The Ancient Near Eastern World (World in Ancient Times)
Grade 8 Up–These two series entries offer in-depth coverage of their subjects, based on primary sources of artifacts and documents. Both volumes also cover, to a lesser degree, the archaeologists and paleontologists responsible for our current understanding of the material and touch on differing aspects of society within each period.Near Eastern Worldtraces the history of the Fertile Crescent until Alexander the Great's conquest in 330 B.C.E. In a conversational manner, Robertshaw presents up-to-date information on human evolution as well as on early humanity in the New World. The text is matched with a great deal of supporting matter including time lines, maps, dramatis personae, high-quality photos, and artists' renderings. These fine volumes are worthy additions to most libraries. Erica Hunter'sFirst Civilizations(Facts on File, 2003, rev. ed.) is an atlas of Mesopotamian civilizations and could be paired withNear Eastern World. Christopher Sloan'sThe Human Story(National Geographic, 2004) offers briefer but more visual material on human evolution.–Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.