This work is cited in the third edition of Books for College Libraries . Basing his suppositions on close readings of Homer's epics the Odyssey and Iliad , Finley puts forth a sociological argument that the texts, although fictions, reflected actual social realities of the times portrayed. His analysis with regard to the practice of reciprocal gift-giving, though controversial at the time of original publication, has come to be widely accepted. This appears to be a reprint of the 1977 revised edition of the original 1954 text. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
