Ancient History Books

This book explains the lithic forms and reduction seqences as clearly as anyone, and better than most. Definitely one for the archaeologists reference shelf, and good for students.

This is a must have primer for anyone learning about stone tool manufacture. Andrefsky adeptly informs the reader of all the major aspects of non-micro lithic analysis, and I plan to require this book if when I teach lithics in the future.

The best book on the authentication and dating of stone items I have ever seen. A complete guide suitable for study or browsing. I even read mine in bed!!!

Andrefsky, pulls together great narration and drawings that make complex physics look easy. This book will help any one understand what is involved in lithic tool production, and shed some light and interesting insight for those that consider themselves advanced in lithic tool study. This is a great addition to the cambridge books on archaeology.

The German scholar H. Dessau unmasked the six authors of the Historia Augusta (HA) as the brainchildren of one impostor, whom Sir Ronald Syme in his `Ammianus and the Historia Augusta' calls a master of historical romance.
This book contains 17 lives of emperors from the HA, together with 2 small biographies of Nerva and Trajan compiled by the excellent translator Anthony Birley.
The anonymous author of the HA mingled excerpts from other works, particularly by Cassius Dio and Herodian, with his own `fiction' to compile a parody of imperial hagiographies, exposing those who `belittle the defeated'.
It is a work in super-Hollywood style with fake letters, bogey references and even an insult litany on Commodus. The latter `killed with his own hand many thousands of wild animals, even elephants.' During the reign of Antoninus Pius, `four lions became tame of their own accord and yielded to capture'.
Hadrian was a Stakhanovist: `At one and the same time, he wrote, dictated, listened and conversed with his friends - if it can be believed.'
Avidus Cassius had a schizophrenic character; he `seemed truculent and rough, but sometimes placid and mild; often he was devout, but at other times scornful of sacred things; avid of wine, and again abstinent; eager for food but able to endure starvation; a devotee of Venus and a lover of chastity.'
Marcus Antoninus `made the bad good and the good very good.'
Pescennius Niger insulted his soldiers: `You have the Nile and you ask for wine?'
But the author is fundamentally a moralist: `Wretched is the republic which endures those men who are desirous of riches, and the rich.'
Severus `killed many for allegedly consulting astrologers or seers about his health, especially each and every person suitable for the imperial office.... Yet the murderer of these men is regarded as a god.'
Emperors don't need hagiographies: (Hadrian) `The lot of emperors is wretched, for they cannot be believed in cases of attempted usurpation - unless they have been killed.'

This cleverly disguised author wrote a superb hoax, which is a must read for all lovers of classical literature.

If you are to read this enigmatic work, you are already a Roman History buff, so beware to sort the fiction from actual history. Historia Augusta, in its better moments, renders the same flavor as a well-accomplished Xena episode; one feels befuddled by the mix between History, sheer invention and tongue-in-cheek humour; eventually, one wants to read more (well, supposing you are a Roman history buff and a xenite...) Therefore I regret very much the absence of an integral version of the whole work, that is the second half - the histories of the emperors after Heliogabalus - where fiction predominates, and which is perhaps the most intersting part in historical terms, as it is pratically the only written source for the most troubled years of the Roman Empire. Reading the work puts a most intriguing question: why it was that Late Antiquity found it necessary to look at its own past this way? Not a entirely otiose question in our postmodern days, I daresay.

The Augustan History is probably one of the most enigmatic and controversial historical documents to reach the present. Birley gives an excellent introduction on the current state of knowledge - according to which the book was a fraud or joke of sorts - and his notes are careful to point out what is likely to be true or not. The ancient text itself can be quite irritating to read, though. Birley's own lives of Nerva and Trajan are rather more interesting.

This book is meant to be a continuing off of the Suetonius book, ending with Elagabalus (Heliogalabalus). This book is written similarly to Suetonius and includes the cover and inside grittiness of each emperor. a must read for people interested in the personal lives of the emperors.

Ever since I was a child I have been interested in archaeology. Most texts only offer a broad overview of archaeology, and never let the reader in on the secrets, debates and intricacies of a topic. Thus, being a lay reader, I have always felt that I was getting a watered down version of a given topic.

