Subjects:  1. Antiquities    2. Central America    3. History - General History    4. Indians of Central America    5. Mayas    6. Pre-Columbian Archaeology    7. Sociology   

Reviews (9)

An excellent reference
This book has proved more and more valuable over time. As a pastor and seminary student, it helps to place Biblical events in the proper context. As an aspiring Ancient historian, the clear, concise text and apt photos and illustrations make sense of some pretty dense reading in other texts. It's even a fun read for enjoyment!

The Oxford History of the Biblical World
I must admit that my expectation was for greater accuracy to proper verbage than was printed.Much of the time the authors used location names, like 'Palistine', when referencing 'BC' (BCE) rather than the true name 'Isreal.'Small verbal goofs like this was unexpected from an institution like the Oxford press.Most of the information, though, was excellent, and informative.

Get the hardcover edition, not the paperback
This truly is an excellent resource, as discussed by other reviewers.Unfortunately, though, the paperback version is not just a reprint of the hardback in floppy covers.Instead, many of the visual features that contribute so much to the appeal of the hardback edition have been removed.Admittedly several remain, including a section of color plates in the middle of the book, but one who is familiar with the hardback likely will be disappointed by the paperback. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Ancient civilization    3. Antiquities & Archaeology    4. Bible    5. Bible - General    6. Bible - Reference - General    7. Bible Commentary    8. Biblical Archaeology    9. Civilization, Ancient    10. History    11. History of Biblical events    12. History of contemporary events    13. Religion    14. Religion - Biblical Studies    15. Ancient World    16. Christianity    17. History, World | Ancient    18. Islam    19. Judaism    20. Religion / Bible / General    21. World history: BCE to c 500 CE   

Reviews (14)

Best Overall Discussion of Dualist themes in Religion I have Found
This covers a huge range of material from around the world, fascinating.This combined with a good reading of the Cathar Book of Two Principles (which is found in Wakefied/Evans' Heresies of the High Middle Ages) and Sinha's Translation of The Samkhya Philosophy, should be required reading for ANYONE who uses the terms 'dualism' or 'manichean' when they make arguments or commentary on religion or culture.

can't do better than this
Books like this are real treasures: at once fascinating and scholarly. Usually if you find a book on Mithraism, the Gnostics, Manichees, and Cathars, it's mostly nonsense. But this one is the highest level of scholarship.
Stranger than fiction
The "Da Vinci Code" was largely fiction. In "Holy Blood, Holy Grail", it wasn't clear what was fact and what was fiction. But "The Other God" is just fact (and some interpretation) and yet as fascinating as the other two works.
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Subjects:  1. Antiquities & Archaeology    2. Christianity - History - General    3. Christianity - Theology - General    4. Doctrinal Theology    5. Heresies, Christian    6. History    7. Religion    8. Religion - Church History    9. Philosophy of religion    10. Religion / Antiquities & Archaeology   

Reviews (20)

A great reference
The Oxford Classical Dictionary (OCD) is a wonderful reference for people with a keen interest in ancient Greece and Rome. It contains brief articles on almost every imaginable aspect of ancient Greek and Roman history (including thematic entries), by scholars who are specialists in their fields.The entries are informative yet concise, and provide a good starting point for further study through cross-referencing and mini-bibiographies.It is probably the most useful to students, but the short articles are written in such a way that non-specialists will not feel left out.

A Classic Oxford production
I received the first edition as a prize in a library contest back when many of the people who appear in the OCD were still alive -- when you could actually feel the print on the pages.It has served this classist well these many years.The second edition seemed a bit boring -- one could but wonder, why the effort? Hence, I was a bit wary of the "new & improved" 3rd edition, though I have long respected Hornblower's work.
But why the new Revised Edition
The Second Edition of the OCD was published in 1970; the Third Edition was published in 1996. Now we have the Third Edition Revised published in 2003. So why the revision of the third edition? No one seems to be able to answer that. If there were mistakes made in the 1996 edition why is it still for sale?Don't get me wrong I have used the OCD for about 30 years and it is a great tool, but it makes one wonder why the revision? Research in the Classics is moving at such a pace to warrant a revision. So as one who has all three I feel a little cheated by the Oxford University Press. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Greece    2. Classical dictionaries    3. General    4. Reference    5. Ancient Greece    6. Classical Studies    7. European history: BCE to c 500 CE    8. Prehistoric archaeology    9. Reference / General    10. Reference works   

Reviews (8)

