Reviews (23)

Chronicles Rule!
I bought a second one for a friend a week after the first copy arrived.Great, concise book.

A useful Reference document
This is a useful reference that places the lives of the Roman Emperors in chronological order. The detail is useful but not onerous and it is quite an easy read.

Great book for curious beginners in Roman history
This book is a superb addition to the library of history buffs.The book is short but packed with information on many different topics on the Roman Emperors.The book covers all Roman Emperors and does contest some myths commonly held regarding some of the more well-known emperors.The book spends a proportionate amount of time in the book compared to the emperor's rule and importance.In each mini-biography of rule, Scarre adds sections concentrating on interesting aspects of that person's rule.For instance, Augustus' section discusses the early lineage of emperors by tracing and discussing the Julio-Claudian family tree.Trajan's section has a two page insert on Trajan's Column.The book acts as a great reference of Roman leadership.Scarre adds hundreds of images consisting of both artistic renderings and archaeological finds from all periods of the Emperors' rule.Scarre ends with a highly abbreviated discussion of the last emperors of the split Roman empire.
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - Rome    2. Ancient Rome - History    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Emperors    6. Empire, 30 B.C.-476 A.D    7. Historical - General    8. History    9. History: World    10. Presidents & Heads of State    11. Roman emperors    12. Rome    13. Royalty    14. Ancient Rome    15. Biography: historical    16. European history: BCE to c 500 CE    17. Reference works   

Reviews (3)

Masterful Revelations of Egyptian Pharaonic Consciousness
The Temple of Man
Luxor Revealed
R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz spent 15 years at Luxor attempting to solve the riddle of Egytpian civilization. His final considerations are expounded fully in The Temple of Man. Lovingly translated by Robert Lawlor, this bookis at long last available in English. De Lubicz's masterwork in a stunning two-volume set!
De Lubicz's masterpiece, available for the first time in English, has been giving a beautiful translation and presentation.Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Ancient Egyptian Religion    3. Controversial Knowledge    4. Egypt    5. History & Surveys - Ancient & Classical    6. History - General History    7. History Of Civilization And Culture (General)    8. Miscellanea    9. Occultism    10. Philosophy    11. Temple of Luxor (Luxor, Egypt)    12. African history: BCE to c 500 CE    13. Religion / Antiquities & Archaeology    14. Unexplained phenomena   

Reviews (1)

Excellent volume focused on Pre-Xia Chinese history.
Comprehensive text focusing on Pre-Xia Chinese history.This text is actually a slim 300 page volume and best-of-all is available in a .pdf version that is easy to travel with.Text is missing Chinese characters to supplement the Hanyu Pinyin for Chinese terms. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Antiquities    3. Antiquities, Prehistoric    4. Archaeology    5. Archaeology / Anthropology    6. Asia - China    7. China    8. Neolithic period    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Asian archaeology    12. Social Science / Archaeology   

Editorial Review

Everybody knows the Dark Ages weren't really dark, right?Not so fast, counters archaeological journalist David Keys, maybe it's more than just a slightly judgmental metaphor.His book Read more

Reviews (48)

Looking for a catstrophe?
How much of human history has been shaped by catastrophic events?This exhaustively researched document seems like a natural place to find the answer.Unfortunately, the author's fascination with lurid details of human torture and dismemberment caused me to put the book down after just 60 blood-soaked pages.It's pretty clear that Mr. Key's interests in history do not run parallel to my own.I also found myself wondering about Key's qualifications as "Archaeological Journalist." I guess there are plenty of people who like reading tabloid-style history, and good luck to them, but I much prefer a calmer and scientific perspective of Derek Ager, in his book "The New Catastrophism, The Importance of the Rare Event in Geological History." -- Auralgo

FORCED CONCLUSIONS?
Mr. Key's authoritative research created a unique and new approach to the writing of history. His synthesis of science, culture and history was informative and entertaining. He identifies the volcanic eruption between Sumatra and Java in 535 that led to a climatic disaster that he believes helped create the modern world. He did convince this reader that the "Dark Ages were more literal than figurative." However, many of his historical conclusions were overstated. Chapters 19-29 lacked a depth of evidence and were too speculative. His constant use of words like "undoubtedly" made the reader question if he truly beleived his entire thesis? I concluded that he was at most one third correct, but ended in disagreeing that climate changes "alone" caused the birth of the modern world. I give it 4 stars for effort, but only 3 in its totality.