George Grena has now created a text that allows the reader to not only obtain a wonderful overview of the context and use of the lemelekh handles, but he also provides intricate detail regarding the current and past thinking related to these small but critically important objects.

Having, so far, read the text twice, I am still gleaning new details concerning the possible role of the lemelekh storage jars during the late iron age. Mr Grena has created a text that allows someone who has never heard of the lemelekh handle phenomenon to not only come up to speed on the current scholarly thinking regarding these handles, but to then take the next step, along with the author, in considering new possibilities as to their purpose.

Other reviewers have detailed the text already, and I don't want to be redundant; I would like to add though that if you purchase a single book concerning Biblical Archaeology, this may be the one to consider. In the "Mystery belonging to the King" the reader not only obtains a perspective on this period of Biblical Judah not available elsewhere, but also comes away with a greater appreciation for the process of archaeology and the role of small "apparently" unimportant finds play in determining the course of history. I can't wait to read volume II!

This is an excellent and very exhaustive volume on the exciting study of the lemelek jar handles from ancient Israel. It is well structured, interestingly written and sheds new insight on an old topic. It surely is one of the best books on the subject. I agree with the author that the jars did not just precede the 701 BC invasion of Judah by King Sennacherib of Assyria! I think that some of the jars remained in use after 701 and some seem also to have been manufactured well into the 7th cent. BC. (an issue which is now increasingly held by leading scholars in the field).

George Grena`s exciting suggestion that the type 484 store jars were mainly used for religious purposes is exciting, even though I am not entirely sure yet that this will be the end of the story. Nonetheless as I have suggested myself in the past, the winged sun disk does seem to be an icon for Yahweh (as e.g also Othmar Keel and Christoph Uehlinger from Fribourg Univerisity have previously argued). I am not completely sure though, that this was originally an icon for Yahweh, which then was adopted by other nations of the ancient Levant. At any rate the icon is early and was adopted quite early in Israel (e.g. the Ta'anak cult stand), but was felt to be appropriate by many Judahites, as indeed many biblical texts do underline that e.g. Yahweh`s face shineth forth etc. Note also that one of king Hezekiah`s ministers (as attested on several bullae from his reign) is called Yehozarah = "Yahweh shines". Yahweh is worshipped as the divine monarch, who is the light of the nations and who enlightens his people Israel. The solarization of Yahwism did not end with Hezekiah`s reign, however, but instead even increased during the reign of his son and successor Manasseh, during the first half of the 7th cent. BC. The solar icons of Hezekiah`s reign surely seem to have been misappropriated during Manasseh`s reign, who according to 2Kgs 23 changed Yahweh`s temple into an idolatrous solar shrine. The horses dedicated to Yahweh were located there (probably statues - note also that the horse is linked to Shamash in Assyria (Manasseh was a vassal of the Assyrians!), but also already earlier on e.g. the Ta'anak cult stand, i.e. if the animal seen in the first register is indeed a horse - as suggested e.g. by Glen Taylor. The horses were smitten during king Josiah`s reform (ca. 625 BC). Horses (as probably dedicated to the sun) are also shown on some lmlk jar handles as well as on the unprovenanced seal of a Ashyahu servant of the king (a known minister of king Josiah and perhaps already of Manasseh). All this gives me reason to think that several lmlk jar handles may still have been made during the reign of Manasseh, who then may have used them for different purposes or also for offerings paid to Yahweh`s temple (much in line George Grena`s exciting theory), where his more solarized representations of Yahweh were then worshipped. I am less certain that Hbrn, Swkh, Zyp and Mmsht are to be understood as mere descriptions related to worship as Grena suggests, but even then this suggestion is worth further consideration and certainly most thought provoking!

This thorough volume on the subject is worth reading and should be highly recommended to lay man and student/ scholar alike. Anyone who is interested in the epigraphy of ancient Israel must read this book!

