Ancient Civilizations (3rd Edition) [Paperback]

Christopher Scarre (Author), Brian M. Fagan (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Ancient Civilizations offers a comparative analysis of the field, including both old world and new civilizations, and explores the connections between all civilizations around the earth. The volume provides a jargon-free introduction to ancient civilizations from the first civilizations, and the great powers in the Near East, to the first Aegean civilizations, the Mediterranean world in the first millennium, Imperial Rome, northeast Africa, divine kings in southeast Asia, and empires in East Asia, as well as early states in the Americas and Andean civilization. For those interested in ancient civilizations.

From the Back Cover

Ancient Civilizations offers a comparative analysis of the field, including both old world and new civilizations, and explores the connections between all civilizations around the earth. The volume provides a jargon-free introduction to ancient civilizations from the first civilizations, and the great powers in the Near East, to the first Aegean civilizations, the Mediterranean world in the first millennium, Imperial Rome, northeast Africa, divine kings in southeast Asia, and empires in East Asia, as well as early states in the Americas and Andean civilization. For those interested in ancient civilizations.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 3 edition (August 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131928783
• ISBN-13: 978-0131928787
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #18,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

  #44 in	Books > History > Ancient > Early Civilization
  #56 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Sociology > Culture
  #10 in	Books > History > Historical Study > Civilization & Culture

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars for the second edition of this book, September 16, 2002

By	TammyJo Eckhart "TammyJo Eckhart" (Bloomington, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: Ancient Civilizations (Paperback)

There is a serious lack of textbooks today for anyone trying to teach a survey course in ancient history that isn't specifically focused on one culture or one single period. The general problem that most textbooks have -- too focused on 2 or 3 regions with barely a mention of other ancient cultures -- is the exact opposite problem with this book. First there is the problem of defining when ancient civilizations existed. This book goes from pre-history to the 16th century after the Europeans start settling the Americas! Second so many cultures are touched upon that very few get the treatment they deserve. It feels as though these authors are attempting to compensate for an "too Mediterranean view" but as a result note dealing with them in any acceptable way. A much better survey book would first limit the time periods it looks at (I'd suggest beginning of cities to fall of Rome in the West) then think about the themes you want to cover. Use those themes (urbanization, status, economics, trade, military, gender, intellectual matters) to look at a variety of civilizations in that period. So basically, I'm still waiting for a better ancient survey textbook to come out.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Textbook Review, October 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Ancient Civilizations (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This is an introductory textbook for a college level course on ancient civilizations. Of those texts available on this subject matter, this is the best. It is clearly written and the material is presented in a logical order. It provides amble maps, tables, illustrations, etc.. It is also a very good source for those non-academic readers interested in the evolution and development of state level societies and civlizations.

5 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a Good Choice for History Class, May 9, 2006

By	CL - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ancient Civilizations (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

I do not feel that this books is a good choice for Ancient History class. The book goes more into the archeological aspect than the history. I found my instructor inundating us with notes that were not in the book because of this.