Interesting, relevant, but sometimes a bit stretched.
For the most part I found this book to be enjoyable, but it seems that Keys attempted in some areas to force his conclusion.Also, the same arguement seemed to be repeated far too often.Although I liked that the evidence of climate change was presented for essentially the entire planet, the conclusions at the end of each civilization were repetitive, simply restating the same thing (although, I suppose that was the point).I began to lose patience about 1/3 way through the book, but was able to persist through the conclusion.Perhaps it would have been better had Keys not spent so much time on minutae of Roman history and decline and had moved through the evidence quicker.The latter chapters on Asian and American experience were a little faster reading, likely due to the lack of minutae, largely due to the lack of records from which Keys could draw on.The final arguement on the causes of so much misfortune was compelling, but also left me feeling like our participation in the environment may all be for naught, since the Yellowstone caldera could explode at any moment, wiping us all out.I could not determine if this book wanted to be a book about climate change, history, or science. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Climate Changes    3. Climatic changes    4. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    5. Effect of environment on    6. History    7. History - General History    8. Human Ecology    9. Human beings    10. Medieval    11. Natural Disasters    12. Science    13. Science/Mathematics    14. Climatology    15. History / Ancient / General    16. Human biology   

Reviews (33)

Stepping Stone
Graham Hancock has established himself as a sort of journalistic-Indiana Jones of prehistory, or lost histories and civilizations. He puts on a lot of hats while writing "Underworld" to support his ideas - academician, geologist, archaeologist, cartographer, astronomer, traveler, explorer, historian, journalist. How you rate and perceive this book will depend upon why you are reading it. Based on the reviews I have seen of this book, different opinions have either appreciated or complained about the manifestation of one of these roles or the other. Some people think that the book is too hopped up on mythological details; some think too much detail has been put into his travel narratives, some think his attempts at establishing some degree of academic credibility have led to unwanted details, and the list goes on.
An Archeologist 's opinion
I have studied for years the Myth of Atlantis, Mu, Lemuria as an acidemic and have found there to be enough evidence for their existance.This book give a lot of the same evidence that is begining to turn the field of Archeology towards the posibility that something had to have existed, some kind of ice age advanced culture.I think everyone should make their own decision on the matter but this book is insightful and provides a good deal of information for people just starting out on the quest of the lost cultures in history.
Good fiction
Just like the old Chariots of Gods, his books are very interesting and and entertaining.But please dont think that you are reading a scientific work.Real historical works are not as sexy and entertaining as these books just as real archeologists are not Indiana Joneses. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Antiquities, Prehistoric    3. Archaeology    4. Archaeology / Anthropology    5. Civilization    6. Earth Sciences - Geology    7. Extinct cities    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Underwater archaeology    11. Social Science / Archaeology   

Reviews (1)

a clear, interesting introduction to the study of west civ
Writing an introductory Western Civ text is a daunting task.Maltby and Hause have done an excellent job of representing events accurately and clearly.They have included interesting details that help students gain afeel for the people and the periods discussed.I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. Europe - General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Social History    7. History / General   

Reviews (3)

Disappointing
The myths (fascinating) are clearly presented, with bold-face type stressing important points, but the reading is interrupted by commentaries in the margins.The introductory remarks are often written in such convoluted style that they are more confusing than illuminating. Tiny, unclear photos of related artworks are next to worthless.

