ANCIENT ASSYRIANS (Osprey Trade Editions) [Paperback]

Mark Healy (Author), Angus McBride (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Trade Editions | Publication Date: February 15, 2000

Today we know the Assyrian empire only as it is depicted in the bible; as a cruel and tyrannical dictatorship. Yet further research and investigation reveal that the that the civilization of Assyria was of a high order, and had long reaching effects on the cultural evolution of the Near East. This book seeks to uncover the truth about a civilization which, within only fifty years of obtaining complete dominance of the East, had crumbled into insignificance.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The Bringing History to Life collection is made up of Osprey's all-time favourite titles, re-released with striking new covers - selected titles also include visitor information sections.

About the Author

Mark Healy was born in 1953. He has a Master’s degree in Political Theology from Bristol University. He is by profession a schoolteacher and is head of the Humanities faculty in a large school in Somerset. He has written a number of Osprey titles including Elite 40 New Kingdom Egypt and Campaign 16 Kursk 1943. He has a great interest in both the ancient and modern periods, is married with one son and lives in Dorset. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (February 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841760323
• ISBN-13: 978-1841760322
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #576,028 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "The Ancient Assyrian" a short history of Ashur, July 24, 2000

By 

M Manning - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ancient Assyrians (Elite) (Paperback)

Healy's book gives a quick review of the Assyria Empire from start to finish in a mere 64 pages. However its shortness is made up by the wonderful photos (12 in color) and diagrams presented in the book. One unusaul aspect of this book is there is no table of contents, index, or biblography. It's almost written like a research paper that was converted into a published book. Nevertheless the purchase price is well worth the money.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource, December 29, 2004

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ancient Assyrians (Elite) (Paperback)

This fascinating book is an excellent resource to have on the ancient Assyrians. It begins with a history of the Assyrians, from earliest times, through their rise to greatness, and on to their fall. Then, the book gets into the part that is its truly greatest part, a look at the tactics and technology of the Assyrian army. The crowning glory of the book, though, is definitely the twelve color illustrations by the great Angus McBride, which shows the Assyrians as they truly looked.

This is a great book, an excellent resource for anyone who is studying the Assyrians or ancient warfare. Even though the book is short, it is crammed full of useful and interesting information, one that I highly treasure. I give this gook my highest recommendation.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Caution, May 15, 2007

By 

The Laughing Heretic (strikes again) (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ancient Assyrians (Elite) (Paperback)

I'm a history major, for the record. I've heard all manner of semi-scholarly critisism of these Osprey books so I'll sum it all up and rather than give the book a one star for what it isn't, I'll review it for what it is.
These books are very entertaining introductory histories of their various (military) topics. The illustrations demonstrate their intent quite clearly: to entertain as much as to inform. These books are intended for laymen who enjoy military history, possibly the re-enactment crowd, and definitely bright adolescents. As "Illustrated Histories" go, they're quite excellent and I'm collecting them for my kids.
*WARNING-THESE BOOKS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE AS SCHOLARLY RESEARCH MATERIALS*
There are no footnotes, endnotes, citations, and no bibliography. There is the occasional (usually relatively minor) inaccuracy which is not a big deal for kids and laymen but is a major issue for academics.

That said, these books could help you out as introductions to material. For example, I bought and read this one as a general introduction to Assyrian military practices. It gave me enough of a grasp of the material to focus the thesis of my paper and know what kinds of things I should research. I did not use this book as a source!!

It is what it is, and as an entertaining introductory read for youths and laymen it is great. You ought not to expect a mass market paperback to live up to academic standards. If thats what you want, you should know that books meeting those standards are usually published by "(Insert name of Institution) Univeristy Press" or are primary sources (people who were there and wrote down what they saw).