Scholarly but gripping
In contrast to Jered Diamond's "Collapse," this volume does not just focus on one theory of why societies collapse--depletion of natural resources--but presents in summary several different theories. In academic style, Tainter examines the pros and cons of each, offering a cornucopia of references that would be an invaluable source for future research.
A Landmark Study in Why Societies Collapse
To get an idea of the impact this book has had both among scholars and on the general public one has only to look at its publishing record.It was written by an academic for academics and published by a university press (Cambridge no less) yet it is now in its fourteenth printing since its initial release in 1988.
Notrelevant for current troubles.
As a history book on the rise and fall of ancient civilizations dating back to 1000 BC and beyond, Professor Tainter's book was interesting in places andmore than acceptable in others to a historically challenged lay person like me. I purchased this book because the title suggested that its contents might help me make sense of the socio-political-economic turmoil of today. Unfortunately in this regard the book did not satisfy.Tainter's proposals about diminishing marginal returns on investments in complexity as possible factors leading to sociopolitical collapse in ancient civilizations was way too much for me to accept as relevant to our modern day troubles.To envision a Mayan Head of State in 500 BC unable tosleep because he is troubled about whether he should invest more or less of the nation's wealth into "complexity" because last year's returns had fallen below his expectations is beyond my visionary powers.To envision a current head of state losing sleep about national deficits is also beyond my visionary powers. He/she simply takes the nation deeper into debt and loses not a minute of sleep.
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Archaeology    3. History - General History    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Civilization, Ancient    7. Social Science / Archaeology    8. World history: BCE to c 500 CE   

Reviews (17)

The Complete Roman Army
Adrian Goldsworthy has really produced a concise and at times detailed look at Roman warfare. This book compliments Caesar Against the Celts, Ceasar's Legion and Nero's Killing Machine. Great addition for historical wargamming.

Great Book
An excelnt edition, fully ilustrated.
The Best Illustrated Reference to the Roman Legions
Unlike other armies in antiquity, the Roman army evolved to be a formal institution with a distinctive military code, standard equipment, defined ranks and duties, as well as laws and procedures affecting the life and retirement of its soldiers. Although service was long (20 years/no family allowed) and discipline was strict (i.e. decimation), it was truly the first modern professional army with very specialized units ranging from doctors and cooks to sappers and siege engineers. Its men were led by leaders such as Lucullus, Pompey, and Caesar who took war as an empirical subject in which politics and well calculated strategies implemented with sound logistics and tactics were the decisive factors to victory. Because of such organization, no army would be as highly organized and trained until those of the late 19th century.Despite its defeats, the Roman army's training and efficiency tenaciously allowed it to overcome superior numbers under higher attrition. It made Rome the master of the Mediterranean world and most of modern Europe for over 1500 years (counting the Byzantine.)
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - Rome    2. Ancient Rome - History    3. Army    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Military - General    8. Military - Other    9. Military - Pictorial    10. Military History (General)    11. Military art and science    12. Rome    13. Ancient Rome    14. Military life & institutions   

Reviews (5)

Information Galore
Very up-to-date information, thoroughly discussed and analyzed.The book is laid out by subject, so it's easy to go back and find information.It is basically a complete description of the Roman World of Paul's time, right down to the tiniest detail that we have available.The only downside is the sheer density of it.But if you can muck your way through it, this book is simply groundbreaking in its analysis of the world that Christianity was born into.

Excellent!
I wouldn't write a sermon without it!Great insight to the world and social condition of the early Church.I find that it helps bring the then and there to the hear and now.

An Excellent Introduction to New Testament Sociology
Biblical scholar Wayne Meeks wrote the first edition of THE FIRST URBAN CHRISTIANS in the mid 1980's. He collected not only scriptural information, but also historical and sociological information to reconstruct the world of the earliest Christians. At the time it was considered to be groundbreaking research. Today this work is considered by many to the standard bearer of sociological studies concerning first century Christians.Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Rome    2. Christianity - History - General    3. General    4. Religion    5. Religion - Church History    6. Social History    7. Early Church    8. History of religion    9. Religion / Church History   

Reviews (13)

