Let's be clear: this isn't a novel with a plot. Think of it as the ultimate ancient Wikipedia binge. Strabo, writing around the time of Jesus, tries to catalog everything known about the world from Spain to India. Volume 2 focuses heavily on Europe and parts of Asia. He describes cities, rivers, and mountain ranges, but he's just as interested in the people: what they eat, how they govern themselves, and the wild stories they tell about their origins.

Why You Should Read It

It's the personality that sells it. Strabo is your chatty, sometimes skeptical, sometimes gullible guide. He'll tell you about a tribe with feet so big they use them as umbrellas, then pause and say, 'Well, that's what I heard, but it seems doubtful.' You're getting a snapshot of ancient knowledge, complete with its brilliant guesses and hilarious errors. Reading it feels like overhearing the ancient world's biggest, longest conversation about itself.

Final Verdict

Perfect for history buffs with a sense of humor and anyone who loves the idea of 'armchair travel.' If you enjoy Mary Beard's books or the weird tangents in a Dan Carlin podcast, you'll appreciate Strabo's mix of fact, folklore, and sharp observation. It’s not a quick read, but dip into a chapter at a time. You’ll come away amazed at how much, and how little, the world has changed.