'Sparta and the Commemoration of War' and 'The Killing Ground' Review

A lot of “academic” ebooks are expensive. I’ve discovered though, that if I put them in a list and monitor it, sometimes they will suddenly drop in price. Sometimes permanently, sometimes they just go on sale. I’ve gotten books that were $30 for $2. Call me cheap, but I hate to buy a $30 unless I know I’m going to love it

Which cites as one of its sources “Sparta and Lakonia” by Paul Cartledge, author of the review. Cartledge also wrote a book on Sparta and one just about the Battle of Thermopylae. Strangely, History Today only mentions his book on Thebes. I can recommend both his Sparta book and his Thebes book. I also enjoyed “The Bronze Lie” by Myke Cole, one of the authors reviewed. The style of these books are very different, so I can guess what Cartledge means about the two he reviews here. Cole’s other book is engaging and thought provoking but maybe not “serious” history. But I read a lot of serious history and still liked it.