Learn not only about the fall of Rome, but the current mindset of historians.Two books for the price of one!
If you are a Roman history buff, this is an excellent book to read in conjunction with Peter Heather's "The Fall of The Roman Empire."The two books cover very different territory despite their similar titles.
Original, daring
In this book which challenges the 'new historians' who have tried to rephrase the word 'barbrian' and make it anew and make the barbarians the decent ones and Rome the 'real barbarian' by rewriting history, we are one again given the traditional story, closer to Gibbon(who has never been surpassed) but with a new twist using modern discoveries and a new take.
Simply brilliant. Buy this book today!
This book is, quite simply, one of the finest history books I have ever read (and I am an avid history fan). I wish more academic writers had both the will and the ability to write as clearly and with as much flaire as Bryan Ward Perkins in this book. Sadly, it is a skill that is lacked by many of them; yet this only makes the author's achievement all the greater. Perkins does not go in for the obfuscating style that sometimes plagues academic writing. He does not need to hide behind dense terminology - he explains his ideas confidently and in plain English. I truly believe that this excellent book deserves a five star review rating.
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - Rome    2. Empire, 284-476    3. Europe - General    4. Germanic Invasions, 3rd-6th centuries    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Medieval    9. Rome    10. Ancient Rome    11. European history: BCE to c 500 CE    12. History / Ancient / Rome    13. History, World | Ancient | Roman   

Editorial Review

Thucydides' Read more

Reviews (43)

A Possession For All Time
Thucydides understood the importance of the events he both witnessed and took part in and for that reason he understood why others should know about them. It is quite remarkable to think that twenty-five hundred years later, Thucydides's account of the Peloponnesian War is still being widely read. But I suppose that's natural considering his account provides so much of the fairly limited evidence we have of the events of that tragic period. We can be thankful for his foresight and appreciation of educating those of us who came much later.
The Landmark Thucydides
This is the Crawley translation with some modernization by the editor, Robert B. Strassler. I won't presume to say that it is the best translation; I have also read others and Crawley's is, in my opinion, at least very good. However, the other features of this edition make it excellent. Victor Davis Hanson's introduction is thoughtful and helpful. In the margins of the translation, Strassler has summarized each section of each chapter of each book. Every two or three pages, there is a map showing in detail the area, cities and other land and island features Thucydides refers to in each chapter or section. I find this to be very, very helpful and unique to this edition. Also, the eleven appendices, each written by recognized scholars, cover a number of helpful and interesting topics (e.g., Athenian Government in Thucydides, Spartan Institutions, Land and Trireme Warfare in Thucydides, Dialects and Ethnic Groups, Currency and Calendar and Dating Systems). Therefore, I highly recommend the Landmark edition.
Useful, but prolix
As far as utility goes, this is a very good place to start for anyone who is interested in learning about the peloponnesian war directly from the primary source himself, Thucydides. The book is filled with maps and footnotes in almost every page, so that you'll never find yourself needing to look into an atlas in order to figure out what the heck is going on with who and where (a problem I had the first time I read the History).
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Subjects:  1. 0-323    2. Ancient - Greece    3. Ancient Greece - History    4. Greece    5. History    6. History - Military / War    7. History: World    8. Military - Other    9. Peloponnesian War, 431-404 B.C    10. Ancient Greece    11. History / Military / General    12. Other prose: classical, early & medieval   

Reviews (6)

Wordy, but interesting
We used this book in my 300-level college class and even though I found the authors to be frustratingingly wordy at times, it was still an intersting book with thought-provoking insights.
Lots of primary texts to go with the images & insights
I managed to make it all the way to the 21st century before I actually made my students buy a single textbook that cost this much, but after my first semester of using the Fourth Edition of "Classical Mythology: Images & Insights" by Stephen L. Harris and Gloria Platzner I do not have any major regrets.In the past I have liked to rely mainly on primary texts, such as Homer's "Iliad" and a collection of Greek tragedies, supplemented by handouts, because I prefer that my students come up with their own interpretations. However, teaching a Classical Mythology course on line changes the dynamics of the teacher-student interaction, which made the switch to this textbook a viable option. good, but at times maddening
Harris and Platzner's Classical Mythology is thorough and eloquently written. I particularly like the use of original sources (Hesiod, Homer, Sophocles, Aeschylus, Euripides, Virgil and Ovid)along with indepth analyses of the works themselves. Sometimes I think the authors' interpretations are a bit of a stretch, but nonetheless they are thoughtful and beautifully written. Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiquities & Archaeology    2. Folklore & Mythology    3. Mythology, Classical    4. Religion    5. Religion - Church History    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Religion & Beliefs    9. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Civilization, Ancient    3. Classical Literature    4. General    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History Of Civilization And Culture (General)    8. History: World    9. Sources    10. Translations into English    11. Ancient Western philosophy to c 500    12. BCE to c 500 CE    13. History / General    14. History of ideas, intellectual history   

Reviews (8)

Remembering The Persian Empire
The book is an excellent introduction to the Persian Empire; the world's first true empire. From developing new forms of political administration, building roads that would inspire Rome, fromulating monotheism and fostering cultural tolerance, the Persians were innovators in every sense of the word. Sadly this world is all too often forgotten or only mentioned in passing. This is an excellent beginning for anyone interested in the history of Iran, whose people trace their roots- both ethnically and culturally- to the world of ancient Persia.

