Reviews (24)

Personal attacks are not science
Chapters 4 and 5 in this book are very interesting, a good survey of archaeology in Israel. The preceeding 100 pages amount to little more than scathing personal attacks on other researchers coupled with some brief and basic arcaological theory. Though it is tempting to get into the post-modernism bash, the personal attacks exhibited on those researchers are in poor taste. And I'm not downplaying this, he lists their names and then gives several paragraphs explaning why their biases prevent them from being good scholars. I sincerely hope this isn't reflective of archaeological scholarship in general. From other books I've read (Finkelstein, Mazar, Stern, and Cline), I've noticed that Dever is the only one to resort to personal attacks.
Highly recommended.
While the polemic against the minimalists gets a little excessive at times, I have to say that it is necessary, as they are very vocal these days.There is no need to debate fundamentalists because they've made up their mind already (as Michael Freeman's review shows).
A prize-winner!
Dever deserves a blue ribbon for the most cumbersome title in many years.He should also garner an award for his blistering assessment of "postmodern" historians.While he has contested "minimalist" academics elsewhere, this book is an excellent compendium of the issues and evidence regarding the historical validity of the Hebrew Bible.Although the arena of biblical history is small, the issues dealt with are important.His conclusions will have lasting impact not only in biblical history, but archaeology and other disciplines.Although a serious subject, Dever's piercing wit keeps this book a lively and captivating read.
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Antiquities & Archaeology    3. Bible - CriticismInterpretation - Old Testament    4. Bible - Study - General    5. Judaism - History    6. Religion    7. Religion - Biblical Studies    8. Archaeology    9. Biblical studies, criticism & exegesis    10. History of religion    11. Judaism    12. Old Testament   

Reviews (2)

Great book - buy it now!
OMG, I'm sitting in front of the guy and he's so cool.Buy the book now!

A Much Needed Book
This book offers a much needed intelligent look at the impact that China's successful globalization may have on the United States.The book is data driven but is also entertaining and very well-written.It is an important read for anybody concerned about the U.S.'s potential rivalry with China and what U.S policy makers and leaders are doing about it (or not doing about it).If you wonder how China's rapidly increasing economic power might impact you or your children, you should start with this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. China    3. Civilization    4. Economic Conditions    5. Entrepreneurship    6. Foreign economic relations    7. General    8. History    9. History - General History    10. History: World    11. International - Economics    12. International Relations - General    13. United States    14. History / General    15. International business    16. International economics    17. USA   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (77)

A Delightful Journey
The reader will travel with the author throughout the Middle East, following the steps of the patriarchs through the beginnings of the conquest by Joshua, in source of a connection with history and ultimately a divine spark. This author is very easy to read and provides colorful descriptions of his surroundings that allow the reader to be there. Throughout the book is an undercurrent of "Why can't we just all get along!"
A Wonderful Guide to the Lands of the Bible for People of all Faiths
I've been a fan of Bruce Feiler's writing after watching him on C-Span's Book TV talk about his first book about Abraham. This must have been about four or five years ago now. I went out to purchase ABRAHAM and discovered a treasure. Feiler brings many gifts and talents to writing, particularly religious writing. First of all he writes about issues regarding faith from the point of view of one who practices his faith. Like many of his readers, his journey to faith has not been a straight path which seems to give him a good perspective on the questions people are asking. He also has a fluid writing style and is able to weave personal memoir, always interesting and at times moving stories, geography, history, and theology together to create a great read.
Succeeds despite itself...
Walking the Bible is not among the better travel writing I've read primarily because it focuses more on the author than the locations he visited.Feiler did get around:from Turkey to Egypt, from the Negev to the Sinai, from Jerusalem to Jordan, but he minimizes the narrative elements one typically associates with good travel writing for a seemingly endless array of personal epiphanies. Despite it's subtitle, Walking the Bible is more a journey by catharsis through Bruce Feiler's mind than a journey by land through the five books of Moses.Thus, beyond his ubiquitous food metaphors, a descriptive presence is often found wanting.
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Subjects:  1. Antiquities & Archaeology    2. Bible    3. Bible - Study - Old Testament    4. Bible.    5. Description and travel    6. Feiler, Bruce S    7. Feiler, Bruce S.    8. Geography    9. Middle East    10. Middle East - General    11. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    12. O.T.    13. Pentateuch    14. Religion    15. Travel    16. Travel - General    17. Journeys    18. Religion / Antiquities & Archaeology    19. Essays & Travelogues    20. Judaism - History   