Peter van der Veen PhD candidate (ancient Israelite epigraphy)

Anyone with an interest in Old Testament history or archaeology should take a serious look at this book. The subject of the book is the stamped jar handles that have been found in Israel that have the Hebrew inscription "LMLK" on them. This inscription means "(belonging) to the king." Most of the handles also have another word on them which has traditionally been associated with one of four cities in the Jerusalem area, Hebron, Socoh, Ziph, and Mamshet. The author describes these seal impressions in detail, categorizing the 21 known types by style and probable date. Scholarly consensus is that these artifacts date from the reign of king Hezekiah (729-687 BC) and may have been part of the preparation for the invasion of the Assyrian king Sennacherib in 701 BC. This dating was confirmed by David Ussishkin's excavations at Lachish, a town in the Judean foothills that Sennacherib boasts of having destroyed and that produced numerous LMLK handles.
The book begins by introducing the basic history and facts about LMLK handles. Grena proposes a new classification system for identifying and organizing the seal impressions (which easily supersedes previous attempts at classification). Grena then presents a very large amount of primary data, ranging from photos, measurements, and statistics to an extensive review of the published literature. The book ends with an intriguing section on the function of the original LMLK jars. Which sets of seals were made first? Were the jars intended for religious use, governmental collection, or military preparation? Do the words on the handles indicate actual cities, regions, religious categories, or some other use? How should the geographic dispersion of the handles affect our interpretation of them?
A couple of unique characteristics of this volume should also be mentioned. A CD is included in the back cover. The CD contains the entire contents of the book, including text, drawings, maps, fonts, and photos. This is helpful in several ways- it makes it easy to search electronically for a particular word or item, it makes it easy to use the information in another format (such as a PowerPoint presentation), and it encourages further development of Grena's work by others, which is the author's intent. Another really neat feature is the inclusion of a clear overlay with 1:1 drawings of each seal type. This allows any reader to see the actual size and shape of the seals, and it also allows anyone with access to an actual LMLK handle to quickly classify that handle by placing the overlay on top of the seal impression.
There can be no doubt that this book has taken the study of LMLK handles to a new and exciting level. This is the best single source for information on LMLK handles available today. I for one am already looking forward to the appearance of volume 2!

Dr. Greorge Grena has done an amazing job of starting with the first LMLK Jar Handles excavated under the Temple Mount in 1868 right up to the present day. Do these handles contain emblems that represent the glory of God??? Or were they just sacred bugs and sun discs? One thing is clear these handles have definitely affected the Archaeological dating of the many sites excavated in Israel. Do they come from the late 700s BC or do they come from the late 600s BC. Dr. Grena's drawings of the 21 known LMLK seals are the best, most accurate representations surpassing even Dr. Andre Lemaire's(of the James Ossuary Controversy) chart from the early 1980's.
This LMLK Book and the LMLK DotCom Research Website provide fascinating material that you cannot easily find. I highly recommend this book!!!!!!!

Accidentally found by an amateur named Russell Burrows, the extraordinary collection of artifacts taken from a cave in southern Illinois has been believed to be a fake and a hoax. Viewed with much opposition and skepticism by many lofty archeological experts. A large subterranean crypt which is accounted to contain gold statues, sarcophagi, coins and medallions, uncut diamonds and inscribed scrolls among many other valuable antiquities. But the most intriguing artifacts to come out of Burrows Cave are the hundreds of portrait stones. All depicting men and women in more than just Roman, Egyptian, Phoenician, Numidian and Hebrew appearances as well as their written languages. This mixture of ancient society found in one unusual setting seems all too good to be true, as nothing else like it has ever been found in the New World. But the author presents a large amount of curious evidence in how authenticity is considered possible, and explains the important links to pre-Columbian history. He tells of many other significant findings made in Illinois, North America, South America and the Old World that provide factual support for verification. Bringing it all together effectively with great persuasive detail.

The author begins with a thorough history of King Juba II and how he and his wife, Cleopatra Selene became rulers of ancient Mauretania in North Africa. Then continues to explain the war waged by Rome against this semi-independent nation and it's effects, or the Mauertanian exodus it caused. All of these events the author illustrates in a slightly dramatized manner. With the majority of chapters that follow, he focuses on the Illinois site; it's relics and the comments of various experts, while giving his own viewpoints and understandings. The information is arranged well with perfect quotes at the start of each chapter, plenty of black and white photos and a summarizing timeline. Because there is still much that remains untold and undiscovered on the subject, could be why the book wasn't closed with a strong conclusion. And I also felt that a few more maps, besides the one of Illinois would have been beneficial to the book. But otherwise I was pleased with it overall.

