Zena Publications

Peter Marshall set off with his companion in a small sailing boat to voyage around the Aegean - Poseidon's Realm - in order to explore the evolution, nature and legacy of Greek civilization and to test his hunch that it cannot be fully understood except from the point of view of the sea. He travelled for six sailing seasons and for over five thousand miles, making forays inland and branching out into the Ionian and Black Seas, surviving near shipwreck and sinking. Marshall returned with this original, critical and lyrical account of his experiences as well as his view of the achievements of the ancient Greeks. The work is therefore a unique mixture of sea narrative, travel and history. Not only an exciting sea adventure and personal quest, Poseidon's Realm brilliantly illuminates the culture and the people who helped form the sea bed of Western civilization. This remarkable book also offers an unforgettable portrait of arguably the most beautiful and magical sea in the world.

Recommendation

"I must congratulate you on a wonderful, rich and satisfying book. It is not always the case that I can’t wait to get back to a manuscript to keep reading, but this has definitely been the case with Poseidon’s Realm. You conjure the landscape, atmosphere and even smells of the region most beautifully, and the way you have woven in the myths, history and arts of the ancient world is extremely skilful. I found the final chapter particularly moving, even elegiac, and was really rather sad that my own reading journey had come to an end alongside your personal voyage." Tamsin Shelton, freelance editor

"In his wonderful new book,Poseidon’s Realm, Peter Marshall once again shows himself to be the ideal guide to explorations both geographical and intellectual. This time, we accompany him on his fascinating and occasionally harrowing adventures around the Aegean. As always, he inspires the reader through his vivid and engaging writing, and along the way offers us profound insights into Greek history and culture.
No one has done a better job than Marshall has in this book to make the rich legacy of Greek civilization "a common treasury for all". Moreover, as we ride the wind with this Philosopher-Mariner, perhaps the greatest lesson he teaches us is that the taste of the sea can at the same time be the taste of freedom.'" John Clark, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, author of many books

"Poseidon’s Realm is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It makes one want to return to the Aegean and explore further the still warm stones of history. Peter Marshall writes beautifully and his discussion of how the great sea god moulded Greek culture and ideas is as clear and sparkling as the waters themselves." Michael Poole, author, publisher, yachtsman and former UPI journalist