Synopses & Reviews
When the Roman historian Tacitus wrote the Germania, a none-too-flattering little book about the ancient Germans, he could not have foreseen that centuries later the Nazis would extol it as "a bible" and vow to resurrect Germany on its grounds. But the Germania inspired--and polarized--readers long before the rise of the Third Reich. In this elegant and captivating history, Christopher B. Krebs, a professor of classics at Harvard University, traces the wide-ranging influence of the Germania, revealing how an ancient text rose to take its place among the most dangerous books in the world.
"Fascinating. . . . [Krebs] has a light touch and a dry sense of humor."--New York Times
"Clever, learned. . . . [Krebs] synthesizes a great deal of classical scholarship and intellectual history into a concise, accessible story."--Slate
"It is an extraordinary tale, and Mr. Krebs . . . tells it with great verve and charm."--Wall Street Journal
"A dramatic detective story."--London Review of Books
Review
"Fascinating. . . . [Krebs] has a light touch and a dry sense of humor." New York Times
Review
"Clever, learned. . . . [Krebs] synthesizes a great deal of classical scholarship and intellectual history into a concise, accessible story." Slate
Review
"It is an extraordinary tale, and Mr. Krebs . . . tells it with great verve and charm." Wall Street Journal
Review
"A dramatic detective story." London Review of Books
Synopsis
When the Roman historian Tacitus wrote the , a none-too-flattering little book about the ancient Germans, he could not have foreseen that centuries later the Nazis would extol it as "a bible" and vow to resurrect Germany on its grounds. But the inspired--and polarized--readers long before the rise of the Third Reich. In this elegant and captivating history, Christopher B. Krebs, a professor of classics at Harvard University, traces the wide-ranging influence of the , revealing how an ancient text rose to take its place among the most dangerous books in the world.
Synopsis
"A model of popular intellectual history. . . . In every way, is a most brilliant achievement."--
About the Author
Christopher B. Krebs is a classics professor at Harvard University whose academic publications include extensive work on the ancient historians and a recent contribution to The Cambridge Companion to Tacitus. He lives in Somerville, Massachusetts.