Looks at the "how and why" of hoplite battle, and makes a lot of hamburger out of sacred cows in the process. He looks at the hoplite panoply critically, recreates it, and tests the prevailing wisdom using actual people armed as hoplites. Pretty convincing evidence that much of what we "know" about how hoplites fought is impractical, illogical, and occasionally, ridiculous.
Looks at the "how and why" of things by actually testing them; things like how were the spears made? Where was their point of balance? How were they held? Why was the shield that size and shape? How was it held? How did the hoplites stand in phalanx? Just how powerful was a spear thrust held in the different grips? How good was the armor at warding off said thrusts? Was the sauroter (aka lizard sticker) actually likely to be used in combat?
Not a book for the GD-level "hurr-durr" ad hominem mentality, because all of the Greek historians are taken to task, including Victor Davis Hanson. It is not a perfect book, but it is very enlightening, especially to those of us who like to know the "how and why".
A Storm Of Spears