Book Review: Shadows of the Acropolis (Volume 2)

Reviewed by Toni Woodruff

An eye-opening examination of government control and a power-hungry shift away from the US constitution

Shadows of the Acropolis (Volume II) is your gateway to discover important political information. From the ways in which the government was intended to the millions of ways it has shifted away from the constitution and a free enterprise, this book thrives in its excavation of governmental power and control.

What do people in power do with their power? Seek more power. Richard C. Lyons cuts through the muddy waters of government influence to bring you historical facts that may alter your understanding of America forever. 

With a profound focus on the ways in which the government has put itself first, this book acts as a real eye-opener to those skeptical of just how much “help” the administrative state really provides. 

Lyons’ extensive research into the history of our politics, economy, and more provides plenty of fodder for discussion in classrooms. And yet while it may be best angled as a text on political history, it doesn’t exactly steer clear from criticizing what the government has truly done to the country. This is not your typical US history book.

In addition to providing historical facts that negatively impact the government’s image, Lyons doesn’t always remain impartial to actions by any political party. Instead, he often takes on a humanist approach—one that agrees with the constitution on people having and exercising unalienable rights—and shares details of why certain presidents did more harm than good. 

Shadows of the Acropolis raises quite a few important points. Big topics like global warming are discussed in regards to where the government’s alliances really lie. 

Readers get some jaw-dropping details in this one, including how the government raised the price of pork after the Depression and how they destructed thriving Black communities in order to fix a problem on poverty that didn’t exist. If you’re ready to question what you thought you knew about American politics, give this book a shot.

With a book covering so many presidents, not each one can get quite as much attention as they might deserve in a book of such political bandwidth. However, one can’t really exit this book thinking that it’s covered the full gravity of certain presidents. For example, the book can go into detail on one instance of a political leader—often involving which part they played in using governmental power against the people—while skipping other details in order to substantiate an argument in favor or against that president. This could lead some readers to be unhappy with whichever president is in their favor, but in a divided country such as this one, this may be expected. Just know that you might not always agree. I also wish we could have heard from more experts on these topics rather than Lyons and the memorable quotes from notable leaders.

Overall, Shadows of the Acropolis (Volume II) could act as a valuable resource to those looking for big, impactful stories about the downfall of the US constitution over time. 

Genre: Nonfiction / American Politics / History

Print Length: 416 pages

ISBN: 978-0997346299

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