Review: The Classics: All You Need to Know, from Zeus’s Throne to the Fall of Rome by Caroline Taggart
Reviewed by Meg M.
Having penned a number of books in the I Used to Know That series, Caroline Taggart’s latest book, The Classics: All You Need to Know, from Zeus’s Throne to the Fall of Rome, is destined to be another bestseller. Taggart provides a fantastic combination of an extensive knowledge of Roman and Greek culture with an often irreverent sense of humor.
Taggart aids readers in the understanding of the Greek alphabet, and takes this a step farther by providing a list of Greek and Latin words, many of which have proved foundational for the English language. Arguably the most hilarious chapter within this work is Taggart’s interpretation of Greek and Roman mythology, highlighting the incestual nature of the majority of the deities. Taggart also outlines many years of Greek and Roman history, and philosophies made famous by Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.
This book was a really entertaining read. The chapters can be read through fairly quickly, and would be ideal for travel or a quick lunch break. For those who take history too seriously, this isn’t the read for you. While Taggart is clearly educated, she presents her facts in a tongue-in-cheek manner that anyone with a sense of humor would enjoy!
Meg lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, Ryan. Marketing professional by day, freelance writer by night, Meg writes about life, entertainment and everything in between on her blog, Morning Cup With Meg.
This book was provided free of any obligation by FSB Associates. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.
Category: Gift Ideas, Historical, Non Fiction, Nonfiction
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My husband and I went to Greece and Italy a few years ago. I told him all about Italian Renaissance Art and he told me all about the Greek ruins that we looked at day, after day, after day. So many of the stories and the ruins have faded in my mind into one big homogenous blur. I could use a little background information on what the story is, in a progression of time that one could actually follow. And even if I did not love the book, I am sure my husband would.
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I’ve always loved Greek and Roman art in art history, but the actual “history” part of it was … well … let’s just say I did some serious skimming of those chapters in class, haha. This sounds like it would be a fun book to toss into the mix of a freshman seminar, to give background and etc. in a way that makes it more interesting than a normal text ((can you tell I’m back at work on a college campus??? LOL!))
Rivka, are you thinking about creating more work for the freshmen to suit your own needs? Or did I read you wrong?
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hahaha, No, no, no
I just think, if you were teaching a freshman seminar (the new Big Thing on my campus) focusing on Greek & Roman history, it’d be an interesting text to throw in the mix. They already have to read a lot in those courses, so might as well have a fun one too 
I’m not teaching them, so I won’t have a say in the text ordering, but I can’t help but think in “course creation mode” right now 
I have never read anything by this author before but, by the description of The Classics, I think I would love her! I love history but need a little flare or humor to make it interesting and to make the facts “stick” in my head. I will have to keep a look out for her books and might start with this one. I love Greek and Roman Mythology!