This is one of the best books on the history and theory of rhetoric that I've read in several years. An intelligent reading of classical texts (one that elegantly interweaves material from current literary theory and classics) the book lives up to its title, helping to rethink assertions about "the" classical attitude toward rhetoric (especially those made by Vickers, Murphy, or Kennedy).

I find the last chapter especially useful for graduate students who literature who don't understand the connections between literary theory and rhetorical theory.