Addressing issues of ethics and leadership in a way few books on Thucydides have done, The Ambition to Rule will be of interest to political scientists, classicists, and historians.'From the Introduction: 'The Problem of Thucydides and the Problem of Alcibiades. Throughout, he takes the position that apparent contradictions in Thucydides' narrative are deliberate, that the History taken as whole reveal its author's underlying unity of purpose. Forde engages in some of the broader reflections he believes Thucydides intended to inspire in his readers, on such issues as the relation of human nature to politics and the grounding and status of the city. He shows that Alcibiades is the most ambiguous political figure in the History in terms or ordinary politics and morality, and that Thucydides' presentation of him is inextricably linked with many of the political themes fundamental to the work. Steven Forde argue that Alcibiades deserves more attention than he has usually received as a focal point in Thucydides' thinking and writing. It seeks to illuminate the ancient historian's position on such timeless political issues as the roots of imperialism, the nature and varieties of political ambition, and the effects of such ambition on political society. Published more than 25 years ago, this edition is now long out of print and hard to find.From the dust jacket: 'This book is a fresh examination of Thucydides' treatment of Alcibiades on his History of the Peloponnesian War, Alcibiades' significance in the History,and his relation to Thucydides' political themes. Presentation late to Donald Kagan laid in, signed by Linda Wentworth. Scarce.A solid and attractive scarce book. Presentation later to Donald Kagan laid in, signed by Linda Wentworth. Ithaca and London : Cornell University Press, 1989. THE AMBITION TO RULE: ALCIBIADES AND THE POLITICS OF IMPERIALISM IN THUCYDIDES.

The Ambition to Rule by Steven Forde