Editorial Review

Look again at the title of this book: it's not a question, but a statement. "America is the greatest, freest, and most decent society in existence," writes Dinesh D'Souza. "American life Read more

Reviews (215)

The West vs. the rest
What a surprise.From the title and cover art I was expecting a 4th of July - My country `tis of thee - stand at attention and salute book full of patriotic drivel. But this is a very substantial and thoughtful study of America's institutions and its critics. And the author has a gift for straightforward, easy to understand exposition.
A Perspective on America
Alaister Cooke became famous in Britain via his regular broadcasts termed 'Letter from America", whereby he attempted to explain current events within America to a British audience.
AMERICA FROM AN IMMIGRANTS POINT OF VIEW
This is a smooth, easy and short read. D'souza ideas have a nice and consistant flow to them that makes this a pleasure to read with out making this a war-n-peace dissertation on some of the cultural warfare present in our day.
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Subjects:  1. American national characterist    2. Civilization    3. Civilization, Western    4. General    5. History    6. History: World    7. National characteristics, Amer    8. National characteristics, American    9. Politics / Current Events    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. Political Science / Reference   

Reviews (21)

Omni-important
This is a tremendous book. Frankly, I am only writing this review to criticize those who didn't like it. (didn't get it more likely) First, one must understand that Bucky was a very unique thinker. As far "slapping on"a word like "omni" in order to sound more intelligent... well that just shows how ignorant the reviewer is. First off, Bucky used his own vocabulary ( that is explained in the book). There was another person who did that once.... Oh yeah I remember SHAKESPEARE!! The word "lonely" didn't exist before Shakes. Pass over this book if you a mediocre person with low intellect.

Good thoughts, poorly written
This book was a struggle to read and enjoy. The author, though he has decent ideas (albeit very outdated), takes so many tangents, his point is never clearly made. It's like listening to Grandpa rant on about everything and nothing. I consider myself a very logical "scientifically minded" person. Much of Fuller's ideas of history of humanity are logically thought out based on his understanding and experience although it is not all necessarily based on sufficient scientific/ archeological evidence. So it's difficult to differentiate between which is credible mainstream theory and personal philosophical thoughts. I think the book has some wonderful ideas that apply especially to today's society. It's just a shame that the book was written so poorly and the train of thought was poorly organized. By the way, the Dymaxiom house is a horrible, unsustainable invention. That's why only a couple were built.

"bucky" buckmaster IS "the man"
The book---CRITICAL PATH by the late Dr.R. Buckmaster Fuller,
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Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. Civilization, Modern, 1950-    3. History    4. History - General History    5. Philosophy    6. Reference    7. World - General    8. Philosophy / General    9. Sociology, Social Studies    10. Western philosophy, from c 1900 -   

Reviews (2)

A Rough Path Through an Extraordinary Landscape.
Rene Girard proposes to change how we think about religion and history. To do so, he takes us through history, mythology, and the New Testament, pointing out facts we may not have noticed about group violence and how it justifies itself, and the way Jesus "subverts the dominant paradigm," as they say.Like a geologist pointing to a piece of land we have walked across since childhood, and explaining Plate Tectonics and the volcanic origins of familiar landmarks, the ground seems to shift under our feet as we look at familiar facts from these new points of view. An interesting and important book
This is seminal book of Girard's. In his investigation of myth he uncovers what he calls the scapegoat-mechanism, the tendency of society to collectively transfer guilt onto a sacrificial victim.Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Literary Criticism    3. Literature - Classics / Criticism    4. Sacred Texts As Literature    5. History / Ancient / General    6. Philosophy of religion    7. Western philosophy, from c 1900 -   

Reviews (4)

Better Than Bird's Eye View
If you want to review the wonder of human kind's imprint on the earth, enjoy this book. If you want to wonder at the uses of the earth's treasures to show creativity and genius spend time with this book. That these architectural remains can be seen from the air in entirety is made possible by Georg Gerster's incredible artistry.

