Abras

Hello everyone. I just registered here today, but have been lurking for at least a year (and reading and getting excited about Roman history for at least five times as long). My first question is not really about me. It's about beginners, people who have never picked up a history book, let alone a Roman one, since high school. You see, I recently became a little enamored with Philip Matyszak's The Classical Compendium -- a great read for everyone, but especially for beginners. And that, combined with its small stature, made it perfect for this blog I'm planning. (Toby's Bookshelf, it'll be called, and it promises to get people into reading more by highlighting short books, plays, poems, graphic novels... you know, anything that can be read in a sitting or two). And I figured a big part of this blog would be the "Read More" sections, at the bottom of every review. But, one book in and I'm already having some trouble! Matys' other books are always a joy to read, and some are in a similar vein -- but then, I don't want the list to be bogged down too much by one author. Then I was thinking, maybe Edith Hamilton. I've always enjoyed her "Greek-" and "Roman Way" books, but then she might be a little dusty for some. Then there are the picture books, of course -- those oversized monstrosities that reduce Roman history to an obligatory diagram of a villa. But, as you can tell, I have never found too much to like in those. So any responses with suggestions for other books -- either about the Ancient World, or really any other period in history -- which compliment or supplement this book, would be greatly appreciated. Gratias tibi ago, Abras