The writings of Herodotus, historian, observer, and delightful storyteller, have long been favorites among teachers and students of the Greek language. The selections in this book were chosen, says the editor, "to carry out in a single volume the author’s own purpose of describing the course of conflict between the East and West, to reveal his deep conviction that sin and presumption are bound to include as many of the incidental stories as possible, since to these, almost more than to the main narrative, Herodotus owes his reputation as an unparalleled reconteur."

This new edition of a Greek work comes in response to the need for it wherever the language is studied It offers still another reliable text in the large program in the Greek and Latin classics being undertaken by the University of Oklahoma Press.

Amy L. Barbour was educated at Smith College and at Yale, where she took her PH. D. At the time of her death in 1950 she was professor of Greek language and literature at Smith.