Aerial views
Exceeded expectations. The views were unexpectedly revealing, and the written descriptions of each view were also unexpectedly revealing.

History Come Alives From A Different Perspective.
The photographs in this book are fascinating, as you can see every little detail of the numerous locales and historic places, such as Stonehenge, the Great Wall of China, the Tower of Babel, and Antarctica.The terrain around the ancient St. John's Basilica in Turkey where the apostle John was buried in the sixth century and the stone monastry in Ireland amid all the rocks with the vivid green are amazing to see.
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Archaeology    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Photoessays & Documentaries    7. Photography    8. Subjects & Themes - Aerial    9. Art & Architecture | Photography    10. History / Ancient / General   

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History Of Civilization And Culture (General)    6. History: World    7. Western Europe - General    8. Western Europe - History    9. History / General   

Reviews (1)

Fascinating! Comprehensive!
I purchased my first copy of this text several years from a college bookstore, not for a class, but because I picked it up, began browsing, and couldn't bear to put it down. Although textbooks are not usually written for pleasure reading, I've found Spielvogel's book to be truly well-written and efficiently designed. Maps, chronologies (timelines), and numerous illustrations and sidebars make the text inviting and accessible.
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Subjects:  1. Americas (North Central South West Indies)    2. Civilization    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. History / General    7. Other Geographical Groupings, Oceans & Seas    8. World history   

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. General    3. History - General History    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. World - General    7. History / General    8. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (94)

brilliant
After four years of unprecedented slaughter, victors and supplicants gathered in Paris in 1919 to determine a peace that would truly `end all wars.' Wilson's wildly popular Fourteen Points promised fair and open redress of grievances, and a world born anew under a League of Nations. Delegates from nearly every point on the globe were drawn to present their case in a process that took six months.
To understand the present you must understand the past.
Macmillan paints a clear picture of how all the hopes that were envisaged for the Paris Peace Conference --self determination, open door diplomacy, and a new world order based on genuine cooperation of nations-- never came to pass. Instead what happened was more of the same old closed-door deals, redrawing of of borders, and reshuffling of people without their consent--all of which were responsible for the war in the first place.
Excellent
This is an excellent book.The writer expresses herself exstrodinarily well and she has great command of the material.The fact that she is the great grandaughter of Lloyd Georgehelps to make her observations based on believable "reality" not hypothetical fantasy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (1919-1920)    2. Ancient - General    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Military    6. Military - World War I    7. Paris Peace Conference    8. Peace    9. Treaties And Alliances    10. World - General    11. World War I    12. World War, 1914-1918    13. History / Military / World War I    14. Reading Group Guide   

Subjects:  1. Asian - General    2. Chinese Poetry    3. History and criticism    4. Tang dynasty, 618-907   

Reviews (18)

"Good, but who have to hear the whole Truth!"
The book was informative, but there are some mistakes.At the begginning of the book, it says the Tigres and the Euphrates were the first civilization.Though this is a mistake, it can be thought to exist because of the times the author lived.The first civilization, was that in Kemet(Egypt), wich meant land of the blacks.The conservative estimate for the Tigres and Euphrates is 2,500 B.C.At the same time the conservative date for Kemet is 3200 B.C.With this, there are those who try, with much evidence to say that the Tigres and Euphrates go to 9000 B.C.With a foot hold up, and with the work of Graham Hancock, and Robert Bauval Kemet now, through the pyramid and the sphinx has been linked to 10,500 B.C.There is more evidence that civilization began in the land of Africa, but because of space, it can't all be said here.This truth of a begginning Aro-Civilization is not just because of racial pride or anything else, but just because of climate. Africa had a climate that would enable it to grow first.Also reader know, much, if not all of the theosophy found in the Hebrew religion, is found predated, in Kemet. This ranges from the creation story, the laws, monotheismm(Ahkenaton), Jacob's dreams, and the Christ myth.Not to mention, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Jesus all according to the Torah and the Bible went to Egypt, and also the old testament scriptures were compiled in Egypt.For more on this read 16 Crucified Saviors(Kersey Graves), African presence in Early Asia(Ivan Van Sertima), and Africans Who wrote the Bible(Nana Darkwah).In the end, yes Babylon, and the Tigres and Euphrates were Black Arican Civilization, but were later developed because the present Homo Sapien Humans developed in inner Arfica and migrated to lands across the world.The oldest spieces comparable with ours found was a woman labeled Lucy.She was found in Ethiopia dated 150,000 years old.

