For decades Anglophone readers of Strabo had limited options: for a comprehensive translation of the Geography we could only turn to Bohn's Classical Library Series (H.C. Hamilton and W. Falconer, 1854–1857) or to the Loeb edition (H.L. Jones, 1917–1932). These translations not only are old but were already riddled at the outset with problems arising in part from the Greek texts used and from inadequate knowledge of Greek geographical literature. Moreover, Strabo is notoriously difficult to translate, partially because of his often idiosyncratic descriptions, inconsistencies in spelling and use of technical jargon and idioms, problems which the earlier translators never fully overcame. So R.'s new translation is greatly needed and most welcome, coming at a time when Strabonian studies are more in vogue than ever before (there is also a Routledge Companion forthcoming). Strabo referred to his opus, appropriately enough, as a kolossourgia (1.1.23), and R. has managed to render the entire massive work in one volume. This means there is little room for much else, and in fact this is merely the first of two volumes. In the preface R. promises an ‘extensive commentary’ (p. vii).

Meanwhile, the 34-page introduction serves its main purpose of showing readers how they can appreciate Strabo's achievement when engaging the text. R.'s brief analysis of various issues anticipates the thorough treatment he will no doubt give in the commentary as he touches on, for example, Strabo's family and background, the extent of his travels (and the related issue of autopsy), how his personal interests in mining (with perhaps professional experience) and other matters inform the content of the Geography, his use of Homer and other sources, the circumstances in which the Geography was composed and difficulties regarding translation. In a book already very long, CUP has decided to limit the maps to two and employ an online map (http://awmc.unc.edu/awmc/applications/strabo/), which is comprehensive and well designed. There are also two appendices: a glossary of untranslated words and a list of collections from which the fragment numbers cited in the translation are taken.

In the translation itself, based on better Greek texts produced recently by S. Radt and others, R. succeeds in rendering a well-spun narrative while navigating the aforementioned hazards. The text is understandably sparing of notes, with only occasional notices where Strabo's errors or obfuscations demand immediate comment. In the text R. places in brackets cross-references to other parts of the Geography and citations of all the sources Strabo mentions (the index locorum emphasises how massive this list is). R.'s translation, introduction and notes demonstrate a mastery of the issues and problems at hand. It is unfortunate that the book's cost will be prohibitive for some, for students of Strabo have been given a gift indeed, and we should await the second volume of this project with great anticipation.