Trojan War Discovering a Detailed

Trojan War

Discovering a detailed account of the "extraordinary endurance and variety of Troy stories" is a wonderful and enlightening experience. The only way a reader can enjoy such an experience is by reading Diane P. Thompson's 'The Trojan War.' (1) Perusing Thompson's book can lead to a more detailed understanding of exactly what constitutes a 'Trojan story' while at the same time enhances the reader's understanding of the particular reasons why these stories have been so durable. These stories have been told for thousands of years, and convey such understandable messages that they have touched many a reader's hearts throughout the centuries since the time they were first told.

Thompson does an excellent job of researching the data necessary to write such a book, which is evidenced by the detailed accounts of Homer's Odyssey and Illiad. Her book describes both of these manuscripts in a very concise, but descriptive manner, breaking down each work by book and giving a complete chronological synopsis. She further displays her immense knowledge of the happenings of the historical aspects of the era she is pontificating on by writing chapters on each of the 'Ages' of the timeframe. Examples of these Ages are the Bronze Age, the Dark Age and the Heroic Age. She develops a full-blown report on what took place in the respective ages and tied them together to form a cohesive argument concerning how and why the respective Ages are important to the Troy Stories. She also provides insight as to the variety of Troy stories that were developed in each age, and further in the book she continued that developing process, not concluding until she reaches the 21st century.

Exceptionally well written was her chapter describing the use of Troy stories during the 1980's, and how women during that decade used the stories to re-establish themselves as dominant players in modern society. Thompson highlights different books and writings from the 1980's that were heavily influenced by Troy stories and, in turn, heavily influenced modern society in return. Especially un-forgetful was her comparison of the Firebrand and the Gate to Women's Country. Both of these stories were written in the 1980's and drew heavily from the time of Troy. The Firebrand concerned the fall of Troy, but from Cassandra's perspective. Cassandra is taught by her aunt (a Queen) that the reason men were taking over as the rulers of earth was due primarily to women abdicating their power to men. Cassandra's aunt said, "The world is changing, I tell you - but it is the fault of the women who did not keep their men in place." (1-193) the second story is a much more modern story set in a "post-nuclear- holocaust world" and is a rather discouraging tale of men 'servitors' playing the role of servant to the remaining women and children left in the world. There are still some men left that are warriors, but the real 'manly' characters are the ones who 'serve' the ladies. The children borne to these woman are raised as peace-loving individuals, while the woman try desperately to breed violence out of their men-children.

The strength of this book is the exquisite detail to be found concerning the fall of Troy and the stories that still abound today about that fall. Thompson has done a terrific job of research and it shows.

The book is not a difficult read, but there are difficult parts contained therein. It is a well-written book, however, that most people interested in Troy, Sparta, Achilles or any of the colorful characters and events from that time would find invigorating and appealing.