What are the strengths an weaknesses of Herodtus' account of the Persian wars?

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What are the strengths and weaknesses of Herodotus' account of the Persian Wars?

Since Cicero first dubbed Herodotus of Halicarnassus the "Father of History", historians hitherto have debated the point with such vigour that a second school of thought has emerged renaming the Greek author as the "Father of Lies". Critically, Herodotus has been subject to much scrutiny by both ancient contemporaries and modern historians alike. The combination of proven inaccuracies and the story telling written approach has led many historians to state that "he (Herodotus) compiled his information from gossip and from other travellers"1in order to dramatise what actually occurred. These views suggest that when studying the Persian Wars, any sources acquired from Herodotus' version must be taken lightly. On the other hand, Herodotus does not ride completely unsupported. The historian T.J. Luce indicates that history in the fifth century BC was not what we would recognise as history proper, but in fact a concoction of enthralling myth and legend designed to captivate the audience, much like the exemplary works of Homer. What warrants respect for Herodotus is the fact that the "invention of history proper depended on making a marked distinction between the two (myth/legend and actual