Whether the existence of a "treasure house of gold" remains entirely true or not, it still is a very interesting and educational read. Even the actions and nature of Mr. Burrows, and the trouble he caused interested investigators, makes it read almost something like a fiction novel. And as controversial as theories can be, it still is a story that shouldn't be ignored or remain lost in time. For starters, Frank Joseph's book will entice your curiosity.

Frank Joseph's latest book offers a good overview of the controversy surrounding the Burroughs Cave,well known in diffusionist circles but less so elsewhere.While he can't prove the authenticity of the artifacts he does clearly lay out how the controversy developed and the reasons he believes the artifacts are 'real'.The automatic anti-diffusionist bias of conventional academia definitely does prevent a fair ascesment of the case, though many diffusionists remain skeptical as well. Where the book shines is in the lucid description of ancient Mauritania's history and how that could fit in with the existance of the cave in Illinois and it's purported treasure.The reader learns about the complex mixture of cultures in ancient north Africa and it's maritime tradition. The story of the province's rise to wealth and cosmopolitan splendour is excellently told, as is it's trajic destruction at the hands of Rome.l feel these chapters are worthwhile even for those unfamiliar with the diffusionist- isolationist debate, revealing a dramatic yet little known chapter in ancient history.lt forms a sort of sequel to the famous tale of Ceaser,Anthony and Cleopatra.Even many students of history may not have been aware or the survival and ultimate fate of the Ptolemaic dynasty after Cleopatra's death.lt has all the makings of an engrossing historical novel.Hence l recommend the book to both history buffs and those fascinated by the possibility of trans-oceanic diffusion in antiquity.

In 1982 a hobby archaeologist discovered the strangest of treasures in an Illinois cave: Many thousands of artifacts and coins, appearing to be all of the below: Phoenician, Mauretanien, Numidian, Egyptian, Roman, Celtic, Jewish, Christian and some others (of various phenotypes, by the way, this isn't exclusively about black skinned Africans). It isn't only about African traces in the pre-Columbian, even pre-Viking Americas, but about that incredible mix.

The structure of the 2003 book is most rewarding. Five chapters (1/4 of the book) is devoted to ancient Mediterranean history, featuring Egypt, Rome (including Greece), Numidia and Mauretania. Starting with Cleopatra and ending with her grandkids. The popularly "educated" via respective Hollywood movies will be left very surprised. The next chapter is devoted to reconstructed history at the time, after Caligula turned the Roman empire's previous amicable relationship with ancient Mauretania (roughly today's Morocco) sour, conquered that African kingdom, leading to an exodus of its multicultural population to the only save haven: The Americas, largely unknown to Rome, but not to the Africans. Seven chapters are devoted to the controversy of most important archaeological find of the century (at least) versus most elaborate hoax. Usually I don't care that much for this sort of focus, but in this case I can promise a most suspensefull and eye-opening reading experience of this major section of the book. Two chapters are devoted to general evidence of Africans in the pre-Columbian Americas (largely not copying Ivan Van Sertima's 1976 classic They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America, but listing fresh findings). Another two are devoted to the evidence of the Illinois cave itself, analyzing the many significances.

Be prepared that this print doesn't finish up everything about Burrows Cave and that you will google it after having finished this book. The reason for that is that within the 21 years after its discovery an all-encompassing scientific analasys of the cave could not take place. For the most absurd, yet fascinating, mostly saddening, frustrating and angering reasons. Yet many objects have been able to get scientifically analyzed, in a CSI fashion. And yes, the way, all of this has been handled could be described as a crime. By virtually everyone involved. That provides for an unexpected reading. Not only focusing on the find itself, but the high-handedness of the discoverer who doesn't want to diclose too much, the greed of some of the involved, asocial private collectors, ignorance and arrogance of prejudiced experts, inadequate laws, the utter passivity of the government throughout the entire affair and many more failures of I-and-I (us) humans who are obviously not able to deal with such a find, no matter from which perspective. As a result, this treasure has survived almost two millennia, getting protected by Native Americans during that time, only to get largely lost, destroyed and otherwise inaccessible within a few years of exposure to current Western culture. I hardly dared to turn the pages for the contrast of awestruck wonder for the 1st century A.D. forgotten Mauretanian exodus with its evidence left behind and the grim despair of having to learn about our contemporaries: "What have they done now to the historic evidence?!".

