history, I came into this book with little understanding of how Greece operated pre-Alexander the Great. This book was an intense and vivid overview of the lives the citizens of the Mediterranean lived.

My only warning is that it is DEPRESSING. As is usually the case, the decline of Greece came not at the hands of a great warrior leading a military charge, nor to the misguided notions of a tyrant, but to the unmatched, godlike wrath of disease and famine.

It is hard to read some of this stuff. Sections of it feel so heavy and painful that you wonder how anyone actually lived through it and smiled more than once in their lifetimes. The war between Athens and Sparta itself is almost a subplot in the greater story of the ecological and biological devestation the disparate Greek populations inflicted upon each other merely by coming in close contact and swapping bugs.

If you want the cold hard truth about the ancient world, give it a read. It was too much for me at times, but that's no failing of the book. Definitely well-written.

An excellent book written by one of the experts on war. I like the way VDH told this story by reference to the various influences in the war such as: plague, walls, horses, ships, armor, etc… This approach gives focus to the specific topic in the context of the overall war, and its impact, good or bad. For example lots of time was spent on armor and pitched battle warfare, phalanx, and the tactics employed for success. But in this war, Sparta had such an advantage in this type of warfare that Athens was smart enough to avoid a pitched battle at all costs.

This was the first book I read about Ancient Greece and was probably not a good choice in retrospect because this book presupposes some prior knowledge about the war. Be that as it may, I enjoyed it and learned a lot. Will likely read other books about Ancient Greece as well.

I picked this up after a trip to Sicily where I got interested in the Athenian loss at Syracusa. I had intended to read only that part but found the book very well written and a comprehensive account of the Pelleponesian War that stretched for more than 30 years. His work is, of course, based on Thucydides' -the first historian (460 to 395 BC) - contemporary account but adds detailed and superb supplemental materials about how the Athenians and Spartans lived and fought.

As an enthusiast of ancient history, I was excited to start this book, that being said, it wasn't in a style that I enjoyed. Hanson broke down the war, not into stages, or years, but into the different styles of warfare. A lot of back and forth through history, and at times repetitive. I found Hanson's analysis of the political situations behind the military operations to be cursory and left much to be desired.

If you're looking for an overview of the tactical warfare of the 5th century BC in Greece, then this is the book for you. Hanson looks at raids, hoplite set-piece battles, and naval warfare to create an image of the Peloponnesian War between Greece and Sparta that one will not soon forget.

The major issue I had with this book was its structure. From the cover and marketing, you'd expect it to be a pop-history, but the division of the book into topical, instead of chronological, sections makes it a difficult book to read for those unfamiliar with the conflict. As a budding hellenophile myself, I was enthralled by most of the book and knew what Hanson was discussing, but even having read 9 or so books on the Peloponnesian War I found myself getting whiplash from his constant moving from example to example that were often separated by decades.

The thing that really keeps this book afloat, however, is his description of the individual experience. You will never get the visceral feeling of being a trireme rower in quite the same way as Hanson gives you. It is the same for hoplites and raids. Hanson brings a sense of realism to the events that is easy for one to forget otherwise, and that makes this book a worthwhile investment for those who are familiar with the war.

One of the most enjoyable history books I've ever read

It's one thing to read a history book that goes over the narrative of the subject matter, but it's quite another to read a history book that interprets the event in the context of why it happened, and how it has repeated at other times in history. I really enjoyed this book for that reason as it brought to life the motivations and mindset of the various Greek factions of the Peloponnesian war. I felt the author showed a thorough deep understanding of ancient Greece, and also seemed to really understand the main historical sources that informed our current understanding (especially Thucydides). I highly reccomend this book not only to the history buff, but also to anyone who wants to know how war can transform society.

Outstanding overview of exactly what the title says--'how' they fought this titanic struggle. Really should be 4.5 stars, because what could you give Thucydides if you gave this 5? This is a fairly long read for a short book with little if any 'fluff'. Obviously a LOT of Thucydides references and Xenophon for the later portion of the war, but also many excellent books and articles cited among the numerous footnotes. Maps are adequate to good, perhaps not uniformly excellent but an account of this 27-year (or more) could easily get bogged down in detail. He eschews the chronological approach and instead divides the chapters into the 'hows' of the war--on land, sea, sieges, cavalry, even the nature of asymmetric warfare (i.e. terror). There is a lot to digest on nearly every page with many interesting parallels to other conflicts ranging from Philip of Macedon, the American Civil War to the dynamics of of WW1 and WW2. Interesting to learn that there were only two major land battles involving the Greek traditional 'hoplite' formations (Delium and Mantinea) but he provides much detail on these battles and how hoplite battles were actually fought. Yet ironies abound throughout the history of the Peloponnesian War. It was finally decided mainly at sea with too many sea battles to name and with Athenian 'thalasoccracy' being vanquished by the transformation of a traditional land power into a sea power (Sparta and it's many allies along with Persian financing). Not sure what it more amazing, the Athenian ability to recover its fleets and fighting power after numerous disasters (most notably the Sicilian expedition) or the Spartan conversion to a naval power able to confront and eventually prevail over mighty Athens. Although even that victory is left ambiguous as Sparta was ruined in other ways that became evident in the 4th century BC. So perhaps at last I will take out my copy of Thucydides except that it is in a box that I cannot find right now.

