In this monograph about Herodotus, American professor James Romm presents the life and work of the great ancient historian, the pater historiae as Cicero aptly called him, with an inductive method and particular eloquence. The author's arduous effort is to highlight the essential characteristics of Herodotus' work, to showcase his narrative talent, and to reveal especially the unceasing reflection of the historian, which lurks every time beneath the familiarity, simplicity, and affability of his style. Romm's particular interest is also to illuminate those characteristics of Herodotus' history that distinguish him from earlier "logographers" and at the same time justify the most honorable epithet attributed to him by ancient tradition, namely "the father of history".