If you are interested in the subject of early "discoveries" of the Americas preceding Columbus from all sorts of peoples such as Africans, Polynesians, Chinese and Europeans, would like to read an update (of 2006) and are able to overstand German, look for "Bevor Kolumbus kam. Die frühen Entdecker Amerikas" by Rene Oth (literally translating as: "Before Columbus Came: The Early Discoverers of America")

In The Lost Treasure Of King Juba, Frank Joseph provides an inherently interesting and iconoclastic discourse on the evidence of Africans in America before Columbus, outlining evidence obtained from over 7000 artifacts removed from a 1982 cave in southern Illinois. Here Joseph pieces together the common story of how these artifacts came to appear in a hidden cave in Illinois, recreating the story of a fleet of ships which voyaged to a land in escape of their ruined African kingdom. A fascinating discourse.

This book is okay, I had to read it in school. I've read better books before but if you are a person who likes to read historical books. then this book might be the type you're looking for. It's told from the point of views of 17year old Simon and the Roman Commander, Flavis Silva. it's Interesting how you get to know what's going on both sides of the 'war' During the last few months before the Romans won

Though I wouldn't recommend this book for younger audiences because of the violence and references to camp harlots, it was a compelling drama. Besides the political and religious aspects of the story, there is the underlying love story of unrequited love between Simon and Deborah, who is pledged to his best friend, John. It is the story of courage and hope despite overwhelming odds. By writing from the Roman general's point of view also, we get a look at his insights into the situation as well as political greed, corruption, honor, and cruelty. The themes in this novel are universal.

This book held my interest from the first pages. It's told from the Roman commander's viewpoint and the son of the Jewish leader who wants to be a physican and succeeds just at the time when he must kill those he loves. The last chapters had me in tears. It really brings alive the people and problems of the period. Imagine the Romans, surrounding the fortress, having to haul in water and supplies for months in the desert heat, and the Jews - trying to stop the building of the ramp which would let the Romans use their battering ram to break into their fortress. Don't have to be Jewish to find the book fascinating

Gloria Miklowitz has written an interesting work of historical fiction, that will leave young readers awed at the Zealots courage, and disgusted with the Roman resolve to conquer all. The author uses several devices to keep young adults both male and female reading including the friendship/conflict between the young narrator and John, the rising military leader for the Jews and their struggles in loving the same young woman. Alternating voices of the young Jewish narrator and the commander of Roman forces are easily distinguished and insightful. Adults and young adults will have plenty to discuss and think about. Not recommended for ages ten and under, for the mass suicide at the end would be both frightening and difficult for younger children to comprehend.

Really an excellent book, although it is philosophy of math, it is easy to understand. We could know then, how important the math in promoting the society!

I agree with the above review and would simply like to add my own thoughts. The book illustrates the fascinating way in which mathematics, society, religion, politics and of course physics have affected each other (it goes both ways!) through out the ages. Furthermore, the author nicely illustrates the processes by which people think and how those processes have also changed through the ages (i.e., The Age of Reason versus The Renisance). This book left me with real insights as to the nature and limitations of the current state of mathematics and physics. Things are not as they seem, my friend! Lastly, the author displays an appreciation for the humor and irony of the history which makes this book hard to put down at times. I never thought a math/history book could be a "page turner"... Read it.

Kline's work is a breath of fresh air and an electric shock all in one. His handling of both the history of math and the math itself intertwine so well that you finish the work actually "knowing" for sure what you thought you knew in high school or college math classes. Having read this book one could argue that Kepler was the greatest scienctific mind ever, and actually be able to defend the thesis. A must read.

In most mathematics classes, students are presented with a completed edifice, and given a floor plan to help them navigate the halls. While this approach works for many people, others need a little more basic information. In this book, Morris Kline builds the building, starting with the mud and straw of the bricks.