Appears Athens similar to America today with its democratic notions, globalization, and its power mongers. Sparta as an oligarchy similar to Russia or China.
I enjoyed how the author explained strategies by everyday persons and local leaders. Human behavior is predictable as it was from 431BC to today 2020.

A little slow to get off the first pages but moves along and gets better the further you delve into the book. I am a neophyte to Greek literature.

Eternal truths

Riveting reading, in at least two ways. VDH is a master storyteller and prosecutor, attorney and judge .. He is raising a story from the mist of history into the light of the new millennium to teach the new world the lessons from the old. He is consciously passing judgement on the failings of the new generation, namely its frivolously careless pursuit of nothing.

Although it was fought 2,500 years ago, the Peloponnesian War continues to serve as a foundational event for Western civilization. The well-documented clash-of-cultures between democratic Athens and oligarchic/monarchic Sparta not only provides one of the first great Western histories (written by the Athenian general Thucydides), the war also provides more than enough cautionary tales to fill the syllabus of any class on strategic thinking, leadership, logistics, military tactics, or political science.

And yet, because it is so ancient, the Peloponnesian War is almost by definition bloodless for the modern student. Victor Davis Hanson has written several books about ancient Greece, and with "A War like No Other," Hanson tries to humanize the war by writing about how the war was actually fought by the actual people. In this book, Hanson avoids providing yet another line-by-line assessment of Pericles' funeral oration or speculation on the shifting loyalties of Alcibiades. Rather, he breathes life into the soldiers and sailors who fought, bled and died in the war and what their experiences were like.

While this is a nice effort and sounds like it could be a rip-r0aring read, Hanson prides himself on being an historian. And like many proud historians, Hanson's writing is quite dry. Think slightly overcooked roast chicken with a side of barely sauteed spinach. It's definitely a nutritious read - Hanson has done his homework - but a reader looking for passages to delight in will find them few and far between.

Hanson is often tagged with a "conservative" label. That really does not shine through here, other than perhaps with his selection of subject matter. This is a pretty straightforward history, and as someone who has enjoyed reading about the ancient Greeks I did enjoy it. But I'm now reading Robert Littel's "The Company" as a follow-up because I needed something with a little more sizzle.

Recommended.

"A War Like No Other" is a meticulously researched and engagingly written historical account of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE). Victor Davis Hanson masterfully explores the complexities of this ancient conflict, shedding light on the military strategies, cultural nuances, and human experiences that defined this pivotal moment in Western history.

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*Historical Context and Significance*
The Peloponnesian War was a devastating conflict between Athens and Sparta, two of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. Hanson skillfully sets the stage for this epic struggle, providing a detailed background on the politics, economies, and societies of the opposing forces.

*Military Strategies and Tactics*
Hanson, a renowned classicist and military historian, delves into the intricacies of ancient warfare, analyzing the tactics and strategies employed by both sides. He explores the innovations and adaptations that characterized this conflict, such as the development of new naval warfare techniques and the use of light infantry.

*Cultural and Social Aspects*
Beyond the battlefield, Hanson examines the cultural and social dimensions of the war. He discusses the impact of the conflict on civilians, the role of women and slaves, and the ways in which the war influenced art, literature, and philosophy.

*Human Experience and Emotional Toll*
Hanson's narrative is not limited to dry historical facts; he also explores the human experience of war, conveying the emotional toll on individuals and communities. Through vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes, he brings the ancient Greeks to life, making their struggles and triumphs relatable and poignant.

*Strengths and Weaknesses*
Strengths:

- Exhaustively researched and meticulously documented
- Engaging and accessible writing style
- Comprehensive coverage of military, cultural, and social aspects
- Thought-provoking analysis of the human experience of war

Weaknesses:

- Some readers may find the level of detail overwhelming
- Hanson's writing style can be dense and academic at times

*Conclusion*
"A War Like No Other" is a masterpiece of historical scholarship and narrative storytelling. Hanson's work is a must-read for anyone interested in ancient history, military strategy, or the human experience of war. While it may present challenges for casual readers, the rewards are well worth the effort.