I've recently got really interested in Ancient Greece and particularly Sparta. What would you say would be the best general book on either but also any particularly good books concerning a specific subject. Any help appreciated.
If you really want to understand Greek history like an ancient Greek historian does, I would recommend From Solon to Socrates by Ehrenberg. It is a book that I can say as an ancient Greek historian that helps you understand the Greek Archaic and Classical Periods. For Sparta in particular, The Spartans: The World of the Warrior-Heroes of Ancient Greece by Cartledge is a great general read that really got me into Spartan history.