The Histories: A Norton Critical Edition (Norton Critical Editions)

This is NOT a review either of Herodotus (whose work, of course, I could not possibly presume to "review"); or of the translation, which I cannot review because I do not know Greek; or of the additional critical materials in this Blanco and Tolberts edition, which I have not read yet, but expect will be good. This is a review of the physical paperback itself, which is a disappointment, though not terrible.I already have the paperback Blanco and Tolberts Norton Critical Edition of Thucydides, which I bought in 2004. It is a nice, solid book on good quality paper, and easy on the eyes to read. The new Blanco and Tolberts Herodotus is on cheaper, thinner paper. To give you an idea about the paper: the 2004 Thucydides is about 550 pp. and 1 1/8" thick, while the new Herodotus is about 650 pp. and 13/16" thick. The heights and widths of the two books are identical. The font appears to be nominally the same in both, but the 2004 Thucydides is easier to read, perhaps because of the thickness and color of the paper. Perhaps I should have expected this. When I ordered the book, I was very surprised at the low price; I expected something on the order of forty or fifty dollars. Now I know how they did it.What to do? I guess I will keep it anyway. This is a new edition, containing the complete text, which the old Blanco and Tolberts Herodotus did not. Also, I liked the selection of critical essays in the Thucydides, so I am expecting that I will like the ones in this edition, too. There IS NO older version of this that could be bought used in a physically better edition. So I will keep it. But be aware that the physical book that you will be buying will be reflective of its relatively low cost. I suppose that if you look at it from the positive side, it is a great value.BTW, I notice that the Thucydides is now being offered at about the same price as the Herodotus, so I would assume that if you order that now, you will get more or less the same thing, physically speaking.

Includes many sections that were left out in the first edition which includes the building of the pyramids and much more

For all those who have been waiting for an edition of Herodotus that is both readable and evinces a true understanding of the context in which it was written, Professor Blanco’s translation fills a tremendous need. The supplemental materials help the reader to situate Herodotus as a writer and thinker very much of his time, and illuminate the profound influence he had on subsequent generations. This is most definitely the edition to use in any college course, whether introductory or advanced.

I am still reading the book, but if you like history or are buying for someone who does, it is well worth it.