"Mathematics in Western Culture" shows that the history of mathematics is one of hundreds of years of people sitting in the sand, drawing shapes and lines, scratching their heads, and trying to figure things out. This is not necessarily Dr. Kline's intention for the book, but this is certainly one of the many messages to be derived from it.

A fascinating, exciting book which makes mathematics more understandable and accessible.

Mark S. Smith's book "Memoirs of God" is a condensed version of his other books, "The Early History of God" and "The Origins of Biblical Monotheism" for the general reader. In addition, Smith adds the element of cultural memory and amnesia to his previous books. The result is a fascinating look at the evolution of theological culture concepts in ancient Israel.

The early Isrealite concept of divinity was essentially polytheistic. According to Smith, the concept of divinity was modeled on the family, with a "patron god," a consort or wife, and a group of lesser divinities. The Isrealites apparently were influenced in this regard by Ugarit, an ancient near-Eastern country. When Israel became a united Monarchy in the 8th century BC, the concept of divinity began to change. After the Assyrian conquest and re-population, the re-conceptualization of divinity as monotheism was cemented. What happened was that after families were broken up, it was no longer logical to see the family as the model for divinity. The Isrealites could no longer look at individuals as being punished for the sins of their parents, for one thing. For another, in the old model of divinity, each country had a patron god, and if a country fell, then that god must have been punishing them, or was a false god. So instead of their being a patron god for each country, in the wake of the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, Yahweh became the god of the whole universe, and the later writings from the "D" source (Deuteronomy) reflect this change in view. Vestiges of the old polytheistic view in the biblical writings could remain, as long as they could be re-interpreted within a Monotheistic framework. As a result, there was a cultural amnesia about Israel's polytheistic origins, or to put it another way, the memories of Israel's polytheism were repressed. The biblical writings are an expression of cultural memory and cultural amnesia.

Of course, that was just a general sketch of what Smith talks about in the book. This is highly recommended for non-scholars who want a background on biblical writings.

Brilliantly written, Mark Stratton Smith takes you on an intellectual journey into the why's and wherefore's of Monotheistic belief.
It is certainly not for a reader with no background in the subject.

The material presented by Mark Smith is an insightful interpretation of the collective memory of an ancient culture. The thoughts are well organized and easy to understand by a non academic.

Mark Smith writes in this book that the Hebrew Bible contains both the collective memory of ancient Israel and the collective amnesia. The first two chapters are representations of Israel's past in the Bible. This discussion begins about 1200 BCE and ends about the beginning of the Persian Period. The Dead Sea Scrolls get mentioned as examples of the longevity of ideas. The biblical history prior to 1200 BCE (Genesis, etc.) is explained as a memoir from a later period when Israel simply wished that life was not so painful as it was. In chapter 2, Smith focuses on the challanges facing Israel's existence. One of the basic questions was: who or what was an Israelite? Israel was not just the "twelve tribes." In chapter 3, Smith takes a look at the biblical representation of montheism in the Bible. In this chapter Smith looks at the monotheism of the Bible from the point ot view of the pantheon of Ugarit. If this is unfamiliar to the reader, the reader may want to consult Lowell Handy's _Among the Host of Heaven: The Syro-Palestinian Pantheon as Bureaucracy_ or other writings. In chapter 4, Smith introduces collective amnesia as proposed by various scholars.

In a postscript, Smith addresses the *theological* problem of how to deal with a revelation which may be related to both the language and culture of the Bible or which may be unrelated altogether. Those who study the Bible as a "single eternal" witness fail to understand the Bible's own witnesses. Yet the Bible as theology is an attempt to relate how Israel engaged the challanges it faced and, as a record, to help subsequent peoples to do the same.


Does a people collectively forget its oral history? Or do written records replace what we think people had thought when maybe they did and maybe they thought something else. Smith has a most thought-provoking book.