Excellent scholarship
R.R. Windsor is right in saying that the Hebrews were Blacks.
THIS BOOK IS GARBAGE
THIS BOOK HAS MANY MISS INFORMATIONS ,LIES STORIES THAT ARE TOTALY FALSEANY TIME YOU USE THE BIBLE AS REFERANCE YOUR INFORMATION IS FLAWED PLEASETELL THE TRUTH ABOUT AFRICAN HISTORY ,AFRICAN CIVILIZATION NEVER HAD IT,S ORGIN IN THE MIDDILEEAST,CHECK THE AFRICAN PEAPLE CALLED THETWA READ THE HISTORY OF THE NILE VALLEYNOTE .THAT THE BOOK OF THE DEAD ,PRIMID TEX,THE BOOK OF GATES FAR EXCEDE THE BIBLE BUY MORE THEN 2,000 YEARS THE BIBLE IS ABOOK FULL OF MYTHS STORES STOLEN FROM ORIGINALS REVISED IN SUCH AWAY THAT IT MAINTANES GLOBAL WHITE SUPPREMINCE( KNOWLEGDE ) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Africa - General    3. Ancient - General    4. Blacks    5. Ethnic Studies - General    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History Of Blacks    9. Jews, Ethiopian   

Editorial Review

Fifty years of scientific archaeology in the People's Republic of China (PRC) have redefined early Chinese culture. This handsome volume surveys some of the most spectacular recent finds and their role in reshaping the history of civilization in ancient China. The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., teamed up with Kansas City's Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to organize a second extravaganza of unburied treasures, emphasizing discoveries made since their last show in 1974. The more than 175 objects from four historical periods and in numerous media represent important early sites and a diversity of cultures located outside the central Yellow River area--most notably in the south and southwest regions, like the state of Chu. The range is vast, from roughly painted pots about 6,000 years old to lovely clay and marble figures modeling the courtly fashions of 1,000 years ago. The excellent photographs and short texts on individual objects and their excavation sites describe their artistic and historical importance and prompt readers to savor individual artifacts over broad sweeps of history. Linger over a unique pottery basin painted with diagonal lozenges; an over-life-size bronze figure and related heads with strikingly geometrical features; various fantastic creatures in bronze and jade; lacquer bowls and silk garment fragments that have unbelievably survived the centuries; and polychromed Buddhist deities that reveal details like blue mustaches and eyebrows. Read more

Reviews (1)

Beautiful book and a big bargain
The paperback edition is unbelievably priced at less than $20 for 584 pages of high quality paper with every photo printed in full color. The editorial reviews says it all. But I just wanted to add that looking at the diversity of artifacts (many of which look surprisingly strange) in the early periods of China's history further I'm further convinced that the modern Han people came from the merging of many ancient cultures. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiquities    2. Antiquities, Prehistoric    3. Archaeology    4. Archaeology / Anthropology    5. Art    6. Asia - China    7. China    8. Civilization    9. Exhibitions    10. History - General    11. National Gallery Of Art - Exhibition Catalogs    12. Prehistoric peoples    13. Ancient World    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history: BCE to c 500 CE    15. Asian archaeology    16. BCE to c 500 CE    17. History of art: BCE to c 500 CE, ancient & classical world    18. History of art: c 500 CE to c 1400    19. Oriental art    20. Social Science / Archaeology    21. c 500 CE to c 1000 CE   

