The classic story of the debilitating war between the two chief city-states, Athens and Sparta, from 431 to 404 B.C. Thucydides' account of the war (which he calls a "convulsion" to humankind) may lack documentary evidence, but it's considered to be among the world's finest works of history for its protagonists' political speeches, and insight into human nature and the ancient Greek world.  (GRE102, $17.00)