Customer Reviews

Ancient Greece

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I have purchased most of Peter Connolly's illustrated books, and they are all fantastic. My only complaint is the areas where they leave me wanting more.

If you too are a fan, you know that his material is sometimes reused over the years in different titles. For instance, illustrations from Greece and Rome At War and The Ancient Greece of Odysseus appear in The Ancient City (still my favorite.)

From the Amazon "Look Inside" feature I gather that these two volumes are a re-working of material from The Ancient City (with Hazel Dodge). I think it is great that these books are targeted at a new audience, but I won't purchase them unless there is something new for me in them. Though I would not hesitate to give them as gifts. If a reviewer could give a good comparison of these books to Peter Connolly's past projects it would be a great help.

SERIES: This books is written in the same style and format as ANCIENT GREECE, also by Peter Connolly. [For older readers, try THE ANCIENT CITY by Peter Connolly (middle to high school level), which covers the same topics at greater depth and with more specific historical contest.]

FORMAT: Both books in the series are formatted two-page spreads centered on a single topic, consisting of a few paragraphs of text plus Connolly's illustrations combined with blurbs about them. The first three two-page spreads are centered on orienting the reader in the world of Athens, Spartas, and Persia and in Athens itself. The rest of the book is devoted to social history, covering these sections: Daily life, Houses, Religion, Government, Work, Social life, Sports and games, The theatre.

EVALUATION: As in Ancient Rome, the pictures are fabulous, and the text is clear and informative and complements the pictures well. Very enganging and very highly recommended.