Wonderfully written
I may be biased having had Dr. Devinney for a Prof a few times in the past, but this book is so well organized and clear that I recommend it to anyone. I was espically impressed with the structure!

Very pleased
Book arrived in very good condition.Description of item was accurate.Will do business with them again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Ancient and Classical    3. Fairy Tales, Folklore & Mythology    4. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    5. Literary Criticism    6. Mythology    7. Sociology    8. Classical Studies | Classical Mythology    9. Fiction / Folklore    10. Hellenic languages    11. Myths & mythology   

Reviews (1)

This Work Roxx
From the Bronze Age to the reign of Constantine, the Atlas of Classical History provides acomprehensive series of maps, diagrams, and commentary designed to meet the needs of classicalscholars, as well as general readers. Over 135 maps of the Greek and Roman worlds clearly markthe political affiliations of the cities and states, major military events, trade routes, artistic, culturaland industrial centers, and colonization and exploration. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Atlases - General    3. Atlases - Historical    4. Classical geography    5. Geography, Ancient    6. Historical geography    7. History    8. History: World    9. Maps    10. Reference    11. History / Ancient / General    12. Maps, charts & atlases    13. USA    14. World history: BCE to c 500 CE   

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Greece    3. Health Care    4. Health Care Issues    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History Of Medicine    8. History: World    9. Medical    10. Medicine, Greek and Roman    11. Rome    12. Urban health    13. Ancient World    14. Anthropology    15. Death & dying    16. History / Ancient / General    17. Public health & preventive medicine    18. Social history    19. Urban communities   

Reviews (1)

What do the Linear B Tablets say about Mycenae?
For those who have read "The Decipherment of Linear B" also by John Chadwick, detailing how Michael Ventris (with the assistance of several other scholars) deciphered the Linear B tablets found at Knossos on the island of Crete, "The Mycenaean World" will be a welcome companion book."The Decipherment" was mainly concerned with the actual process used in decrypting the tablets; "The Mycenaean World" is Chadwick's valiant attempt to interpret the translations and apply them to what is already known about the Mycenaean World from archaeological evidence.Most interesting is Chadwick's take on the mysterious fall of Mycenaean civilization.He suggests everything from natural disasters, foreign invaders and internal political strife to explain why Mycenaean Greece went into decline, descending into the Dark Ages.An interesting, though scholarly, read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Ancient - Greece    3. Civilization, Mycenaean    4. Civilization, Mycenean    5. History    6. History & Surveys - Ancient & Classical    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. History / Ancient / General    10. World history: BCE to c 500 CE   

Reviews (10)

Readable, general introduction
Very good general introduction to the social, political, and religious background of early Christianity. Covers everything from the coins in use to the condition of slaves. Written in simple, readable English. One of the best features is that every section has a bibliography with books that cover the subjects in greater depth.

Impressive Book
Everett Ferguson is a professor emeritus at Abilene Christian University.He has authored at least 20 books, edited at least 23 others, and co-translated Gregory of Nyssa: The Life of Moses with Abraham Malherbe.
As a source of protestant view on the 4th century BC to 4th century AD, YES, otherwise NO
I had hard to find anything about the veneration of saints, which I think would be important to include with a comparison to other religions of the period and earlier. In this book there's remarkably little on the actual original backgrounds of christianity, a religion composed from sources and not all that inventive uninformed people tend to think. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Christianity    3. Christianity - History - General    4. History    5. History: World    6. Judaism    7. Origin    8. Philosophy, Ancient    9. Post-exilic period, 586 B.C.-210 A.D    10. Religion - Church History    11. Republic, 510-30 B.C    12. Rome    13. History of religion   

Editorial Review

One of the most vexing problems in Egyptology is the question of establishing reliable chronologies, whether through relative methods such as stratigraphy and the dating of artifacts or through more absolute time horizons established by astronomical ephemera or radiometric dating. In this overview of ancient Egypt--meant for advanced students, but accessible to general readers with an interest in the area--Ian Shaw and 13 contributors pay close attention to issues of chronology, reconciling conflicts of dating that mark older scholarship.Read more

