I've recently taken an interest in the Peloponnesian War, often called the 'first modern war,' and I recently stumbled on a historical novel about it, called 'Tides of War.' The novel is by Steven Pressfield, who wrote 'The Legend of Bagger Vance,' (you know, that golf book), as well as 'Gates of Fire,' a bestselling account of the battle of Thermopylae. Pressfield really is a master storyteller, describing the events of the war through the eyes of Polemides, a soldier of the Athenian armored infantry who initially serves with the famed general Acibialdes, and then ultimately assassinates him. The grueling siege of Potidaea, the Plague in Athens, and the shameless life of a mercenary on endless campaign are all described vividly, sparing no ugly detail. If I had the book handy right now, I'd post an excerpt. It's a fairly lengthy book, and I'm only about 70 pages in so far, but the story really has no low points. I recommend this book not just to history buffs, but to anybody who enjoys good literature.