Reviews (28)

A Must- Have
This book gives short descriptions of everything you could ever want to know about.It is truly the companion to any culturally-literal person.I used it in my government class and it helped a great deal, and I also used it in a lit class to decipher the Bible.It helps in any subject, definitely something every college student, and people of all ages, should own.

know something about everything
I was given this book as a birthday present about 8 years ago. It is still on my shelf, and it still gets used every once an awhile. It is a wonderful book for people who are very curious, people who would like a little refresher on general knowledge, and for people who love jeopoardy and triva pursuit. The book is divided into different categories which cover a broad base of knowledge, including history, religion, mythology, social science, and literature. I would like to see a new edition with more current event information, however, I still believe that this is a good buy, especially for students, teachers, or trivia buffs, because it is an excellent (and quick) reference guide to just about everything.

Becoming outdated...so to speak
When/where is the 3rd Edition??????????I agree with those who have also asked this question.We're almost 10 years after the fact!!!I bought my initial "Dictionary" times 4 H.S. graduates, way back in 1994.I couldn't believe, today, in the bookstore, that they are still selling a 1993 edition, in the year 2002!Comes on, authors, bring us up to date. Do I really want to purchase 1993's, for this year's graduates????Is there anything comparable to this book, readers out there, that you can tell me about, that I can purchase in this dictionary's stead?Thank you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. Culture    3. Dictionaries    4. Dictionaries - General    5. Educational Anthropology    6. English language    7. Reference    8. United States    9. United States - General    10. General encyclopaedias   

Reviews (1)

Good for Professionals
Berkey states that his book is for students and those interested in Islamic history.However, one would need to read a real textbook in order to have the foundation necessary to understand his work.
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Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. History    3. History - General History    4. Islam    5. Islam - General    6. Literary Criticism    7. Middle East    8. Middle East - General    9. Religion    10. Asian / Middle Eastern history: c 500 to c 1500    11. History / Middle East    12. History of religion    13. Islamic studies   

Reviews (2)

Delicate, Dedicated and Dignified
Arnold Joseph Toynbee's clear genius focused on a project of his younger years. It all started with Toynbee's insight into an enlightened contemporary reference to Gibbon's own account of De Administrando Imperio and to its author. Toynbee's mother also had a role in this " project " which is, afterall the work of a professor of byzantinology. The author's pertinence, honesty, erudition and writing style are, as usual, unsurpassed. If it were only by this book, and Toynbee would enter the famous historiographic gallery guarded by pillars such as Edward Gibbon and Lord Acton. However, my cultural hero, whose own interests ranged from International Affairs to Archives of the British Admirality and from anthropology and histories of religion to those of cities and sociology, did it greater than ever. Civilizations, wrote Toynbee, don't die. They only commit suicide.
Classical History Explained
Taking his cue from the De Administrando written by Constantine VII and other Byzantine historians before him, this thick volume may be Toynbee's greatest achievement. Throughout, he takes Constantine's own words with a grain of salt, especially about events before the Macedonian dynasty by applying a historical perspective to this entire period of Byzantine civilization (c. 800-1050)Read more

Subjects:  1. 527-1081    2. Byzantine Empire    3. Civilization    4. Economic conditions    5. Europe - Greece    6. Foreign relations    7. Unassigned Title    8. Asian / Middle Eastern history: c 500 to c 1500    9. Constantine   

Reviews (5)

EXTREMELY PLEASANT PICTURE BOOK
I will not add too much to what the other reviewers have opined on this magnificent book.It is gorgeously illustrated with superior photographs and interesting drawings and geographical overviews. i drool whenever i look at this book
i don't have this book yet. i have already told hubby that he's getting it for me for valentines. everytime i go into the bookstore, i take it off the shelf and spend about a half hour just leafing through it and looking at the pictures. if you are not sure whether you want to put out the money to buy this book, do yourself a favor and see if they have a copy at the bookstore and look through it. i know you'll be convinced that it's worth the price. i plan on ordering my book rather than buying it off the shelf. there are several fold out sections in the book and i want to make sure they are in good shape. the pictures of the temples and tombs in the book are great. also lots of maps. i admit, i'm an egyptology geek, but i think anyone who is interested in egypt will enjoy this book. if egypt is a hobby/passion, this book is a must have. i know it's a bit pricey, but you're payig for a book full of fantastic color photographs and you defintiely get what you are playing for. you get your money's worth with this book. my only regret is that i have to wait 6 weeks til i can have my copy in my hot lil' hands. :)

