I was speaking to a 21-year-old man who has a flaming interested in history, specifically military history. He has not read ancient literature, and since the normal recommendation is to read philosophy and poetry, I thought to frame a recommended reading list for him that fit his focus, certain that the ancients would agree. The list is chronological, with the below authors literally building on one another.
-1. Herodotus, Histories [Inquiries]: a lively narrative with untrustworthy numbers but setting a reasonably accurate picture of geopolitics circa 500-470 B.C.
-2. Thucydides, The Pelloponesian [Red-face-island] War: possibly the best military history written by a combatant
-3. Xenophon, The Anabasis [Journey-down-to-the-sea]: The Lawrence of Arabia of his time finishes Thucydides history and then recounts, firsthand, the adventure of 10,000 mercenaries fighting their way free from the heart of a massive empire.
-4. Polybius [Many-books]: This Greek writer under Roman sponsorship attempted a history of the military conflicts in the wake of Alexander’s death and before the rise of Rome to rule the Middle Sea. The number of profiles of military leaders, from regimental to army commanders, is staggering.
Bob's link from below:
Taboo You: Deluxe Man Cave Edition
A classic but not a Classic with excellent insights on separatism and secession. Lessons for the waning Western Nation State.
youtube.com/watch?v=It58NNdiLK0
PDF:
tinyurl.com/ybcn2fln