The Norton Book of Classical Literature

The Bernard Knox Norton Book of Classical Literature, Reviewed by Kenneth Ellman, Box 18, Newton, New Jersey 07860. October 21, 2013. Email: ke@kennethellman.com I was hesitant to review this book since I assumed there must already be a very many such reviews. But in discussions with acquaintances I found that this Knox book is not as widely known and used as it should be. I purchased this book many years ago and my only regret is I have not read it more often. It should be for you a small one volume permanent collection and keepsake of your inheritance from peoples and civilizations not often read today, that being the human community of Ancient Greece and Rome. Perhaps this will encourage you to obtain and study the entire writings of those that appeal to you such as Plato Complete Works by Cooper from Hackett which of course includes the timeless and invaluable Socratic Dialogues in full. How sad it is that the portrayal and learning many people have of Ancient civilization comes not from what those people have directly left us, but from movies, television and nonsense which show little of the intellectual struggle and human celebration and creations of those times. How easy it is to forget who we are and what we come from. This Knox Book is only an introduction and of course does not capture for you the large writings of those people who were very much like us. But if you have not studied ancient writings it will open a world of human life you may not have known existed. It is an introduction which hopefully will compel you to reach out and take the vast inheritance left by those authors, who thousands of years ago, like us today, ask questions, seek answers and put some of themselves to letters in an effort to reflect their minds and senses. The Knox Book is 860 pages and touches more than 60 different authors from those days. Bernard Knox was born November of 1914 in England and died as an American at the age of 95, in July of 2010 in Maryland. He was amongst many other things, the founding Director of the Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies. Professor Knox brought the combination of academic excellence and a lifetime of immersion in our world that included Combat Service in World War Two and a Silver Star amongst many other awards and experiences. He was a man who knew what we came from and what we had created. Prof. Knox clearly stated the consequences of rejection of the ancient accomplishments as he is reportedly quoted by the Washington Post in 1992 : ““There is a sort of general feeling among radicals that the whole of the Western tradition — and the Greeks are the heart of that tradition — is something that has to be repudiated,” “I feel appalled. God knows what the world would be like if we were all brought up on the stuff they’d like us to read. “ So this book edited by Bernard Knox is his selection from the translations of such persons as:Homer, Herodotus, Aeschylus, Thucydides, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Plato, Lucretius, Virgil, Livy, Ovid, Tacitus, Marcus Aurelius, and on and on and on. The authors are just men, like you and me. Some you will choose to remember and thank, others may not impress and you may discard. I normally do not like anthologies. I prefer to just possess the full and complete text of the author. Who doubts though that you must start somewhere and wonderful anthologies such as this Knox, can launch you on your excursion into your past. You would be very foolish not to expose yourself and your children to as much of the thoughts and ideas of such men as selected here. Kenneth Ellman, Box 18, Newton, New Jersey 07860. Email:ke@kennethellman.com

Provides excerpts from a very broad array of classical literature, along with introductory notes. Just enough to whet your appetite for more.

The delivery was great. The blouse is the correct price and feels wonderful. The book is going to be fun to read. The only problem with the order and the only reason I gave a four (4) for overall rating was because there was a tick in the bottom of the box when I removed the two articles that came in the box. I view ticks as a health hazard and I feel Amazon should look into this problem.

Odd editorial lapses like the assertion in the intro. that St. Augustine was *born* in Hippo (the intro. to the selection from the Confessions gets that right) suggest that more could be done to make the volume impeccable. I wanted to compare this with W. H, Auden's venerable Viking Portable Greek Reader, whose intro. he reliably wrote and proofread (it's a classic in its own right, with a wonderful typology of heroes that may or may not have anything to do with the Greeks). Some have faulted Knox and Norton for trying to include Roman material here, but it's a good idea and the inclusions, in good translations, are interesting and valuable. Plato and philosophy get somewhat short shrift, but Auden included the whole Timaeus, not my favorite decision, in the Viking. I'm thinking of it for a course, but it's also a nice book to have around and read at as the spirit moves.

I'm a retired teacher who, over the years, taught writing and literature from grades 9 through 12 in high school and to undergraduate students in college. While I've read my share of classical literature, I have never taken a course that dealt exclusively with this material, so now I've decided to teach myself that course I didn't have. I may use other materials as well, but I can count on Norton to provide authoritative versions of the texts, to be comprehensive in its coverage, and to supply accurate supplementary information. I was fortunate to get a used copy from seller Giorgio Medranda in very good condition at a very reasonable price.

Good anthology, but for college work I would prefer more complete works rather than excerpts. This comment applies especially to the plays, where snippets of the Orestiad, for instance, just do not give the students the whole picture. In that case, even one full play, with excerpts from the others, would be a superior view.

The selections and the introductory commentaries are very good. The general introduction has many insights into the writers in the collection. This collection presents a sampling of classical writers andd as such allows one to read some of the classics without the need purchase an entire book by one writer. One can then determine which writers to read moreextensively.

I am happy with my purchase. The look and feel of it are very pleasing. The information in it is related to a time long gone, yet it seems so accessible to a modern audience.

Several newer editions out, this First Edition is a marvelous taste of numerous literary scholars of days of old.Within - a tasty tease, introducing names with the writing and styles of most all the important works of literature. Their place in time and history understood. Clarification for understanding how translating original languages can change or affect the original works sheds new light. Bernard Knox is a true master at bringing forth the intended translation, as close to verbatim as possible. My particular interest in this collection of great writings has been the opportunity to learn of writers I'd not previously sought to know. Knox encourages perspective to read them all, regardless of writing styles. I now have a much better understanding of each writer and how to interpret the intended ideas being expressed. A highly recommended read at your leisure, this travel back across history and time is an invaluable reference text in itself. To be savored, not consumed.