A provocative contribution to the current debate on museums; this collection of essays contains contributions from France; Britain; Australia; the USA and Canada.
#4019450 in eBooks 2003-09-02 2003-09-02File Name: B000P2XH58
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Strong Opinions; and a Fine OverviewBy Doug - Haydn FanProfessor MacDowell here gives a play by play breakdown of the works of Aristophanes. Included are short summaries; or surmises on the missing plays when there is some evidence - extracts; period refernces; etc. Professor MaDowell writes clearly and his thoughts are easy to follow - something I cannot say for a majority of his tribe. He can also be quite blunt about views not in accord with his own conclusions! A great deal of his attention focuses on Aristophanes efforts to sell his ideas - with special emphasis on the political - to the Athenian audience through his plays; a valid and persuasive starting point for examination of the works as well as one which gives a strong immediacy to the discussion. The reader receives a steady stream of up-to-date information as to the how and the where and the why for each plays production. MacDowells approach does not categorically eschew topicality; he makes an apt and enlightening analogy between the younger Aristophanes plays and the films of Hitchcock and the differing roles of producer and artist. Overall this book represents much diligent and careful thought: MacDowell is as well versed as anyone in the literature and it shows. While I differ on several points; his overall conception shows much distinction. The Chapters vary in quality; but all are thoroughly discussed and several; such as the essays on the Akharnians and Wasps; are very fine indeed. A thought-provoking book; not only a good overview of the works for someone who wishes to further and more closely examine this most perplexing of comic masters; but also an excellent addition to a classical library of critical works.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Easy to ReadBy DukeIf you are interested in Aristophanes--this book is great! It is very accessible and easy to follow. However; the book doesnt have the actual texts of Aristophanes work; so you need to either be familiar with his work or get the actual texts of his work elsewhere. Still; I would recommend anyone interested in Aristophanes and philosophy in general should read this book--it is very helpful for understanding the relationship between Aristophanes and his works with Socrates and the people of Athens in general.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Patrick N. DuahGud book