Princeton classics professor Kaster takes on the ancient Appian Way for the Culture Trails series. Kaster and his wife traveled the Appian way from Rome outwards to the ninth milestone, then started from its opposite end in Brindisi and traveled through southern Italy back to Rome. Along the way, Kaster reflects on the ancient history of Rome as well as the tribes that populated various regions of southern Italy. Each successive civilization has left its mark on the landscape, and Kaster peels back the layers for readers. This book is full of interesting historical facts, but they’re not assembled in a way that makes me long to visit these sites in person. ( )