Book Review: Travels with Herodotus by Ryszard Kapuściński - Page 2

There are few comparable guides to this essential ancient writer and certainly none so beguiling. I once tried introducing my son to these vital chapters in ancient history through John White’s (hundred year old) The Boys' and Girls' Herodotus, but I gave up in despair at the user-unfriendly prose. Kapuściński’s book, in contrast, is artfully written, well paced, and full of insights. Although not explicitly written for teenagers, Kapuściński’s book comes across as an old sage’s advice to the young (or young at heart).

Since Kapuściński’s death, his reputation has been tarnished by allegations that he was a spy for the Polish secret police during the late 1960s and early 1970s. At one point in his book, he explores the possibility that Herodotus was a spy and used his travels to gather intelligence. But of his own involvement in espionage, Kapuściński remains silent. It is a shame that the he did not use the occasion of this autobiographical work to set the record straight. The frank, confessional tone of the book would have made it an ideal setting to broach such topics.

In truth, it is hard to reconcile the image of Kapuściński the spy with the open, warm-hearted narrator depicted in these pages. As Kapuściński points out, Herodotus succeeded in his inquiries because he inspired the trust and confidence of those around him. The same can be said of the author of Travels with Herodotus, who imparts a human dimension to every scene. Readers certainly have many other options if they are seeking history lessons or guides to current events, but few with the magic and intimacy of this rich work.

Article Author: Ted Gioia

Ted Gioia is a writer and musician. He is the author of Delta Blues, The History of Jazz and, most recently, The Birth (and Death) of the Cool.

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