Reflections on Sefer Ezra Perakim 1-2

In reflecting on Sefer Ezra, Perakim 1-2, how would you tell the story of Coresh's Declaration and its early implementation? Imagine that you are telling the story to an audience that knows nothing about this time period. How would you frame the story? How would you describe the achievements and the failures? Please write a paragraph that sums up Perakim 1-2. Include objective facts and your subjective interpretation of the whole endeavor.