Reviews (12)

Encyclopedic work
The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt is really more of an encyclopedia than a narrative history.Each of its 15 chapters is written by a different author, presumably an expert in the particular time period under study.This lends itself to a disjointed style as each author presents an overwhelming welter of archeological facts in an effort to deal with their own view of the controversies in the assigned area.While no doubt providing the experienced Egyptologist with fine details is important, the casual reader will find the book a dense and confusing read. The details of stone-age arrowhead manufacture or the various types of thrown pottery in the First Intermediate Period tend to obscure the bigger picture. As a prerequisite for reading this book I would recommend something lighter and more cohesive such as "A History of Ancient Egypt" by Grimal.
Bone Crunching Read
First of all, do not buy the non-illustrated version of this book, it is too hard to follow without some form of visual reference imo.Secondly, the book focuses way too heavily on the archeological finds and archelogists and treats the actual history as if it were secondary information.It makes me wonder if this is a book about the history of the archeological discovery of ancient Egypt or the history of ancient Egypt itself.I have read on for dozens of pages (I am currently on page 110) about the most minut details of regions, geology, dates and tools...If you are interested in the actual history of Ancient Egypt, and like me, have little interest in the nile flood inundation then I would suggest getting another book.

So Rameses II had 85 kids...
This is a very thorough history on Ancient Egypt.All aspects of Egyptian history and society are addressed- chronology, history, religion, and culture.It's great for both newcomers to Egyptology and people with experience in the subject.Without getting too technical, it overviews the basic outline of Egyptian history, detailing historical, cultural, and religious development throughout the country's long history.Many interesting details (such as the one in the title of this review) are referenced, making the book a very interesting read apart from a simple overview.The chronology is pretty solid, although the authors themselves admit that some of it may need adjusting (by a few decades at most, nothing drastic).Overall, a very good overview of Ancient Egyptian history. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Egypt    2. Ancient - General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Middle East - Egypt    7. African history: BCE to c 500 CE    8. Ancient Egypt    9. BCE to c 500 CE    10. History / Ancient / Egypt    11. History, World | Ancient | Egyptian   

Reviews (21)

Good Biography
I enjoyed reading "Alexander the Great" by Paul Cartledge, Greek History Professor at Cambridge University. Alexander the Great is among (if not) the greatest soldier in recorded history He achieved stunning military and political success in his short life. The book is structured thematically, which I found interesting and has good illustrations of battle lines, maps, glossary, bibliography, among other things.
What the movie doesn't tell you...
An overview of the military conquests of Alexander the Great whose campaigns spread the influence of Greek culture into modern civilization. This is more of the story that wasn't shown in the 2004 movie. Once you learn more of the real Alexander you will truly wonder why Colin Farrell was cast as him.

Would You Serve in the Phalanx for Alexander?
I read this book just before seeing Oliver Stone's film Alexander. This is a highly readable book, as are all of Paul Cartlegde's works. Most of the criticism I've seen of this book is off the mark, I think. What is most valuable about this biography is that the professor is extremely rigorous in sifting the historical record, which is mainly secondary, and the archaeological record in searching for the great Macedonian king. This is neither a hatchet job nor a paean to Alexander's virtues--Cartledge offers a balanced analysis of the source material and an examination of the authors from which they sprang.That is why he does not take a chronological path in this excavation of the historical record; his project is not to tell a story but to examine the record and hypothesize a psychological profile of the conqueror.For rigor alone this book gets five stars.
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Subjects:  1. 356-323 B.C    2. Alexander,    3. Ancient - Greece    4. Ancient World History    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Biography/Autobiography    9. Generals    10. Greece    11. Historical - General    12. History    13. Macedonian Expansion, 359-323 B.C    14. the Great,    15. History / Ancient / Greece   

Reviews (14)