forgotten empire
The exhibition was absolutely wonderful with material from Louvre,British Museum,National Museum of Iran,my eyes were filled with tears as soon I walked into the exhibition rooms and I rememberedmy first visit to Persepolis(Parse) as a child.Cyrus the Great laid the foundation for an Empire based on tolerance for other cultures and traditions and the Great king and Persians demonstrated their desire for other nations to maintain their own ethnocultural traditions.I recommend this book specially to readers who wish to get the correct information contray to the repeated Macedonian propaganda and I hope this book will be available in Persian language for that group of my compatriot who have forgotten their glorious past.The name of the book describes my point of view.

excellent work
I loved the book. There are hundreds of excellent quality photos, lots of descriptions, wonderful articles, and useful maps to help understanding the old Persia. It covers every aspect of life in ancient Persia: the government, the financial system and daily life. I have watched the photos every day and still want to watch them more. Articles are academically sound, easy to read and the book is well structured.
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Civilization    3. General    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Middle East - General    8. History / Ancient / General   

Reviews (1)

..
worst transaction imaginable.. there was no transaction because a transaction is defined as a trade. I paid for the book, and never received it. Was eventually refunded my money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History: World    5. History of ideas, intellectual history    6. Industrialized / developed countries    7. World history   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (17)

Writers, look through someone else's eyes.
What a fascinating book for a scriptwriter to read! At first, you think "This isn't meant for me--it has chapters on camera lenses and camera positions, and wardrobe and sound effects! That's stuff directors and cinematographers and other people work with." From understanding the medium you're working in, comes better work.
Excellent Information - Could use more examples
This book gives extremely useful insights into the grammar of film and the meanings behind the movements, sounds, shot selections, transitions, etc.It doesn't delve very deeply, but it does quite consisely and clearly demonstrate how certain decisions can either lead the viewer to a conclusion, make them feel something or just set them up for something to come.It is a good handbook to keep on the shelf and use when storyboarding.

This review first appeared in the launch issue of Moviescope magazine
One of the greatest challenges for new filmmakers is learning to handle all the possibilities of the medium for optimal storytelling. Screenwriters often focus mainly on the narrative aspect of screenwriting, without considering the innumerable options available to them on the visual, auditory or sensory level. Similarly, beginning directors can be overwhelmed by the choices on offer - or conversely, swamp the material by overloading it with all the `toys' available to them. Jennifer Van Sijll, screenwriter, lecturer and script analyst, lends a helping hand with this impressive tome.
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Cinema/Film: Book    3. Cinematography    4. Film & Video - Direction & Production    5. Film & Video - Screenwriting    6. Motion pictures    7. Performing Arts    8. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    9. Production and direction    10. Chronological Period/Ancient (To 499 A.D.)    11. Films, cinema    12. History/Ancient - General    13. Non-Classifiable    14. Performing Arts / Film / Screenwriting   

Reviews (29)

There is only one thing wrong--
with "The Cartoon History Of The Universe".
Another goodie
History textbooks have notoriously been dreary articles that students have to slog through, often with their noses held tightly.Larry Gonick is the cure. His three volumes of the Cartoon History of the Universe has it all--historical accuracy, depth, breadth and humor. The cartoons are hilarious in themselves but they convey a deeper purpose, to show the sweep of history and the complexity of it.
Larry Gonick covers the forgotten bases.
I read the first two volumes of this series years ago, and was thrilled to death when I found the third.I've since reread the entire series from beginning to end twice, and I'm sure I'm going to return to it again.
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Caricatures and cartoons    3. Cartoons and caricatures    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Renaissance    8. World - General    9. World history    10. Graphic novels    11. World history: c 500 to C 1500    12. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Reviews (1)

A Window to Civilizations of the Past and Present
As far as world civilization textbooks go, this one proves to be the most useful.The book spans from Paleolithic icemen to the industrialized peoples of the 20th century all around the world.Included are timelines within each chapter summarizing major events for the chapter.They are short and to the point.Lovely and helpful pictures appear on every page.As a person reads through this book, the begin to be able to make connections between social, cultural, political, and economic ideas in each civilization and then follows up on how each civilization develops throughout time.It is an excellent textbook for people who want to start studing world history. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Social history   

Reviews (13)

