This is an excellent book about the Spartan system of educating young men (The Agoge). It looks at the way the Agoge existed in the Roman period and then traces it back through the Hellenistic period to the Archaic period. It has great coverage of the various rituals such as the Endurance contest. Occasionally, it becomes weighted down with discussion of details such as the names given to Spartan age groups. This is however within the scope of the book. It was not written so much for a general reader, though it can be read by one, but rather for someone with some knowledge of Spartan history. Overall, it is well researched and documented. Kennell reaches interesting conclusions about the Agoge's ties to society and religion.