Practical Application of the Principle
This reviewer wholeheartedly agrees with Prof. Feder's principle that scholarly research needs to ignore beliefs and follow the evidence to wherever it leads. Unfortunately, Feder provides ample examples of the violation of that principle himself. He consistently puts his 'scientific' beliefs ahead of sound research. A couple of instances should suffice to illustrate the paradox in his thinking.
Okay, Why Did it Work?
One can't blame Kenneth Feder for wanting to write this book. In the first chapter, he states his reasoning: In the late 1960s he subscribed to a book club lured by the cheap price of four books. One was on psychic sciences, one on yoga, one on the black arts, and one on magic. Claims in these books based on physics, biology, psychology, and history seemed reasonable to Feder because he thought that he did not have "the knowledge to assess them intelligently." But archaeology ... that was another matter. Feder is a professional archaeologist who weighs in this book.
I was looking for info on the Moundbuilders
but I got much more.It is a book I will use for reference often. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Archaeology    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. Forgery of antiquities    5. History: World    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Social Science / Archaeology    9. World history   

Reviews (191)

This is exactly what Paul and John were up against...
Wow, there's so much; where should I begin? Well, for starters, let me say that the authors of this work are operating under three or four fundamental and critical errors of belief: 1) They assume that the bible version they are citing is the equivalent of the AV, or authorized text (it isn't); 2) They assume that "Catholic" is equivalent to Christian (it isn't); 3) They assume automatically that the account of history recorded in the Book of Genesis is not correct (we'll talk about that later); 4) They are very selective about which historical figures they choose to assume never existed (Jesus Christ, of whom much is written), and which ones they choose to assume did exist (Celsus, the linchpin to their list of pagan references, of whom little is written, and none of his written works even exist any longer). Yes, they are very arbitrary indeed about whom they will "grant life" to, these modern-day rehashers of old Gnosticism.
Interesting Read
Although this book is repetitious with its constant summarizations of points already made, I recommend it to anyone interested in exploring Egyptian and Pagan influences on early Christianity. I won't go into detail about its content because other reviewers already have done that, as well as reinforce the idea that one man's "scholarship" is another man's "polemic." I believe one reviewer suggests that the authors rehash ideas "that have been discredited over the years by sound scholarship." After years of studying the subject, I would disagree. I believe the authors advance numerous ideas that are irrefutable to anyone who has seriously studied comparative religion and mythology.
THE JESUS MYSTERIES
THE JESUS MYSTERIES by Timothy Freke & Peter Gandy is probably the best- known new take on the Pagan origins of the Jesus Cult. It is a scholarly and engaging work that takes the reader back through mythic time to trace the many lines that lead directly to the construction of what was to become the doctrine of the early church. There are particularly interesting allusions to the ancient Egyptian religion & the Cult of Isis and her son Horus (the Sun God. The image of Isis suckling the babe Horus was obviously the artistic inspiration for the Christian Madonna & Child. The allegorical basis of this idea is reinforced by the fact that in myth Isis was said to have conceived her son following the death of her husband Osiris--in other words, a Virgin Birth.
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Subjects:  1. Antiquities & Archaeology    2. Christianity - Theology - Christology    3. Christianity and other religions    4. Comparative Religion    5. Greek    6. Mysteries, Religious    7. Religion    8. Religion - World Religions    9. Social Science    10. Sociology of Religion    11. Religion / Sociology of Religion   

Subjects:  1. Antiquities    2. Chimes    3. Description and travel    4. Peru   

Reviews (20)

The most important bio of the most important churchmen
As the first 19 reviews here have thoroughly described, this is the definitive bio of Augustine.(What Bainton once was for Luther).The 2nd edition is a whole new work.
Augustine of Hippo
This is a classic biography by a master in his field.It is heavy at times, but that reflects the complex person, Augustine, as much as, or more than, the biographer's ability to portray him.The new added chapters, reviewing the more recent discoveries of letters and sermons, and relating how they changed the author's previous judgments of Augustine, are especially excellent.

