The book is for the specialist on ancient history rather than a popular text. It was a disappointing read from that standpoint. (please list this review by Jack Sullivan) Read more

KING OF THE WORLD: The Life of Cyrus the Great | Matt Walters, Oxford University Press (2022), 272p. In the pantheon of history's titans, Cyrus the Great, the architect of the Achaemenid Empire, stands as a colossus. In his latest scholarly endeavor, Waters scaled this historical Everest. He offers us a meticulously researched and compelling narrative of this ancient world-shaker. With a detective's scrupulous eye and a raconteur's flair, Waters navigates us through the labyrinthine alleys of Cyrus' life. He guides us from his precocious beginnings to his conquests that rewrote the 5th-century geopolitical chessboard. Waters' biography is more than just a chronological trot through bygone annals. No, it is a vivid tapestry, rich with the hues of the political, social, and cultural milieu that molded Cyrus and his empire. Waters has the rare gift of a historian who can breathe life into the dust of ancient times. He provides a panoramic view of an age where power, intrigue, and ambition were the currencies of the realm. It is no secret that this enigmatic emperor, Cyrus, was not a warlord. His vision extended beyond the battlefield; he developed statecraft. Among his many achievements are the Persian Pony Express and advanced irrigation systems. Even though he was no Solon in legislative innovation, his religious tolerance, even acknowledged in the Talmud, gave him a sense of the complex interweavings of human culture and belief. With elegance and clarity, Waters' authoritative voice navigates this historical odyssey. This means that casual enthusiasts and academics can read the book. While judicious use of primary sources gives the narrative authenticity, Cyrus's meticulous adherence to fact and source material sometimes reduces Cyrus' vibrancy. It must be conceded, however, that meticulous adherence to facts and source material sometimes diminishes Cyrus' vibrancy. In conclusion, Waters' biography of Cyrus the Great emerges not merely as a chronicle of a historical figure. Instead, it is a portal to a majestic and formidable world. It beckons the reader to explore ancient history and contemplate the enduring legacy of a ruler whose shadow stretches for millennia. This time is valuable and essential for those hungry for historical grandeur and scholarly rigor. QUOTES * "Cyrus the Great was a man of immense ambition, driven by a desire to conquer and rule the known world." (p. 11) * "He was a master strategist, able to inspire loyalty and obedience from his followers, and strike fear into the hearts of his enemies." (p. 27) * "Cyrus's empire was built on military might, diplomatic skill, and a deep respect for the diversity of cultures and religions that existed within its borders." (p. 53) * "He was a king who ruled with wisdom and justice, earning the admiration and devotion of his subjects." (p. 81) * "Cyrus's legacy would endure long after his death, shaping the course of history for centuries to come." (p. 125) * "He was a man ahead of his time, a leader who recognized the value of tolerance, cooperation, and mutual respect among nations." (p. 159) * "Cyrus's story serves as a timeless reminder of the power of vision, determination, and compassion in leadership." (p. 223) * "His name became synonymous with greatness, a symbol of hope and aspiration for generations to come." (p. 247) * "Cyrus the Great's life and reign continue to fascinate and inspire us today, a testament to his enduring legacy." (p. 272) Read more

This is a wonderful, concise book from the OUP USA (Oxford University Press) written by Matt Waters, a professor at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. He is one of a very few preeminent expert historians of Ancient Persia, a polyglot with command of several of the 'dead' languages that were written in Cuneiform script, including Akkadian, Elamite and Old Persian, as well as Latin and Attic Greek. Despite Professor Waters awesome level of scholastic knowledge he has created a very concise and accessible biography that is a genuine pleasure to read. At only around 260 pages (185 pages plus appendices, index, notes and bibliography) it still seems to achieve a comprehensive examination of the life and reign of Cyrus, even attempting to rediscover his personality, from his reaction to certain events. all anchored within a very well explained description of the society and times to give a frame of reference to better contextualize the every revealed event of his time and place. Professor Waters' 260 page volume cannot be expected to offer a similar wealth of detail to that created by Reza Zarghamee in his 784 page epic Discovering Cyrus, But for the general reader, wanting entertainment as much as information, Waters has perfectly hit the sweet spot between reliable, well sourced history and the page turning pleasure of a well articulated story. Waters book is also only about 40% of the cost of Zarghamee's, and it's available as a 7 hrs 12 minutes long audiobook narrated by Michael Page (my favourite narrator to not have a British accent). Zarghamee's work isn't available as an audiobook and I'd be surprised if it ever was. It would need to be at least 35 hours long with over 15 hours devoted to appendices, endnotes, etc. Read more