Scodel (Greek and Latin, U. of Michigan) has written extensively about Homer and other Greek poets. Here she investigates what Homeric characters say about what they do. She sets particular speeches and actions against their background of expectations in order to clarify social behavior. The study reflects her feeling that the interpretations of personal interactions in the Iliad are too simple, that the poet did not intend the actions to be read as either right or wrong, but to suggest, to illustrate even, the social tensions that were at play in the interaction. She discusses the economy of honor, gifts, managing face, ransom and revenge, apologies, and quarrels and embassy. Distributed in North America by The David Brown Book Company. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)