From Manichees to Donatists, the World of Augustine
I read the old version, which was fine. Augustine spanned the gap between the classic world and the emerging world of the middle ages.He started life as a Manichee and flirted with neo-platonism before settling down to life as the bishop of Hippo in Roman Africa.His was a very "Roman African" kind of career (a phrase which meant nothing to me before this book).Roman African Christianity was a "purer" form that was less influenced by decadent Roman/Italian ways.In fact, the main schism of Augustine's time, the Donatists, had split from the Catholic church over the issue of Christian collaboration with Roman pagan authorites.
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Subjects:  1. Augustine,    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Historical - General    5. History: World    6. Religious    7. Saint, Bishop of Hippo    8. BCE to c 500 CE    9. Biography: historical    10. Christian spiritual & Church leaders    11. History / Ancient / General    12. North Africa   

Reviews (3)

***** The New Bible Standard on Holy Gnosticism *****

Praise From A Fellow Gnostic Author

The survey and fascinating exposure of the historical facts sought for hundreds of years by dedicated scholarship
Strongly recommended to the historically inclined general reader with an interest in esoteric philosophy, history, and metaphysical studies, Gnosis: The Secret Of Solomon's Temple Revealed by Philip Gardiner is the grand survey and fascinating exposure of the historical facts sought for hundreds of years by dedicated scholarship. From the Knight's Templar to intricate depths of Egyptology, Gnosis covers every important event, item and person involved with the secrets of King Solomon's tomb. Also highly recommended are two additional books by Philip Gardiner: The Shining Ones and The Serpent Grail.
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Ancient World History    3. Controversial Knowledge    4. Gnosticism    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History Of Religion (General)    8. History: World    9. Mythical Civilizations    10. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    11. Wisdom (Gnosticism)    12. Controversial Knowledge & Mysteries   

Subjects:  1. Civilization    2. History    3. History: World   

Reviews (5)

A Gem
This is a very strange and beautiful book in pictures. It reads like a dream if you tune in to it, and reveals very deep meanings about the relation between life and death, the human relation to the forces of nature, and time. Even though there are no words, it is possible to understand. If you get into it the symbols become more and more recognizable, and they begin to speak. the calendrical symbols and the spirit deities are completely recognizable. The sequences are all about times, and there is a big element about sacrifice. It has to do with the consequences of change; there is no life without death. The book has a very powerful image of life and death fused back to back that pretty much is the epitome of all the book is about. It's all about life and death in relation to time.

Excellent, and at this price...
This is a wonderful resouce for those interested in ancient Mexico.Full photographic facsimilies of these codices are hideously expensive, and really, most are not in great shape. After extensive research, we have here a great reproduction of what this important work looked like when it was "fresh off the presses."It is beautiful, and in comparison to Dover's similar Codex Nuttall, this work comes with a MUCH better introduction that explains more of the text, the context, and the ideology.Readers will be able to better understand some of the religious principles of the ancient Mexicans (and there is some debate whether this book was painted by Aztecs or Mixtecs, which I won't bore you with!).It shows gods, ceremonies, the calender, and other religious iconography which is interesting, and would be a revelation for more the artisticly inclined. The visuals are wonderfully presented and all in all this is an astonishing bargain.Those with even a casual interest in New World archaeology or art NEED to get this book.

Terrific insight
This book gives terrific insight into the ancient Mexicans, their theology and world view, and their way of life.The illustrations are extremely well done, and the interpretation is on the mark. A must-have for anyone interested in ancient Mesoamerica. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Aztec calendar    4. Aztec mythology    5. Aztecs    6. Calendar    7. Codex Borgianus    8. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies - Tribes    9. History    10. History - Prehistoric & Primitive    11. Manuscripts    12. Native American    13. Antiques & collectables: books, manuscripts, ephemera & printed matter    14. Decorative arts & crafts    15. History / Native American