I struggled reading this book. I couldn't figure out why they kept saying this book was a "classic". It seemed very dry. It wasn't until I finished the book and thought about it for 12 hrs or so that the book started to intrigue me. The notes and timeline in the Everyman's Classics were really helpful. I think this is one of those books that stick with you and make you think long after you put it down. That is the true appeal to this book.