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Rating: 
Summary: Somwhat Useful But Dull
Review: I bought this book hoping to learn about the history of the Greek colonies in the Mediterranean and Black Sea basins, and it seems that Boardman is the old acknowledged expert. Boardman provides some info on where the colonies where, but beyond that the entire discussion is about (a) from what Greek city the colony was founded, and (b) what kind of coins and pottery were there, (c) where there Phoenicians around. Believe it or not, that's pretty much all there is. He starts out by indicating he will leave out all the politics and military history of the colonies, as they have been covered by Herodotus and others! In other words, let's leave out the interesting part. It's kind of frustrating when the leading expert on a historical topic starts out by indicating he will only talk about coins and pots. The maps are generally good in indicating where all the old Greek colonies were, except for the Black Sea, where the maps are sketchy. For better Black Sea maps and information, see Professor G. Tsetskhadlze, publisher Franz Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart, Germany, or look up The Phanagoria Project on the net, he seems to be the leading expert now, doing excavation there. And he writes in English.
Rating: 
Summary: A great book improved yet again
Review: I have read and owned every edition of "The Greeks Overseas" since the first little Pelican paperback. It is the single, first and last, indispensable book for students of Archaic Greece, whether studying primarily history or archaeology or art. I consider it prerequisite to his other books on Archaic art and on the diffusion of Greek civilization. Professor Boardman has given us more than any other scholar of his generation, all of it of enduring value. The latest edition of the basic "Greek Art" is also worthy of reading by everyone from adolescents to mature scholars. A new edition of a Boardman book is not merely a new cover and an up-dated bibliography (though that, of course, is provided).
Rating:
Summary: Somwhat Useful But Dull
Review: I have read and owned every edition of "The Greeks Overseas" since the first little Pelican paperback. It is the single, first and last, indispensable book for students of Archaic Greece, whether studying primarily history or archaeology or art. I consider it prerequisite to his other books on Archaic art and on the diffusion of Greek civilization. Professor Boardman has given us more than any other scholar of his generation, all of it of enduring value. The latest edition of the basic "Greek Art" is also worthy of reading by everyone from adolescents to mature scholars. A new edition of a Boardman book is not merely a new cover and an up-dated bibliography (though that, of course, is provided).
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