A contemporary historian, the British Justin Marozzi, embarks on an adventurous journey of Herodotus' Histories: from Halicarnassus (Bodrum in Turkey) to Iraq (Mesopotamia), from there to Egypt, and then to Greece.

This is a journey of self-discovery through the places where History was literally written, as without Herodotus and his archetypal recordings, a series of events would not have gained the significance they hold over time.

The author explores historical sites and monuments, reading our modern world in comparison to the Herodotean one. What makes his book exemplary, however, is the way he incorporates the perspective of the ancient historian: the unbridled imagination, the underlying humor, political sensibility, and a tolerant view towards every form of diversity—all fundamental elements of Herodotean writing, notably inspire his text.

This travel history book has no equal. It is not a desk history. It does not address historians. It does not strive to develop a theory. It does not overwhelm the reader with meaningless details. It does not describe boring events. It does not describe anything tedious.

It is a shocking war report from both the known and unknown fields of our History. It is an exhilarating journey into the present of the decaying Western world with the wise Herodotus as a guide. It is an inspired history that teaches without teaching. It is a delightful Herodotean history.