A Question of Tone
This translation of the Greek writings that the author called "To Himself" is smooth, deft, and self-assured; the book sits well in the hand; the subject index is thorough.For generations Marcus Aurelius has proven not only a welcome counselor, but a worthy opponent to measure oneself against.Why does this version leave one feeling not refreshed but harangued?
Simply Great
The choice of reading this translation of Aurelius' "Meditations" was based purely on the reviews I read here at Amazon. Most people seemed to love Scot and David Hicks' translation, so I thought it would be worth trying it. That choice was, indeed, a very good one, so thanks to all the reviewers who raved about this translation!
Stoicism for the 21st Century
This is the fourth translation of Marcus Aurelius' guidebook I have bought, and by far the most accessible, understandable, and applicable to life as I find it.
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - Rome    2. Ancient Ethics    3. Ethics    4. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    5. History & Surveys - Ancient & Classical    6. Life    7. Meditation    8. Philosophy    9. Stoics    10. Ancient Western philosophy to c 500    11. Philosophy / Ancient   

Reviews (15)

This is the one scholars quote from . . .
A collection of the major Mesopotamian myths translated by a respected scholar.This is an excellent source for those desiring an authoritative translation.Even so, these myths can be somewhat awkward to read given Dalley's use of square brackets to indicate gaps in the text and omission dots to indicate an unknown word or phrase.No doubt these are accepted academic techniques for translating ancient texts, but I do hope someone will come along and render these myths in a more enthralling format.For just such an example of how ancient texts can be made to come alive for the modern reader, see "Gilgamesh: A New English Version" by Stephen Mitchell .Nonetheless, I give Dalley five stars, but also highly, highly recommend Mitchell's new version of Gilgamesh.

Very Interesting
This is a thorough compilation of Akkadian myths.These are modern translations based on up to date scholarship.While Dalley does a good job of bringing out the poetry of these myths, these are direct translations of the original texts showing all omissions and as yet untranslated words and phrases.This approach gives a very good idea of both the character of the myths and also of the difficulties encountered by scholars in reconstructing these texts from the fragmentary available records.Readers will end numerous echoes of better known myths in these translations.The introductoryessays, footnotes, and background information are excellent.

Great Collection Of Early Mesopotamian Literature
This is an excellent collection of several ancient Mesopotamian mythical stories.The original sources used for these translations were all written in Akkadian (which includes Semitic Babylonian and Assyrian dialects).Included in this collection are "Atrahasis", "The Epic of Gilgamesh" (standard and Old Babylonian versions), "The Descent of Ishtar to the Underworld", "Nergal and Ereshkigal" (standard and Amarna versions), "Adapa", "Etana", "Anzu" (standard and Old Babylonian versions), "The Epic of Creation", "Theogony of Dunnu", and "Erra and Ishum".
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Subjects:  1. Classics    2. Comparative Religion    3. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    4. Folklore & Mythology    5. Literary Criticism    6. Literature - Classics / Criticism    7. Literature: Classics    8. Mythology, Assyro-Babylonian    9. Alternative belief systems    10. Anthropology | Folklore    11. British Isles    12. Myths & mythology    13. Other prose: classical, early & medieval    14. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (36)

Excellent work.
I'm a Chinese and I was fancinated by it when I was working as a visiting scholar at a Canadian University. I couldn't help buying it for myself when I came back to mainland China later. It's a little expensive to buy it from here, but it's worth it. For me, this book is the most comprehensive and objective history work about modern China that I have seen.

Well-Crafted, comprehensive and accessible
Probably the most useful, one-volume history of Ming and post-Ming China.Well crafted with appropriate profiles of many of the leading players.
the standard by which to measure others
I teach history in an International Baccalaureate public high school in San Diego California.After trying several other texts I have always come back to Spence for my class and my students.Every year some students come away from the unit lost and dumbfounded but more come away excited and intrigued.The chapters that we use from 1911 - 1980 are awesome for our studies which focus on the Cold War.The thoroughness of the research and preciseness of the narrative are awesome examples of historical methodology in them selves.Spence's compelling analysis on top is simply icing on the cake. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Asia - China    3. China    4. China - History - 20th Century    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Qing dynasty, 1644-1912    9. Asian / Middle Eastern history   

Reviews (85)

Non fiction that reads like fiction.
I love history stories that read like fiction. I learned a lot in the book and in addition enjoyed the the story.

Like A Renaissance "Star Trek"
This book is fascinating.
well worth the trouble
Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan departed the known world in 1519 to find a new route to the lucrative spice islands for Spain. One of his five ships returned to Spain three years later: the first to circumnavigate the globe.
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Subjects:  1. 16th century    2. Adventurers & Explorers    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Civilization    6. Explorers    7. Historical - General    8. History    9. History: World    10. Maritime History    11. Portugal    12. Special Interest - Adventure    13. Voyages around the world    14. World - General    15. History / World