Splendid book on Egypt's splendors
I first saw this book after a four-week trip to Egypt, where our travels included as much as we could see between the relocated monument Ramses II built in honor of himself at Abu Simbel to the vicinity of El-Qahira (Cairo) and its monuments and museums. This book is the one I have chosen to "keep my memories fresh" and share them with others- it is that good, and more. The illustrations are brilliant; the informative text is thorough and illuminating without being pedantic or burying the photos and drawings. I only wish the Cairo Museum had books as good as this one! If you love Egypt, this book will live an active life on your coffee table. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Ancient Egypt - History    3. Antiquities    4. Archaeology / Anthropology    5. Civilization    6. Egypt    7. Middle East - Egypt    8. Pictorial works    9. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Africa    10. To 332 B.C    11. Travel    12. African history: BCE to c 500 CE    13. Ancient World    14. Photographs: collections   

Reviews (7)

Decent for the AP Test but...
This book is quite appropriate for the AP World History test, and provides you with most of the information you'll need for the test, however, it does contain several gaping flaws if read purely for interest or outside the context of an AP class. As some other reviewers have mentioned, it attempts to be too politically correct, and dissmisses European achievements, while hailing many less significant foreign ones. It also focuses on the role of women too much in certain civilizations, sometimes writing more about it than achievements in science, for instane.
Faulty, Biased, and Unable to Teach
This particular textbook was required for AP World History in my school. As an individual with great prior knowlege of the history of humanity, I was shocked by the dearth of actual facts the book provides in nearly every chapter. Most sentences Stearns writes as factual are almost always summary of a multitude of events which could be expanded with greater understanding for the reader. He rarely utilizes chronological dates, which has caused many in my class to confuse the chronological order of events and generally creating a situation where students not already familiar with history are almost completley unaware of the actual nature of the history the text is trying to teach.
A Decent Read
I am currently taking AP World History and this is our assigned text.I am saddedened that this book does not contain, many facts, but it is great anaylsis wise.The in-depth sections are helpful, as are the online sorces, which I have used repeatedly.I do often say that I dislike this book, but please take into account that I have to take notes on it and I am lazy.But I do recommend this if one is looking for a very analyitical read.Also, I forgot to mention the fact that Mr. Stearns is very undecided when trying to make an agrument.Which can be good, but it is bad for those trying to write an essay. Again, I recommend this book ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. Sources    6. World - General    7. History / General    8. World history   

Reviews (10)

The Mayan Calendar
The reviews here certainly have a wide range of critics. Just one thought. It's my understanding that things didn't end well for the highly advanced Mayan civilization sooooooo.... my question is... Why the heck would we want to model/listen to/heed advice from ect..., like, anything after them? Again , Just a thought.

What a total puzzle
What bothers me about most of the reviews of books on Amazon is that they are written by staff of some publishing houses, whether for or against the book. They are mostly not written by readers. Just look at the time and effort put into writing some reviews.
had high hopes but was let down
I couldn't wait to get this book in the mail. After reading it I could have waited. I was really disappointed in the material. I found it to be about 5% information and 95% interpretation. This book was written by a Swedish Christian. That means that both Sweden and Christianity were largely the basis for that 95% interpretation. This book, despite the 'official' review, is nothing more than 'the end of the world is coming and so is the second coming of Christ' book. More specifically, 10/28/2011 is the end of everything we know today. Read more

Subjects:  1. Controversial Knowledge    2. Cosmology    3. New Age    4. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    5. Science    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Mind, Body, Spirit