With all of the many books on health available today, it is hard to know which book to buy. Many books offer little more than new age sentiments, full of flowery prose but light on content. With "Mend the Mind, Mind the Body, Meet the Soul," Dr. Raj Kapoor has offered a practical and thought-provoking introduction to the methods and techniques of getting healthy and syating healthy. Breathing techniques,diet,sleep,relaxation; no matter what aspect of health is your concern, you can be sure that Dr. Kapoor's book addresses it. What is so unique about this book is that everything is related in terms of real-world examples, culled from Dr. Kapoor's own experiences with his patients. This allows for the reader to internalize the lessons into their own daily lives. If you are looking for a book to help you getting started on the right track to better health, look no further !

The book is written in a very lucid way and seems to be based on author's own experience. Methods suggested for meditation are similar to the ones being practiced by Indian Yogis. It is very much relevant in todays world. If practiced regularly and properly, the practices are bound to bear fruits sooner than later.

With this book Dr.Kapoor has set new standards for the mature understanding of philosophy and how it helps one to uncover the hidden secrets of our body and soul.This in turn enables one to achieve the peace of mind in this tumultous society laden with stresses at all levels.One should read this book twice to grasp the meaning of all it conveys.

This book is one of the greatest books for the mind and body. Every page you read soothes the soul even more. If you are looking for a book to assuage your obstinancy, "Mend the Mind, Mind the Body, Meet the Soul" is one of the most provacative books I have read. Dr. Raj Kapoor is a brilliant man who catches people's problems and resolves them in his book. Watch out Deepak Chopra there is a new Guru in town!

My son and daughter, ages 7 and 10, enjoy this book. The illustrations are very detailed and the book is loaded with interesting facts about the country. I highly recommend this book for kids with inquiring minds.

Great book in the world of Magic School Bus. We loved it. I loved the facts about China written all over the book. Read over & over in our house!

Miss Frizzle and her class from The Magic School Bus are back. This time instead of science adventure the kids are off to learn about history. Miss Frizzle and her students travel back in time 100 years. They arrive at a farmers village in China. Here they learn lots of things like how to eat with chop sticks and how to grow crops like rice and silk.

Splendidly illustrated with accurate details, this book is a delight to read: funny, informative, colorful, clear and comprehensive.

An excellent, highly recommended book for children ages 8 to 12.

I bought this book for my first-grade son, who is a huge Magic School Bus fan, but usually not all that interested in social studies. He found this book very interesting, and we have re-read it many times.

The book is in a larger format than the original Magic School Bus series, which leave more room for all of the sidebar explanations that typify these books. Cole and Degen explain processes, like growing rice and making silk, that are easy for kids to follow, and may teach the adults a thing or two. A common thread through the whole book is a list of things that the ancient Chinese invented before the West, another point that may teach adults something new. The plot is a little silly, but it made my son and I giggle.

All in all, it's great fun, and a nice way to introduce kids to Chinese culture. Teachers could read it to a class, then delve more deeply into subjects that they want to pursue.

My art teacher brought this book to class and I couldn't put it down. It's a little pricey but worth every cent. I go to another place in my head while looking at the portraits imagining what their lives must have been like. I feel as if they are people I know. The text is good, too. This was obviously a labor of love for the author.

This is a beautiful book for anyone interested in Hellenistic Greek or Roman painting or portraits from any time. These are the first portraits in which the subjects look directly at us as we regard them. They are a haunting glimpse into the lives of people dead for 2000 years. This book is full of big color illustrations. Doxiadis does a fine job of tracing the history of the discovery, theories about, and conservation of these images.

I first saw this book in the Getty Villa reading room, and aquired it here at a nice discount. A art history book written by an artist, what a concept! This is a hauntingly beautiful book that invites the owner to open it again and transport themselves back several millenia. These paintings are so wonderful it is easy to understand how "the experts" thought them fakes when they first appeared! The text is almost as much a pleasure to read as the paintings are to view. Some of the paintings are surprisingly contemporary and possess much of what artists pride themselves in accomplishing during the last 125 years or so.

I checked this book out from the library so many times, that noone else got to read it. If you are an artist or someone who wants to work with past lives, or a novelist, this is the book for you.
for the portraits in this book, painted in Alexandria m during the Greek/roman period of Eygpt's history, are wonderful! The Writer analyses each painting from a painter's perspective , breaking down the colors and pigments used in those times, for instance black is often burnt wine. the illusion of Gold was made with yellow orche / white and a darker color. I tried painting many of the pictures myself.