The Trojan War

A New History

By: Barry Strauss

Narrated by: Jonathan Yen

The Trojan War is the most famous conflict in history, the subject of Homer's Iliad, one of the cornerstones of Western literature. Although many listeners know that this literary masterwork is based on actual events, there is disagreement about how much of Homer's tale is true. Drawing on recent archaeological research, historian and classicist Barry Strauss explains what really happened in Troy more than 3,000 years ago.

For many years it was thought that Troy was an insignificant place that never had a chance against the Greek warriors who laid siege and overwhelmed the city. In the old view, the conflict was decided by duels between champions on the plain of Troy. Today we know that Troy was indeed a large and prosperous city, just as Homer said. The Trojans themselves were not Greeks but vassals of the powerful Hittite Empire to the east in modern-day Turkey, and they probably spoke a Hittite-related language called Luwian.

The Trojan War was most likely the culmination of a long feud over power, wealth, and honor in western Turkey and the offshore islands. The war itself was mainly a low-intensity conflict, a series of raids on neighboring towns and lands.

©2006 Barry S. Strauss (P)2018 Tantor

Probably as good as it gets with limited evidence

The book relied heavily on Homer and it did its best to add evidence to Homer’s story but like Spartacus’s revolt, a lot is still unknown. The author did an admirable job but it was not his best work due to the subject.

History and literary writing come together

Barry Strauss brings together his historiography and literary talents to provide an engaging and illuminating commentary on The Trojan War based on The Iliad, The Odyssey, The Aeneid, The Epic Greek Cycle, ancient historical texts, and archeology. For the general reader and the student who wants clarification and a better appreciation of the War, I can’t recommend this book high enough. Additionally, Johnathan Yen’s narration is clear and his voice is well modulated to this book, especially as a dramatist when reading portions of the classic texts.

Well done.

Tells the story in a concise way. Well told and nicely illustrated with researched examples and archeological evidence

Some aspects work, some don’t, but overall I enjoyed a lot!

I really enjoyed the various bits about ancient tactics and warfare, as well as the ways that Trojan gods might match up to Greek ones. I didn’t really like the ways it tried to ‘make real’ the battle though, sometimes using really weird and stretched logic to justify itself. Still, a pretty fascinating read, especially in the earlier sections. Narrator Yen does a good job. [AUDIBLE]

色んなリアルな作戦や古いバトル情報面白かった、けど時々理論が変だった

Facts,some story. Don’t listen until you are about 12 years old

There’s a lot of facts. It has a good story though there are a lot of facts. The story starts on what it says is chapter four. And from there goes between facts, story, and more facts. In all it was good I’d say if you like facts it is really good if you want story not exactly this book.

Good summary of a great myth and its realities.

Good narrator. I'm a real history need and the Trojan War and the surrounding Bronze Age collapse are one of my favorite periods to read about.

Listen to alongside Stephen Fry’s “Troy”

I have no idea why but I’ve listened to this book five times. Enough said.

cool book

interesting way to tell a historical story and still get as close to fact as we can

not quite my cup of tea

boring. but, full of information. narration was great, a little too much archilogical info for me

Great Account of the Legendary Story

This book gave a fresh take on the classic story and was easy to understand!