Paul Rahe successfully evokes the expeditionary war against Syracuse, while uncovering the Spartan grand strategy that led to Athenian failures.
Edward N. Luttwak, Author of TheGrand Strategy of the Roman EmpireandTheGrand Strategy of the Byzantine Empire
In his latest installment of Spartan history, Paul Rahe demonstrates how adroit Spartan grand strategy brought about the Athenian catastrophe on Sicily. Rahe combines mastery of classical sources, secondary work in a multiplicity of languages, wide reading in modern strategic doctrines, and a rare combination of scholarly acumen and common sense, to offer another masterful volume in one of the great projects of modern classical scholarship.
Victor Davis Hanson, Author ofA War Like No Other
Paul Rahe has written a superb account of Spartas attempt to prevent Athens from conquering Syracuse in 415-413.Drawing skillfully from Thucydides brilliant campaign narrative, Rahe has lucidly and cogently described what he has dubbed Spartas Proxy War. Once again, he expertly presents this campaign from the point of view of the Spartans. It is a great achievement, and a welcome one.
Robert B. Strassler, Editor of the Landmark Series of Ancient Historians
The fifth installment in Paul Rahes erudite study of classical Lacedaemon recounts how Sparta used proxy war and her enemys own hubris to inflict a mortal injury on mighty Athens. Long acclaimed for their prowess in battle, Rahe shows that the Spartans were also cunning strategists and problem-solvers fit to rank with historys finest. An indispensable addition to the school of statesmanship with applications for the present day.
A. Wess Mitchell, formerAssistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, andauthor of The Grand Strategy of the Habsburg Empire
Paul Rahe offers a compelling account of Spartas strategy to frustrate Athenss conquest of Sicily during the Peloponnesian War. The annihilation of the Athenian invading forces, Rahe shows, turned on Spartas leadership and support for its proxies. This examination of a past proxy war resonates with our own troubled times, as todays great powers struggle for international mastery while avoiding direct clashes of arms.
John Maurer,Alfred Thayer Mahan Distinguished Professor of Sea Power and Grand Strategy, US Naval War College
The winners are said to writehistory. Yet the Sicilian Expedition is typically described from the defeated Athenians viewpoint. Paul Rahe portrays its disastrous war of choice as a massively successful Spartan proxy war, when Spartas small investment in Sicilian proxies yielded a huge payoff against its primary adversary, Athens. The lesson: sustaining someone elses fight has a much higher potential return on investment than joining the fight directly. Bad news for Putin.
S.C.M.Paine,William S Sims University Professor of History and Grand Strategy, US Naval War College
Is there more to be learned and are therenew lessons to be drawn from Spartas war against Athens nearly 2,500 years ago? Yes, and theyare set forth with crisp clarity and insparkling prose by Paul Rahe in Spartas Sicilian Proxy War, his latest analysis of classical Spartas successful grand strategy against Athens. His analysis has much to teach both classics specialists and newcomers to the field about ancient Greeceand our world today.
Michael Barone, author of Shaping Our Nation
Paul Rahe has outdone himself again. A learned study of Spartas proxy war against Athens in Sicilyreplete with historical analysis and wise observations on grand strategy. It should be on the bookshelves of every strategist and statesman.
Jakub Grygiel, Professor of Politics, The Catholic University of America, and former Senior Advisor in the Office of Policy Planning at the U.S. Department of State
