Paul Cartledge poll

[Jona Lendering]

Over here, you can read Paul Cartledge's review of Tom Holland's Persian Fire. Cartledge is mentioned in this book as one of Holland's advisers. What's your opinion?

[TraderTrey9785]

There is a thin, if not invisible line, to walk on when writing a review of a book in which you have contributed. I've read some of Paul Cartledge's work, and his scholarship is amazing. I don't think it is wrong of him to write a review of a book to which he might have contributed, but I think the reader needs to be aware of a bias that might be present in anything he says. After reading his review, I think he should have made clear of his relationship to the author, and clarify how much he contributed to the work. I'm sure that someone of his stature is able to leave out personal opinions and judge the book on content, and do so fairly, but nonetheless, it is a very bold move with risk included.

I'm sure that anyone who knows Cartledge will flock to the book if he praises it so highly. Probably more of an endorsement than a review, but if readers like Cartledge, and he contributed to this book, they'll probably love it as well.

[Robert Vermaat]

I'd like another option: yes, as long as there are part to which the reviewer has not contributed.

By that I mean that books can contain many articles - should I have assisted one author with his article, I feel myself free to review the whole book.

[M.H. White]

Was this not a work of fiction? And is Paul Carteledge not a scholar?

In my opinion, if its a work of fiction, it doesn't matter so much. The intelligent reader knows that someone being a good scholar doesn't neccessarily make him a good judge of literature. So, if he can sell it all he wants, and to my mind, at least, that doesn't mean much, if I want a book review for a work of fiction, I'll go to someone who deals with that sort of thing professionally.

[Viventius]

I review books a fair amount, and do not review ones with which I have some connection. For example, a member of Comitatus has written a book and though I asked him if the book could be reviewed by the Historical Novel Society (the book is non-fiction, btw), I have arranged for it to be sent to another reviewer. I don't want to be accused of being biased.

All too often in the literary world, books are reviewed by people's friends, or people who are with the same literary agency. Some authors even ask for a specific reviewer, as they know that reviewer will give them a good review (in the Historical Novel Society, the Reviews Editors do not comply with those requests). It all just undermines the authority of the review when I find out that the book author and the reviewer have too close a connection. That said, I am not particularly influenced by the review, only using it to glean some idea of the contents of the book if I can't go and browse it myself :lol:

[Narukami]

The Reviewer should indicate any relationship they have with the author or the work being reviewed (former student, friend, lover, whatever...)

This applies to all work -- fiction, nonfiction, film, art, games, etc. etc. etc.

Once that fact is established then the reader may judge for themselves the validity of the review.


Narukami

[sulla felix]

Was this not a work of fiction? And is Paul Carteledge not a scholar?

Tom Holland's Persian Fire is not a work of fiction, although Jona might disagree with me there :lol:

Paul Cartledge is a scholar of some note, although again Jona may not share this view :lol:

I would thoroughly recommend anybody with an interest in the ancient world read Persian Fire, even taking on board Jona's crticisms it is the only synthesis on this fascinating empire (in English) for the last 30 years or so.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

After reading of this chaps obsession with some mythical elements of Greek history in another post, I wonder how good a review he will give?
I personally have never come across him before. But I am not a student, just an amature!

[sulla felix]

I personally have never come across him before. But I am not a student, just an amature!

Paul Cartledge, Tom Holland or Jona?

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

:oops: Paul Cartlidge!!!!! :roll: Dohhhhhh! :lol:

[sulla felix]

Ahh - last I looked he was a professor at Cambridge University, with a particular specialisation in the Spartans. But hey, I am just an Amatuer too so would not trust that hock:

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Well, you should read the greek thread to hear about his views on Spartans........ apparently we were all homosexual peadophiles! :evil:

[sulla felix]

Hmm..this does not really seem to be the case in the three books that I have read by him. Must check out these threads.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

What are his titles? I will look him up too! :roll:
If I had 2 quid for every book I bought, I could afford some real cool gear!!

[sulla felix]

Paul Cartledge is Professor of Greek History, but has broad interdisciplinary interests within the whole field of ancient world studies, having started his career with a doctoral thesis in (Spartan) archaeology at Oxford (1975, supervisor Professor Sir John Boardman). He is the author, co-author, editor or co-editor of 20 or so books of varying weights and sizes, with a concentration on the history and reception of ancient Sparta, and a concern to reach out to wider publics than just fellow-professionals. Forthcoming in September 2006 is Thermopylae. the Battle that Changed the World , addressed to the same sort of general readership as his Alexander the Great. The Hunt for a New Past (revised edn 2005). For students of classics, history and related disciplines he has written The Greeks. A Portrait of Self and Others (2nd edn, 2002) and The Greeks. Crucible of Civilization (2001), and edited and largely written The Cambridge Illustrated History of Ancient Greece (revised pb edn 2002). He is co-editor of two monograph series, 'Key Themes in Ancient History' (for C.U.P., with Cambridge colleague, Peter Garnsey), and 'Classical Inter/Faces' (for Overlook-Duckworth, with Susanna Morton Braund, originally of Cambridge, now Stanford). He is an honorary citizen of Sparta and holds the Gold Cross of the Order of Honour awarded by the President of the Hellenic Republic. He is a Syndic (trustee) of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge University, and an active member of the pressure group The British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles.

A search on Amazon will also do the trick http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h ... 14&Go.y=12 not wishing to insult your intelligence :lol: